4 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek and Akagera Wildlife Safari
Rwanda's two headline experiences without wasting time on long road journeys — gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and a savannah game drive in Akagera, all from Kigali.
About this safari
This 4-day Rwanda safari is built for travellers who want the country's two headline experiences without wasting time on long road journeys. Start in Kigali, settle in, then explore key city sites, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important stop for understanding modern Rwanda. On Day 2, you drive to Volcanoes National Park for a relaxed afternoon and a cultural visit, ready for an early start the next morning.
Gorilla trekking day begins with a ranger briefing at Kinigi and a guided hike to your assigned gorilla family, then you spend one unforgettable hour observing them at close range. To finish, you cross to Akagera National Park for a classic savannah game drive, giving you a real chance of big mammals and beautiful lake landscapes before returning to Kigali for your departure. The trip can be tailored with budget, mid-range, or luxury lodges, with permits arranged for you.
What you'll experience
- Trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Morning game drives in Akagera National Park
- Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Meeting local people at the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village
Why choose Rwanda over Uganda for this tour
Many travellers ask if they should go to Uganda or Rwanda. A Rwanda permit costs $1,500. A Uganda permit costs $800. The higher price in Rwanda offers clear benefits — the drive from Kigali airport to the park takes only two hours, while in Uganda the drive can take up to nine hours.
Rwanda is the best choice for a four-day trip. It saves you an entire day of driving. The money from your permit goes directly to conservation and local villages — the Rwanda Development Board states that ten percent of park revenues fund local community projects, making your visit helpful to the local people.
Your day-by-day journey
Kigali Arrival, City Tour, Overnight in Kigali
Your trip begins when you land at Kigali International Airport. Our driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. You will take a short rest, then go on a tour of Kigali city. This city is very clean and safe. You will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place that teaches you about the history of the country in 1994 and shows how it has rebuilt itself. You will also visit local craft markets to see local art. After the city walk, you return to your hotel for dinner and sleep.
Kigali to Volcanoes, Cultural Village, Overnight near Kinigi
You eat breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, then start the two-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. The roads are very smooth, and you will see many green hills along the way. You arrive at your lodge in time for a hot lunch. In the afternoon, you visit the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village, where you learn how local people live, watch traditional dances, see how they make local food and brew banana beer, and learn about their old ways of treating illnesses with plants. You go back to your lodge to rest before the big day.
Gorilla Trekking, Optional Relaxation, Overnight near Kinigi
You wake up very early and eat a good breakfast, then go to the park office at Kinigi at seven in the morning. Park rangers tell you the rules for staying safe near the animals. You walk into the forest to find your assigned gorilla family — the walk takes between 1 and 4 hours, depending on where the animals are feeding. When you find them, you spend exactly one hour watching them. You see them eat leaves, play on the ground and take care of their babies, staying seven metres away at all times. After this hour, you walk back to the starting point and drive back to your lodge to wash and rest.
Volcanoes to Akagera Game Drive, Return to Kigali, Depart
You leave Volcanoes National Park early in the morning and drive to Akagera National Park in the east. This park has lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo and leopards. You go on a morning game drive to see these animals — the roads in the park offer good views of the lakes and grass areas, and you will see many birds and water animals like hippos. You eat a packed lunch in the park. In the late afternoon, you drive back to Kigali. Our driver drops you off at the airport for your flight home, ending your 4-day Rwanda gorilla and wildlife tour.
4 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek and Akagera Wildlife Safari
Accommodation options
Luxury Lodges
Wilderness Bisate, One&Only Gorilla's Nest, and Magashi Camp.
Mid-Range Hotels
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel and Akagera Game Lodge.
Budget Guest Houses
Kinigi Guest House and Hotel Muhabura.
What to pack
- Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to protect your skin
- Strong hiking boots with a good grip for muddy trails
- A light rain jacket, because the weather changes fast in the forest
- Garden gloves to hold onto branches safely while walking
- Insect repellent and sunscreen for skin protection
Inclusions & exclusions
What's included
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- Park entry fees for all activities
- All meals and accommodation for three nights
- A private car with a local driver
- Drinking water inside the car
What's excluded
- International flights to and from Rwanda
- Entry visas for the country
- Personal items like laundry and drinks at the bar
- Tips for the driver and hotel staff
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