Rwanda Gorillas & Nyungwe Safari
Overview
Safari Overview
This carefully designed safari blends two of Rwanda’s greatest natural treasures: the misty slopes of the Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas, and the ancient Nyungwe Forest, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests teeming with chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and canopy walks above the forest floor. Starting and ending in Kigali, this itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to see Rwanda’s diverse primates and beautiful landscapes in under a week.
Safari Highlights
- Track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Explore the rare primates of Nyungwe Forest
- Experience the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk
- Visit the scenic twin lakes and local cultural sites near Volcanoes
- Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial visit
- Stay in comfortable lodges with beautiful views
Included/Exclude
- Airport pick-up and drop off in Kigali
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and professional English speaking guide/driver
- Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit ($90 per person)
- Canopy Walk permit and guided walk
- Park entrance fees for Volcanoes and Nyungwe
- Cultural village visit
- Accommodation and meals as indicated
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- International flights
- Rwanda visa fees
- Tips for guides, porters, and lodge staff
- Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed
Tour Plan
Arrive at Kigali International Airport, meet your professional guide, and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a guided city tour to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, and historical landmarks. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines / Heaven Boutique Hotel / Onomo Hotel Kigali
Meal Plan: Dinner
After breakfast, drive north through Rwanda’s rolling green hills to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, check in to your lodge. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for insight into traditional Rwandan culture, dance, and community life.
Drive time: 2 to 3 hours
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the highlight of your safari! After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing. Join your guides and trackers to trek through the bamboo forests to find one of the habituated mountain gorilla families. Spend an unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. After your trek, return to the lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing or visit the scenic twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Accommodation: Same lodge as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, depart Volcanoes National Park and enjoy a long but beautiful drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest. Travel through tea plantations, rural towns, and the lush hills of Rwanda’s countryside. Arrive and settle into your lodge near the forest.
Drive time: 6 to 7 hours with scenic stops
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / Nyungwe House (luxury) / Gisakura Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early morning, head into Nyungwe Forest for your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Trek through lush forest trails to find one of the chimp communities and watch them feed, play, and swing through the canopy. In the afternoon, enjoy Nyungwe’s famous Canopy Walk a suspended bridge walkway that offers stunning views over the forest canopy and its birdlife.
Accommodation: Same lodge as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, check out and start the return drive to Kigali. Depending on your departure time, you may stop at Nyanza King’s Palace or Butare National Museum for a cultural visit. Your guide will drop you at Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight.
Drive time: 5 to 6 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
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