Day 1: Kigali Arrival & Akagera National Park Discovery

Morning: Warm Welcome to Rwanda Your African adventure begins the moment you land at Kigali International Airport. Our professional Africa Travel Experts team greets you with personalized service, handles customs formalities, and provides a comprehensive safari briefing.

Afternoon: Journey to Akagera National Park Travel through Rwanda’s breathtaking “Land of a Thousand Hills” landscape as you head to Akagera National Park, East Africa’s newest Big Five destination. Watch for wildlife during your scenic drive to the lodge, where elephants, giraffes, and buffalo often graze near the roadside.

Evening: Sunset Lake Cruise After settling into your accommodation and enjoying a delicious lunch, experience the magic of Lake Ihema on a serene sunset boat cruise. Marvel at pods of hippos, diverse bird species, and the occasional crocodile while golden African light illuminates the water.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge (Breakfast included)
Travel Time: 2.5 hours from Kigali

Day 2: Full Akagera Safari Experience & Return to Kigali

Early Morning: Dawn Boat Safari Begin your day with another enchanting Lake Ihema boat cruise, when wildlife is most active. Photograph hippos yawning in the morning light and spot various waterfowl species in their natural habitat.

Full Day: Comprehensive Game Drive Explore Akagera’s diverse ecosystems on extensive game drives through savannah plains, woodland areas, and wetlands. Visit the famous Giraffe Valley and navigate the scenic Lakes Road toward Birengero.

Wildlife Highlights:

• Recently reintroduced lions and black rhinos
• Large elephant herds
• Masai giraffes and plains zebras
• Various antelope species including topi and eland
• Over 500 bird species

Evening Return: Drive back to Kigali with a picnic lunch stop, arriving at your city hotel for dinner and rest.

Accommodation: One Click Hotel, Kigali (Breakfast included)

Day 3: Border Crossing & Batwa Cultural Encounter

Morning: Uganda Border Crossing After an early breakfast, embark on a scenic 4-5 hour journey to Uganda’s legendary Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Cyanika border crossing. Enjoy stunning mountain vistas and terraced hillsides along the route.

Afternoon: Authentic Cultural Experience Following lunch and check-in at your forest lodge, visit the remarkable Batwa pygmy community. These original forest inhabitants share their profound connection to Bwindi through traditional songs, captivating dances, and ancient storytelling.

Cultural Learning Opportunities:

• Traditional hunting and gathering techniques
• Medicinal plant knowledge
• Forest survival skills
• Impact of conservation on indigenous communities

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (Breakfast included)
Altitude: 2,100 meters above sea level

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Volcanoes

Dawn: Pre-Trek Preparation Rise early for a substantial breakfast before the day’s highlight – mountain gorilla trekking. At 7:00 AM, attend the mandatory briefing conducted by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

Morning: Into the Impenetrable Forest Trek through Bwindi’s ancient rainforest, navigating challenging terrain including steep slopes, dense vegetation, and potentially muddy trails. Your expert trackers locate one of the habituated gorilla families.

The Ultimate Encounter Spend one magical hour observing mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Watch family interactions, playful juveniles, and the impressive silverback patriarch – an experience that changes lives forever.

Afternoon: Return Journey to Rwanda After lunch, begin the scenic drive back to Rwanda, crossing landscapes of rolling hills, local villages, and terraced farmland. Cross at Cyanika border and continue to Musanze town.

Accommodation: Home Inn Musanze (Breakfast included)
Trek Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Day 5: Golden Monkey Trek & Cultural Finale

Morning: Golden Monkey Adventure Following breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for golden monkey trekking. These endangered primates, found only in the Albertine Rift, offer excellent photographic opportunities with their playful behavior and striking golden coats.

Mid-Morning: Primate Photography Spend one hour with the golden monkey troop, observing their acrobatic feeding habits and social interactions among the bamboo forests of the volcanic slopes.

Afternoon: Gorilla Guardian Village Experience authentic Rwandan culture at the Gorilla Guardian Village (formerly Iby’iwacu). Participate in traditional ceremonies, learn ancient crafts, and join energetic cultural performances celebrating Rwanda’s rich heritage.

Cultural Activities Include:

• Traditional brewing demonstrations
• Bow and arrow practice
• Local craft workshops
• Community storytelling sessions

Evening: Departure or Extended Stay Conclude your adventure with a 2.5-hour transfer to Kigali. Choose between airport drop-off for international flights or city hotel accommodation for extended exploration.