This 4-Day Rwanda Game Drive and Gorilla Trekking adventure takes you through Akagera National Park for wildlife sightings, Lake Ihema boat ride, and an immersive game drive. In Volcanoes National Park, you'll trek through dense forests to meet mountain gorillas, followed by a visit to the Dian Fossey Center for conservation insights. The journey concludes with a Kigali City Tour, exploring the Genocide Memorial, local markets, and Nyamirambo’s vibrant cultural scene.
For travelers seeking both big game encounters and primate tracking, this 4-day Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking tour offers the best of both worlds. The adventure begins in Akagera National Park, where open savannahs and dense wetlands host diverse wildlife, including rhinos, buffaloes, and crocodiles. A boat ride on Lake Ihema adds a water-based safari element before transitioning to the lush landscapes of Volcanoes National Park for an intimate gorilla trekking experience. Trekking through dense forests alongside expert guides leads to an unforgettable meeting with Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas. Beyond wildlife, this journey includes cultural interactions, a visit to the Dian Fossey Center, and a Kigali City Tour to learn about Rwanda’s past and present. This Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking adventure promises an exciting mix of nature, wildlife, and cultural immersion.
Day 1: pick up from hotel, transfer to Akagera National Park for game drive and boat cruise
Day 2: Transfer to Musanze and Cultural Tour
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Dian Fossey Center
Day 4: Kigali City Tour and Departure
The Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel at 5:30 AM, followed by a 2.5 to 3-hour drive to Akagera National Park. The first part of the Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking tour takes you through open savannahs where elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes roam freely. In the afternoon, a boat ride on Lake Ihema offers sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and diverse bird species. After a full day of exploration, you’ll check in at an eco-lodge inside the park, enjoy a relaxing dinner, and prepare for the next day of travel.
After breakfast, you’ll leave Akagera and begin the 5-6 hour drive to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The route winds through Rwanda’s countryside, passing rolling hills and vibrant villages, giving travelers a deeper appreciation of local life, The next part of the Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking experience introduces cultural immersion, including visits to local markets and traditional communities. After checking in at your lodge, the evening is spent unwinding and preparing for the gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park
The highlight of the Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking itinerary is the early morning departure to Volcanoes National Park. Following a briefing, expert guides lead you into the forest in search of mountain gorillas. Trekking times vary, but once the gorillas are found, visitors spend an hour quietly observing them. Later in the day, a visit to the Dian Fossey Center provides insight into gorilla conservation efforts. After lunch, the drive back to Kigali takes approximately 2-3 hours, marking the completion of the wildlife experience before the final day’s tour.
The last day of the Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking adventure focuses on exploring Kigali’s historical and cultural sites. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial provides a sobering but essential perspective on Rwanda’s past. The tour continues to Kimironko Market, where visitors shop for handmade crafts, fabrics, and souvenirs. After lunch in Nyamirambo, a lively neighborhood known for its rich cultural mix, travelers are transferred back to their hotel or airport for departure, concluding the four-day Rwanda game drive and gorilla trekking itinerary.