5 days in Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks,

5 days in Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks, With this packed itinerary for five days to Akagera and Nyungwe national parks in Rwanda,  you can be confident that you haven’t missed any important attractions. The plan takes you at a steady pace through the cultural and historical sites in Rwanda, like the Ethnographic Museum, the Nyanza Kings Palace, or the National Museum of Rwanda.   Driving to Akagera National Park exposes you to Rwanda’s scenic countryside. While in the park,  enjoy the vast savannah as you search for different wildlife creatures, including the big five animals, zebras, giraffes, hippos, antelopes, and several bird species.

 The safari includes trekking into Rwanda’s largest equatorial forest searching for another group of endangered apes, the chimpanzees, and enjoying walking on an elevated canopy walk for more exploration of Rwanda’s wilderness in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Trip highlights of the 5 days in Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks,

  • Day 1:Arrival and transfer to Akagera National Park – boat cruise
  • Day 2: Full day game drive and transfer to Kigali
  • Day 3:Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
  • Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking – Canopy Walk
  • Day 5: Gisakura  tea plantation visit and transfer to Kigali

Detailed itinerary of 5 days in Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks,

Day 1:Arrival and transfer to Akagera National Park – boat cruise

Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will pick you up from Kigali at your hotel or the airport and transfer to Akagera National Park, which lies eastern region of Rwanda. The drive takes two and a half hours. After registering with the park authorities, you will head into the park for a quick game drive and later head to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, at 3; pm, embark on a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Anticipate seeing crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos, and other creatures at the lake shores. Many water birds can be seen on the islands and along the shores, making the boat cruise a great opportunity for bird watchers.

An optional activity on this day is a night game drive.  The most sought-after animals in this session are the cats, including leopards, bush babies, and night jars.

Accommodations: Ruzizi Tented lodge (Luxury), Akagera Game Lodge(midrange), Shakani Campsite (budget)

Day 2: Full day game drive and transfer to Kigali

After an early morning breakfast, with your picnic lunch, check out of the lodge at 6.30 am and begin your 5- to 6-hour game drive through Akagera National Park. Drive from the southern part of the park through a variety of habitats, including woodlands, thickets, forests, swamps, lakeshores, and savannah grasslands. This will offer a wide range of species and breathtaking views of the park as well as wild animals. The last hours of your drive will be in the Kilala plains, where you will observe lots of roaming animals. By the end of your drive, you will realise that Akagera National Park is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Rwanda.

After the game drive, have your picnic lunch and drive back to Kigali.

Accommodation: The Retreat  (luxury), Onomo Hotel (midrange), Five to Five hotel (budget)

Day 3:Transfer to Nyungwe National Park 

In the early morning hours, set off for Nyungwe National Park in south-western Rwanda. The journey takes 5-6 hours, but you may wish to have stopovers at cultural spots like the National Museum of Rwanda, the King’s Palace in Nyanza, or the Ethnographic Museum in Huye. All these places exhibit good Rwandan history and Culture.  En route, lunch will be at one of these chosen cultural centres.

On arrival, check into the accommodation for relaxation, dinner, and a night’s stay.

Optional activity: Guided community walk to the village close to the park.

Accommodations: One and Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top Hill  View (midrange), Chimpanzee Lodge ( budget).

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking – Canopy Walk

Wake up early for breakfast at the lodge and prepare for a long day of activities. The driver will take you for the briefing, which starts at Uwinka at 5:30 am. There are two trails for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest – The Uwinka and Cyamudongo trails. After the briefing, park officials will assign you one of the trails depending on the number of participants. Each group will be driven to the starting point of the trek. During the one hour you are allowed to spend with the chimps, observe individuals grooming, breastfeeding, mating, and playing.  Along the same track, expect to see other smaller primate species because this forest park is home to 13 primate species.

After the trek, go back to the hotel for lunch and later in the afternoon, go for a canopy walk tour in Nyungwe with the park guide. The canopy bridge is suspended 50 meters from the ground and enables wonderful views across the forest and sightings at eye level of various creatures such as monkeys and birds.

After the canopy walk, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Accommodations: One and Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top Hill  View (midrange), Chimpanzee Lodge ( budget).

Day 5: Gisakura  tea plantation visit and transfer to Kigali

For this last day of your 5 days Akagera and Nyungwe national park safari, wake up for a relaxed breakfast and check out of the lodge. The driver will take you on a brief visit to Gisakura Tea Estate’s plantation and factory. While at the tea plantation, you will learn how tea is grown, harvested, processed, and packed in the factory. Later, continue to Kigali. Your final destination will either be your hotel or the airport.

End of 5 days Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks tour.

Tour inclusions:

  • Transportation in a 4×4 Safari vehicle.
  • Akagera park entrance fees
  • Lake Ihema boat cruise
  • Chimpanzee permits
  • Canopy Walk
  •  Driver guide with good English/French speaking skills
  • Visiting cultural and historical sites
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Airport transfers

Tour exclusions

  • International and domestic flight tickets
  • Rwandan Visa
  • Medical and Travel insurance
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenditures on Tips, alcoholic drinks, laundry, and souvenirs.