5 Days Virunga and Akagera National Parks Safari
5 Days Virunga and Akagera National Parks Safari: This 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari combines a visit to Rwanda for a breath taking wildlife safari in Akagera national park the connect to the Democratic Republic of Congo to trek endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga national park and end the safari with a visit to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi to relax at the beach. This 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari starts and ends in Rwanda and it includes 5 days and 4 night’s excursion.
Highlights of 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari
- Day 1: Transfer to Akagera national park – afternoon boat cruise
- Day 2: Wildlife viewing in Akagera national park and return to Kigali
- Day 3: Transfer to Virunga national park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park and transfer to Gisenyi
- Day 5: Half day on Lake Kivu and return to Kigali for departures
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera national park – afternoon boat cruise
Transfer to Akagera national park: Be ready for a pick up from your location in Kigali on day 1 of 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari by our company representative in Kigali who will then brief you about this 5 days adventure in the land of a thousand hills and you drive to Akagera national park. Expect to arrive in time for lunch, check in your lodge, have lunch served and embark on an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. During the boat cruise, keep on a look out along the shores of the Lake for a possibility of spotting several wildlife species that visit the lake to quench their thirst. After boat cruise, you will enjoy an evening game drive as your return to the loge for dinner and overnight rest.
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Wildlife viewing in Akagera national park and return to Kigali
Game drive in Akagera national park and return to Kigali: On day 2 of 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari, have an early game drive in the park to encounter with nocturnal wildlife and hunters then return to the lodge for a later breakfast. After breakfast, return to the park and proceed with your game drive to encounter with more wildlife since Akagera national park is one of the best savanna parks in Rwanda where one is sure of spotting the big 5 game during the game drive. During the game drive, you will be able to watch plenty of wildlife including Elephants, Buffaloes, antelopes, Hippos, lions, Rhinos, bushbucks, giraffes, warthogs, Kob and many more that will be seen grazing and hunting in the park.
Return to Kigali: After enjoying the game drive for almost a half day, you will return to the lodge for lunch, relax abit and check out of the lodge to meet your driver and start the drive again from Akagera national park back to Kigali city. While in Kigali, you will enjoy an evening Kigali city tour before your dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Virunga national park
Transfer to Virunga national park: Arise early in the morning on a cup of coffee or any other meal served for breakfast on day 3 of 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari then check out of the lodge, meet your safari driver and embark on a drive from Kigali to Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon arrival on Rwanda Congo border at Grande barrier, you will be cleared to obtain Congo visa then visit the head office for virunga national park in Goma to obtain your mountain gorilla trekking permit and finally join the convey to be transferred to your lodge for check in, have your lunch and choose either to spend your remaining hours of the day at leisure or have an optional activity arranged for you like guide nature walk or visit Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park and transfer to Gisenyi
Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park: Have an early breakfast on day 4 of 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari, wear your best gorilla trekking attire, pack enough water for drinking and some snacks then be driven to Bukima police post for a pre gorilla trekking briefing to get some basics about mountain gorillas, the does and don’ts during gorilla trekking, the possible expectations during the trek and many more. After briefing, hire the porter and join other trekkers in your group and be led into the forest by a team of experienced rangers to search for the habituated mountain gorillas that have been habituated and available for trekking in their natural habitats. The entire forest walk takes a few minutes to about 7 hours but after finding the gorillas, you will be allowed just one hour in presence of these giants and later on exit the forest to be returned to your lodge for a later lunch in case you never carried a packed lunch.
Transfer to Gisenyi Rwanda: Later in the evening, you will be transferred back to Gisenyi for where you will spend your evening along the shores of Lake Kivu on a boat cruise. Head to your reserved hotel in Gisenyi for check-in, dinner, and overnight sleep.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Half day on Lake Kivu and return to Kigali for departures
Half day on Lake Kivu and transfer to Kigali for departures: Enjoy your relaxed breakfast at the shores of Lake Kivu on day 5 of 5 days Virunga and Akagera national parks safari, then have a half day exploring the most beautiful and fresh water lake in Gisenyi Rwanda. You may swim, have a walk or even relax at the beach overlooking stunning attractions such as the view of Mount Nyiragongo and the thrilling flora along the shores of the lake that harbors bird species. You will later on return to your lodge for lunch, check out and be driven back to Kigali the capital city of Rwanda for hotel drop off or airport drop-off according to travel plan.
Meal plan: breakfast and lunch
END OF 5 DAYS CONGO ADVENTURE SAFARI
