5 days Akagera Wildlife and Volcanoes Primates Safari
This 5 days Akagera Wildlife and Volcanoes Primates Safari is the perfect short holiday tour in Rwanda. During this tour, you will embark on guided game drives in Akagera National Park where you will get to see a variety of wildlife like elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos, topi, zebras, giraffes and so many more. You will also get to track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park; as well as a visit to Ibyi’wacu village for a cultural tour.
Highlights for 5 days Akagera Wildlife and Volcanoes Primates Safari
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 2: Game drive and Ihema boat trip
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 4: Gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park and Ibyi’wacu Village Tour
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trek and transfer back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary for 5 days Akagera Wildlife and Volcanoes Primates Safari
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Akagera National Park
Get in touch with your driver to schedule the commencement of this 5-day journey. You will meet at the airport or other designated pickup location at about 8 a.m. and travel north of Rwanda for about 2 and a half hours till you reach the park’s southern gate. The park’s purest air will greet you warmly. Connect to check into your accommodation, freshen up, and have lunch.
After lunch, go on an afternoon game drive to see Akagera’s wildlife, including lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, and a variety of antelope species. You will spend no more than 5 hours on this journey before returning to your hotel before supper. Have supper and stay overnight at your lodge.
Day 2: Game drive and Ihema boat trip
This day gives you a second chance to spot the animals you missed the previous evening in the park. After breakfast, meet your driver guide and be at the starting site by 9 a.m. to enjoy a drive around the park’s many paths. You’ll find early risers and hunters hunting for their daily feed. Have lunch and connect for the boat tour on Lake Ihema.
This boat trip lasts one hour and can accommodate up to 11 people. You will be able to view more of the park on the lake, including aquatic species like as crocodiles and hippopotami enjoying the waters, as well as birds such as the African fish eagle and cattle egret.
Make your way back to your resort with your driver guide and enjoy the evening at leisure while you wait for the last meal in the park from the night before.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Wake up to a long, yet entertaining day. Have breakfast and go to Volcanoes National Park via Kigali. You will have lunch in Kigali before continuing to Ruhengeri town for the night in preparation for the gorilla climb the next day. Your lodge will serve dinner and provide overnight accommodations.
Day 4: Gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park and Ibyi’wacu Village Tour
Have a light breakfast, pack your sandwiches, and travel to the park headquarters at 7 a.m. for a morning briefing on what to anticipate, do’s and don’ts, and the opportunity to book your porter and any hiking gear you may require. Set off into the jungle in quest of gorillas. Trek with the rangers for around 2 to 7 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas.
When you meet these endangered animals, you will have one hour to enjoy their presence. During this magical hour, you will be able to take photos and study the lifestyles of mountain gorilla families as they go about their daily routines. Return to your accommodation for a late lunch and some relaxation.
You will later embark on an afternoon cultural tour to Ibyi’wacu village which is also known as the ‘Gorilla Guardians Village.’ You will visit the former king’s palace in the village, as well as interact with the locals as you watch interesting traditional dance and singing performances from the local store dance troupe.
Later get back to the lodge before the sun sets and have dinner and overnight as the night before.
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trek and transfer back to Kigali
Following breakfast, proceed to the park’s briefing area, where you will be briefed and divided into trekking groups. You will then comment on your trek through the jungle in search of golden monkeys, which can take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on their location. Once you’ve identified a troop of golden monkeys, you’ll get an hour to spend with these incredible creatures.
Connect back to Kigali for lunch, and if you have more time, visit the Kimironko market to buy some local souvenirs for loved ones back home while also interacting with the community.
You will be dropped off at your agreed location in Kigali which will mark the end of your 5 days Akagera Wildlife and Volcanoes Primates Safari.
