5 Days in Rwanda Itinerary A Complete Guide for First Timers

A Complete 5 Days in Rwanda Itinerary Guide You Should Steal, Best for Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Golden Monkey Tracking. Mountain gorilla trekking is the ultimate primate experience in the African jungle. Track Silverback Mountain Gorillas and encounter the rare Golden Monkey troop of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

5 Days in Rwanda. Spending two days in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park’s rainforests is part of the mountain gorilla trekking experience. Your encounter with the endemic golden monkey colony and an exciting hike in search of Silverback Mountain Gorillas will be the highlight of your 5 Days in Rwanda trip. The unforgettable morning spent with a gorilla family will be one of the trip’s highlights because nothing else compares to it! Although spending time with a troop of golden monkeys—which can occasionally number as many as  100 playful creatures—is also an amazing experience. However, your vacation is not just about the rainforest. Other memorable experiences include a city tour of Kigali, a trip to the somber genocide museum, a distant view of the Virunga Mountains, an enlightening visit to an Iby’iwacu traditional hamlet, and a trip to the picturesque twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. All the while, you may enjoy first-rate service and hospitality while staying at some of Rwanda’s finest hotels. Start your 5 Days in Rwanda.


Trekking in Rwanda Part | Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park – Ultimate Bucket List Adventure!

Itinerary at the Glance: 5 Days in Rwanda

  • Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda
  • Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 3: Golden Monkey Trek in Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 4: Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
  • Day 5: Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda

Your Kabira Safaris Africa representative will meet you at the Kigali International Airport and transport you to the Kigali Serena Hotel. The 5-star Kigali Serena, located in the center of the city, is a luxurious private retreat with a variety of recreational opportunities to make the most of the beginning of your 5 Days in Rwanda trip. There are two restaurants serving tantalizing dishes from across the world in addition to native Rwandan cuisine, a tropically designed pool, a garden, and hot stone massages with Mayan influences. Both establishments, Sokoni and Milima, are well-known around the city for their creative menus that feature strong flavors and ingredients that are acquired locally. Before your true adventure begins, enjoy dinner at the hotel and get a good night’s sleep.

Included Activities

There are two restaurants serving genuine Rwandan cuisine, a pool and garden with tropical landscaping, and hot stone massages with Mayan influences. Before your true adventure begins, enjoy dinner at the hotel and get a good night’s sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Kigali Serena Hotel

Kigali, Rwanda
Kigali Serena Hotel

Day 2: Transfer Volcanoes National Park

You will meet your tour guide for a city tour of Kigali and a visit to the genocide museum after breakfast in the hotel. Following lunch, you’ll drive through the stunning, terraced hillsides of northwest Rwanda on a lovely route. The journey will take you to Ruhengeri, the starting point for the famed gorilla tracking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. This 70,000-person town is renowned for its warmth and offers stunning views of the nearby volcanoes. Following that, you will check into Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, which is located in the formidable Virungas’ foothills. The Virungas are a series of 15,000-foot volcanoes that spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Each guest cottage has a shaded veranda, a spacious living space, a fireplace, and a modern bathroom with terracotta roof tiles from Rwanda.

Included Activities

The main lodge contains a dining room, library, three enormous fireplaces, a sitting room with a cozy area, and two patio areas with stunning views of the Virunga Mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Days 3: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park


Trekking in Rwanda Part | Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park – too entertaining to miss!

You will transfer to Volcanoes National Park early in the morning for the golden monkey hike. The amusing and inquisitive monkeys can be seen playing on the forest floor or leaping from bamboo branches. One of two habituated groups of indigenous golden monkeys, with one group having between 80 and 100 individuals, will be your companion for an hour. Rejoin your driver guide for the trip back to your accommodation for lunch after the trek. You’ll go to the Iby’iwacu traditional village in the afternoon, where ex-poachers will show you around. Visit a traditional local king’s home, observe an actual medicine man preparing herbal concoctions, practice shooting a bow and arrow, or take in regional dance and drum performances. For dinner, you’ll head back to the cozy comfort of your lodge.

Included Activities

Explore Volcanoes National Park to look for the amusing golden monkey. A group of habituated indigenous golden monkeys will be your companions for an hour. The next step is a visit to the Iby’iwacu traditional hamlet, where former poachers will show you around.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Monkey tracking
endemic golden monkey

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

To meet the gorillas, you must get up early. Your gorilla tracking trip begins at 6:20 a.m. after breakfast with a transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, and the first gorilla trek departs at 7:00 a.m. You’ll drive to the trailhead for the start of your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla tracking expedition after receiving a briefing. For a cost of $10 per person, you can hire porters to carry your belongings and backpack during the walk. This is advised. Before entering the secret tunnels of the rainforest, teeming with bird cries and chattering golden monkeys, the walk begins on the foothills of the Virunga Mountains. The skilled trackers take you up close with one of the gorilla families as you catch glimpses of towering peaks through the undergrowth. You’ll spend a magical hour with the gorillas watching them go about their everyday activities, including feeding, playing, sleeping, and caring for their young.

One of the most incredible wildlife encounters on earth is coming face to face with a massive silverback. The twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera will be your final stop of the day before dinner at the lodge.

Included Activities

You will be escorted by knowledgeable local guides as they follow the sounds and tracks of the elusive mountain gorillas into the untamed forests close to the lodge. You’ll spend a beautiful hour watching the gorillas go about their everyday routines.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Check-in at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Mountain Gorilla Safaris in Rwanda
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Day 5: Departure

You’ll travel to Kigali after breakfast along a beautiful road. Before you reach the airport for your departing flight, you will get one final chance to experience Rwanda’s stunningly green hills during the two-and-a-half-hour journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Scenic drive to Kigali

End of the 5 Days in Rwanda Itinerary 

Inclusions

  • Accommodation and meals, as specified in the itinerary
  • Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
  • Transportation services, as specified in the itinerary
  • Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact supporting you during your trip
  • Carbon emissions offsetting for your trip

Inclusions

  • Entrance fees and meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Visa and tourism fees
  • Travel, health, and cancellation insurance
  • International airfare

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this 5 Days in Rwanda Itinerary? Essential Trip Information provides, visa info, How to get to Rwanda the Best Time to visit – pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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