6-Day Bwindi Gorillas & Akagera Safari
The 6-day Bwindi gorillas and Akagera National Park safari combines mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda with Big Five game viewing in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park. The trip begins in Kigali, where you will explore the city before heading to Akagera for game drives and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
Akagera is Rwanda’s only Savannah park and home to all the Big Five animals; lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos, along with giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and several species of antelopes.
In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. The park has about 24 habituated gorilla groups spread across four trekking sectors. After your gorilla trekking adventure, you will return to Kigali, where the safari ends.
6-Day Bwindi Gorillas & Akagera Safari Highlights
- Visit both Rwanda and Uganda in one safari trip.
- Explore Kigali city and visit the Genocide Memorial and local markets.
- Enjoy a scenic drive to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only Savannah park.
- Go on morning and afternoon game drives to see the Big Five animals.
- Take a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema to spot hippos and crocodiles.
- Cross into Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Spend one hour watching gorillas in their natural forest home.
- Visit the Batwa community to learn about their traditional forest life.
- Experience beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and local cultures.
- End your safari with a drive back to Kigali for your flight home.
Brief 6-Day Bwindi Gorillas & Akagera Safari
- Day 1: Arrival and Kigali city tour
- Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park and afternoon boat cruise
- Day 3: Game drives in Akagera National Park
- Day 4: Drive from Akagera to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Batwa cultural experience
- Day 6: Drive back to Kigali and departure
Detailed 6-Day Bwindi Gorillas & Akagera Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Kigali city tour
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional driver-guide who will brief you about the safari. Before heading to your hotel, take a short city tour of Kigali.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, museums, craft markets, and local markets such as Kimironko. Each visit offers insight into Rwanda’s history and culture. After the city tour, transfer to your hotel in Kigali for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park and afternoon boat cruise
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up for the 2.5-hour drive to Akagera National Park. Enjoy the scenic drive and the changing landscape along the way.
Arrive at your lodge and relax before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. During the boat ride, look out for hippos, crocodiles, and different bird species along the shoreline. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Game drives in Akagera National Park
Wake up early for a morning game drive across Akagera’s open Savannah. This is the best time to spot animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, and warthogs.
Return to the lodge for lunch and rest for a while before going for an afternoon game drive. You will explore other parts of the park and may also see some nocturnal animals as the sun begins to set. After the drive, return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Drive from Akagera to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, check out and start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. You will cross the border at Katuna or Cyanika, depending on which sector of Bwindi you are visiting.
Enjoy the scenic drive through the countryside and arrive at your lodge in the evening. Check in, have dinner, and rest as you prepare for the gorilla trekking experience the next day.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Batwa cultural experience
Have an early breakfast, then head to the park offices for a briefing about gorilla trekking rules and safety. You will be assigned a ranger guide and a specific gorilla family to track.
The trek starts around 8:00 a.m. and can take between 2 and 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located. Once you find them, spend one full hour watching and photographing them as they feed, play, and interact with each other.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community for a cultural experience. Learn about their traditional forest life, songs, and dances before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Drive back to Kigali and departure
After breakfast, pack your luggage and start your journey back to Kigali. Cross the border through Katuna or Cyanika and continue to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your 6-day Bwindi gorillas and Akagera National Park safari.
