Rwanda safari tour goes to Akagera and Nyungwe Forest National Parks. This African safari tour in Rwanda starts and ends in Kigali. You will visit two premium parks.

This African safari tour in Rwanda combines big game safari with Rwanda chimpanzee trekking. The 5 day Rwanda safari tour is your mid-range safari if and when visiting Rwanda.

About The 5 day Rwanda Safari Tour

This is a 5 days Rwanda safari holiday tour.  This Rwanda safari tour goes to Akagera and Nyungwe Forest National Parks. This Rwanda safari tour starts and ends in Kigali.

On this 5 days Rwanda safari tour you will enjoy viewing different animals. You will also a canoe ride on Lake Ihema in Akagera. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest is part of the 5 day Rwanda safari tour.

Nyungwe Forest has a large concentration of primates in Rwanda. It will be your Rwanda safari tour destination on this African safari tour in Rwanda. Nyungwe National Park is a massive Montane Forest in the south of Rwanda.

Akagera National Park is quite a mystical park. It will introduce you to the wonders of the African bush. Akagera is known for its big game. Nyungwe National Park is most alluring for its primates.

Highlights of the 5 Day Rwanda Safari Tour

The highlights of the 5 day Rwanda safari tour includes:

• Big Five tracking
• Big Cat Tracking
• Great Game drives
• Boat Ride on Lake Iheme
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Canopy Walk
• Forest walk

The 5 day Rwanda safari tour itinerary is below:

Detailed 5 Day Rwanda Safari Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali – Akagera National Park

You will be received on arrival at Kigali International Airport. This will be by our Rwanda safari rep. Enjoy a detailed briefing on the 5-day Rwanda safari tour. This will be followed by departure from Kigali.

You will be heading for Akagera National Park. Arrive in time to have your lunch. In the afternoon you will go for a thrilling boat ride on the beautiful Lake Ihema.

Here you will be on the lookout for the various water animals. They include the Hippos, giant crocodiles and a profusion of water birds. The birds include the African fish eagle, papyrus Gonolek and the shoebill stork. You will return for dinner and overnight rest at Akagera Game Lodge.

About Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park covers 2500 km² of savannah. This Rwanda National Park is west of the Kagera River, in the north-east of Rwanda. The park has a variety of wildlife and is a habitat for over 500 different species of birds.

Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodland to drink at the lakes. You might stumble across a leopard, a spotted hyena or even a lion. Giraffe and zebra haunt the savannah, and more than a dozen types of antelope inhabit the park.

Akagera National Park was founded in 1934. This was to protect animals and vegetation in three ecoregions: savannah, mountain and swamp.

The park is named for the Kagera River which flows along its eastern boundary. This river feed into several lakes the largest of which is Lake Ihema. The complex system of lakes and linking papyrus swamps makes up over 1/3 of the park. It is the largest protected wetland in central Africa.

Due to land shortages, in 1997 the western boundary was regazetted. Much of the land allocated as farms to returning refugees. The park was reduced in size from over 2,500km² to its current size.

Day 2: Akagera National Park – Kigali

Start your Rwanda safari tour day with an early breakfast. You will then embark on a game drive. You will be looking for the early risers plus large predators. This includes Lions and Hyenas plus others such as bush-buck, zebra, Elephants and giraffes.

You also have the Buffaloes, cape elands, impalas, oribi and antelopes. You will return for lunch at your lodge and check out. In the afternoon you will enjoy a drive back to Kigali. You will spend the night at Hilltop Hotel, Kigali booked on bed and breakfast.

Day 3: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park

Your Rwanda safari tour starts with breakfast. This will be followed by a drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way you will visit several historical plus cultural sites. This will be in Nyanza and within Butare.

Stop by the National Museum as well as the National University in Butare. You will as well visit the Old King’s Palace in Nyanza. It is also known as Old Mwami’s palace. Here you will have a historical and cultural experience.

You will have lunch in the town of Butare before you proceed to Nyungwe. You will arrive later in the evening. This will be in time for dinner and overnight rest at Nyungwe Forest Lodge.

About Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe forest is the largest tropical afro-montane forest in east and central Africa. It covers a wide expanse of over 1000 sq. Km in Rwanda and extends to Burundi in the Kibira national park. The Nyungwe forest national park is found on the Rwanda side of the border.

Nyungwe forest receives about 200 mm of rain every year. It is Rwanda’s largest water catchment belt and holds 2/3 of Rwanda’s water. It feeds both the River Nile and River Congo with water.

Nyungwe forest is found about 4-5 hours from Kigali- the Rwanda capital. A journey a long winding road and through vast tea fields gets you to Nyungwe national park.

Within this Rwanda National park, you will find the vast nyungwe forest. There is also the Kamiranzovu swamp, trails and a forest canopy walk. This canopy is one of only three in Africa.

Nyungwe has hundreds of bird species, chimpanzees, exotic flower and countless butterflies. It is a nature fest within Nyungwe forest national park.

The famous Forest Canopy Walk is the only one in East Africa. There are opportunities for Birding, Primate Viewing including Chimpanzee Tracking. You can take in the flowers such as the various Orchids found here. The forest also has countless of butterflies they attract.

Day 4: Chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Your Rwanda safari tour day will start quite early. This is with a wakeup call at 0400 hrs. Enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee. Right after breakfast gather at the park hq at 0500 hrs. Receive a briefing on your day’s activity.

You will embark on chimpanzee tracking in the verdant rain forest. During the trek you will have the chance to see various primates. They include the Rwenzori colobus, Silver monkey, Chimpanzees and the Grey cheeked Mangabey.

You may also see the L’hoests monkey and the Owl faced monkey. You will later head back to the lodge where you will rest and have your meals. Your dinner and overnight will be at Nyungwe Forest Lodge.

Day 5: Nyungwe – Kigali

You will enjoy a delicious breakfast as you start your Rwanda safari tour day. This will be followed by check out and a drive out of Nyungwe. You will be driving back to the capital Kigali.

There is a stop along the way in Butare for lunch. You may also visit the Botanical gardens along the way. Your arrival in Kigali will be in the afternoon.

You can be dropped off at your hotel in Kigali or at the airport for departure flight.

———- End of 5 Days Rwanda Safari Tour ———-

5 Day Rwanda Safari Tour Costs:

What is included in the 5 day Rwanda Tour cost?

• Accommodation as per the itinerary
• Transport in a 4 X 4 Safari vehicle with pop up roof
• Meals on full board basis while on the Rwanda Safari
• 1 X Chimpanzee trekking permit per person
• All park entrance fee
• Game Drives
• All Government tax

5 day Rwanda Safari Tour cost excludes:

• Visa
• Items of personal use
• Deviation from the above program
• Drinks and beverages
• Tips and porterage

What to Carry on the 5 day Rwanda Safari Tour

• Sun glasses
• Hiking shoes
• Poncho
• Long pants
• long sleeved shirts
• Light and some few heavy clothing
• Sun screen
• Insect repellant
• Hat
• Comfortable shoes