Akagera Big Five
Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and leopards across Rwanda's premier savannah national park.
6 Days Luxury Rwanda Safari: Gorillas & Akagera Big Five
Our 6 Days Luxury Rwanda Safari: Gorillas & Akagera Big Five combines Rwanda's two most iconic wildlife experiences into one carefully designed private journey.
Begin your adventure in Akagera National Park, Rwanda's spectacular savannah reserve of rolling plains, woodlands, wetlands and lakes. Here, you will search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, zebras and both black and white rhinos during private game drives.
A boat safari on Lake Ihema introduces another side of Akagera, where hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife inhabit the park's beautiful wetland ecosystem.
Your adventure then continues north to Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda's endangered mountain gorillas and the dramatic Virunga volcanoes.
Trek through the misty montane forest accompanied by professional trackers until you reach a habituated gorilla family. Watching these extraordinary primates interact in their natural habitat is one of Africa's most powerful wildlife experiences.
Throughout your journey, enjoy private 4×4 transportation, personalized guiding and carefully selected luxury Rwanda safari lodges.
Gorilla Trekking
Trek into Volcanoes National Park for an unforgettable encounter with Rwanda's mountain gorillas.
Lake Ihema Safari
Explore Akagera's wetland ecosystem during a scenic boat safari featuring hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Luxury Private Travel
Enjoy premium accommodation, your own safari vehicle and dedicated professional driver-guide.
6 Days Luxury Rwanda Safari Itinerary
From Rwanda's eastern savannahs to the forests of the Virunga Mountains, explore your complete six-day luxury safari itinerary.
Welcome to Rwanda, famously known as the Land of a Thousand Hills. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional Universal Ventures Rwanda safari representative.
Enjoy a private transfer to your luxury hotel in Kigali and settle into your accommodation after your international journey.
Depending on your arrival time, spend the remainder of the day relaxing or exploring your hotel's facilities. Your guide will also provide a safari briefing covering the journey to Akagera National Park and the adventures ahead.
After breakfast, meet your private safari driver-guide and begin your journey east toward Akagera National Park.
The scenery gradually changes from Kigali's rolling hills to the open landscapes, lakes, wetlands and savannahs characteristic of eastern Rwanda.
After arriving in Akagera, continue to your luxury lodge for check-in and lunch before enjoying an afternoon boat safari on Lake Ihema.
Cruise across the lake while watching pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and a remarkable variety of aquatic birds. Elephants, buffaloes and antelopes may also be seen approaching the shoreline.
Return to your lodge for dinner and your first night inside or near Akagera National Park.
Rise early for a full-day Akagera Big Five safari through one of East Africa's most scenic protected areas.
Travel through changing ecosystems including woodland, open savannah, acacia plains, wetlands and lakes while your professional guide searches for wildlife.
Akagera is home to the complete Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. Both black and white rhinos occur within the park.
Other wildlife you may encounter includes giraffes, zebras, topis, elands, impalas, waterbucks, warthogs, baboons, vervet monkeys and numerous antelope species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park while appreciating Akagera's impressive wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive.
Return to your luxury lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Enjoy breakfast surrounded by Akagera's peaceful wilderness before beginning your journey toward northern Rwanda.
Today's drive takes you through Rwanda's beautiful countryside and rolling hills as the landscape gradually becomes more mountainous.
Continue toward Volcanoes National Park, where the impressive peaks of the Virunga volcanoes dominate the horizon.
Arrive at your luxury lodge and enjoy a relaxing afternoon preparing for tomorrow's mountain gorilla trek.
Your guide will explain what to expect during the trek, including recommended clothing, trekking equipment and the morning departure arrangements.
Today is the highlight of your 6 Days Luxury Rwanda Safari. After an early breakfast, your private driver-guide transfers you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters.
Following registration and a detailed briefing from the park authorities, you will be assigned to a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Accompanied by experienced trackers and park guides, trek through bamboo forest, montane vegetation and volcanic terrain in search of the gorillas.
Once your gorilla family has been located, enjoy the permitted observation period watching these remarkable primates feed, play, rest and interact.
Seeing a powerful silverback only meters away, mothers caring for infants and young gorillas playing among the vegetation creates one of Africa's most unforgettable wildlife encounters.
After trekking, return to your luxury lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon surrounded by the spectacular Virunga Mountains.
Enjoy your final breakfast overlooking the landscapes surrounding Volcanoes National Park before checking out of your lodge.
Depart with your private driver-guide for the scenic journey back to Kigali through Rwanda's beautiful countryside.
Depending on your international flight departure time, optional gift shopping, lunch or additional Kigali experiences can be arranged.
Your guide will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your luxury Rwanda gorilla and Big Five safari.
Luxury Lodges for Your Rwanda Safari
Your accommodation can be customized according to your preferred level of luxury, lodge style, travel dates and budget.
![Akagera luxury safari lodge Rwanda](http://universalventuresrwanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Wilderness-Magashi-Peninsula-Akagera-National-Park-Rwanda-scaled.jpg")
Luxury
Wilderness Magashi Camp
Stay within or close to Akagera National Park and enjoy comfortable accommodation surrounded by Rwanda's spectacular savannah wilderness.
Ultra Luxury
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
An exceptional luxury forest retreat offering sophisticated accommodation, attentive hospitality and excellent access to Volcanoes National Park.
Luxury
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
A stylish and comfortable property conveniently located near Volcanoes National Park and ideal for luxury gorilla trekking travelers.
Kigali Luxury
Premium Kigali Hotel
Begin your safari with a comfortable luxury stay in Kigali, providing convenient airport access and time to relax before your journey into Rwanda's national parks.
What's Included?
✓ Private 4×4 safari vehicle
✓ Professional driver-guide
✓ Kigali airport transfers
✓ Luxury accommodation
✓ Meals as indicated
✓ Mountain gorilla trekking permit
✓ Akagera National Park game drives
✓ Lake Ihema boat safari
✓ Akagera park entrance fees
✓ Safari drinking water
✓ Kigali–Akagera transfers
✓ Akagera–Volcanoes transfer
✓ Volcanoes–Kigali transfer
✓ Personalized safari assistance
× International flights
× Rwanda visa where applicable
× Travel insurance
× Personal expenses
× Optional activities
× Gorilla trekking porter
× Driver-guide gratuities
× Premium alcoholic beverages
Why Choose Rwanda for a Gorilla & Big Five Safari?
Gorillas & Big Five
Rwanda combines mountain gorilla trekking with traditional African savannah wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos.
Easy Connections
Rwanda's compact geography makes it possible to travel between Kigali, Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park without complicated domestic flight arrangements.
Luxury Hospitality
Travelers can choose from an impressive collection of premium safari lodges, boutique hotels and ultra-luxury properties across Rwanda.
Your Private Rwanda Journey
Customize My Safari
Ready for Gorillas & Rwanda's Big Five?
Tell us your preferred dates, number of travelers and accommodation style. Universal Ventures Rwanda can customize this six-day luxury safari around your international flights, preferred lodges and additional experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The safari can include one Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes National Park per traveler, subject to availability at the time of booking.
Akagera National Park is home to lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and both black and white rhinos. Wildlife sightings always depend on nature and cannot be guaranteed.
Yes. This itinerary includes a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where travelers can look for hippos, crocodiles and numerous water birds.
Yes. Your road transportation is private and you travel with your own professional safari driver-guide throughout the journey.
Yes. Premium and ultra-luxury properties can be selected in Kigali, Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
Absolutely. The safari can be extended with another night near Volcanoes National Park and a second mountain gorilla trekking experience, subject to permit availability.
Yes. Golden monkey trekking, Lake Kivu, cultural experiences, Kigali activities and other Rwanda attractions can easily be added to create a longer customized safari.
