The Perfect 8 Days Volcanoes And Akagera Safari Itinerary Guide

At a Glance

Set out on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through the Rwandan rainforest in search of golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. Gorillas are truly remarkable animals; to learn more about them, you can visit a facility established by Dr. Dian Fossey, who spent 18 years studying them in the Virunga Mountains with funding from National Geographic. Explore Akagera National Park on safari in pursuit of the “big five”: lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffalo. Along the way, you’ll hear inspiring stories of the heroic conservation efforts that rebuilt this park after a devastating conflict.

A Detailed Volcanoes And Akagera Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali, Rwanda

Come when you please. We offer arrival transfer services. The city is well-known for its welcoming vibe, so if you get there early, you should definitely spend some time exploring. From its outskirts, Kigali boasts a number of fascinating and historically significant attractions. We suggest reserving a pre-night if you would want additional time to explore.

Day 2: Kigali, Rwanda

Pay your respects to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and learn about this melancholy chapter of the country’s past by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Visit the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, which receives funding from G Adventures, for a local lunch before setting off on a community walk through the lively Nyamirambo neighborhood. In the afternoon, make your way to northern Rwanda, where you will find our lodge. It is situated on the edge of Volcanoes National Park and offers breathtaking views of the towering peaks: The parks of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) share borders with Volcanoes National Park. The Virunga Mountains are home to eight volcanoes, five of which are located here. Bamboo, a favorite food of the park’s gorillas, and verdant rainforest cover the park’s mountains and volcanoes. Although mountain gorillas get all the media attention, the area is home to a wide variety of animals, including buffalo, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, a plethora of bird species, and even a few elephants.

Day 3: Volcanoes National Park

Go on an adventure over verdant hills covered in rainforest with a park ranger in search of a rare and endangered monkey species. See these energetic and inquisitive animals in their native environment before visiting Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center, which she established with a National Geographic Grant. Before you meet with some of the group’s gorilla specialists, take part in immersive activities at the public display, such as a 360-degree theater and a reproduction of Dian Fossey’s original cabin. Take the opportunity to ask them questions and listen to their stories as they work for the world’s largest gorilla conservation organization:

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park

Trekking in Rwanda Part | Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park – Ultimate Bucket List Adventure!

Go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with a park ranger in search of mountain gorillas as you traverse the jungle. Observe the intriguing social dynamics of a gorilla troop up close and personal the next time we encounter them. Keep in mind that the whereabouts of the gorillas determine the level of difficulty and duration of these expeditions. After lunch, we’ll head back to the lodge for a look at rural life through a visit to a nearby village. There are around 800 mountain gorillas left in the wild today. Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda are the places you can find them. Gorillas inhabit comparable habitats in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Highland gorillas are the name given to the gorilla species that inhabit these three regions. There are ten habituated gorilla families in Rwanda that welcome visitors. Each party of eight trekkers is limited to one hour with the gorillas, and the visits happen once a day. In order to respect the gorilla family’s daily routine and promote conservation efforts, the amount of time you spend with them is limited. You should always come prepared for a trek, because you can never tell how long or short it will be in the end. Because gorillas are inherently mobile, the overall amount of time spent trekking can range from four to nine hours. Most of your walking will be in areas devoid of roads, with just the rare buffalo or elephant route to guide you. No touching the gorillas, though they might accidentally touch you. It is also forbidden to make a raucous or to shift about abruptly. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. The rangers and trackers will always have the last say. Porters are available for approximately $10 USD each person. The local villagers who work as porters are more than just a helpful hand when you need it; they can even carry your day pack. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. In addition to bolstering the local economy, it helps people find work.

Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park

Take a lunch break in Kigali before continuing east to Akagera National Park. This region of Rwanda was once the scene of bloodshed, and afterward it was neglected and abused for a long time. The savannas, wooded hills, and marshes of the park were once again home to wildlife thanks to the hard effort of the local community. See the inner workings of the African Parks headquarters and find out more about this remarkable conservation success story by clicking here. Arrive later and settle into our cozy cabin, which boasts a view of the breathtaking Lake Ihema. The Big Five, along with zebras, giraffes, elephants, and other bird species, call Akagera National Park home. The park also has an impressive conservation story. Featuring a range of habitats like as mountains, savannah plains, marshes, wetlands, and lakes, the park stretches along the Tanzanian border and extends over 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi).

Day 6: Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park | Rwanda in 4K

Prepare for an early morning safari excursion to see the “big five” before the sun comes up. Be on the lookout for antelopes, buffalo, hyenas, and lions while you explore this area. Get back to the lodge for lunch and then spend some time relaxing or swimming in the pool. Take a boat ride around Lake Ihema in the afternoon and keep an eye out for crocodiles and hippos. Watch as other animals, like buffalo and elephants, congregate at the lakefront to quench their thirst. Herons, shoebill storks, fish eagles, and kingfishers are just a few of the birds you should keep a look out for:

Day 7: Akagera National Park to Kigali

Gather your breakfast and get ready for our last safari excursion at peak wildlife activity in the morning. Keep an eye out for lions, leopards, gazelles, impalas, baboons, and Butchel’s zebras. In the morning, we will leave the park by its northern boundary and return to Kigali, where we will spend our last night:

Day 8: Kigali, Rwanda

Depart at any time. Departure transfers are included.

End of the 8 Days Volcanoes And Akagera Safari Itinerary