5-Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda & Akagera Big Five Safari

This 5 day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari covers the country's two best-known wildlife experiences in one trip. You start in Kigali, drive to Akagera National Park for a full day of game drives, cross the country to Volcanoes National Park for your gorilla trek, and finish with a slow day beside Lake Kivu. Park fees, the gorilla permit, a private vehicle with a driver guide and full board are included, so the plan is simple to book and easy to follow.

Akagera is Rwanda's only savannah park and has been restored to Big Five status: you search for lions, elephants, buffalo and giraffe, and with luck leopard and rhino. There are far fewer vehicles than in the large East African parks, so the drives are quiet. Read our Big Five safari page and the guide to where to go on a Big Five safari in East Africa and South Africa to see how it compares.

Day four is the gorilla trek. The rangers assign you to a family based on your fitness, and you spend one hour with them. Our guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park guide prepare you for it, and the Rwanda destination page shows how the pieces of the country fit together.

Moderate. The gorilla trek can take two to six hours on uneven, muddy forest trails at altitude, and a walking stick helps. Game drives in Akagera and the day at Lake Kivu are relaxed, and your driver guide sets a comfortable pace. Gorilla trekking is open to visitors aged 15 and over; see gorilla trekking age limits for the detail.

June to September and December to February are the driest months and the best for both parks: trails are firmer and the animals gather near water in Akagera. March to May and October to November bring rain and muddier treks, but also green landscapes and fewer visitors. Our gorilla trekking packing list helps you prepare for either.

This trip suits travellers who want savannah wildlife and gorillas in a single week, without crossing a border. If you have more time, the 6-day Akagera Big Five safari and Kigali tour or the 6-day chimpanzee tracking and Akagera trip add more. For a shorter, gorilla-only version see the 4-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour.

Book your gorilla permit early, because dates sell out in the dry seasons: why you should book your permit in advance explains how, and what gorilla trekking costs in Rwanda sets out the fees.

If you would like the gorilla trek combined with tree planting and community visits, see our Signature Journey, the 7-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour with culture and ReGreen, and our Hundred Trees initiative.

Planning this trip? Our guides on whether you can see the Big Five in Rwanda, what a Big Five safari in Rwanda costs and how to book gorilla trekking in Rwanda cover the main questions to settle before you book.