Rwanda is one of the few places on Earth where you can encounter both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This exceptional 7-day safari takes you from the ancient rainforests of Nyungwe—home to lively chimp troops and thrilling canopy walks—to the misty volcanic slopes of Volcanoes National Park, where gentle-eyed gorillas move through the bamboo. Along the way, soak in Rwanda’s rich culture, stay at beautifully curated lodges, and experience firsthand the power of conservation-based tourism. This itinerary is ideal as a standalone safari or a meaningful extension to East Africa’s larger circuits through Tanzania and Kenya.
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Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Scenic Drive to Nyungwe Forest via Butare
Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk
Drive to Gisenyi – Rwanda’s Lakefront Paradise
From Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking – The Pinnacle Experience
Optional Second Trek & Return to Kigali
Arrive in Rwanda’s charming capital, Kigali, where you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of your day relaxing or exploring the city’s inviting cafés and craft markets. Overnight at the Kigali Marriott Hotel ... modern, stylish comfort in the heart of Kigali, with plush rooms, a spa, and rooftop views.
After breakfast, journey south through rolling hills to the cultural hub of Butare, where you’ll explore the former King’s Palace and the excellent National Ethnographic Museum. After lunch, continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a rich and ancient ecosystem home to over 13 primate species. Overnight at the One & Only Nyungwe House.
Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, sharing 98.7% of our DNA. Rwanda’s population—estimated between 400 and 600—lives exclusively in Nyungwe and Cyamudongo forests. While charismatic and intelligent, chimps are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and disease. Trekking permits help fund ranger protection and forest research.
Rise early for a guided hike into the forest to find the wild chimpanzees of Nyungwe. You’ll likely hear their excited hoots before you see them swinging through the trees. Later in the day, enjoy a canopy walk—a breathtaking 50-meter-high suspension bridge offering panoramic views over the treetops and possible sightings of colobus monkeys and birds. Overnight at the One & Only Nyungwe House.
After breakfast, drive along the picturesque shoreline of Lake Kivu toward the resort town of Gisenyi. With its colonial architecture, palm-lined beaches, and relaxed lakeside charm, this is Rwanda’s answer to Martha’s Vineyard. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel Beachfront luxury with tropical gardens, lake views, and a full-service spa.
After a relaxed morning, travel northeast to Volcanoes National Park, winding past fertile farmlands and steep green terraces. This is the gateway to one of the most iconic wildlife experiences on Earth: gorilla trekking. Dinner & Overnight at the Bishop’s House or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Mountain gorillas number fewer than 1,100 in the wild—live and only in the misty highlands of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. Protected under intense conservation efforts, these gentle giants’ numbers are slowly rebounding. Your trekking permit supports anti-poaching patrols, veterinary care, and the surrounding communities that help safeguard their future
Today is the highlight of your journey: a guided gorilla trek through the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains. You may hike for 1–4 hours to find a family group, but the payoff is beyond words. Spend a precious hour observing the gorillas—feeding, grooming, even playing—just a few feet away. It’s a humbling, unforgettable moment. Dinner & Overnight at the Bishop’s House or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
This morning, if you have booked a second-day trekking permit, you will set off for your second gorilla trek or track the rare golden monkeys, another endangered primate unique to the region. Alternatively enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel. After lunch, transfer back to Kigali through the beautiful highlands for your onward flight.
$ 9325 per person sharing - 2025
$ 9470 per person sharing - 2026
- All airport transfers and assistance
- Accommodation in Kigali on a Bed and Breakfast
- Accommodation on safari on a Full board basis
- Private transport in a 4x4 tourist converted jeep
- Services of an English-speaking driver guide
- Compulsory Emergency Evacuation Service
- King’s Palace & Butare National Museum
- Butare National Museum & Lunch in Butare
- Gorilla permit
- Chimps Permit & Canopy Walk Permit
- Bottled drinking water while trekking and in the vehicle·
- All taxes on the services quoted above
- Meals and beverages,
- International, regional, and local Airfares.
- Airport taxes.
- Passport and visa fees and service charges for obtaining visas.
- Excess baggage charges levied by airlines.
- Gratuities to driver/guides and other conveyance attendants.
- Laundry and other items of a personal nature, such as drinks, telephone calls, ETC
- Personal, baggage, Accident, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance.
- Cost for anything not specifically mentioned in the “inclusions” listing above.
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