5 Day Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional driver-guide who will brief you about your safari. You will then enjoy a short Kigali city tour, visiting key cultural and historical landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local craft markets, offering a meaningful introduction to Rwanda’s history and culture.

After lunch, begin the scenic drive southwest toward Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside with rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages along the way. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax before dinner.

Drive Time: 4–5 hours
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

• Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge
• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
• Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House

Wake up early for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe Forest. After a briefing from park rangers, enter the dense rainforest with experienced trackers to search for chimpanzees. Along the trek, you may also encounter other primates, colorful birds, butterflies, and unique forest plants in one of Africa’s most biodiverse rainforests.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, head out again for the famous Nyungwe canopy walk. This suspended bridge, about 90 meters long and high above the forest floor, offers spectacular views of the treetops and the surrounding rainforest ecosystem.

Activities: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 1
Drive Time: Approximately 45 minutes to and from the park headquarters

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe Forest National Park and begin the scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The journey passes along the shores of Lake Kivu and through Rwanda’s picturesque hills and valleys, offering beautiful scenery and great photo opportunities.

Arrive in Musanze in the evening and check in at your lodge near the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, where you will relax and prepare for the highlight of your safari the following day.

Drive Time: 6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

• Budget: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Mid-range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
• Luxury: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before transferring to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by park rangers. During the briefing, you will learn about the gorilla trekking guidelines and be assigned a habituated gorilla family to track.

Accompanied by experienced guides, begin your trek through the bamboo forests and misty mountain slopes in search of the gorillas. The trek may take between two and six hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once you find them, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, play, and interact with each other.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing while reflecting on the incredible experience.

Trekking Time: 2–6 hours depending on gorilla location
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 3

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the drive back to Kigali. Along the way, you will enjoy the scenic views of Rwanda’s highlands one last time. If time allows, you may stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a meaningful visit or explore local craft markets for souvenirs.

After lunch in Kigali, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight or dropped off at your hotel if you are extending your stay in Rwanda.

Drive Time: Approximately 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch