What You Need to Know: This 5-day private safari from Kigali covers Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest and Lake Kivu, without a gorilla permit. It costs from US$2,410 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees included.
Is the 5-Day Rwanda Safari Right for You?
It suits travelers who have already seen gorillas, or who want Rwanda's savannah, forest and lake without the permit cost.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want Rwanda's landscapes without gorillas | You want gorillas: see the 6-day Rwanda safari |
| You enjoy a mix of game drives, walks and lake time | You want the classic Big Five circuit: Tanzania or Kenya is better |
| You start and end in Kigali | You want everything Rwanda offers: see the 9-day Rwanda safari |
The 5-Day Rwanda Safari Route at a Glance
Two nights in Kigali, one in Nyungwe and one at Lake Kivu.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kigali | Airport transfer, 20–30 minutes | Kigali |
| 2 | Akagera National Park | Drive 2.5 hours each way, game drive, boat | Kigali |
| 3 | Kigali to Nyungwe Forest | Drive 5–6 hours, canopy walk | Nyungwe Forest |
| 4 | Nyungwe to Lake Kivu | Drive 3–4 hours | Lake Kivu |
| 5 | Lake Kivu to Kigali and departure | Drive 3–3.5 hours | — |
5-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
Akagera is an easy trip from Kigali, so the first night there is spent back in the city before heading south-west.
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Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Your driver-guide meets you at Kigali International Airport and takes you to your hotel. If you land early, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving introduction to the country's recent history, or walk the clean, hilly streets of the capital.
Airport transfer, 20–30 minutesKigaliDinner -
Day 2: Akagera National Park
Drive east to Akagera, about 2.5 hours, for a game drive across savannah, lakes and swamp, where lions and rhinos have been reintroduced, then an afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema among hippos and crocodiles. Return to Kigali in the evening.
Drive 2.5 hours each way, game drive, boatKigaliBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest
Drive south-west through Rwanda's hills, past terraced farms and the King's Palace Museum at Nyanza, to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa.
In the afternoon, walk the canopy walkway, a suspension bridge about 160 ft (50 m) above the forest floor.
Drive 5–6 hours, canopy walkNyungwe ForestBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Nyungwe to Lake Kivu
Drive north along the Congo-Nile road through tea estates to Karongi on Lake Kivu. In the afternoon, take a boat to the islands or swim from the shore.
Drive 3–4 hoursLake KivuBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Lake Kivu to Kigali and departure
Drive back to Kigali, stopping at a craft cooperative, for your flight home.
Drive 3–3.5 hoursDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 5-Day Rwanda Safari
- Akagera: lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras; Rwanda's only Big Five park
- Nyungwe: Angola colobus monkeys, more than 300 bird species and the canopy walkway
- Lake Kivu: island boat trips, fishermen's evening songs and swimming
How Much Does the 5-Day Rwanda Safari Cost?
From US$2,410 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas
- Flights: there are no flights on this trip
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Akagera National Park (African Parks/RDB) | About US$50 per adult per day, plus a vehicle fee |
| Nyungwe Forest National Park entry and canopy walk (RDB) | Official RDB rate, shown in your quotation |
What the 5-Day Rwanda Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
- 4 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
- Visas
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
How the 5-Day Rwanda Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
Our Rwanda trips compared:
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes gorillas | 3 | US$2,946 | Gorilla trek only |
| Akagera, Nyungwe, Kivu | 5 | US$2,410 | No gorillas: savannah, forest, lake |
| Nyungwe and Volcanoes | 6 | US$4,542 | Chimps and gorillas |
| Rwanda in full | 9 | US$5,988 | Akagera, chimps, gorillas |
| Rwanda and Uganda | 10 | US$7,270 | Two gorilla treks and chimps |
| Rwanda and Tanzania | 14 | US$8,348 | Gorillas, then the Serengeti |
Add a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe for about US$150 per person.
How to Book the 5-Day Rwanda Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
In Rwanda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.
This page covers what is particular to the 5-Day Rwanda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: how our partner operators run the trip and who your guide is.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 5-Day Rwanda Safari
Can we add chimpanzee tracking?
Yes: we can add the Nyungwe chimp trek (about US$150 per person) on day 3 or 4; we requote the trip.
Why go back to Kigali after Akagera?
Akagera is in the east and Nyungwe in the south-west; returning through Kigali is the fastest way between them.
How much does the 5-Day Rwanda Safari cost?
From US$2,410 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
Five days for Rwanda's savannah, rainforest and lake. Add a chimp trek or a gorilla day to make it complete.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.