5 Day Rwanda Golden Monkeys & Wildlife Safari
5 Day Rwanda Golden Monkeys & Wildlife Safari
Overview
This 5 Day Rwanda Golden Monkeys & Wildlife Safari offers a perfect blend of wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, and scenic beauty. From tracking endangered golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park to spotting the Big 5 and elusive big cats in Akagera National Park, this tour highlights the best of Rwanda’s natural treasures. Along the way, experience a vibrant cultural visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, marvel at the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, and pay homage at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. A rich and diverse journey awaits you in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Safari Highlights:
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Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
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Big 5 safari in Akagera National Park
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Cultural visit to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
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Traditional banana beer brewing experience
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Scenic boat cruise on Lake Ihema
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Birdwatching at Twin Lakes and Rugezi Swamp
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Visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
- Gorilla monkey trekking permit
Cost excludes
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
- Items of personal nature such as tips and drinks
Trip Itinerary
Your safari begins at 8:30 AM when your dedicated driver-guide picks you up from your Kigali hotel. Start with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and moving tribute to Rwanda’s history and resilience. Then embark on a scenic 2-hour drive to Musanze, nestled among the towering Virunga volcanoes.
In the afternoon, explore the serene Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, a birdwatcher’s paradise surrounded by misty hills and the Rugezi swamp, known for its diverse wetland birdlife. Wrap up your day with a cultural experience at the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll learn about traditional Rwandan life, from dance and music to medicinal plants and hunting practices.
Accommodation: The Garden Place Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure. These playful, rare primates are endemic to the Albertine Rift and can be found frolicking in bamboo forests. The trek is relatively easy, lasting 1–2 hours, and offers a fantastic wildlife experience.
In the afternoon, visit the Red Rocks Intercultural Exchange Center. Here, you’ll join local brewers in making traditional banana beer—from juice extraction to fermentation. Engage in hands-on cultural activities like basket weaving or storytelling while supporting community empowerment initiatives.
Accommodation: The Garden Place Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, begin your journey to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big 5. En route, enjoy a stop in Kigali for lunch or shopping, then continue eastward to Akagera.
Upon arrival, settle into your lodge before heading out for a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This serene experience offers a chance to spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of aquatic birds, all framed by beautiful lake views and golden-hour light.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Start your day with a sunrise game drive in an open-roof safari vehicle. Akagera’s savannahs, woodlands, and wetlands are teeming with life. Look out for elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and baboons.
After a relaxed lunch, set off on an afternoon game drive to cover more ground and increase your chances of encountering leopards and other elusive predators. As the day ends, return to your lodge and enjoy dinner overlooking the park’s beautiful landscapes.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy one final early morning game drive to spot any animals you may have missed. Capture stunning photographs in the soft morning light and relish your last moments in Rwanda’s wilderness.
Afterward, begin your drive back to Kigali, arriving in time for lunch. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
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