6 days and 5 nights
Daily Tour
10 people
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Luxury safari Rwanda combines comfort with big wildlife. This 6-day trip takes you from the clean, safe capital to remote parks in style. You see mountain gorillas, chimps and classic African wildlife. The journey starts and ends in Kigali, a modern city of rolling green hills and tree-lined streets. On this luxury safari Rwanda, you stay in top lodges and have a private guide. Expect sunrise game drives in Akagera, guided treks in Nyungwe and Volcanoes, and even a cultural visit in between.
Rwanda is home to about 30% of the world’s mountain gorillas. In Nyungwe Forest, you find ~400 chimpanzees and 13 monkey and ape species. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savanna park, with over 8,000 animals including all of Africa’s Big Five – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. Along the way you will enjoy boat rides on Lake Ihema and walks through misty rainforests. This luxury safari Rwanda itinerary highlights wild encounters and offers a touch of culture, from the Iby’Iwacu village to Kigali memorials, all with high-end service and lodging.
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Mountain Gorilla Trekking: Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park offers rare gorilla encounters. Each group trek (max 8 people) can bring you face-to-face with mountain gorillas for an unforgettable hour. This is what puts Rwanda on the tourism map, as most visitors to the country usually set the activity at the top of their to-dos. Though more costly than in Uganda ($800), gorilla trekking in Rwanda is easier because the park is proximate to the capital, Kigali (2 hours and 30 mins). Also, the trails are wider and easier to track and spot gorillas.
Savanna Game Drives in Akagera: The boat and jeep safaris of Akagera let you see lions, elephants, rhinos and more. In one day you may spot hippos on the lake and herds of buffalo on the plains. A sunset drive or night drive can reveal predators like leopards.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe: Hike through the old rainforest to see chimpanzees and many monkeys. Nyungwe’s chimps are very active and often easy to spot. Tracking chimps in dense jungle is a prime experience, plus you may glimpse colorful colobus monkeys and other primates.
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe: The canopy bridge gives a bird’s-eye view of the treetops. Suspended 50m up, it’s the first of its kind in East Africa. From the bridge, you can look for birds (like turacos and owls) and animals moving below. It’s a thrilling way to see the forest.
Cultural Visits and Kigali Sights: Beyond wildlife, Rwanda offers deep cultural history. Visit the Iby’Iwacu Village to learn local traditions. In Kigali, the Genocide Memorial is a must-see: it honors over 1 million Tutsi lives lost in 1994 and offers a moving educational experience. Even Kigali’s clean, green streets and markets are memorable.
Our team will be at the airport to pick you up. Depending on the arrival time and your preference, you'll either check into your hotel in Kigali or we'll drive 2 hours to Akagera, where you will pass the night. You leave the city’s clean boulevards and head East. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Watch hippos wallow in the water and birds like the rare shoebill stork on the shores. Later, you can do a short game drive to see giraffes, elephants, and buffalo grazing on the plains. Stay overnight at a lakeside luxury tented lodge or a game lodge in Akagera National Park.
Wake early for a full day of game drives in Akagera. This is Rwanda’s premier savanna park. You may spot lions and leopards, as well as a growing herd of rhinos. Akagera has over 8,000 animals, including all the Big Five species. Look for elephant herds, buffalo and hippos in wetlands. Birdlife is also rich around the lake. After lunch, go for a sunset drive and watch zebra or giraffe. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. (Optional: a night safari can reveal hyenas or civets.)
After breakfast, we'll drive south through Rwanda’s lush hills toward Nyungwe Forest National Park. Enjoy scenic views along the way. We'll make a brief stop at Butare (Huye) city to visit the Ethnographic Museum or the King’s Palace in Nyanza for a cultural taste. Continue to Nyungwe, arriving by late afternoon. Nyungwe is a high-altitude rainforest, very green and cool. Check into a comfortable lodge. You could choose a top resort like the One & Only Nyungwe House (a luxury lodge known for its views). Relax in the jungle setting and prepare for a day of trekking.
This day is for Nyungwe’s primates and canopy. After breakfast, we'll head to the park headquarters, where your site guide will brief you before your forest walk to trek for chimpanzees. Nyungwe has about 400 chimpanzees, plus many monkeys. The 2-3 hour hike rewards you with close-up views of chimps playing in trees. You also may see colorful colobus monkeys – Nyungwe has 13 primate species, including large Rwenzori colobus troops. After lunch, return to Uwinka for the famous canopy walk. This 90m suspension bridge hangs 50m above the jungle floor. Walk across to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the forest – look down for monkeys and birds in the treetops. Overnight again at Nyungwe Lodge or similar.
We'll leave Nyungwe after breakfast and head north to Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy the changing landscape from forest to farmland. En route, we'll visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village near Musanze. This community-run village of former poachers offers demonstrations of traditional Rwandan life – see dancers, handicrafts, and meet villagers. It’s a meaningful way to learn local culture. Later arrive in the Virunga foothills. Check in at a Volcanoes-area lodge. In the evening, we'll brief you on gorilla trekking rules and have some storytelling time before bed. Rest up for an early start.
On the final day, we'll start early (around 7 AM) for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP. We drive a short distance to the park headquarters for a briefing. Groups of 8 hikers track a habituated gorilla family in the bamboo forest. The hike can last from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the family’s location. When you find the gorillas, you have one hour to observe them up close. Stay 7 meters away and watch these gentle giants groom and play. After the trek, before returning to your lodge, we'll pass at the Karisoke Research Center set up by Dian Fossey. Here you'll learn about Dian's conservation efforts, which unfortunately led to her death. This experience can be very fulfilling as it adds true meaning to the entire concept of gorilla tourism. Then we'll drive back to Kigali (about 3 hours) for your departure. The tour ends on arrival in Kigali.
Gorilla and chimp trekking can be challenging. Trails are steep or muddy at times. Trekkers should be in good shape and wear sturdy hiking boots. Chimp treks last ~3 hours; gorilla treks can be 2–6 hours. The reward of seeing apes up close makes it worth the effort. You must be at least 15 years old for gorilla treks.
Bring layers (it can be cold in the mist), rain gear, a sun hat and sunscreen. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are needed in the forest. Insect repellent and a small daypack are useful. Don’t forget your camera and extra batteries. If staying in luxury lodges, evening wear is casual; focus on comfort gear for hikes.
The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) are ideal for safaris. Trails are drier and animals gather at waterholes. Rwanda can be visited year-round, but the rains fall mainly March–May and October–November.
Yes. Rwanda is known for being one of the safest countries in Africa. Kigali’s wide, clean streets are safe to stroll even at night. Crime is low and visitors, including solo travelers and women, feel very welcome here.
This itinerary suits solo travelers, couples, families (with teens), or small groups. Accommodations are flexible (upgrading or adding rooms as needed). Children under 15 cannot trek gorillas, but they can enjoy other parts like wildlife drives and cultural visits. In all cases, guides and lodges will ensure your comfort and safety.
We use top-notch lodges, some with spa and gourmet dining. You have private transport and guides, small group sizes, and flexible schedules. Each park stay feels upscale. The focus is on personalized service and comfort after each day’s adventure.
| # | Discount group | From adult | To adult | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Group size | 2 | 4 | 10% |
| 2 | Group size | 5 | 8 | 15% |
Certificate of Gorilla Trekking
Receive a Certificate from us after your gorilla trek
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