Rwanda · Wildlife

5-Day Birdwatching and Gorilla Trekking Tour from Kigali to Congo

5 Days Round trip from KG 203 St Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Birdwatch around Lake Kivu for water birds such as great cormorant, little egret, and pied kingfisher
02 Spot bush birds around Gisenyi City Market and Mount Rubina, including double-toothed Barbet and Variable Sunbird
03 Experience lowland gorilla trekking in Kauzi-Biega National Park
04 Travel from Kigali through Gisenyi and Rusizi to the Congo border on a 5-day wildlife journey

Embark on a 5-day journey from Kigali through Rwanda's birding hotspots and onward to a lowland gorilla trekking experience in Democratic Republic of Congo. Explore Lake Kivu's birdlife around Gisenyi, look out for bush birds around Mount Rubina, and continue to Rusizi near the Congo border. The tour combines rewarding birdwatching with a memorable trek in Kauzi-Biega National Park before returning to Kigali for souvenir shopping ahead of departure.

6:00 am - Start a birding tour from Gisenyi City Market up to Mount Rubina and finish at 10:00 am to spot some bush birds like double-toothed Barbet, Straight Flycatcher, Kand't Waxbill, and Variable Sunbird.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Gisenyi, Kigali, Kibuye

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Kigali and Hotel Transfer

Meet your professional guide at Kigali International Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 02

Drive to Gisenyi and Afternoon Birding at Lake Kivu

Leave the hotel at 8:00 for a 3-hour drive toward Gisenyi.
After lunch at 4:00 pm, take your binoculars and cameras for birding around Lake Kivu to spot water birds like the great cormorant, little egret, and pied kingfisher.
Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 03

Morning Birding in Gisenyi and Transfer to Rusizi

6:00 am - Start a birding tour from Gisenyi City Market up to Mount Rubina and finish at 10:00 am to spot some bush birds like double-toothed Barbet, Straight Flycatcher, Kand't Waxbill, and Variable Sunbird.
Return to have lunch.
Drive for 4 hours from 2:00 to 6:00 to spend a night at Rusizi near the border of Congo.

Day 04

Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kauzi-Biega National Park

Leave the hotel to cross the border at 7:00 a.m. to visit Kauzi-Biega National Park to experience the gorilla trekking.

Overnight in Bukavu city (in Democratic Republic of Congo).

Day 05

Return to Kigali and Souvenir Shopping

8:00 am - Check out from the hotel and drive around 6 hours before reaching Kigali.
Walk into the Kigali market to buy souvenirs and prepare for your departure flight.