7-Day Rwanda Safari: Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Lake Kivu
Safari Overview
Experience the best of Rwanda on this 7-day safari combining mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, scenic Lake Kivu and unforgettable cultural experiences. From the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe National Park to the mist-covered volcanic mountains of Volcanoes National Park, this journey showcases Rwanda’s remarkable wildlife, landscapes and heritage.
This Rwanda primate safari takes you through the country’s beautiful rolling hills, rural communities, lush tea plantations and tranquil lakeside scenery. You will trek through Nyungwe Forest in search of wild chimpanzees, walk above the rainforest canopy, discover the shores of Lake Kivu and meet endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The itinerary also offers opportunities to learn about Rwanda’s history and local culture, making it an excellent choice for travellers seeking a combination of wildlife, nature and meaningful cultural experiences.
Whether you are planning a private holiday as a couple, travelling with friends or organising a small group safari, Epic Uganda Vacations can tailor this 7-day Rwanda itinerary to your travel dates, interests and accommodation preferences.
Safari Highlights
- Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- A canopy walkway experience above the rainforest.
- Birdwatching and opportunities to observe other primates.
- A scenic visit to Lake Kivu and the Kibuye area.
- A boat or canoe excursion, subject to availability and local conditions.
- A visit to Ndaba Falls, depending on access and itinerary timing.
- Cultural experiences and community encounters.
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, subject to arrival or departure flight times.
Rwanda Safari Rates and Accommodation
Mid-Range Safari Package
Epic Uganda Vacations offers private Rwanda safaris in budget, mid-range and luxury categories. Accommodation and selected activities can be customised according to your preferences and availability.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 people sharing | From $4,582 |
| 4 people sharing | From $4,286 |
| 6 people sharing | From $3,704 |
| Single supplement | From $819 |
All prices are in US dollars and are indicative starting rates from the supplied itinerary. Final costs depend on your travel dates, accommodation selection, permit availability and confirmed inclusions. Please request an updated quotation before booking.
For a personalised itinerary and current pricing, contact Epic Uganda Vacations.
Detailed 7-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Your Hotel
Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your safari guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore selected city attractions, browse local craft shops or visit a market selling Rwandan artwork and souvenirs.
If you arrive early enough, a short city tour can be arranged to introduce you to Rwanda’s capital and its contemporary culture. If your flight arrives late, you can check in, relax and prepare for the journey ahead.
Accommodation options: Kigali Serena Hotel, Flame Tree Village or Greenpage Suites, subject to availability and the selected package category.
Meals: Dinner, depending on your arrival time and package inclusions.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park and Canopy Walk
After breakfast, depart Kigali and travel southwest towards Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s characteristic green hills, agricultural landscapes, rural settlements and tea-growing areas.
Nyungwe is one of Africa’s important montane rainforest ecosystems and a major destination for primate tracking, hiking and birdwatching. The forest supports numerous primate species, including chimpanzees, Angola colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys. It is also renowned for its rich birdlife, including species associated with the Albertine Rift.
In the afternoon, experience the Nyungwe canopy walkway, a suspended bridge that takes visitors above the forest floor. From this elevated viewpoint, you can appreciate the rainforest’s scale and look for birds and monkeys moving through the trees. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
After the activity, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or Gisakura Guest House, subject to availability.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to your confirmed package.
Travel note: The drive from Kigali to Nyungwe takes several hours. The canopy walk on the same afternoon depends on your departure time, road conditions and the availability of the activity. If necessary, the schedule can be adjusted.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Community Experiences in Nyungwe
Today, enjoy one of the highlights of your Rwanda safari: chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
After an early breakfast, transfer to the designated park reception for a briefing on trekking procedures and responsible wildlife viewing. Accompanied by authorised park guides, you will enter the forest to search for habituated chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees move through the forest in search of food, so the duration and difficulty of the trek vary. You may spend several hours walking along forest trails before finding the group. Observing these intelligent primates communicating, feeding and moving through the trees is a memorable experience.
Nyungwe also provides opportunities to encounter other primates and a variety of forest birds. However, sightings depend on wildlife movements and forest conditions.
After returning from the trek and enjoying lunch, you may participate in an optional community experience, subject to availability. These experiences can introduce you to local traditions, crafts, music, dance and aspects of everyday life in communities surrounding the forest.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation options: Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or Gisakura Guest House, subject to availability.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to your confirmed package.
Day 4: Lake Kivu, Kibuye and Ndaba Falls
After breakfast, leave Nyungwe and travel towards Lake Kivu, one of Rwanda’s most beautiful natural attractions. Your destination is the Kibuye area, also known as Karongi, where green hills descend towards the lake and small settlements dot the shoreline.
Depending on your arrival time and local conditions, enjoy a boat excursion or canoe experience on Lake Kivu. The trip may provide views of the lake’s islands, surrounding hills and lakeside communities. Boat activities should be arranged with an appropriate local operator and may incur an additional cost if they are not included in your package.
You may also visit Ndaba Falls, a scenic waterfall in the region, depending on access, weather and the day’s schedule.
Later, transfer to your accommodation overlooking or near Lake Kivu. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and, if conditions permit, watch the sunset over the water.
Accommodation options: Serena Lake Kivu Hotel, Waterfront Resort or Hotel Paradise Malahide, subject to availability and the selected package category.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to your confirmed package.
Day 5: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park via a Cultural or Historical Visit
After breakfast, depart the Lake Kivu region and travel north towards Musanze and Volcanoes National Park.
If arranged in advance and confirmed as open to visitors, you may stop at the Rosamond Halsey Carr-related historical site or another suitable cultural attraction along the route. Rosamond Carr was an American author and humanitarian who lived in Rwanda for many years and wrote Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda. Her life and work are associated with the country’s history and its communities.
Any visit connected with an orphanage or community organisation must be confirmed in advance, as visitor access and activities can change. Where appropriate, we recommend choosing a responsible cultural or community experience that respects local people and the organisation’s safeguarding policies.
Continue to Volcanoes National Park, in northern Rwanda, a region known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and endangered mountain gorillas.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and receive information about the following day’s gorilla trek. Your guide will help you prepare for the early start and explain what to bring.
Accommodation options: Amakoro Songa Lodge, Ingagi Park View Lodge or Gorilla Village, subject to availability and the selected package category.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to your confirmed package.
Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of your 7-day Rwanda safari: trekking to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters in Kinigi for registration and a briefing from the park authorities. You will receive guidance on trekking rules and be assigned to a gorilla family according to the park’s arrangements.
Accompanied by authorised guides and trackers, enter the forest and begin your search. The trek can take several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location, the terrain and weather conditions. Some treks are relatively short, while others require a more strenuous hike across steep or muddy ground.
When the gorillas are located, visitors are generally permitted to observe them for up to one hour, in accordance with current park regulations. Watching the gorillas interact, feed and care for their young is an extraordinary wildlife experience.
After the trek, return to the starting point and transfer back to your lodge. Spend the afternoon relaxing or, if time and energy allow, enjoy an optional cultural experience near the park.
Accommodation options: Amakoro Songa Lodge, Ingagi Park View Lodge or Gorilla Village, subject to availability.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to your confirmed package.
Important: Mountain gorilla trekking requires a valid permit. Permits are limited, so availability must be checked before your travel arrangements are finalised.
Day 7: Return to Kigali and Departure
After breakfast, depart Volcanoes National Park and drive back to Kigali for your international flight.
The journey typically takes around 2–3 hours, although traffic and road conditions can affect the travel time. We recommend leaving a comfortable margin for airport check-in.
If your flight schedule allows, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and Rwanda’s ongoing efforts towards remembrance and reconciliation. The visit must be planned around your departure time and the memorial’s opening hours.
After your visit, or directly upon arrival in Kigali if time is limited, your guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey.
Your 7-day Rwanda safari concludes with unforgettable memories of chimpanzee trekking, mountain gorillas, Lake Kivu and Rwanda’s remarkable landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, according to your confirmed package.
Important Information Before Booking
1. Prices and Validity
The prices displayed are starting estimates based on the group sizes listed above. Previous rates may not reflect current costs. Please request an updated quotation for your travel dates, including confirmation of accommodation, transport, meals, activities and permit fees.
2. Customising Your Safari
This itinerary is a suggested programme and can be tailored to your preferences. Depending on availability, you can request budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation. Activities and overnight stops may also be adjusted to suit your interests and pace.
3. Gorilla Trekking Permits
Mountain gorilla trekking permits are limited and subject to availability. We recommend booking early, particularly if you plan to travel during popular holiday periods.
Your gorilla trekking date should be confirmed before other non-refundable arrangements are made wherever possible.
4. Chimpanzee Trekking Permits
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest requires the appropriate permit and is subject to park regulations and availability. Confirm the applicable fees and booking requirements for your travel dates.
5. Accommodation and Activity Availability
The lodges listed in this itinerary are examples of possible accommodation. Final properties depend on your selected category, travel dates and availability.
The canopy walk, boat or canoe excursion, waterfall visit and community activities are also subject to operating conditions, availability and any applicable additional fees. We will clarify the confirmed inclusions in your quotation.
6. Road and Weather Conditions
Weather, road conditions, park regulations, wildlife movements and other operational circumstances may require adjustments to the itinerary. We aim to follow the agreed programme as closely as reasonably possible, while prioritising safety and practical arrangements. Any changes are handled in accordance with the booking terms.
7. What to Pack
For chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, we recommend bringing:
- Hiking boots with good grip.
- Long trousers and long-sleeved clothing.
- A lightweight waterproof jacket.
- Gardening or trekking gloves for forest vegetation.
- Drinking water and permitted snacks.
- Insect repellent and sunscreen.
- A small daypack and camera.
Trekking can involve steep slopes, muddy trails and humid conditions. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
8. Booking Terms and Conditions
By confirming your safari, you agree to Epic Uganda Vacations’ Terms and Conditions. Please review these terms carefully before making a booking or payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see chimpanzees and mountain gorillas on one Rwanda safari?
Yes. This itinerary includes chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The two activities take place in different regions of Rwanda and require separate permits.
Is seven days enough to explore Rwanda?
Seven days provides a good introduction to Rwanda’s primates, rainforests, lake scenery and cultural heritage. This itinerary includes time in Kigali, Nyungwe Forest, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park, although travellers who prefer a slower pace may wish to extend their stay.
Is the canopy walkway included in the safari price?
The canopy walkway is included in the suggested itinerary, but whether its fee is covered by the package depends on the final quotation. Please confirm all activity inclusions before booking.
Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included?
Permit inclusion must be confirmed in your personalised quotation. Both activities require the relevant permits, and availability and fees should be verified for your travel dates.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. Epic Uganda Vacations can customise the route, accommodation category and selected activities, subject to availability. We can also discuss additional nights around Lake Kivu or in northern Rwanda.
When should I book?
Book as early as possible if you have fixed dates, particularly for mountain gorilla trekking. Early planning helps us check permit availability and coordinate accommodation and transport.
Book Your 7-Day Rwanda Safari
Discover Rwanda’s extraordinary primates, lush rainforests, volcanic landscapes and beautiful Lake Kivu on a private safari planned around your interests.
Contact Epic Uganda Vacations to request an updated quotation for your 7-day Rwanda gorilla, chimpanzee and Lake Kivu safari.
