4 Days Rwanda Safari: Volcanoes & Akagera with Gorillas

Trek golden monkeys and track lions across two national parks in one four-day loop

A four-day safari tour from Kigali that covers Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park, combining golden monkey trekking, a full game drive for the Big Five, canoeing on the Mukungwa River, and a sunset boat tour on Lake Ihema. The itinerary includes accommodation on full board, all park entrance fees, transport in a 4x4 vehicle, and a live guide in English or French; pickup from Kigali is included. Not recommended for pregnant travelers; minimum age is 15 and moderate fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive to Musanze and canoeing

• Drive to Musanze
• Canoeing on Mukungwa river
• Have lunch and check in
• Visit Ellen DeGeneres Campus

Day 2 — Golden monkey trekking and culture

• Briefing at Volcanoes National Park
• Golden monkey trekking
• Experience Ibere rya bigogwe culture

Day 3 — Transfer to Akagera and boat tour

• Transfer to Akagera National Park
• Sunset boat tour on Lake Ihema
• Transfer to accommodation

Day 4 — Game drive and return to Kigali

• Early game drive in Akagera
• Observe Big Five animals
• Transfer back to Kigali
• Overnight stay and departure

The Experience

You start with a scenic drive north to Musanze, paddling the Mukungwa River past lush shorelines and the Virunga Mountains before lunch and an afternoon visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, where you learn how the Dian Fossey organization works to protect gorillas. Day two begins at 7 a.m. at Volcanoes National Park headquarters for golden monkey trekking—an hour watching these primates feed and play in their family groups in the forest. After that, you spend time at Ibiere rya Bigogwe, a local community site where you milk cows, taste fresh milk, and join in traditional games and songs with views across the valleys.

On day three, you transfer to Akagera National Park and take a sunset boat tour on Lake Ihema, spotting hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants, antelopes and water birds from the water before heading to your accommodation inside the park. Day four is a nearly full-day game drive through Akagera's landscapes, where you have time to encounter the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino—in their natural habitat. After the drive, you transfer back to Kigali for your final night.

The entire tour runs on full board accommodation, meaning meals are arranged at each stop. Your 4x4 vehicle and driver handle all the transfers between parks and sites, and all park entrance fees, activity permits (including the golden monkey permit) and taxes are built into the price. A live guide fluent in English or French travels with you throughout.

What’s included

• Accommodation on full board basis.
• park entrance fees for both Volcanoes and Akagera.
• transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with driver.
• golden monkey trekking permit.
• sunset boat safari on Lake Ihema.
• full-day game drive in Akagera.
• canoeing on the Mukungwa River.
• visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus and Ibiere rya Bigogwe community site.
• live guide in English or French.
• all taxes.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Shalom Safaris

Is this one for you?Four days is long enough to reach two parks and spend real time with the animals—golden monkeys in the morning, a community visit in the afternoon, then Akagera's boat tour and game drive—but short enough to fit into a longer Rwanda trip without eating the whole week.

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Top questions

What is golden monkey trekking like at Volcanoes National Park?

Golden monkey trekking at Volcanoes National Park starts with a 7 a.m. briefing at park headquarters, then you hike into the forest to locate and spend an hour observing the monkeys as they feed, play and interact in their family groups in their natural habitat.

Will I see the Big Five on this safari?

Yes—the nearly full-day game drive on day four in Akagera National Park is designed to give you time to spot lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino across the park's landscapes.

What happens on the boat tour at Lake Ihema?

The sunset boat tour on Lake Ihema lets you spot hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants, antelopes and various bird species from the water as you cruise the shorelines before transferring to your accommodation inside Akagera.

Is accommodation and food included in the price?

Yes—the tour includes accommodation on a full board basis, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at each stop throughout the four days.

What should I know about fitness and age requirements?

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the trekking and game drives; the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers, and the minimum age is 15.