Day 1
Road transfer
KGL (Kigali, Rwanda) to Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda
i
Photo: Wilderness (as credited by Wetu gallery) · Source ↗
An Explore Africa journey
Rwanda: Gorillas & Akagera
Ref EA2026012·Indicative from A$9,000 per person·5 nights
When to go
June to September and December to February are the drier months for gorilla trekking. Treks run all year, and Akagera is best in the dry season.
Country information
Rwanda is small, green and easy to travel, with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Big Five savannah in Akagera. What to know from the start: • Entry requirements: confirm passports, visas, digital entry forms and transit rules at smartraveller.gov.au and Rwanda's official immigration website before travel. • Health: seek route-specific advice from a travel-health professional and smartraveller.gov.au; vaccination and malaria guidance varies by itinerary. • Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF); US dollars are widely accepted. • Gorilla permits: limited each day and best secured well ahead through the Rwanda Development Board or your planner.
The journey
Day by day
Gorillas and the savannah
Day 1
Kigali Serena Hotel
Kigali · Rwanda · 1 nights
Booking guidance
Use the official property website to enquire about availability or booking. Explore Africa can add Kigali Serena Hotel to an itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Selected experiences
- Kigali Genocide Memorial visitBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.Public booking link ↗
Day 2
Road transfer
Kigali, Rwanda to Ingagi Park View Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
About two and a half hours by road
Days 2–3
Ingagi Park View Lodge
Volcanoes National Park · Rwanda · 2 nights
Gorilla permit to be secured well ahead of travel
Booking guidance
Use the official property website to enquire about availability or booking. Explore Africa can add Ingagi Park View Lodge to an itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Selected experiences
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National ParkBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.Public booking link ↗
Day 4
Road transfer
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda to Wilderness Magashi Camp, Akagera, Rwanda
Selected experiences
- Game drivesBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.
Selected experiences
- Lake Ihema boat safari, AkageraBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.Public booking link ↗
Day 6
Road transfer
Akagera, Rwanda to KGL (Kigali, Rwanda)
The route
How to book this trip
This is a plan you can book yourself. We’re a planning service, not a booking platform. Here’s the order of play:
- 1Camps first. Enquire with each camp below to confirm availability and rates, and book direct.
- 2Then transfers & regional flights. Arrange these once your camp dates are locked.
- 3International flights last. Booked separately from Australia, once the ground trip is confirmed.
Kigali Serena Hotel
Enquire ↗Rwanda · 1 night
Ingagi Park View Lodge
Enquire ↗Rwanda · 2 nights
Wilderness Magashi Camp
Enquire ↗Rwanda · 2 nights
Safari packing checklist
Pack a soft duffel, not a hard case, as light aircraft cap luggage at ~15–20 kg including hand luggage. Neutral colours, and layers for cold mornings.
Documents & money
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Visas / e-visas as required
- Travel insurance details
- Vaccination certificates
- Cards + some USD cash
- Copies of key documents
Clothing: neutral tones
- Lightweight long sleeves & trousers
- Warm fleece / layer (cold dawns)
- T-shirts
- Swimwear
- Sleepwear
- Smart-casual for dinners
Footwear
- Closed walking shoes
- Sandals / camp shoes
Gear
- Binoculars
- Camera + spare batteries & cards
- Sunglasses & wide-brim hat
- Headtorch
- Small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
Health & toiletries
- Antimalarials (if advised)
- Insect repellent (DEET)
- High-SPF sunscreen & lip balm
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
- Basic first-aid kit
Want this route tailored to you?
Love this route, but travelling with children, need malaria-free options, or want to fit in Victoria Falls? Generate your tailored blueprint or request a one-to-one itinerary review with Explore Africa.
This itinerary is a planning tool: indicative, not a quote or a booking. Price lines include only the items they explicitly identify. Transfers, activities, meals and flights are excluded unless stated. Availability, rates and flight times change, so please confirm them directly. Submitting a trip sends an enquiry to our team; it does not create a reservation.
See our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.