Akagera National Park

A diverse and picturesque protected area situated in the eastern part of Rwanda. Named after the Akagera River that flows through the park, it offers a unique safari experience with its mix of savannas, wetlands, lakes, and woodlands. Here’s an overview of Akagera National Park:

Wildlife and Biodiversity: Akagera National Park boasts a rich variety of wildlife, making it an excellent destination for both wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. Some of the key species you can encounter include:

• Mammals: The park is home to a range of mammals, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and more. The diverse ecosystems in the park support a wide array of species.
• Birds: Akagera is a paradise for bird watchers, with over 500 bird species, including numerous water birds, raptors, and endemic species. The lakes and wetlands are especially productive for birdwatching.
• Aquatic Life: The lakes within the park, such as Lake Ihema, are inhabited by hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of fish species.

Volcanoes National Park:

A remarkable protected area located in the Virunga Mountains of northern Rwanda. This park is renowned for being one of the last refuges of the critically endangered mountain gorillas, which are the park’s most iconic inhabitants. Here’s what you should know about Volcanoes National Park:

Mountain Gorilla Conservation: Volcanoes National Park is best known for its efforts in protecting and conserving the mountain gorilla population. This park was instrumental in the work of primatologist Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to studying and protecting these gorillas. Today, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a major draw for tourists interested in ecotourism and wildlife conservation.

Drive to Lake Kivu

A scenic journey that allows you to experience the natural beauty of Rwanda. Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes and is located along the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The drive offers stunning views of the lake, the surrounding hills, and the picturesque landscapes.

Detailed itinerary

On your arrival at the Kigali International airport, our guide will pick you and be transferred for the Covid-19 test (60$ per person), and transfer to your hotel as you wait for your results.

You will travel to Akagera National Park the following day.

Akagera National Park is the oldest of the country’s four national parks. The original park size was more than 2500 square kilometers. Within the park’s boundaries are over 12,000 mammals, including what is known as Africa’s “Big 5”—lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards as well as over 500 species of birds.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

Ubumwe Grande Hotel

• Luxury hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After breakfast, you will be driven to Akagera National Park. You will have a short game drive and check-in. Have lunch and later take a boat trip on Lake Ihema to watch Hippos and crocodiles in the water or by the shores.
In the afternoon, you embark (between 2pm and 4pm) on a three-hour boat cruise.

After the boat cruise, you will go for an evening game drive. The park hosts a number of big mammals with the most sought after being Lions, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, Elephants, and Hippos, which will provide for great photographic moments.
The park has in the recent past made great strides in conservation by engaging the community through community tours. With the re-introduction of Lions, you have numbers of the Big five increasing by the day.

Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.

Main Destination:

Akagera National Park

Accommodation:

Mantis Akagera Game Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Akagera NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

On this 6-Day Rwanda Wildlife and Cultural Vacation, We arise early and leave right after breakfast for a game in Akagera national park. We will be searching for big mammals like Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, several Antelope species, and recently the re-introduced Lions and Rhinos. The park is a varied habitat for wildlife and a birders haven with over 500 bird species in the park.

At around mid-day, we drive back to Kigali and embark on a city tour visiting the Genocide memorial site which gives a brief history of the country your visiting. You will have lunch on your way to Kigali.

Main Destination:

Kigali Genocide Memorial (Kigali)

Accommodation

       Ubumwe Grande Hotel

• Luxury hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After breakfast, you will drive northwards to Volcanoes National Park. On your arrival in Musanze, you will visit the Dian Fossey Center. Then go for caving in the Musanze caves. The caves were formed from lava basaltic layers from mount Bisoke and Mount Sabinyo. The caves are one of the top tourist attractions in the Musanze District. The Musanze caves were significant during ancient times as they were used by the local Kinyarwanda tribes as the venue for crowning their new kings.

In the evening you will visit the community cultural Village to enjoy the Rwandan culture including the traditional dance.

Main Destination:

Musanze (City)

Accommodation:

Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing in the morning together with your trekking gear and drinking water and ascend in the forest to track the golden monkeys. After lunch you will drive to a scenic lake Kivu bordering Rwanda and DR Congo, you will En-route to test again for Covid for your required Covid results on your departure date, it should be Valid for 72hours ( 50$ p/p), After reaching the lake you will enjoy the rest of your evening at the lakeside.

Dinner and overnight at Nirvana Heights Hotel.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Nirvana Heights Resort & Spa

• Mid-range hotel located in or near Rubavu

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

This morning after breakfast you will do either the Kayaking or boat ride on Lake Kivu and drive back to Kigali for your departure flight back home. Thus the end of 6-Day Rwanda Wildlife and Cultural Vacation.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)