This gorilla wildlife safari is most desired by nature lovers and adventure seekers since it offers an exceptional blend of gorilla and golden monkey, wildlife viewing, cultural experiences and breathtaking landscapes.
This Rwanda gorilla wildlife safari will take you through the Rwanda’s ionic national parks such as Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park. Below is how I and my friend spent our 5 days on a safari to Rwanda together with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris.
Upon our arrival at Kigali International Airport, we were warmly welcomed by a representative from Nature Adventure Africa Safaris who transferred us to our booked hotel (Kigali Serena Hotel) in Kigali for lunch and freshening up. After lunch, we embarked on our journey to Volcanoes National Park.
The journey took us through lush vegetation and quaint villages. Upon arrival, we checked-in at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for relaxation as we prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking. We had our dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
On our 2nd day after having our breakfast, we headed to the headquarters for a comprehensive briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. At the headquarters, we were grouped into different groups of 8 members in each group and later ventured into the dense forest to start searching for gorillas and we were accompanied by the experienced guides into the forest.
The hiking took us about 4 hours because the gorillas were a bit far. After finding the gorillas, we were given a period of 1 hour to take pictures and videos and also to watch gorilla in their natural habitat as they carry out their daily lifestyle activities. We trekked back to the headquarter to receive our certificates for the successful trekking. We returned back to the lodge to have our lunch.
After lunch we went for the IbyI’wacu cultural center in Kinigi. At the center, we enjoyed a performance of native dance and music by drummers and dancers as well as a traditional wedding ceremony recreated by local performers. The traditional drama put smiles on our faces and filled our day with joy.
Our 3rd day was started with golden monkey trekking. After breakfast we headed to the park headquarters for a briefing about the guidelines followed during gorilla trekking. After briefing we ventured into the forest to start searching for golden monkeys.
Unlike the mountain gorilla safari, the golden monkeys are easy to find. They are usually seen feeding in the beautiful Bamboo Forest near the base of the mountain. As with the gorillas, you will take an hour to observe, photograph, and ask questions about the energetic Golden monkeys. Afterwards, our park ranger led us back to the vehicle and we returned back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon after having lunch, we went for a visit Musanze caves. At the caves, as we were walking through the cold and quiet tunnels, we saw streams of water trickling from the rock ceiling. We were told that these caves served as a refuge during the 1994 Rwanda genocide and today they offer a unique exploration experience combining natural beauty with historical significance. Later returned to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
The 4th day after having our breakfast, we checked-out at hotel, met our guide and transferred to Akagera National Park. We had our lunch along the way. On arrival at the park, we enjoyed an en route game drive which introduced us to the beautiful scenery and here we spotted animals such as lions, leopards, hyenas, serval cats, civet, genet, bush babies, mongoose among others.
We checked in at Akagera Game lodge for freshening up and later went for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Lake Ihema is one of the many lakes in Rwanda and is the second largest lake in the country after Lake Kivu. It is found in the southern part of Akagera National Park and gets its water from a river tributary of the Akagera River.
On the boat cruise we saw Hippos, crocodiles, herds of buffalo along the coastlines, the African fish eagle, crowned cranes, Carruthers Cisticola, and shoe bill stork are a few of the animal and bird species. Returned to lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
On our last day we took our breakfast, checked out and headed for a morning game drive in order to catch up with the early risers. We left the lodge with our packed lunch. A guide told us that a morning wildlife drive in Akagera National Park allows to witness the early risers and grazers that traverse the savanna grasslands.
On our drive, we spotted a lot of animals such as zebras, eland, warthogs, impalas, Topis, bush bucks, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and vervet monkeys and many others. After the game drive, we had our lunch and embarked our journey back to Kigali International Airport to catch up with our evening flight back home and that was the end of our 5-day Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife. Thanks Nature Adventure Africa Safaris for the good services.
