Activities

9 Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Kigali Airport

You will be met on arrival at the Kigali International Airport. After the immigration formalities, enjoy a transfer into Kigali City. You will be checked in at your Kigali hotel for the night. 

It is here that our Rwanda safari rep will brief you on the 9-day Rwanda gorilla safari.  You will have your overnight at Hilltop Hotel in Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali – Akagera National Park

Start your 9 Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari with a no rush breakfast. This will be at 0730hrs at your hotel in Kigali. This will be followed by departure from Kigali. The drive takes you to Akagera National Park. 

Your arrival will be in time for lunch. Relaxation in the afternoon will help you prepare for the next events. You will embark on an afternoon game drive within the park. 

Be on the lookout for Giraffes, Buffaloes, and Spotted Hyenas. There are also Elephants, Crocodiles, Hippos and plenty of bird life. Your dinner and overnight will be at Akagera Game Lodge.

About Akagera National Park

In case you are interested in seeing the large animals, then Akagera is right place to be. This Rwanda national park on the Rwanda Tanzania border. Akagera is consists of swamps, open grasslands, lakes, woodland and savannah. 

Many elephants plus buffaloes gather around the lakes to drink. The zebras plus giraffes are common in the savannah. The park is home to leopards, hyenas, lions plus over twelve antelope species.  Besides, you will find crocodiles plus hippos close to the lakes.

Among the bird species that make up the prolific birdlife here are the grand fish eagles. There is a great number of water birds. Within the swamps you will see the papyrus gonolek as well as the adored shoebill stork.

Akagera National Park is situated in eastern Rwanda. The nearest town to the park is Kibungu which serves as the start point for safaris to this park.

Akagera National Park covers an expanse of more than 2500 sq km west of River Kagera. This extends to the border with Tanzania. This park is home to a diversity of wildlife and hosts more than 500 bird species. 

Day 3: Akagera National Park

Start your 9 Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari with an early breakfast. This will be followed by a transfer to Rusumo waterfall. You will pass via the Imigongo traditional handcraft makers. It is time to sample Mother Nature’s wonderful scene. This beauty of the waterfall is worth the visit. You will return to your lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon you have a boat riding in Ihema Lake. You will visit Nyirabiyoro historical island. This is home to many crocodiles, hippos and other species of rare birds. Your dinner and overnight will be at Akagera Game Lodge.

Day 4: Kigali – Parc Nationale des Volcans

An early morning breakfast will make the start of your Rwanda Gorilla Safari day. This will be followed by departure. Today you are heading to Parc Nationale des Volcanoes. This park is also known as the Volcanoes National Park. You will have a lunch break en route. Your arrival will be in the evening for check in at your Volcanoes accommodation.  Your dinner and overnight will be at Le’ Bambou Gorilla Safari Lodge.

About Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is dominated by five towering volcanoes. This rain forested Volcanoes National Park is the jewel in Rwanda's national parks. It is a stunning mist-shrouded forest, one of its kind. It is home to over half of the world's extant gorilla population.

Volcanoes National Park has a population of over 300 mountain gorillas. This draws thousands of visitors each year to see the gentle giants in their natural habitat. There are over twenty Rwanda gorilla family groups in the park. Visitors are able to meet members of ten groups, while the other ten are kept away from tourists for study.

Also, within the park is the final resting place of gorilla researcher. This is the anti-poaching activist, Dian Fossey. Dian is a woman whose work raised awareness of the plight of gorillas and led to her murder.

Day 5 and 6: Two Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Your Rwanda gorilla safari day will start early. This will be with an early breakfast. After getting your picnic lunch boxes you will proceed to the head office. This is in time for the briefing at 0800 hrs. 

You will meet your armed ranger and guide. If you need porters, you can get one or two to help you. This is at a cost of course. It is time to tackle the day’s activity. You will venture into the forest trails in search of the apes. 

Your trek follows the path of the mountain gorillas assigned to you.  The trek can be quite tough due to terrain and time taken. You can take approximately 2-8 hours to undertake the trekking. Return to your lodge in time for dinner and overnight. This will be at Le’ Bambou Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Day 7: Visit Dian Fossey Grave

Start the day on Rwanda gorilla safari with an early breakfast. This will be followed by a visit to the grave of Dian Fossey. This is at the former Karisoke Research Center. It is here that Dian spent some twenty years studying the Mountain Gorillas. The trek to the site is quite spectacular. You will be passing through bamboo forest and afro-montane habitats. You may spot other wildlife during the trek. Later return to your lodge for lunch. The afternoon will be spent at leisure. Your dinner and overnight will be at Le’ Bambou Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking

Start your 9 day Rwanda gorilla safari early. You will have your breakfast before 0700hrs. Transfer to the park headquarters for briefing. In much smaller groups, you will set off to the forest. This is to track the rare and endangered Golden monkeys. 

You will encounter other primate species as vervet monkeys and baboons. There are so many bird species and butterflies available in this forest. Your guide will help you to identify whatever animal, bird or insect you will meet. 

The guide will be ready to answer your questions about fauna and flora. Return to your lodge in the afternoon. Your evening in Volcanoes will be at leisure. Your dinner and overnight will be at Le’ Bambou Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Day 9: Kigali City Tour and Departure

Start your Rwanda gorilla safari with an early breakfast. This will be followed by departure to Kigali. On arrival you will proceed on a Kigali City tour. This goes to Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. 

You will also be able to visit the colorful markets and craft center. You will conclude your Rwanda gorilla holiday with a transfer. This is to the airport in time for your departure flight.

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9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour Costs

The 9 Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour cost includes

• Accommodation with meals as per program
• Bottled water
• Customized safari-vehicle
• An English speaking guide
• All park entry fees
• Boat Ride on Lake Iheme
• 1 X Rwanda gorilla permit
• 1 X golden Monkey tracking permit
• Government taxes
• Lots of fun and African sunshine

The 9 Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari cost does not include

• Items of personal use
• All drinks, beverages and alcohol other than what is served at breakfast
• Deviation from the Itinerary
• Visa
• Tips and porterage
• Insurance

What you carry for your 9 Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour:

• Sun glasses
• Camera gear
• Heavy and light clothes
• Sturdy hiking boots