Big Five Savannah and Mountain Gorillas in Five Days
Gorilla permit US$1,500 pp · trip price quoted for your dates
In five days you can see two completely different sides of Rwanda. Akagera National Park, in the east, is savannah, lakes and papyrus swamp, home to lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes and hippos. Volcanoes National Park, in the north-west, is cool mountain forest and the mountain gorillas.
This itinerary starts with a boat trip on Lake Ihema and a full day of game drives, then crosses the country to the Virungas for a gorilla trek and a morning with the golden monkeys before you return to Kigali.
Photo: Emery045, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip Highlights
Akagera Game Drives
Search for the Big Five across savannah and woodland, with a boat safari on Lake Ihema among hippos and crocodiles.
Mountain Gorilla Trek
One hour with a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
Golden Monkeys
A lively, easier trek to the endangered golden monkeys in the bamboo zone.
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 1Kigali to Akagera National Park
Pick-up in Kigali and drive east for about two and a half hours to Akagera. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema for hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Day 2Full day in Akagera
Morning and afternoon game drives through the savannah in the north of the park, the best area for elephants, giraffes, buffalo and, with luck, lions and rhinos.
Day 3Akagera to Volcanoes National Park
A final early game drive as you leave the park, then the drive across Rwanda to the Musanze area, about five hours with a lunch stop.
Day 4Gorilla trekking
The 7:00 am briefing at Kinigi, your trek and one hour with a gorilla family. The afternoon is free to rest or visit a community project near the park.
Day 5Golden monkeys and return to Kigali
Morning golden monkey trek, usually two to four hours, then drive back to Kigali for an evening 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 days are easy. The gorilla trek is the main effort, a steep hike at altitude of anything from one to five hours, and the golden monkey trek is gentler. Day 3 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
Can I see the Big Five in Akagera?
All five live in Akagera. Elephants, buffalo and giraffes are seen on most drives; lions, rhinos and leopards need more luck. A full day in the park gives you the best chance.
Why start in Akagera rather than with the gorillas?
Starting with the easier safari days lets you adjust to the time zone before the trek, and you finish the trip close to the airport road.
Can I add chimpanzees?
Yes. Our 7-day safari adds Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walk.
