7 Days Volcanoes Gorillas Tour Featuring Kigali City and Akagera National Park

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, airport assistance and a private transfer are provided. The day is introduced with a guided city tour of Kigali, offering a meaningful orientation to Rwanda’s historical and social context. Key cultural landmarks, artisan centers, and city viewpoints are visited, providing insight into Kigali’s transformation and contemporary identity.

A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is included to allow respectful reflection and historical understanding, forming an important foundation for appreciating Rwanda’s national resilience. Lunch is arranged at a carefully selected local restaurant. Hotel check-in follows in the afternoon, with the evening reserved for rest after international travel.

Accommodation options (Kigali):
Mid-range: Hotel des Mille Collines
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel or The Retreat by Heaven

After breakfast, departure is scheduled for the Volcanoes region in northern Rwanda. The drive unfolds through cultivated hillsides, rural settlements, and volcanic landscapes, offering scenic views that define the country’s reputation as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” En route, brief stops may be made for photography and cultural observation.

Arrival near Volcanoes National Park is timed for lunch, which is served either at the lodge or nearby. The afternoon is deliberately unhurried, allowing acclimatization to altitude and preparation for gorilla trekking. A detailed briefing on trekking procedures, conservation rules, and physical expectations is conducted by the guide. Dinner and overnight stay follow in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes.

Accommodation options (Volcanoes area):
Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Bisate Lodge

An early morning start is required, with breakfast served before transfer to the park headquarters for registration and ranger briefing. Gorilla trekking groups are allocated based on fitness levels and gorilla family movements to ensure a balanced and responsible experience.

The trek proceeds through bamboo forest and montane vegetation, guided by professional rangers and trackers. Trekking duration varies depending on gorilla location. Once a gorilla family is reached, a strictly regulated one-hour viewing session is permitted, during which natural behaviors such as feeding, play, and social interaction are observed under controlled conditions.

After the trek, return to the lodge is arranged for lunch and rest. The afternoon remains flexible, allowing optional community visits or quiet relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay are provided at the lodge.

Accommodation: Same as Day 2

Following breakfast, departure is scheduled for eastern Rwanda with a scenic cross-country drive toward Akagera National Park. The journey showcases Rwanda’s contrasting landscapes, transitioning from volcanic highlands to open plains and lake systems.

Arrival in Akagera is planned for the afternoon, followed by lodge check-in and lunch. A short introductory game drive may be conducted depending on arrival time, offering initial exposure to plains wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and buffalo. Dinner and overnight stay are provided within the park.

Accommodation options (Akagera):
Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge or Magashi Camp

The day is dedicated to wildlife viewing within Akagera National Park. A morning game drive is conducted at dawn, when wildlife activity is at its peak. The park is home to the Big Five, including lion, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard, and buffalo, as well as diverse plains species and over 500 recorded bird species.

After returning to the lodge for breakfast and rest, an afternoon activity is scheduled. This may include a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, and water birds are observed at close range. The combination of land and water-based safaris offers a comprehensive understanding of Akagera’s ecosystems. Dinner and overnight stay are provided at the lodge.

Accommodation: Same as Day 4

An early morning game drive is conducted to capture final wildlife sightings before departure from the park. Breakfast is served at the lodge, after which the return journey to Kigali is undertaken. Arrival in the city is scheduled for the afternoon, allowing time for relaxation or optional shopping at local craft markets.

A farewell dinner may be arranged at a selected Kigali restaurant, marking the conclusion of the safari experience.

Accommodation options (Kigali):
Mid-range: Hotel des Mille Collines
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel

After breakfast, a private transfer is arranged to Kigali International Airport for onward travel. Assistance is provided as needed, bringing the safari to a smooth and well-coordinated conclusion.