The 6 day classic gorilla trekking and Game safari in Rwanda is a mix of nature based adventures and sophisticated treatment on an African safari. If you are looking for a combo of adventure in the wild with a modern touch, Rwanda safari has got you covered.
During this Rwanda safari, some of the included activities are gorilla trekking, game drives, Kigali city tour, some options like golden monkey trekking, genocide memorial tour, community tour in Rwanda and more.
Volcanoes National Park is the destination for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Akagera National Park for game drives in Rwanda.
Each of the two Rwanda national parks has upscale accommodations one can book during the safari and majority of these facilities were built out of a mix of natural materials with a modern touch to blend with the environment.
Highlights of 6 day Classic Rwanda Gorilla trekking
Day 1 Drive To Volcanoes National Park
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Day 3 Transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 4 Game Drive And Boat trip in Akagera National Park
Day 5 Kigali city tour
Day 6 Departure.
Detailed 6 day Classic Rwanda Gorilla Trekking And Game safari in Rwanda
Day 1 Drive To Volcanoes National Park
Get up early morning for breakfast and drive to Volcanoes National Park. The roads are winding as they were curved from highlands. Volcanoes National Park is a pristine lash green rain forest situated in North western part of Rwanda.
A number of primates live in Volcanoes National Park including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and more. Over 200 bird species are residents of Volcanoes National Park
Check into your lodge
Volcanoes Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Bisate Lodge, Gorilla Rest Camp, Kinigi Guest House
Meal Plan: Full board
Distance From Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Get ready to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda early morning which begins with briefing at the ranger station. Together with other tourists, each is allocated a gorilla family then the ranger guide leads the way via the trail heading where the mountain gorillas were last seen.
The mountain gorillas freely traverse the Volcanoes Forest so you have to be patient or look out for other forest inhabitants including, wild plants, animals, birds and more.
When you finally find the mountain gorillas, enjoy the presence of these vulnerable primates, take photos to keep as memories for your African safari. While maintaining the recommended gap of 8 meters from the mountain gorillas, at times they may bridge the gap out of curiosity but try to be calm.
Enjoying every moment of your stay around the gorilla family is precious so use to the best of your advantage. Get away slowly without appearing suspicious to the mountain gorillas get back to your lodge.
Day 3 Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, drive to Akagera National Park the home of game drives in Rwanda. Akagera National Park is a recovering game park after being affected by civil wars which forced most animals to flee. The Akagera National Park is still recovering from these shambles by reserving the animals that remained and reintroducing more by African Parks and Rwanda Development Board.
Some of the animals present in Akagera National Park include waterbucks, bushbucks, rhinos, lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and more.
Other than the wild game Akagera National park has an amazing scenery composed of several highlands majority shaded by green cover, rivers, streams, wet or dry craters and more. The tracks that run through Akagera National Park are winding because of the nature of the topography of Rwanda in general.
Check into your lodge
Akagera accommodation:
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 4 Game Drive And Boat trip in Akagera National Park
Rise up early to start your game drive trough Akagera National Park. Enjoy picnic breakfast and carry on with the game drive. You may get chance to spot the famous big five in Akagera National Park that is Rhinos, lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards.
Look beyond game as Akagera National Park is endowed by amazing physical features including highlands, water bodies, flora, birds and more.
After lunch, get on a relaxing boat ride on Lake Ihema. From the comfort of your boat, enjoy the birds the flock the lake banks, animals that move down to quench thirst, hippos, crocodiles and more. Watch the sun set on a clear day then return to your lodge
Activities:
Game Drive
Boat ride
Day 5 Kigali city tour
In company of our driver guide, enjoy a Kigali city tour where you may get chance to visit the main business center, genocide memorial, museums like ethnological museum, community visit and more depending on your choice and time. Kigali city is one of the most well kept cities in Africa and the heart beat of Rwanda.
Do not forget to purchase some souvenirs from the shops, try on Rwandese traditional attires and more. Return to your lodge
Day 6 Departure.
Rise up for breakfast and our driver guide will transfer you to Kigali International Air port to catch up with your flight back home.
Important Notes About 6 day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking And Game safari
- Having a gorilla Permit is compulsory
- Gorilla trekking and game safaris are best with an early morning start.
- Age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and beyond
- Wear the right gorilla trekking gears.
- Its more convenient to spend the night before gorilla trekking or Game safari day with in Rwanda preferably with or closer Volcanoes National Park or Akagera National Park for the best experience.
- Carry out a health check up before travelling to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda because having a communicable infection like flu cough and more may cause you to be disqualified from attending. Gorillas are highly susceptible to human infections.
- Bear some level of fitness before gorilla trekking in Rwanda because the country’s landscape is generally rugged with so many highlands to hike in Volcanoes National Park.
Which Is the Best Time For Rwanda Gorilla Trekking And game safari
Even though gorilla and game safaris in Rwanda are open all year, the dry season is most preferred that is June to September, December to early February. Be sure to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and abundant wild animals that move through the environs of Akagera National Park.
The tracks and trails within these National parks are quicker to navigate in the dry season since grass is lower and passable. The forests and game park are full of life with most inhabitants searching for a meal to take them through the day and night creating more chances of visibility.
For wildlife photography and filming, the ambience in Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park is more appealing in the dry season. Note that more tourists are expected on Rwanda safari in the dry season so expect some interruptions while on safari.
Points To note about the dry season on Rwanda safari
- Quicker to navigate the National Parks
- Wild animals show up and are more visible in the dry season
- Demand for Gorilla permits and accompanying logistics is over the top so advance booking is advised.
- Temperatures are higher in the dry season so carry light wear too when packing for Rwanda safari
- Over night in Rwanda before starting the Rwanda safari is of better advantage.
- More tourists seeking to do Rwanda gorilla trekking, games safari, chimpanzee trekking and more are expected in the country in the dry season. So plan in advance to avoid getting disappointed.
- Volcanoes National Park has higher precipitation all year no matter the season so pack some warmers. It may rain anytime any season in Volcanoes forest so carry rain proof gears.
The wet season for gorilla trekking and game safari in Rwanda is great time too and seeing the wild animals is possible. The wet season in Rwanda which is normally March, April, May and November presents more chances to unplanned for solo gorilla trekking or game safari.
Fewer tourists are expected in Rwanda in the wet season so you may do gorilla trekking or game safari alone and if you do not wish for interruptions, this time can serve as your perfect time.
If you have a limited budget but wishing to do Rwanda Gorilla trekking ang game safari for 6 days, the wet season may be one of the times you can consider to travel into the country.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking And Game Safari In Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda starts early morning with briefing and document verification then tourists are allocated a gorilla family to trek. In company of a ranger guide, tourists traverse the forest using the trail head leading where the mountain gorillas were last seen.
Some tourists have seen the mountain gorillas in 30 minutes while others take more time however, having some level of patience pays off. Do not loose the zeal of finally meeting the mountain gorillas because of the long time you may encounter to get to them. Open your mind to spotting other amazing forest dwellers including birds of colors, butterflies, primates, identify plants and much more.
Many say, its is exciting when you finally locate the mountain gorillas as you pull into view. The first glance at the mountain gorillas send some chills down your spine. Many tourists say seeing the glimpse at mountain gorillas is a moment filled with mixed reactions of excitement and anxiety.
When you finally settle in and realize all the lies that have been said about the mountain gorillas, it is very hard not to fall in love with them. Mountain gorillas are gentle souls, timid and brave when provoked. It’s the outlook of the mountain gorillas that betrays them pushing many to believe that they are violent creature.
8 meters is the gap recommended to keep away from the gorilla family when in their presence however, the gorillas normally breech this arrangement and move close out of curiosity. Do not panic or show signs of being frightened but remain composed and enjoy every moment.
After an hour of gorilla trekking adventure get back you your lodge leaving nothing other than your foot prints or carrying nothing but only photos and memories of this Rwanda safari adventure.
Is It Safe To Do Gorilla Trekking And Game Safari In Rwanda
Rwanda is a safe safari destination where you can do gorilla trekking and game safaris. On ground is a well trained team of ranger guides from Rwanda Development Board. They are on ground to protect wild life, and other inhabitants of Rwanda National Parks.
Before Rwanda gorilla trekking or embarking on a game drive, tourists have to attend briefing from the ranger guides with details of how to behave, what to expect while in the wilderness. These guidelines were put in place to protect the wildlife and tourists so every one must adhere.
For personal safety while on Rwanda safari, keep away your precious belongings from public access. Wear the right gears for gorilla trekking or game safari in Rwanda including safari boots, insect repellants, garden gloves and more.
Do not step out of your lodge especially in the night during Rwanda safari or if you have too, be in company of a security personnel. Many animals roam human premises in the night and these may be dangerous to you.
If case you notice something odd about the mountain gorillas, do not panic or behave in a manner that is suspicious because this may throw the entire forest into a stampede.
Why choose Arch Safaris And Tours For the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Arch safaris And Tours is a professional Safari company with over 9 years in organizing African safaris including safaris to Rwanda.
We have a professional and experienced safari team ready to work with you to create everlasting safari memories at your comfort. We lift off your shoulder the burden of organizing your African safari as we do ground work. We offer several options of logistics that support your Rwanda safari but these are from service providers that we have approved and tested.
Offering you value for money is our aim when planning any African safari.
Book Now.