Chimpanzees, Gorillas, & More Wildlife in Rwanda
Experience “The Land of a Thousand Hills” on a 6-day safari through some of the country’s most extraordinary destinations. See the diversity of Rwanda firsthand as you explore its various landscapes and encounter native wildlife. You’ll pass through open savannahs, Akagera National Park, the rainforest of Nyungwe, and Volcanoes National Park.
Search for elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife on game drives. Cruise across Lake Ihema in search of hippos and crocodiles. Track chimpanzees through the rainforest canopy. Come face to face with a mountain gorilla family in their natural habitat. Along the way, discover Rwandan history and culture through visits to the Kings Palace Museum and Iby’lwacu Cultural Village. This itinerary offers a great introduction into the natural beauty and incredible adventures that Rwanda has to offer.
Why You’ll Love This Safari
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
From $3280 per person
Meeting point
Kigali
Availability
Year-round, 7 days a week
Duration
6 days
Group size
Min. 1 person
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodations (unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for optimal wildlife viewing and photography
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (on all days)
- Gorilla permits (one per person, non-resident)
Not included
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodations before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
What to bring
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm jacket (early mornings can be cold)
- Neutral-colored clothing (avoid Bright colors)
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Long trousers
- Good hiking shoes
- Hat
- Gloves
- Light backpack
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Light face mask
Participation requirements
- Min. age of 15 years old required to participate in this tour
- This tour is suitable for single travelers
About your guide
Your safari will be led by an experienced local guide who will share facts about the wildlife, landscapes, and culture. Your guide is dedicated to ensuring your safari is safe, informative, and tailored to your interests.
What You’ll See & Do
Day 1: Welcome to Rwanda
Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by your professional driver-guide and transferred to your hotel, where you can unwind after your flight.
Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax or explore the surrounding neighborhood. For dinner, you’ll be able to savor your first taste of Rwandan cuisine. Rest well tonight, as an exciting journey tomorrow awaits you.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Akagera National Park Game Drive & Lake Ihema Boat Safari
After an early breakfast, your guide will welcome you and you’ll set out for Akagera National Park. As you travel west, enjoy watching the sun rise slowly above Rwanda’s rolling green hills.
Upon arrival, begin your game drive through the park’s incredible savannah, spotting elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and other wildlife that call Akagera home.
In the afternoon, slow down and enjoy a relaxing boat safari on Lake Ihema. The lake is home to a large population of hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birds. After your boat safari, continue to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful evening surrounded by the sights and sounds of East Africa.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: King’s Palace Museum & Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, you’ll drive southwest toward Nyungwe Forest National Park. On the way, you’ll stop at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza to explore Rwanda’s royal history and meet the impressive long-horned Inyambo cows, which hold an important place in Rwanda’s traditions.
You’ll continue traveling through the countryside, passing hills and tea plantations as you make your way towards Nyungwe. Arrive at your lodge and settle in for dinner and a restful night before another early start the following morning.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Nyungwe Canopy Walk
You’ll set off at 5:00 AM into the heart of Nyungwe Forest for an amazing chimpanzee trekking experience. Guided by expert trackers, you’ll walk through the lush rainforest in search of chimpanzees as they move through the trees and forest floor.
Once you find them, observe their social behaviors as they feed, play, communicate, and interact in their natural habitat.
After the trek, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you’ll continue your exploration of Nyungwe with a breathtaking canopy walk. Suspended approximately 60 meters above the forest floor, the walkway offers stunning views across the rainforest and a unique perspective of Nyungwe’s biodiversity.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park & Iby’lwacu Cultural Village
After breakfast, depart Nyungwe Forest and enjoy a scenic drive north to Volcanoes National Park. You’ll travel through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside toward the volcanic region in the north. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and take some time to freshen up and relax.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit Iby’lwacu Cultural Village for an immersive introduction to local Rwandan culture through traditional dances, storytelling, and craft demonstrations. This enriching experience offers insight into the customs and heritage of the mountain communities.
Return to your lodge in the evening and prepare for one of the highlights of your safari: gorilla trekking.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking & Return to Kigali
After an early breakfast, you will head into Volcanoes National Park for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure. Following a pre-trek briefing, you’ll be accompanied by expert guides as you hike through the rainforest. The trek may take several hours depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family and the terrain. When you find them, you’ll have the rare opportunity to spend up to one hour observing these remarkable animals in their natural environment.
After trekking and lunch, you will transfer back to Kigali. If time permits, enjoy a short city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local markets. Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel or directly to the airport for your onward journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Frequently Asked Questions
Both activities take place in natural forest environments and can involve uneven, steep, or muddy terrain. The difficulty and duration of each trek depends on the location of the animals and the conditions of the day. A moderate to advanced level of fitness is recommended.
A habituated gorilla family is a group of mountain gorillas that has slowly become accustomed to the presence of humans through a careful, long process led by researchers and park staff. This allows visitors to observe the gorillas from a safe, respectful distance without causing stress or disrupting their natural behaviors. Only habituated gorilla families are visited during guided treks.
The total trek can vary depending on where the gorilla family is located and may take several hours. Once you find your assigned family, you may spend up to one hour observing them.
Akagera is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and many species of antelope and birds. Depending on the location and season, you may also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, and rhinos.
The Nyundwe Canopy Walk is a suspended walkway approximately 60 meters above the forest floor. You’ll see spectacular views across the rainforest and a unique perspective on the forest’s ecosystem.
Chimpanzee sightings cannot be guaranteed because they are wild animals that move freely though the forest. However, Nyungwe is an important habitat for chimpanzees, and expert trackers will work to locate them during your trek.
Yes. This safari is suitable for single travelers and can be arranged as a private experience that is customized to your interests.
Yes, we specialize in creating custom safari experiences. Depending on what you want to see and your schedule, this itinerary may be adjusted with additional nights, activities, or destinations.
