Luxury1 NIGHT
Kigali Serena Hotel
Kigali, Rwanda
5 Days Gorillas & Lake Kivu Escape
Trek the mountain gorillas, then exhale on the shores of one of Africa's Great Lakes.
From
$3,795per person sharing
RWANDA
5 Days Gorillas & Lake Kivu Escape
The perfect rhythm for a Rwanda safari: the adrenaline and awe of a mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, followed by two restorative days on the palm-fringed shores of Lake Kivu one of Africa's Great Lakes, and barely an hour's drive from the volcanoes. After your full hour with a habituated gorilla family, the journey descends to Rubavu, where sandy beaches, boat cruises to coffee islands, lakeside dining, and safe swimming replace the trekking boots. It is Rwanda's most balanced itinerary effort, then reward with hand-picked lodges, private guides, and not a single wasted travel day.
The Experience
SwipeItinerary
Day 1 of 5
Arrival in Kigali Airport Transfer & Hotel
Your driver-guide meets you at Kigali International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. Evening at leisure with a dinner briefing on the journey ahead.
Stays
LuxuryKigali Serena Hotel / The Retreat by Heaven
Mid-RangeHotel des Mille Collines / Lemigo Hotel
Meals
Dinner
Rates
From $3,795
per person sharing
| Group size | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Private departure (1) | $4,595 | $5,350 |
| 2 sharing | $3,795 | $4,350 |
| 3 sharing | $3,650 | $4,150 |
| 4 sharing | $3,595 | $4,050 |
| 6 sharing | $3,595 | $3,995 |
| Single supplement | $320 | $560 |
Permit & Booking Notice
The Rwanda gorilla permit is USD 1,500 per person, issued by the Rwanda Development Board, and is included in this package. Permits are limited daily and must be secured well in advance full payment is required at booking to confirm your date.
Rates are valid for travel through 31 December 2026 and are subject to RDB tariff revision.
Prices shown in currencies other than USD use live exchange rates and are indicative final invoicing is in USD.
Make This Journey Your Own
Every itinerary here is a starting point. Share your dates and preferences, and our travel designers will tailor this journey to fit you exactly.
Journey Highlights
Whatmakesthisjourneyunforgettable
01A full, unhurried hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family on the slopes of the Virungas, guided by expert trackers and RDB rangers.
02The Lake Kivu escape two nights on one of Africa's Great Lakes with sandy beaches, palm-lined promenades, and some of the most beautiful sunsets in East Africa.
03Boat cruise to island coffee farms and fishing villages, with a front-row view of the traditional singing fishermen paddling out at dusk.
04Swimming in a Great Lake Lake Kivu has no hippos, no crocodiles, and no bilharzia, making it one of the few lakes in the region where you can genuinely swim.
What's Included & What's Not
What's included in your package
- Airport pickup on arrival at Kigali International Airport
- Return private transfers throughout (Kigali–Volcanoes NP–Lake Kivu–Kigali)
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Kigali
- 1 night lodge accommodation near Volcanoes National Park
- 2 nights accommodation at Lake Kivu
- All meals as listed
- Rwanda gorilla trekking permit (Rwanda Development Board)
- Rwanda Development Board ranger fees
- Guided Lake Kivu boat cruise
- Expert English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Emergency evacuation services
- Bottled water throughout
Handpicked Lodges
Carefully selected stays along your safari journey
Luxury1 NIGHT
The Retreat by Heaven
Kigali, Rwanda
Mid-Range1 NIGHT
Hotel des Mille Collines
Kigali, Rwanda
Mid-Range1 NIGHT
Lemigo Hotel
Kigali, Rwanda
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Frequentlyaskedquestions
Everything you need to know before your safari begins answered by our team of specialists.
The lake is barely an hour from Volcanoes National Park, directly on a natural loop back to Kigali. After a demanding trek, two lakeside days are the ideal recovery with no wasted travel time.
Yes. Lake Kivu is free of hippo, crocodile and bilharzia, and the designated beaches at Rubavu are popular and safe for swimming. Life jackets are provided for all boat activities.
Boat cruises to coffee islands and fishing villages, swimming, kayaking, cycling the Congo Nile Trail, hot springs, spa treatments, and the evening spectacle of the singing fishermen.
The dry seasons June to September and December to February give the most comfortable trekking. The lake is pleasant year-round.
Minimum age for the gorilla trek is 15; treks take thirty minutes to four hours and porters are available. Lake Kivu activities are gentle and suitable for all ages.
Most nationalities obtain a visa on arrival, and the East Africa Tourist Visa is accepted. A Yellow Fever certificate may be required depending on your travel history.