Rwanda: Gorillas & Big Five

This journey brings together Rwanda's two most iconic wilderness experiences - the cloud-draped volcanic forests of the Virunga Mountains and the golden savannahs of Akagera - into a single, uninterrupted trip. Mornings are spent trekking through ancient forest in search of habituated mountain gorillas, one of the rarest wildlife encounters on earth, while later days shift entirely into open plains, tracking the Big Five across landscapes that feel worlds away from the misty highlands that came before. Few itineraries manage this contrast so completely, making it less a single safari than two distinct wildernesses experienced back to back. Between the forest and the plains, the pace softens without losing its sense of discovery — a boat cruise across Lake Rwanyakazinga offers an entirely different vantage point, drifting past hippos, birdlife, and the quiet edges of the savannah. These water-based moments are as deliberate as the treks and drives, adding texture and rhythm to a trip built on contrast: dense rainforest against open horizon, mountain silence against savannah movement. Throughout, intimate wilderness camps keep the experience grounded and personal rather than large-scale, positioning this as Rwanda at its most immersive. From the heart of the rainforest to the edge of the savannah, this is a trip for travelers who want the country's full range of wild character - captured not as separate excursions, but as one continuous, deeply considered journey. Highlights • Encounter mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park, one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences. • Search for the Big Five across the open plains, woodlands and wetlands of Akagera National Park. • Experience Rwanda’s contrasting landscapes, from the volcanic peaks of the Virungas to the tranquil shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga. • Explore beyond traditional game drives with guided walks, boating safaris and night drives in Akagera. • Stay in intimate wilderness camps where refined comfort meets Rwanda’s landscapes, conservation and communities.