This safari takes you to Volcanoes National Park, renowned for its rich conservation history and the groundbreaking research of pioneers like Dian Fossey. The park serves as a sanctuary for endangered species, including the golden monkey, and offers an unforgettable opportunity to hike the five majestic volcanic mountains—Mt. Gahinga, Sabinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Muhavura. These towering peaks are shared by three countries: Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda, making this an extraordinary adventure that spans borders and showcases the beauty of the region’s diverse ecosystems

Highlights

  • Genocide Memorial
  • Tropical rain forest
  • Scenic Road Trip
  • Local communities

 Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup transfer to Akagera for a boat trip on lake Ihema

After breakfast, you’ll begin your scenic journey to Akagera National Park, located about 110 km (a 3-hour drive) east of Kigali. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Imigongo Art Café for a refreshing break. Continuing your drive, you’ll enter the park via the southern entrance and make your way to the lodge, which offers stunning views of Lake Ihema, the park’s largest lake, surrounded by swamp. The hippos often graze near the tents, and the natural sounds of the park create a truly immersive, wild atmosphere for your stay.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat excursion on Lake Ihema, the park’s largest water body, just a short distance from the lodge. This 2-hour trip offers a chance to spot a variety of wildlife, including hippos, Nile crocodiles, and other water animals. The highlight, however, is the incredible birdlife. Keep an eye out for species such as the whistling duck, African openbill stork, African jacana, squacco heron, goliath heron, grey heron, African darter, great cormorant, African Fish Eagle, pied kingfisher, little bee-eater, and the vibrant scarlet-chested sunbird.

Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 2: Full Day game drive discovering Akagera national park

Today, embark on a full-day game drive through the northern part of Akagera National Park, where you’ll have the chance to spot some of the park’s larger mammals, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, impalas, waterbucks, and the elusive leopard. You may also encounter rhinos and the reintroduced lions. The route along the lake shore track is known for a higher concentration of wildlife, leading you towards the expansive northern plains.

Throughout the day, you’ll have access to designated picnic spots and rest areas with toilets. This area previously faced human-wildlife conflict, but it was successfully addressed with the installation of a fence along one side of the park, providing protection for both local communities and wildlife.

Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3: Transfer from Akagera national park to Volcanoes national park

Enjoy breakfast in Akagera before heading back to Kigali, where you’ll stop for refreshments. Continue your journey towards Musanze, located on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, which features beautiful gardens, a swimming pool, and stunning views of the Virunga Mountains. Volcanoes National Park is renowned for its exceptional gorilla

trekking experiences, providing an incredible opportunity to help conserve the endangered mountain gorillas while experiencing their natural habitat firsthand.

Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: The Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience.

After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the visitor center for a briefing session on gorilla tracking, led by park rangers. Here, you’ll learn about the essential guidelines to ensure both your safety and the well-being of the gorillas. Once allocated to a gorilla family, you’ll be accompanied by experienced trackers through the serene, lush rainforest of Volcanoes National Park. When the gorillas are located, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour observing them up close, gaining insight into their behavior, social structure, and the conservation efforts in place to protect these magnificent creatures.

A packed lunch will be served amidst the forest, offering you the unique experience of dining in the gorillas’ natural habitat. Later, you’ll transfer to the Rwanda-Uganda border and continue your journey to Rushaga, in southern Bwindi, for your second gorilla adventure. As the day winds down, reflect on your incredible experience over a delicious dinner at your lodge, exchanging stories and memories with fellow travelers and guides.

Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5: Optional golden monkey tracking and transfer to Kigali

On your final day, enjoy an optional golden monkey tracking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. This exciting experience allows you to spend an hour trekking through the bamboo forest, encountering the playful and lively golden monkeys in their natural habitat. After your golden monkey tracking, return to your lodge to check out and bid farewell to the enchanting Volcanoes National Park. You’ll then begin your journey back to Kigali, where we’ll drop you off at the airport, marking the end of an unforgettable adventure.

Accommodation: None

Meal Plan: Breakfast only

Included

  • 4×4 Customized Safari Landcruiser
  • All transfers mentioned in the itinerary
  • 1 gorilla permit per person (1500$)
  • 1 Golden Monkey Permit (100)
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Accommodation as per the itinerary
  • Drinking water in the vehicle
  • Activities mentioned in the itinerary

Excluded

  • Porter fees
  • Tips or any additional costs of personal nature
  • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Lunch en route for the trip starting and ending in Kigali