5-Day Rwanda Primates Safari: Chimpanzee Tracking and Gorilla Trekking

Experience Rwanda’s remarkable primates on a 5-day Rwanda primates safari, combining chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park, a canopy walk through the rainforest, mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and an authentic Rwandan cultural experience.

This five-day Rwanda safari is ideal for travellers who want to discover the country’s exceptional biodiversity within a relatively short time. Journey through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, explore one of Africa’s most important montane rainforests, encounter wild chimpanzees and come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

The itinerary also includes opportunities to learn about Rwanda’s history and cultural heritage, with visits to selected historical sites and the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village.

Epic Uganda Vacations can tailor this Rwanda primate safari to your preferred travel dates, accommodation category, group size and interests.

5-Day Rwanda Primates Safari Overview

• Duration: 5 days, 4 nights

• Destinations: Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park

• Main activities: Chimpanzee tracking, mountain gorilla trekking, canopy walk and cultural experiences

• Starting point: Kigali International Airport or a hotel in Kigali

• Ending point: Kigali International Airport or a hotel in Kigali

• Accommodation: Customisable according to your budget and preferences

• Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, couples, photographers and primate lovers

5-Day Rwanda Safari Prices and Accommodation

The following are the advertised starting prices for the mid-range safari package. The final quotation depends on your travel dates, accommodation availability, permit availability and any requested itinerary changes.

Mid-Range Rwanda Safari Rates

Group size	Price per person
2 people sharing	From $4,360
4 people sharing	From $3,899
6 people sharing	From $3,604
Single-room supplement	From $519

All prices are per person in US dollars. The single supplement is an additional charge for a traveller requiring a private room. Confirm the current quotation and inclusions before booking.

Choose Your Preferred Accommodation Category

Epic Uganda Vacations offers tailor-made safari arrangements to suit different budgets and travel styles.

Mid-range safari: Comfortable accommodation, private safari transport and carefully selected lodges offering a balance of comfort and value.

Luxury safari: Premium lodges, enhanced comfort and personalised services, subject to availability.

Budget safari: More economical accommodation and travel arrangements where available, while retaining the core primate experiences.

All three options are subject to availability and the feasibility of securing the required permits. Contact our team through the Epic Uganda Vacations contact page for a personalised quotation.

Detailed 5-Day Rwanda Primates Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park

Your Rwanda primates safari begins with a pickup from Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali by your professional driver-guide.

After a short briefing, begin the scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The journey passes through rolling hills, rural communities, cultivated landscapes and picturesque countryside.

Depending on your arrival time and the day’s schedule, you may visit selected cultural and historical attractions along the way, such as the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye. Visits to memorial sites should be arranged respectfully and according to your available time.

Continue towards Nyungwe, one of Rwanda’s most important rainforest ecosystems and a leading destination for chimpanzee tracking and birdwatching.

Arrive at your lodge, check in and enjoy dinner before resting for the following day’s activities.

Accommodation: Selected lodge near Nyungwe National Park.

Meals: Lunch and dinner, depending on arrival time and package arrangements.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Nyungwe Canopy Walk

Start the day with an early breakfast before travelling to the designated meeting point for your guided chimpanzee tracking experience in Nyungwe National Park.

After the briefing, join authorised guides and trackers to search for wild chimpanzees in the rainforest. Listen for their calls and observe their behaviour as they feed, groom, communicate and move through the forest canopy.

Nyungwe is also home to a remarkable variety of other primates, including L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and Ruwenzori black-and-white colobus monkeys. Sightings of individual species depend on their location and movement.

After the trek, return for lunch and prepare for an afternoon canopy walk, subject to the activity schedule and weather conditions.

The Nyungwe canopy walkway offers an elevated view of the rainforest, providing opportunities to appreciate the forest canopy, surrounding hills and rich biodiversity from a different perspective.

Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main activities: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walkway.

Accommodation: Selected lodge near Nyungwe National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Note: Chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walk are separate activities, each subject to permit availability, operating schedules and current park regulations.

Day 3: Transfer from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before departing Nyungwe for Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda.

The drive takes you through Rwanda’s distinctive countryside, with rolling hills, cultivated fields, villages and changing mountain scenery. Allow sufficient time for the road transfer, as journey duration depends on traffic, weather and road conditions.

Volcanoes National Park protects part of the Virunga mountain range and is internationally recognised for its endangered mountain gorillas. The park is one of the world’s leading destinations for responsible mountain gorilla trekking.

Arrive in the Musanze area, check in at your lodge and relax in preparation for the following morning’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Accommodation: A suitable lodge near Volcanoes National Park, selected according to your confirmed package.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’iwacu Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, travel to the designated Volcanoes National Park briefing point in Kinigi for your mountain gorilla trekking experience.

Park staff will explain the trekking rules, safety procedures and responsible wildlife-viewing practices before assigning visitors to their trekking groups.

Accompanied by authorised guides and trackers, enter the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may involve walking through dense vegetation, muddy paths and steep terrain, depending on where the gorillas are located.

Once the gorillas are found, you will have the permitted viewing period to observe their behaviour and photograph them according to park regulations. Watching these endangered primates interact in their natural habitat is often the highlight of a Rwanda safari.

After the trek, return to the starting point and transfer back to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.

In the afternoon, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where you can learn about Rwandan traditions, music, dance, storytelling and aspects of local cultural heritage. The visit offers a complementary experience to the wildlife encounters of the previous days.

Return to your lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay.

Main activities: Mountain gorilla trekking and cultural experience.

Accommodation: Selected lodge near Volcanoes National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Important: Gorilla trekking permits are limited and must be confirmed before the trip. The trek’s duration and difficulty depend on the location of the assigned gorilla family.

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali and Departure

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before beginning the journey back to Kigali.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may arrange an optional Kigali city tour. Potential stops include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, selected local markets and craft shops, subject to opening hours and available time.

A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial provides an opportunity to learn about the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and its lasting impact on Rwanda. Visitors should approach the memorial with respect and allow sufficient time for the experience.

After the tour, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or drop-off at your hotel.

If your flight departs early, the city tour may not be practical. We recommend allowing a comfortable buffer between your final road transfer and international departure.

End of your 5-day Rwanda primates safari.

What Is Included in the 5-Day Rwanda Primates Safari?

Your final itinerary and quotation will specify all inclusions. Depending on the selected package, the safari can include:

• Private safari transport in a suitable vehicle.

• Services of an English-speaking driver-guide.

• Four nights of accommodation.

• Meals as specified in the final itinerary.

• Chimpanzee tracking permit.

• Mountain gorilla trekking permit.

• Nyungwe canopy walkway activity.

• Cultural visit to Iby’iwacu, if included in the confirmed quotation.

• Kigali airport transfers.

• Planned activities and sightseeing listed in the final itinerary.

What Is Not Included?

Unless explicitly stated in your quotation, the following may be excluded:

• International flights.

• Rwanda visa fees, where applicable.

• Travel insurance.

• Personal expenses, laundry and drinks not included in the meal plan.

• Tips and gratuities.

• Optional activities not listed in the confirmed itinerary.

• Additional accommodation resulting from early arrival or late departure.

• Any services not specifically identified as included.

Always check your final quotation: Permit charges and other inclusions must be clearly itemised so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Important Information Before Booking

1. Safari Rates and Validity

The rates displayed are starting prices supplied for the advertised package. They should be reconfirmed for your intended travel dates, as accommodation costs, park fees, permit prices and other operating expenses can change.

2. Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permits

Mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking require the appropriate permits. Availability is limited, and permits can sell out, particularly during popular travel periods.

We recommend booking well in advance. Your itinerary is not fully confirmed until the required permits and accommodation have been secured.

3. A Flexible, Tailor-Made Itinerary

This itinerary is a suggested programme rather than a guarantee that every activity will take place at an exact time. Epic Uganda Vacations can adjust the route, accommodation, travel dates and arrangements where practical and subject to availability.

We can prepare budget, mid-range and luxury alternatives according to your requirements.

4. Weather, Road Conditions and Park Regulations

Rainfall, road conditions, wildlife movements, park operating procedures and other circumstances may affect the programme. The order of activities or route may need to change when necessary for safety, logistics or compliance with park regulations.

Any significant changes will be communicated as circumstances allow.

5. Fitness and Preparation for Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking can involve steep slopes, dense vegetation, muddy trails and uneven terrain. A reasonable level of physical fitness is recommended.

Wear sturdy hiking boots, long trousers and weather-appropriate clothing. Carry drinking water and follow the instructions of park guides and trackers.

6. Booking Terms and Conditions

By confirming a booking, travellers agree to the applicable Epic Uganda Vacations Terms and Conditions.

Please review the payment schedule, cancellation conditions, permit policies and other booking requirements before making payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is five days enough for a Rwanda primates safari?

Yes. Five days can accommodate chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe, a canopy walk, mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and a cultural experience. The itinerary involves substantial road travel, so additional days may be preferable for a slower pace.

How much does a 5-day Rwanda primates safari cost?

The advertised mid-range starting rate is from $4,360 per person for two people sharing, $3,899 per person for four people and $3,604 per person for six people. Confirm the current price and inclusions before booking.

Can I see chimpanzees and mountain gorillas on the same trip?

Yes. Nyungwe National Park is the destination for chimpanzee tracking, while Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s principal mountain gorilla trekking destination. This itinerary combines both experiences.

When should I book my Rwanda primates safari?

Book as early as possible, particularly if your travel dates are fixed. Gorilla permits are limited, and accommodation availability can affect the final arrangements.

Can the safari be upgraded to luxury accommodation?

Yes. Luxury accommodation can be requested, subject to availability and the additional cost. The final itinerary will identify the confirmed lodges and room arrangements.

Book Your 5-Day Rwanda Primates Safari

Discover Rwanda’s rainforests, encounter chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park and experience mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park on one carefully planned safari.

Epic Uganda Vacations can personalise your journey according to your preferred travel dates, accommodation standards, group size and interests.

Contact Epic Uganda Vacations to request an updated quotation and check permit availability for your 5-day Rwanda primates safari.