6 Day Rwanda ‘Big 6’ Safari

This immersive six-day safari is the perfect introduction to Rwanda’s incredible biodiversity and conservation story, where we combine two very different but equally magical ecosystems. We begin with a classic Big Five game experience in Akagera National Park, where savannah meets wetlands, before heading into the lush, mountainous forests of Volcanoes National Park, home to the legendary mountain gorillas.

This itinerary is ideal for travelers aged 30 to 70 years, looking for an adventurous, soul-stirring journey with real impact. Whether this is your main trip to Africa, or part of a broader East African safari combining Kenya’s Maasai Mara or Tanzania’s Serengeti, it promises unforgettable wildlife, cultural depth, and conservation at its heart.

6 Day Rwanda ‘Big 6’ Safari

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 1

    Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda’s Warm Welcome

  • Day 2

    Kigali City Tour & Journey to Akagera National Park

  • Day 3

    Explore Akagera National Park in search of the Classic Safari Wildlife - including the Big 5

  • Day 4

    From the Savanna of Akagera National Park to the Rainforests of Volcanoes National Park

  • Day 5

    Gorilla Trekking – A Life-Changing Encounter

  • Day 6

    Optional Second Gorilla Trek & Departure

Day 1

Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda’s Warm Welcome

Touch down in Kigali, where you’ll be met at the airport by our safaris team and transferred to the Marriott Kigali Hotel. Settle in and unwind .. the evening is yours to explore or relax.

Marriot Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda
Swimming at the Marriot Kigali, Rwanda
Room interior at Marriot Kigali, Rwanda

The Marriott Kigali Hotel is an elegant and modern retreat, centrally located near Kigali’s financial district. Enjoy premium bedding, marble bathrooms, a pool, and world-class dining.

Day 2

Kigali City Tour & Journey to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, dive into Rwanda’s remarkable story with a guided visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial - a moving and sobering site that pays tribute to the past and showcases the country’s extraordinary recovery. Enjoy lunch at the Marriott before setting off east toward Akagera National Park, a mosaic of savannah, woodland, and lakes along the Tanzanian border. Arrive at Ruzizi Tented Lodge in time for an afternoon game drive.

Zebra are some of the more common species in Akagera National Park
Lion occur in the Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Giraffe, Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Impala, Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Sunrise at Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Ruzizi Tented Lodge is an intimate, solar-powered lodge nestled on Lake Ihema, with just 9 tented rooms connected by wooden walkways. The setting is serene and ideal for travelers seeking immersion in nature.

Day 3

Explore Akagera National Park in search of the Classic Safari Wildlife - including the Big 5

Akagera surprises many—it’s a compact but thriving park that offers the chance to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), as well as giraffe, zebra, and hundreds of bird species. Morning and afternoon game drives ensure prime wildlife sightings.

Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Credit: Drew Bantlin - Akagera Management Company)
Ruzizi Tented Lodge - (Credit: Drew Bantlin - Akagera Management Company)
Ruzizi Tented Lodge -  (Credit: Drew Bantlin - Akagera Management Company)
Tent Interior at Ruzizi Tented Lodge - (Credit: Drew Bantlin - Akagera Management Company)

End the day with a tranquil sunset boat ride—hippos grunting, birds calling, and golden light on the water. Overnight: Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Day 4

From the Savanna of Akagera National Park to the Rainforests of Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast and a scenic drive back through Kigali, you’ll journey north into Rwanda’s iconic volcanic highlands. The roads wind past banana farms, coffee plantations, and emerald terraced hills. In the distance rise the misty peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes, one of the last refuges of the endangered mountain gorilla.

The verandah at Wilderness Sabinyo
Lounge area, Wilderness Sabinyo
Dining room, Wilderness Sabinyo
Outside Fire area, Wilderness Sabinyo
Breakfast at Wilderness Sabinyo
Room interior at The Bishops House
The Bishops House

We enjoy dinner & overnight at the Bishop’s House OR Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. Choose between boutique elegance or luxury forest lodge—both offering comfort, warm hospitality, and close proximity to park headquarters.

Day 5

Gorilla Trekking – A Life-Changing Encounter

This is the day to meet number 6 of the Big 6! Rise early for your mountain gorilla trek, a guided hike into the dense forest where you’ll encounter one of Rwanda’s habituated gorilla families. Spend up to an hour in their company—a rare and emotional privilege. Rwanda is one of only three countries on Earth where these great apes still roam wild, and your visit plays a direct role in protecting them through tourism revenue that supports park rangers, veterinary teams, and surrounding communities. Overnight: The Bishop’s House or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Setting out on for for the gorilla trek
Mother gorilla with infant, Rwanda
Young gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Young gorilla, Rwanda
A reasonable level of walking fitness is required for gorilla trekking

Day 6

Optional Second Gorilla Trek & Departure

If you’ve secured a second trekking permit, today offers another opportunity to spend time with a different gorilla family—a unique and enriching contrast. After lunch, journey back to Kigali through scenic rural Rwanda. You’ll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home or onward travels.

Safari Costs (Quoted in USD)

2025
$ 5705 per person sharing (Based on 2 ad)

2026
$ 5850 per person sharing (Based on 2 ad)

Quotation includes

- All airport transfers and assistance
- Accommodation in Kigali on Bed and Breakfast
- Accommodation on safari on Full board basis
- Private transport in a 4x4 tourist converted jeeps
- Services of an English speaking driver-guides
- Compulsory Emergency Evacuation Service
Game Drive in Akagera
- Gorilla permit
- Bottled drinking water while trekking and in vehicle·     
- All taxes on the services quoted above

Quotation excludes

- Meals and beverages,
- International, regional and local Airfares.
- Airport taxes.
- Passport and visa fees and service charges for obtaining visas.
- Excess baggage charges levied by airlines.
- Gratuities to driver/guides and other conveyance attendants.
- Laundry and other items of a personal nature such drinks, telephone calls ETC
- Personal, baggage, Accident and Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance.
- Cost for anything not specifically mentioned in the “inclusions” listing above.

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Andrew Beardmore
Andrew Beardmore
18 July 2025
Working with Lize, we crafted our second fully customized self-drive adventure through Southern Africa - this time in Northern Namibia. The itinerary was a perfect blend of rugged campsites and luxurious lodges. Lize’s expert knowledge and thoughtful advice were invaluable, everything was planned to perfection. We had the most incredible time, experiencing so much of what this stunning region has to offer, yet it feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface. We can’t wait for our next adventure!
TJ Hefele
TJ Hefele
11 July 2025
We had an amazing trip! Petru did an outstanding job putting everything together for us! Truly couldn't imagine having a better experience. We are incredibly thankful!
gary afford
gary afford
13 June 2025
Just returned from a safari with my partner and 2 friends. 3 countries South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana. We stayed at Wilderness camps, accommodation and service was great and the wildlife sightings were excellent. All the arrangements and connections went like clockwork, Thanks again Lize from ATG.
Michael Sump
Michael Sump
13 June 2025
We had a wonderful trip to Africa with everything arranged by Bianca Gersbach. She was extremely attentive to our wishes, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We wanted a full overview for our first trip to Africa, and we received it. We went on Safari in 3 countries: South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. We saw so many animals! But that wasn't all, we had a delightful visit to the South African wine country, and deep-dive experiences in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. The township tours and trip to the Apartheid Museum really opened our eyes. At times, Bianca knew what we wanted better than we did. She insisted that we'd enjoy the Okabango Panhandle, and we did! It was magical. A real highlight. A less engaged travel consultant might have let me make a suboptimal choice. We also enjoyed several days in Victoria Falls. I can't praise Bianca and African Travel Gateway enough. We will certainly use them again when we decide to return, and we will return. Once is not enough!
Jim Campbell
Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
Teresa Harrison
Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
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