DISCOVER TRUE AFRICA'S WILDERNESS WITH SARANIA ADVENTURE SAFARIS

This thrilling package hits two of Rwanda’s top natural gems- Akagera and Volcanoes National Parks. Test your haggling power at the busy Kimironko market in Kigali at Art and Craft stalls, as well as African fabric and footwear stalls. Get a chance to shop for some local Arts and Crafts and enjoy a tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. Enjoy guided game drives and water safari in Akagera National Park to see the Big Five animals and other wildlife species in their natural habitat. End the adventure with a face-to-face encounter with the mountain gorillas in the wild- Volcanoes National Park to learn more about their incredible behavior.

Highlights

• Embark on a thrilling game drive in the safari hot spots of Akagera National Park to see the Big Five Game, (Rhinos, leopards, lions, Elephants, and Cape buffaloes), antelopes (impalas, Topis, Defassa waterbucks, and others), Masai giraffes, and so much more.
• Explore the beautiful Lake Ihema during a boat ride to see Hippos and Nile crocodiles.
• Marvel at lots of bird species during the land and water safari.
• Learn about the devastating 1994 Rwandan Genocide through the Genocide Center.
• Trek Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup and scenic drive to Akagera National Park; Evening game drive.

Day 2: Akagera Game Drive and Lake Ihema Boat ride.

Day 3: Scenic transfer to Volcanoes National Park; afternoon village tour.

Day 4: Volcanoes Mountain gorilla trekking and visit to Gorilla Guardian Village.

Day 5: Golden monkey tracking and drive to Kigali; departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup and scenic drive to Akagera National Park; Evening game drive

After breakfast in Kigali, you will meet your safari guide for the City tour to explore the Kigali Genocide memorial Center, one of the unmissable spots in the City. You will learn about the Genocide history, victims, and its significance in the country’s peace and unity. Also visit the Kimironko market and Inema Art Center among others.

Later, start the three-hour ride East to Akagera National Park. Along the way, you will stop at the different spectacular viewpoints overlooking verdant Valleys and countryside homesteads. On arrival at the Park, you will check into your comfortable accommodation for lunch and relax with a drink on the terraces, then be ready for an evening game drive in the 4X4 Safari Jeep Land Cruiser.

During the evening game drive, be sure to keep your camera at the photo-ready herds of Cape buffaloes, Elephants, impalas, Defassa waterbucks, and other wildlife species.

Overnight accommodation at:

• Magashi Camp or Ruzizi Tented Camp (luxury).
• Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (midrange).
• Karenga Bush Camp or Akagera Transit Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.

Activities: Kigali City Tour and Evening game drive.

Day 2: Akagera National Park safari activities- Game Drive and Lake Ihema Boat ride

This day is filled with safari adventures. Begin with an early breakfast followed by several activity options. Enjoy a morning game drive in a 4X4 Safari Jeep Land Cruiser to search for the Park’s lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Topis, impalas, blue monkeys, spotted hyenas, Olive baboons, and countless other wildlife species. A picnic breakfast will be enjoyed in the middle of the wilderness. Lunch and siesta at the Lodge.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ihema, a perfect opportunity to see the Lake’s endemic wildlife and birdlife such as Nile crocodiles, Hippos, and others up close. It is quite an experience that climaxes with sunset views over the Horizon.

Overnight accommodation at:

• Magashi Camp or Ruzizi Tented Camp (luxury).
• Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (midrange).
• Karenga Bush Camp or Akagera Transit Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Morning game drive and afternoon boat ride on Lake Ihema.

Day 3: Scenic transfer to Volcanoes National Park; afternoon village tour

Have breakfast and say goodbye to the Volcanoes National Park. In about 6-7 hours, you will stop over some of the beautiful sights along the way to the Gorilla Sanctuary. On arrival, you will check into your Safari Lodge and have lunch.

In the afternoon/evening, you will explore the Ellen DeGeneres Research Center dedicated to Dian Fossey’s Legacy marked by the protection of the mountain gorillas as her life work.

Overnight accommodation at:

• Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (luxury).
• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange).
• Villa Gorilla or Muhabura Hotel (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Tours of Ellen DeGeneres Research Center.

Day 4: Volcanoes Mountain gorilla trekking and visit to Gorilla Guardian Village

Have breakfast and drive to Kinigi Park Headquarters for briefing before venturing into the Gorilla Sanctuary, marked by open grassland, swampland, heath, and an evergreen and bamboo forest. After the briefing on how the gorilla trek is done, start the 20-30-minute drive to the trailhead, then start the 1-4-hour search for the allocated gorilla family. This will be followed by one hour of watching and taking photos as they raise their infants, play, feed, rest, and groom each other. Later head back to the Lodge for lunch.

Your afternoon is for cultural encounter at the Gorilla Guardian Village, where you will learn about traditional herbal medicine preparation and use, preparation of local cuisines, and others.

Overnight accommodation at:

• Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (luxury).
• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange).
• Villa Gorilla or Muhabura Hotel (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Gorilla tracking and tours of the Gorilla Guardian Village.

Day 5: Golden monkey tracking and drive to Kigali; departure.

This is another day to venture into the forest, to search for the endangered Golden monkeys and watch them go about their daily routines. You will visit one of the two habituated troops that inhabit the foot of Mount Sabyinyo, and spend one hour watching and taking photos of them. Get ready for the three-hour drive back to Kigali. This is now the end of our 5-Day Rwanda Wildlife Safari!

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.

Our 5-Day Rwanda Wildlife Safari package includes;

• Bottled water and soft drinks in a refrigerated cool box.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Entry fees into Museum, Craft Centers, and the National Parks, where applicable.
• Services of a professional English-speaking guide.
• Ground transport with a 4X4 Safari Jeep Land Cruiser.
• Ranger fees.
• Gorilla permit/s.
• Boat ride on Lake Ihema.
• Airport/Hotel transfers as long as they’re within the safari duration.
• 4 nights’ accommodation and meal as indicated.

Our 5-Day Rwanda Wildlife Safari package excludes;

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Laundry fees.
• Visa fees.
• Airfares.
• Travel and medical insurance.
• Tips to the safari guide, Ranger guide/s, and Lodge staff.
• Telephone calls.
• Porter fees.
• Other items of personal nature like optional activities, souvenir shopping, and others.