Description

This 5-day adventure takes you through two of Rwanda’s most iconic national parks. Begin with Akagera National Park, where you’ll embark on thrilling game drive to spot the Big Five Animals—lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos—along with giraffes, zebras, and more. Enjoy a serene boat ride on Lake Ihema, surrounded by diverse wildlife. The journey continues in Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous mountain gorillas. Experience an once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure, immerse yourself in Rwandan culture, and explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Virunga Mountains. This tour offers a perfect blend of wildlife, nature, and cultural experiences.

Itinerary highlight:

Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda and pick up from the airport

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park + Game drive and boat cruise

Day 3: Short Game Drive and Transfer to Musanze City

Day 4: Gorilla trekking and visit Dian Fossey Museum + transfer to Kigali

Day 5: Departure from Rwanda

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Rwanda + pick up

Welcome to Rwanda! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our guide/driver and transferred to your hotel, just 20 minutes away.

• Accommodation Options: Chez Lando Hotel / Mille Collines Hotel / Serena Hotel
• Meal plan: dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park for Full-Day Game Drive

• After a packed breakfast at the hotel, depart at 5 AM for Akagera National Park, a 3-hour drive. After registration and a briefing at the park reception, enjoy a full-day game drive, spotting animals like giraffes, buffaloes, impalas, zebras, topis, and elephants, ….. Around 1 PM, have lunch, then continue the game drive.
• At 4:30 PM doing one hour sunset boat cruise in Ihema Lake located in the Park, second largest lake in Rwanda after Lake Kivu, home of hippos, crocodiles and different species of birds. After that experience you will go to the hotel for check in and overnight there.
•  Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge
• Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Early Morning Game Drive and Transfer to musanze city
Start your day with a pre-dawn game drive at 5:00 AM, increasing your chances of spotting rare animals such as leopards, lions, and hyenas. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out. Depart Akagera National Park and transfer to Musanze for an overnight stay.

• Accommodation: Best View hotel / Classic Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique & Hotel
• Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking + Visit Dian Fossey Museum + transfer to Kigali

After breakfast you will leave the hotel at 6: 20 AM for arriving at the park office by 6:45 AM for the registration and a short briefing about the gorillas and allocation of Gorilla groups and guides. Thereafter get into the tropical rain forest and search for the mountain gorillas and you will find them doing their daily chores of feeding their young ones, climbing trees and others just relaxing take your best photographs having switched off your flash. This whole exercise takes a maximum of 1 hour.

After this experience you will leave the place heading to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus where you will learn about history behind the gorillas conservation. There is an option of having lunch there or another local restaurant before embarking on the trip to Kigali.

• Accommodation: Chez Lando Hotel / Mille Collines hotel / Serena hotel
• Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Kigali City Tour (optional) and transfer to the airport

Depending on the departure time from the airport, there is an option of doing Kigali City Tour where you will have an opportunity of visiting different places like Kigali Genocide Memorial where the entrance is free, visit Kimironko Market where you can buy some souvenirs, visit coffee shop like Question Coffee, The tour will end by transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure from Rwanda.

Meal plan: Lunch

Accommodation options

Vehicle Options:

• 1-2 people: 4×4 Jeep (Land Cruiser Prado)
• 3-6 people: 4×4 Jeep (Safari Car)

Pricing:

Inclusions:

• Transport: 4×4 Jeep
• Accommodation: 4 nights with single occupancy in standard room (depending on the selected option)
• Park entry fees (Akagera National Park)
• Gorilla permit
• Boat cruise in Ihema Lake
• Visit Dian Fossey Museum (Ellen DeGeneres Campus)
• Guiding
• Meals and soft drinks: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners

Exclusions:

• Alcoholic drinks
• Souvenirs
• Tips and donations
• Personal expenses

Terms & Conditions:

Booking Confirmation:

• A deposit of 70% of the total cost is required to confirm a booking. The remaining 30% must be paid 30 days before the tour start date. For bookings confirmed within 30 days of the tour, the total cost should be paid in full.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

• Cancellation fees apply based on the time of cancellation:
  • 30% if canceled 30 days or more prior to the arrival date
  • 50% if canceled between 16 and 30 days before the arrival date
  • 100% if canceled within 15 days of the arrival date
• Gorilla permit payments are non-refundable.
• Refunds will be processed to the original payment account.

This comprehensive itinerary ensures a well-rounded experience of Rwanda’s wildlife and culture