For most travellers, do the gorilla trekking first and the wildlife safari second. The gorilla permit date is fixed and cannot easily move, the trek is the more physically demanding day, and a safari in Akagera is a gentler way to finish. If your permit date is already set, plan the safari around it.
Table of Contents
- The question behind the question
- The short answer
- Why the permit sets the order
- Fitness and fatigue
- Geography and drive times
- Weather and seasons
- When to reverse the order
- What each experience feels like
- A sample three- to five-day order
- Common mistakes
- Adding more than one safari park
- What to pack differently for each half
- How much time each deserves
- Frequently Asked Questions
The question behind the question
Travellers who add a wildlife safari to a gorilla trek in Rwanda tend to ask the same thing: which comes first? It sounds like a small decision, but it changes how rested you are, how the weather affects you and how much slack your itinerary has. There is no single correct order for everyone, though there is a sensible default, and there are situations in which reversing it makes more sense.
Our page on gorilla trekking in Rwanda explains the trek itself. This article focuses on how to sequence it with a safari, most often in Akagera National Park in the east of the country.
The short answer
Do the gorillas first. Three reasons drive that advice:
- The permit is date-specific and hard to change, so it is the anchor of your itinerary.
- The trek is the more demanding day, so it is better to do it fresh.
- Akagera is a relaxed way to wind down, and you can stay flexible with drive times and lodge choices.
There are exceptions, and they are worth knowing, so read on before you commit.
Why the permit sets the order
A gorilla permit, as of this writing USD 1,500 per person, is issued for a specific date. Permits in the busiest months sell out, and changing a date is not always possible. A safari, by contrast, is flexible. You can shift a game drive by a day or move a night at a lodge with little cost.
Book the permit first, then build the safari around it. Our guide on how to book a gorilla permit explains the process, and our note on permit availability shows how far ahead to plan.
Fitness and fatigue
A gorilla trek can involve hiking from one to four hours or more, on steep, wet ground at altitude, before the hour with the animals. A safari involves long hours in a vehicle, early starts and dust, but little exertion. If you do the safari first, you may arrive at the trek tired from early mornings and long drives.
Reversing the order is sensible if you are worried about altitude or want to test your stamina. Some people prefer to spend two days at a lower altitude first. If you are unsure about the walk itself, read how fit you need to be for gorilla trekking.
Geography and drive times
Rwanda is compact, but the two parks are on opposite sides of the country. The drive from Kigali to Musanze and the gorilla park takes roughly two to two and a half hours, and the drive from Kigali to Akagera is around two and a half hours in the other direction. Kigali sits in the middle, which is why many itineraries use it as a hinge.
| Order | How it flows | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gorillas, then Akagera | Kigali, Musanze, back through Kigali, then east | Most first-time visitors |
| Akagera, then gorillas | Kigali, east, back through Kigali, then Musanze | People wanting to acclimatise slowly |
| Gorillas then departure | Trek, then fly out from Kigali | Short trips |
If you fly in and out of Kigali, the gorillas-first route means your last days are relaxed and near the airport, which is helpful if flights change. Our 4-day gorilla and Akagera safari is built this way.
Weather and seasons
Both experiences are better in the dry season, but they are affected differently by rain. Wet weather makes gorilla trails slippery, and mud can slow the hike. In Akagera, rain can make some tracks slippery, though animals are still visible. Our comparison of gorilla trekking versus safari as a first trip discusses some of this, and our best months for gorilla trekking explains the seasons.
If your dates fall in the rains, keep a spare day. Putting the gorillas first means a weather delay at Musanze leaves you room to recover before your flight, since the safari is easier to shorten.
When to reverse the order
Do the safari first if:
- Your gorilla permit falls late in the trip and cannot be moved.
- You want to adjust to travel, altitude and time zone before a hard hike.
- You are visiting in a month when Akagera is at its best and want to guarantee it.
- You are travelling with children who will enjoy the safari more than a long trek. Note the minimum age for gorillas, and see our guide to Rwanda with children.
Whatever order you choose, keep one flexible day between the two. It absorbs delays in flights, weather and permits, and it lets you rest.
What each experience feels like
A gorilla trek is an intimate, short and intense encounter with a single family, and its emotional weight is hard to describe. A safari is broad and slow, with many animals seen over hours, and its pleasure comes from anticipation and variety. Our article on Rwanda wildlife animals on safari covers what you might see in Akagera, from giraffes and zebras to hippos and, in recent years, lions and rhinos.
Because they are so different, few visitors feel the two compete. Most say the gorillas are the highlight, and the safari is the surprise.
A sample three- to five-day order
A typical flow for a five-day trip:
- Day 1: arrive in Kigali, drive to Musanze.
- Day 2: gorilla trek, evening at a lodge near the park.
- Day 3: drive back through Kigali, on to Akagera.
- Day 4: full game-drive day and a boat trip.
- Day 5: morning drive, return to Kigali for departure.
You can compress it into four days, or extend it with a volcano hike or a stop at Lake Kivu. Our 5-day Rwanda tour shows a longer version.
Common mistakes
- Booking the safari before securing a permit.
- Scheduling a flight out on the same day as the trek.
- Squeezing both parks into two days.
- Assuming Akagera can be seen in a single afternoon.
- Ignoring the drive from Akagera to the airport when planning a return.
Adding more than one safari park
Some travellers want to see more than Akagera. Uganda's Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo parks, and Kenya and Tanzania further away, can all be reached from Kigali as part of a longer journey. If you plan a trip that combines countries, the gorilla date still comes first. Our page on the Rwanda and Uganda safari explains how a cross-border trip works from Kigali.
For a longer plan, put the gorillas early, then let the safari legs be flexible. Wildlife parks can absorb a shift of a day or two, and a permit cannot. That principle holds however many parks you add.
What to pack differently for each half
The two halves of the trip need different kit. For the trek you need sturdy boots, gloves, waterproofs and warm layers for the cold at altitude. For the safari you need light, neutral clothing, a hat, sunscreen and binoculars. Pack two bags if you can, one for each half, and leave the trek gear at your Kigali hotel when you head east.
Do not forget small practical items. A power bank helps on long game-drive days, and a spare pair of dry socks helps on wet trek mornings. Our list of what to pack for gorilla trekking covers the mountain half in full.
How much time each deserves
If you can afford only a few days, give the gorillas a night on each side and the safari at least two days. A single day in Akagera works, but it is mostly driving. Two days lets you fit in a sunrise drive, a boat trip and a long afternoon. Our 2-day Akagera safari is designed for this, and our Akagera safari page shows the longer options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I do gorilla trekking or safari first?
For most people, gorilla trekking first is best. The permit date is fixed, the trek is more demanding, and a safari is an easier way to finish the trip.
How long is the drive between the gorilla park and Akagera?
Both parks are roughly two to two and a half hours from Kigali, in opposite directions, so the drive between them passes through Kigali and takes several hours.
Can I do both in four days?
Yes. A compact itinerary is possible, though a longer trip gives you more rest and more time in each park.
Does the order matter for weather?
It can. Wet weather affects both parks, and a schedule with the gorillas early leaves room to adjust if the weather turns.
Should I leave a spare day?
Yes. A spare day protects you from delayed flights, changed permits and bad weather.
What if my permit is on my last day?
Then do the safari first, and keep your flight out for the following day, not the same evening.