









5 Days Rwanda Safari & Lake Kivu Safari
Tour Overview of 5 Days Rwanda Safari & Lake Kivu Adventure
The 5 Days Rwanda Safari & Lake Kivu Safari combines the best of Rwanda’s wildlife, nature, and leisure experiences in one unforgettable journey. From thrilling encounters with the Big Five in Akagera National Park to the serene beauty of Lake Kivu, this tour perfectly balances adventure and relaxation. You’ll explore Rwanda’s diverse landscapes — from the rolling savannah plains of Akagera to the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu — and discover why Rwanda is called the Land of a Thousand Hills.
This safari is ideal for travelers seeking both excitement and tranquility. You’ll enjoy a scenic Kigali City Tour, spot elephants, lions, and giraffes on thrilling game drives, cruise on Lake Ihema to see hippos and crocodiles, and unwind with a relaxing stay along Lake Kivu. The combination of wildlife and water makes this itinerary one of Rwanda’s most rewarding short safaris.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Kigali City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your guide from Rwanda Safaris Gorilla Trekking. Begin with a Kigali City Tour, visiting historical and cultural landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, and Inema Arts Center. Learn about Rwanda’s remarkable history, art, and modern development. After the tour, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Kigali.
Accommodation: Hôtel des Mille Collines / Heaven Boutique Hotel / Lemigo Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park & Afternoon Boat Cruise
After breakfast, drive east toward Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five. The 2.5-hour drive offers scenic views of rural life and rolling landscapes. Upon arrival, check into your lodge, have lunch, and later embark on an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. You’ll spot hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species such as kingfishers and African fish eagles. In the evening, relax at your lodge with dinner overlooking the savannah.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge / Mantis Akagera Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Full Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Start your day early with a sunrise game drive across Akagera’s open plains, wetlands, and woodlands. This full-day adventure offers the chance to spot elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and even rhinos. Your experienced guide will help you identify different species and take you to scenic lookout points for photography. After a picnic lunch inside the park, continue exploring the northern circuits before returning to the lodge in the evening.
Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge / Mantis Akagera Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)
After breakfast, depart Akagera and drive west toward Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes. Enjoy the scenic journey through Rwanda’s countryside, passing through tea and coffee plantations. Arrive in Gisenyi by afternoon and check in at your lakeside lodge. Spend your evening relaxing on the sandy shores, enjoying a sunset walk, or watching local fishermen prepare for their night on the lake.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide / Inzu Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Lake Kivu Adventure & Departure
Begin your morning with a peaceful boat ride on Lake Kivu, exploring small islands and meeting local fishing communities. Visit Napoleon Island or Amahoro Island, known for their scenic views and birdlife. Depending on time, you can also tour a nearby coffee plantation or the Niramba Hot Springs before driving back to Kigali for your onward flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Included in 5 Days Rwanda Safari & Lake Kivu Adventure
- All accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- All park entry fees and permits
- Kigali city tour
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema and Lake Kivu
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
Excluded in 5 Days Rwanda Safari & Lake Kivu Adventure
- International flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not mentioned
- Personal expenses (drinks, tips, laundry, souvenirs)
- Porter or guide gratuities
End of 5 Days Rwanda Safari & Lake Kivu Adventure
Your 5 Days Rwanda Safari & Lake Kivu Safari ends with unforgettable memories of Rwanda’s wildlife, landscapes, and hospitality — from Akagera’s Big Five to the tranquil charm of Lake Kivu. A journey that perfectly captures the spirit of adventure and peace in Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Starting from US $ 2,200 per person
Discounted prices per person as the number of people rises. Prices for children are fixed as $ 150 per child.
| No of People | Up To | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | $ 2200 |
| 2 | – | $ 1980 |
| 3 | – | $ 1750 |
| 4 | – | $ 1680 |
| 5 | – | $ 1520 |
| 6 | – | $ 1490 |
| 7 | 15 | $ 1410 |
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
