5-Day Rwanda Birding & Gorilla Safari

Overview—5-Day Rwanda Birding & Gorilla Safari

The 5-Day Rwanda Birding & Gorilla Safari is designed for travelers who want to experience the best of Rwanda’s birdlife while also enjoying the unforgettable adventure of gorilla trekking. Rwanda is a birding haven with over 700 species, many of them endemic to the Albertine Rift, and this safari combines time in Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest, and Volcanoes National Park for a balanced birding and wildlife experience. The highlight comes with a trek into the Virunga Mountains to spend an hour with a gorilla family, making this itinerary the perfect blend of birding and primate adventure.

Over five days, you’ll explore a mix of habitats, from savannahs and wetlands to misty forests and volcanic slopes. Alongside birdwatching, you’ll enjoy comfortable lodges, scenic drives through Rwanda’s famous rolling hills, and the intimacy of Rwanda’s natural beauty. This compact itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to maximize their birding and gorilla experiences within a short timeframe.

Explore More

Start Your Tailored Trip Now.

Let us plan every detail of your journey so you can travel in comfort and ease

Get Trip Quote.

Imvelo Means Nature

To Truly Experience Africa, One Must Walk With Imvelo, Respecting The Rhythm Of Nature In Every Step.

#NatureSafaris

Detailed Itinerary —5-Day Rwanda Birding & Gorilla Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Akagera National Park

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you are welcomed by your driver-guide and set off for Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park. The journey takes about three hours, and you arrive in time for an evening birding drive, where species such as the lilac-breasted roller, grey-crowned crane, and red-faced barbet may be spotted. Dinner and overnight in Akagera.

Day 2: Birding in Akagera – Transfer to Nyungwe

The day begins with morning birding in Akagera’s wetlands and savannahs, where species like the papyrus gonolek, African fish eagle, and shoebill stork may be seen. After lunch, you drive south through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight in Nyungwe.

Day 3: Birding in Nyungwe Forest National Park

This day is dedicated to birding in Nyungwe, one of Africa’s richest montane forests. Key targets include the regal sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, red-collared mountain babbler, and Albertine owlet. Nyungwe also offers sightings of colobus monkeys and a variety of butterflies, making it a paradise for nature lovers. Dinner and overnight in Nyungwe.

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Scenic Drive

After breakfast, you drive north to Volcanoes National Park. The journey passes Rwanda’s terraced hills and scenic countryside, offering opportunities for landscape photography. By afternoon, you arrive in Musanze and settle into your lodge with views of the Virunga volcanoes. Dinner and overnight near Volcanoes.

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes – Return to Kigali – Departure

The final day begins with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. With guides and rangers, you hike through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes until you meet your gorilla family. Spending an hour with them is a humbling and unforgettable experience. After trekking, you return to the lodge for lunch before driving back to Kigali, where you are dropped at the airport for your departure.