Safari Overview 

Rwanda

Experience the ultimate primate odyssey with this 6-day Rwanda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari. This journey is meticulously designed to showcase Rwanda’s remarkable transformation and its Big Three primate encounters. From the somber history and modern pulse of Kigali to the misty peaks of Volcanoes National Park and the ancient canopy of Nyungwe Forest, you will witness the very best of the Land of a Thousand Hills.

This safari combines high-impact conservation at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus with exhilarating treks to find mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and chimpanzees, concluding with a deep dive into Rwandan heritage at the Ethnographic Museum.

 

Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and immersion into Africa’s cleanest city.
• Day 2: Kigali City Tour, Genocide Memorial visit, and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
• Day 3: Life-changing Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village experience.
• Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking in the bamboo forests and transfer to Nyungwe.
• Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and the thrilling 160m-high Canopy Walkway.
• Day 6: Visit the Ethnographic Museum in Huye and return to Kigali for departure.

 

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali City

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be met by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the meandering boulevards and green hillsides of a city widely considered the most attractive in Africa.

• Accommodation: Kigali Marriott Hotel (Up Market) / Onomo Hotel (Mid-Range)
• Meal Plan: Dinner

 

Day 2: Kigali Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Start the day with a moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a vital site for understanding Rwanda’s journey of resilience. Afterward, drive toward the Virunga Mountains. Before reaching your lodge, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to see world-class conservation laboratories.

• Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Up Market) / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid-Range)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking & Cultural Immersion

After an early briefing at the park headquarters, enter the rainforest to find one of the 10 habituated gorilla families. The trek varies from 30 minutes to several hours. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to experience traditional Rwandan dance, archery, and kingly rituals.

• Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Up Market) / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid-Range)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking & Drive to Nyungwe Forest

Track the endangered Golden Monkeys, known for their vibrant orange fur and energetic leaps through the bamboo.

Travel Note: Following the trek, you will begin the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This journey takes approximately 6–7 hours along the scenic Lake Kivu belt. We include a leisurely stopover for lunch and photography to enjoy the dramatic vistas of the Albertine Rift.

• Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe House (Up Market) / Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Mid-Range)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk Adventure

Deep in the ancient Nyungwe rainforest, track Rwanda’s only remaining chimpanzee population. In the afternoon, test your heights on the Canopy Walk, a 160-meter-long suspended bridge that offers a bird’s-eye view of the 1,000+ plant species and rare birds inhabiting the forest top.

• Accommodation: One & Only Nyungwe House (Up Market) / Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Mid-Range)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 6: Ethnographic Museum & Departure

On your return to Kigali, stop in Huye to visit the Ethnographic Museum, home to one of Africa’s finest archaeological and anthropological collections.

Travel Note: The drive from Nyungwe to Kigali is approximately 5–6 hours. We incorporate a stop at the museum and a final Rwandan lunch to break the journey before your airport transfer.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

 

Tour Inclusions & Exclusions

Category	Inclusions (What is included)	Exclusions (What is NOT included)
Permits	Gorilla Permit ($1500), Chimpanzee & Golden Monkey Permits	International & Domestic Flight tickets
Transport	4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with Wi-Fi & Professional Guide	Rwanda Entry Visa fees
Activities	Canopy Walk, Genocide Memorial, Dian Fossey Fund visit	Optional tips and gratuities
Accommodation	5 Nights Full Board (as per selected tier)	Personal Travel Insurance
Cultural	Iby’Iwacu Village & Ethnographic Museum Huye	Personal expenses (Laundry, Telephone)
Transfers	All airport and inter-hotel transfers	Extra drinks and alcoholic beverages

 

Quick Facts

• Destinations: Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest, Huye.
• Primate Trio: Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Golden Monkeys.
• Unique Feature: Includes the Ellen DeGeneres Campus and Nyungwe Canopy Walk.
• Travel Tip: This 6-day circuit is the most comprehensive way to see Rwanda’s biodiversity.
• Conservation: Your visit supports the Aegis Trust and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

 

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