5 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Golden Monkey & Wildlife Safari

Your safari begins with a warm welcome from your professional driver-guide in Kigali. After a short briefing, you will depart for Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzania border.

The drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and offers a gradual transition from Rwanda’s rolling highlands to open savannah landscapes. As you approach the park, the scenery changes to acacia woodlands, lakes, and wetlands—an ecosystem rich in wildlife.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch with views of the surrounding wilderness. In the late afternoon, set out for your first wildlife safari game drive. This is an ideal time to observe animals as temperatures cool and activity increases. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and various antelope species, with a chance of spotting predators such as lions or hyenas.

Return to your lodge at sunset for dinner and relaxation, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

Begin your day early with a sunrise game drive—one of the most rewarding times for wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park. The park is home to the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—along with a wide variety of other wildlife including impalas, elands, topis, warthogs, and hyenas.

Your guide will take you through different habitats, from open plains to wooded areas and wetlands, maximizing your chances of diverse sightings. The early morning light also provides ideal conditions for photography.

After the morning game drive, return to your lodge for a late breakfast or lunch and a period of relaxation.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, one of the highlights of any Akagera safari. This peaceful excursion allows you to observe hippos in large pods, Nile crocodiles basking along the shoreline, and an impressive variety of birdlife including African fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers.

As the sun sets over the lake, return to your lodge for dinner and an evening at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy a short en-route game drive as you exit Akagera, then begin your journey across Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park.

The drive takes approximately 4 to 5 hours and is one of the most scenic in the country. You will pass through rolling hills, terraced farms, tea plantations, and rural communities, offering a deeper appreciation of Rwanda’s landscape and culture.

Along the way, you may stop at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for an engaging cultural experience. Here, local community members share traditional music, dance, storytelling, and insights into their heritage and way of life.

Arrive in Musanze in the late afternoon, check in at your lodge, and relax in preparation for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Today is the highlight of your safari—gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Kinigi park headquarters by around 7:00 AM for registration and a comprehensive briefing by park rangers. You will be assigned to a habituated gorilla family and grouped with a small number of trekkers (maximum of 8 participants).

Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will trek into the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains. The trek can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. The terrain can be steep and muddy, but the experience is carefully guided and paced.

Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch silverbacks protect their families, juveniles play, and mothers nurture their young. This close interaction is deeply moving and widely regarded as one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in Africa.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, with the rest of the day free to unwind.

After breakfast, return to the park headquarters for your final primate experience—golden monkey tracking.

Golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga region and are known for their vibrant golden-orange fur and energetic behavior. The trek is generally shorter and less physically demanding than gorilla trekking, lasting around 2 to 3 hours. You will explore bamboo forest zones while observing these playful primates as they leap between branches and feed.

After the experience, begin your return journey to Kigali (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours). The drive offers another opportunity to enjoy Rwanda’s scenic countryside.

Depending on your departure schedule, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, explore local markets, or enjoy a relaxing lunch in the city.

Your guide will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport or your hotel, marking the end of your 5-day Rwanda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari.