5-Day Rwanda Gorillas & Lake Kivu Tour

This 5-day tour offers a good mix of Rwanda’s culture, primate adventure, and lakeside relaxation. The trip starts with a Kigali city tour, where you will visit places like the Genocide Memorial Museum, local craft markets, Kimironko Market, and religious sites.

You will then visit Volcanoes National Park for both gorilla and golden monkey trekking, explore the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a cultural experience, and later relax by the calm waters of Lake Kivu before returning to Kigali for your departure flight.

5-Day Rwanda Gorillas & Lake Kivu Tour Highlights

Start and end the safari in Kigali, Rwanda.
Explore Kigali City through visits to the Genocide Memorial, craft markets, and local shops.
Travel to Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Experience golden monkey trekking and watch these playful primates in their natural habitat.
Enjoy gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and spend one hour observing a gorilla family.
Visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwanda’s traditional music, dances, and local life.
Relax at Lake Kivu and enjoy optional activities like boat cruises, swimming, kayaking, or coffee tours.
Visit Napoleon Island and see local bird species on the lake.
Enjoy beautiful views of Rwanda’s hills, forests, and countryside along the journey.
Stay in comfortable lodges and lakeside resorts for a relaxing and memorable 5-day safari.

Brief 5-Day Rwanda Gorillas & Lake Kivu Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Golden monkey trekking and visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Day 3: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 4: Lake Kivu exploration
Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali and departure

Detailed 5-Day Rwanda Gorillas & Lake Kivu Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Meet your driver-guide at an agreed point, likely at Kigali International Airport, and start your Kigali city tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, local markets, and craft shops to learn about Rwanda’s history and daily life.

After the tour, drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The journey takes about 3 hours and offers beautiful countryside views. On arrival, check in at your lodge, enjoy dinner, and rest as you prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Day 2: Golden monkey trekking and visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

After breakfast, head to the park office for briefing before golden monkey trekking. The rangers will explain the rules and safety tips before leading you into the forest. Enjoy the walk as you spot butterflies, birds, and other small creatures along the way.

When you find the golden monkeys, spend time watching them play and feed in the bamboo forest. They are playful and not shy of cameras. Return to the lodge for lunch and later visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Take part in traditional dances, music, storytelling, and learn about the local way of life. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, return to the park office for another briefing, this time for gorilla trekking. You will be reminded not to use flash photography, as it can scare the gorillas. The trek through the forest can take several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.

When you find them, spend one hour observing their behavior, taking photos, and learning about their social life. After the trek, have lunch and start the journey to Lake Kivu, about a 2 to 3-hour drive. Check in at your lakeside resort for dinner and rest.

Day 4: Lake Kivu exploration

After breakfast, spend the day exploring Lake Kivu. You can enjoy swimming, kayaking, or taking a boat cruise to visit nearby islands such as Napoleon Island. Another great activity is visiting a coffee plantation to learn how local coffee is grown and processed. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali and departure

After a relaxed breakfast, check out and drive back to Kigali. Depending on your flight time, you may stop for lunch or a short visit to local markets before heading to the airport for your departure.

This marks the end of your 5-day Rwanda gorillas and Lake Kivu tour.