Overview

The 5-day Rwanda safari is the most popular and most complete Rwanda safari package — combining the country’s three greatest experiences into one perfectly paced itinerary. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Golden monkey trekking in the bamboo forest. Relaxation on the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. And a meaningful Kigali city tour that frames Rwanda’s extraordinary story of recovery and conservation.

This is Rwanda done properly — enough time to experience the depth and variety of one of Africa’s most extraordinary countries without rushing. The 5-day Rwanda safari is our most recommended package for first-time Rwanda visitors and for travellers who want more than a single gorilla trek.

Safari Highlights: 5-Day Rwanda Safari

✅ Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park — face to face with mountain gorillas
✅ Golden monkey trekking — the most joyful primate encounter in Rwanda
✅ Lake Kivu — swimming kayaking and sunset boat cruise on Rwanda’s most beautiful lake
✅ Kigali city tour — Genocide Memorial Rwanda’s vibrant capital city
✅ Expert English-speaking guide throughout
✅ Private 4×4 safari vehicle for complete flexibility
✅ All permits included in package price

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive Kigali → City Tour

Your 5-day Rwanda safari begins with arrival at Kigali International Airport where your Go Safaris Africa driver-guide meets you and transfers you to your Kigali hotel.

After settling in spend the afternoon on a Kigali city tour — visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial (one of the most important and most moving sites in Africa) the Kimironko Market (Rwanda’s largest and most vibrant local market) and the Inema Arts Centre — celebrating contemporary Rwandan art and creativity.

In the evening enjoy dinner at one of Kigali’s excellent restaurants — your guide will recommend the best local spots.

• Accommodation: Kigali — Lemigo Hotel / Hotel des Mille Collines / Radisson Blu (depending on package level)
• Meals: Dinner

Day 2 — Transfer to Volcanoes National Park → Golden Monkey Trekking

After breakfast transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park — a scenic 2.5-hour drive through Rwanda’s beautiful northwest highlands.

Arrive at Kinigi Park Headquarters in time for the afternoon golden monkey trekking briefing. Trek into the bamboo forest zone of the Virunga volcanoes to find one of the park’s habituated golden monkey troops — a troop of 60-80 vivid gold-and-black primates leaping through the bamboo with extraordinary energy and speed.

Spend one hour with the golden monkeys then transfer to your lodge for dinner and evening briefing about tomorrow’s gorilla trek.

• Golden monkey permit: $100 USD — included in package
• Accommodation: Volcanoes National Park area — Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge / Bisate Lodge (depending on package level)
• Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 3 — Gorilla Trekking — The Greatest Wildlife Encounter on Earth

The heart of your 5-day Rwanda safari — gorilla trekking day.

Rise before dawn and transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters for the 7:00am briefing. Your group of maximum 8 people is assigned to one of Volcanoes National Park’s 12 habituated gorilla families and your ranger guide leads you into the ancient Virunga rainforest.

The trek to find the gorilla family takes between 30 minutes and 4 hours depending on where the family has moved overnight. When your ranger signals you have found them the forest transforms. A silverback — 200kg of pure muscle — sits just metres away. Mothers nurse infants. Juveniles wrestle and chase each other through the undergrowth. Young gorillas occasionally approach to investigate these strange upright visitors.

You have exactly one hour with the gorilla family. It will be the most extraordinary wildlife hour of your life.

After the trek return to your lodge for lunch and an afternoon rest or optional Dian Fossey tomb hike ($75 additional) — walking to the grave of the woman whose work saved the mountain gorillas from extinction. Read our Dian Fossey Rwanda guide for the full story.

• Rwanda gorilla permit: $1,500 USD — included in package
• Accommodation: Volcanoes National Park area (same as Day 2)
• Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4 — Transfer to Lake Kivu → Afternoon on the Lake

After breakfast depart Volcanoes National Park and drive south to Lake Kivu — a 1.5-hour scenic drive through Rwanda’s northwest highlands with extraordinary views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Arrive at your Lake Kivu lodge in time for lunch on the lake terrace. Spend the afternoon completely at leisure — swimming in the warm safe waters of one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes kayaking along the lakeshore or simply sitting on your deck watching the fishing boats and the DRC mountains across the water.

In the evening enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Kivu — watching the sun drop behind the DRC mountains turning the lake gold and pink as dhows sail past in the evening light. One of Rwanda’s most romantic and most beautiful experiences.

• Lake Kivu accommodation: Rubavu (Gisenyi) — Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Cormoran Lodge / Paradise Kivu (depending on package level)
• Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 5 — Lake Kivu Morning → Return Kigali → Depart

Your final morning on Lake Kivu — enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the lake terrace watching the morning light on the water. Optional early morning kayak or fishing trip with local fishermen before departure.

After breakfast depart Lake Kivu and drive back to Kigali (2.5 hours) arriving in time for any flights departing from mid-afternoon onwards. Your driver-guide transfers you directly to Kigali International Airport.

If your flight departs the following day your guide will recommend Kigali restaurants and evening activities for your final night in Rwanda.

• Meals: Breakfast Lunch

Safari Inclusions

✅ Rwanda gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person)
✅ Golden monkey trekking permit ($100 per person)
✅ Volcanoes National Park entry fees
✅ All accommodation as per itinerary (3 nights)
✅ All meals as specified (B = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner)
✅ Private 4×4 safari vehicle throughout
✅ Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout
✅ Kigali city tour (Day 1 afternoon)
✅ Sunset boat cruise on Lake Kivu (Day 4)
✅ All park briefing fees and ranger guide fees
✅ Bottled water throughout the safari
✅ Airport transfers (arrival and departure)

Safari Exclusions

❌ International flights to/from Kigali
❌ Rwanda visa fees ($50 USD e-visa — most nationalities)
❌ Travel insurance (mandatory — not included)
❌ Optional Dian Fossey tomb hike ($75 per person)
❌ Optional Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village visit ($15 per person)
❌ Personal expenses shopping and souvenirs
❌ Tips for guides rangers and lodge staff (see tipping guide)
❌ Alcoholic beverages

Pricing

Note: Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Solo traveller supplement applies. Gorilla permit ($1,500) is included in all package levels.

For a precise quote based on your travel dates accommodation preferences and group size contact us directly.

What Our Clients Say

“The 5-day Rwanda safari was perfectly planned. Gorilla trekking on Day 3 was the most powerful wildlife experience of my life — I was not prepared for how emotional it would be. Lake Kivu on Day 4 was the perfect way to absorb everything. Go Safaris Africa handled every detail.”
— James and Rachel T. United Kingdom

“We combined this with a Zanzibar extension and it was the perfect East Africa trip. The guide was exceptional — his knowledge of the gorilla families made the encounter even more extraordinary. Already planning to come back.”
— Sophie M. Australia

Extend Your 5-Day Rwanda Safari

Add Akagera National Park (2 nights)
Rwanda’s Big Five safari park — lions black rhinos elephants leopards buffalos. Add 2 nights in Akagera between Kigali and Volcanoes for a complete Rwanda circuit. Becomes a 7-day Rwanda safari.

Add Nyungwe Forest (2 nights)
Chimpanzee trekking and the famous canopy walkway in Rwanda’s ancient rainforest. Add 2 nights in Nyungwe between Lake Kivu and Kigali for the full southwestern Rwanda experience.

Add Uganda Gorilla Trekking (3 nights)
Cross the Cyanika border after Lake Kivu and add a second gorilla family encounter in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A second gorilla trek in Uganda at $800 — combined with Rwanda’s $1,500 permit gives you two completely different gorilla encounters.

Add Zanzibar Beach (4 nights)
Fly Kigali → Kilimanjaro → Zanzibar and add the perfect Indian Ocean beach finale. Read our Zanzibar travel guide.

Contact us to customise your 5-day Rwanda safari →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the gorilla permit included in the price?
Yes — the Rwanda gorilla permit ($1,500 per person) is included in all 5-day Rwanda safari package prices. The golden monkey permit ($100) is also included.

When is the best time for the 5-day Rwanda safari?
Year-round — gorillas are accessible every day. June–September and December–February offer the best trekking conditions. Read our best time to visit Rwanda guide.

Is this safari suitable for first-time visitors to Africa?
Absolutely — the 5-day Rwanda safari is our most recommended package for first-time Africa visitors. Rwanda is safe accessible and one of the most rewarding first African experiences available. Read our first African safari guide.

How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
Moderate fitness — ability to walk uphill on uneven terrain for 2–6 hours. Most people of average fitness complete the trek successfully. We assign you to the most suitable gorilla family based on your fitness level. Read our what to pack guide.

Can I do this safari solo?
Yes — solo travellers are very welcome. A solo supplement applies for single room accommodation. Read our solo gorilla trekking Rwanda guide.

How do I book the 5-day Rwanda safari?
Contact us by WhatsApp email or phone — we check gorilla permit availability for your dates send a personalised quote and handle all bookings. Read our How It Works page for the complete booking process.

Book Your 5-Day Rwanda Safari Today

📞 Call or WhatsApp: +250 788 365 595
📧 Email: info@gosafarisafrica.com
👉 Contact us for availability and pricing

Go Safaris Africa Ltd — Licensed safari operator based in Kigali Rwanda
📍 Prince House Second Floor Office #5 Kigali Rwanda