5-Day Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas Safari

Pickup : Kigali Airport
Drop-off : Kigali Airport

Tour Overview

This 5 day Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari carries you through two remarkable destinations. You will first explore Akagera National Park in Rwanda, home to the famous Big Five, before crossing the border into Uganda to trek mountain gorillas in the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, you connect with warm local communities through vibrant culture and beautiful handmade crafts. Whether you prefer mid range comfort or full luxury, this Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas itinerary suits every traveler, and Iconic Africa Safaris handles every detail to ensure a smooth and truly unforgettable journey.

Cost Includes

Transportation (Car, Fuel, Driver Guide)
Meals & Accommodation as mentioned
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Akagera Park Entrance
Bottled Drinking Water
Government Taxes

Cost Excludes

International Flights
Accommodation Before and After your Trip
Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
Sourvenirs
Tips & Porter Hiring

Travel Plan

Day 1: Pickup from Kigali and Transfer to Akagera National Park

Your Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas adventure kicks off with a pickup from Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali. From there, a comfortable drive of 2 to 3 hours (roughly 110 km) takes you to Akagera National Park. Rwanda’s rolling green hills line the route, making the journey a genuine pleasure. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy lunch at your lodge to refresh and settle in. As the sun begins to lower, you head out in a game vehicle for your first evening game drive, and Akagera always delivers surprises at dusk.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge (Mid Range) | Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Lake Ihema Boat Cruise

Rise early for a 6:00 a.m. morning game drive through Akagera National Park. During the drive, you have the chance to spot the famous Big Five: elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and both black and white rhinos. Beyond these icons, giraffes, zebras, topis, waterbucks, impalas, kobs, and bush babies roam the park freely. In the afternoon, head to Lake Ihema for a peaceful 1 to 2 hour boat cruise. Out on the calm water, hippos splash nearby while crocodiles sun themselves on the banks, and brightly colored water birds dart and call overhead, completing a perfect afternoon on the lake.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge (Mid Range) | Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda

After breakfast, check out and set off on the drive from Akagera to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. The route crosses the Rwanda Uganda border at Kagitumba or Gatuna and winds through lush, hilly countryside for about 8 to 10 hours, so plan for a full day of travel with a midday lunch stop along the way. Upon reaching Bwindi, check into your lodge and soak in the thick forest atmosphere. Spend the evening resting well and preparing, since tomorrow brings the much anticipated highlight of this Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari: gorilla trekking.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Mid Range) | Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Morning Gorilla Trekking and Optional Evening Activities

The gorilla trek stands as the highlight of this entire Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari. Wake up at 5:30 a.m. for a hearty breakfast to fuel your body for the hike, then drive to the park headquarters to join the 7:30 a.m. trekking briefing. Rangers explain the rules clearly and divide trekkers into groups of 8 people per gorilla family. By 8:00 a.m., armed ranger guides lead your group into the dense forest, while trackers who entered ahead radio in the location of your assigned gorilla family. Depending on the gorillas’ movements, the hike can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, and once you locate the family, you spend a full and rewarding 1 hour observing them at close range.

Back at the starting point, rangers award each trekker a gorilla trekking certificate. Afterward, return to your lodge for lunch and a well earned rest. In the evening, join the Batwa community for a lively cultural experience showcasing their forest heritage, or alternatively visit nearby local artisans and pick up beautiful handmade crafts to bring home. Either way, the evening adds wonderful meaning to your day.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Mid Range) | Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Drive Back to Kigali for Departure

After breakfast at your Bwindi lodge, pack up and begin the scenic 8 to 10 hour drive back to Kigali. Enjoy a farewell lunch in the city once you arrive. Depending on your flight time, take a meaningful detour to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful site that offers deep insight into Rwanda’s history and its remarkable recovery. Afterward, your Iconic Africa Safaris guide drops you at Kigali International Airport for your flight home. Those wishing to extend their stay overnight in Kigali can arrange this at an extra fee, bringing this Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari to a close.

Accommodation: None (available on request at an extra fee)
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Answered FAQs

How much does this safari cost?

The cost of this Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari depends on your group size, the season, and your chosen level of accommodation. Mandatory permit and park fees are included in your total trip cost:

Gorilla Trekking Permit (Uganda Wildlife Authority): approximately USD 800 per person
Akagera National Park Entry Fees: approximately USD 100 per person, plus a vehicle entry fee

Let us know your group size and whether you would like to upgrade to any of the accommodation options mentioned in the itinerary, and we will send you the total cost per person.

Can this itinerary be customized?

Yes. Iconic Africa Safaris can adjust this Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas itinerary to fit your schedule and interests. Extra days can be added for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest, a boat cruise on Lake Kivu, or additional nights in Kigali, and accommodation can be upgraded or adjusted at any point in the trip.

How physically demanding is this safari?

Akagera game drives and the Lake Ihema boat cruise are relaxed activities enjoyed from a vehicle or boat, so they suit travelers of all fitness levels. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is the more demanding part of the trip. Trails climb steep, muddy, and forested terrain at altitudes between 1,160 and 2,607 meters, and the hike can last 1 to 6 hours round trip. A moderate level of fitness is recommended, and porters are available to hire for around USD 20 to help carry bags and offer a hand on steep sections.

What is the best time of year to go on this trip?

The dry seasons, from June to September and from December to February, are the best times for this Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari. Trails in Bwindi are less slippery during these months, and Akagera’s animals gather more predictably around water sources, making game viewing easier. That said, gorilla permits are available year round and Akagera can be visited comfortably in any season.

What should I pack for safari?

We recommend packing the following for your Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari:

Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support
A rain jacket or poncho
Long sleeved shirts and long trousers in neutral colors
Gardening style gloves for gripping vegetation on the gorilla trek
Insect repellent and sun screen
A wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens
A facemask, useful both during gorilla trekking (to protect the gorillas from human respiratory illness) and for general travel
Hand sanitizer and personal toiletries
Personal medication and a small first aid kit
Cash in USD for tips, souvenirs, and porter fees

Are the gorilla trekking permits guaranteed?

Permits are issued in limited quantities by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect Bwindi’s mountain gorilla population. Before your booking is confirmed, we first check permit availability, and once permits are purchased on your behalf, your trekking spot is guaranteed. Because demand is high during peak months, you should book this itinerary 4 to 6 months in advance, especially during peak season.

What type of vehicle is used for transportation?

You will travel in a customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser equipped with a pop up roof for wildlife viewing and photography. The vehicle features four wheel drive to handle rough park tracks and dirt roads in rural areas, and it comes stocked with bottled drinking water and an extended chassis that gives every passenger a window seat.