From Akagera's Savannah to the Gorillas of the Virungas
Gorilla permit US$1,500 pp · trip price quoted for your dates
Few countries let you combine a Big Five safari and a mountain gorilla trek without a single flight. Rwanda does: Akagera National Park in the east has lions (reintroduced in 2015) and black and white rhinos (reintroduced from 2017 and 2021), alongside elephants, buffalo, leopards, giraffes and hippos. Volcanoes National Park is a day’s drive away in the north-west.
This eight-day itinerary starts with a day in Kigali, spends two nights in Akagera for game drives and a boat trip on Lake Ihema, then crosses the country for gorillas and golden monkeys. It ends on the shores of Lake Kivu before the return to Kigali.
Photo: Alex shema, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip Highlights
Big Five Safari in Akagera
Game drives across savannah, woodland and wetland, plus a boat safari on Lake Ihema among hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds.
Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
Two primate encounters in Volcanoes National Park, with two nights at one lodge.
Kigali and Lake Kivu
A guided introduction to Kigali and a relaxed finish on the lake at Rubavu.
Your Permit Supports Conservation
Gorilla permit fees pay for ranger patrols and veterinary care, and a share of park revenue funds schools, clinics and water projects around the park. How permits work.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Kigali
Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, a guided city visit: the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko market and one of the city's contemporary art galleries.
Day 2Kigali to Akagera National Park
Drive east for about two and a half to three hours to Akagera. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema, one of the best places in Rwanda to see hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles at close range.
Day 3Full day in Akagera
Early-morning game drive north towards the savannah plains, where most of the park's lions, rhinos, elephants and giraffes are found. Picnic lunch in the park and an afternoon drive. Ask about a night drive with a park guide.
Day 4Akagera to Volcanoes National Park
A long travel day back through Kigali and north to Musanze — around five to six hours of driving with breaks.
Day 5Mountain gorilla trekking
Briefing at Kinigi and your gorilla trek. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 6Golden monkeys and Lake Kivu
Morning golden monkey tracking, then drive to Rubavu on Lake Kivu, about an hour and a half away.
Day 7Lake Kivu
A free day on the lake. Options include a boat trip to the islands and hot springs, a visit to a coffee-washing station, or a stretch of the Congo Nile Trail by bike or on foot.
Day 8Return to Kigali
Drive back to Kigali, about three and a half hours, for your onward flight.
Accommodation
We match lodges to your budget. These are examples we use on this trip; we will suggest alternatives if they are full.
What's Included
Included
- Gorilla permit (US$1,500 per person), booked in your name
- Golden monkey permit
- Akagera park fees and Lake Ihema boat trip
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport or Kigali hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation at your chosen lodge level, with meals as listed each day
- Park entry fees for the activities named in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Help with permits, timings and pre-trip questions from our Kigali office
Not included
- International flights and your Rwanda visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended — it should cover medical evacuation)
- Porter fees on trek days and tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges, laundry and personal purchases
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Physical Requirements
Akagera and Lake Kivu are easy days. The gorilla trek is the main physical effort — a steep hike at altitude of anything from two to six hours in total. Day 4 is a long drive.
Request This Trip
Tell us when you would like to travel. We will check gorilla permit availability for your dates and send a quote within one working day. No obligation.
Why Travel with Us?
Rwanda specialists, based in Kigali
We plan Rwanda trips and Rwanda–Uganda combinations, so our advice on permits, lodges and timings is current and first-hand.
Permits checked before you pay
We confirm gorilla permit availability for your date before asking you to pay for it, then build the itinerary around the permit.
Private trips only
Your own vehicle and driver-guide, on your dates, at your pace — no shared minibuses and no fixed departures.
Honest advice on trek difficulty
Your guide talks to the rangers at the briefing so the gorilla family you visit suits your fitness as closely as possible.
Lodges chosen for location
We favour lodges close to the Kinigi park headquarters, so trek mornings start calmly rather than before dawn.
Conservation and community
Every permit funds park protection and community projects around Volcanoes National Park, and we work with local guides and porters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I see the Big Five in Akagera?
All five live in Akagera, and lions, elephants and buffalo are seen regularly. Rhinos and leopards are harder to find. Two nights in the park give you several drives and a good chance at most of them.
Can the trip run in reverse?
Yes. We often reverse the route to match gorilla permit availability.
Is this trip suitable for families?
Yes, for children of 15 and over, who can join the gorilla trek. Younger children can enjoy Akagera and Lake Kivu while an adult treks; ask us for a family version.
