5-Day Rwanda Primate Safari

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional safari guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Kigali.

Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short Kigali city tour. Popular attractions include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, and viewpoints overlooking the city’s rolling hills.

Kigali is one of the cleanest and safest cities in Africa, making it a pleasant place to begin your Rwanda safari.

Overnight stay in Kigali.

After breakfast, depart Kigali and travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours and offers stunning views of Rwanda’s green hills, countryside villages, and tea plantations.

Nyungwe Forest is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and is known for its incredible biodiversity. The park is home to over 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax while enjoying the peaceful forest surroundings.

Overnight near Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Wake up early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing with park rangers.

You will then enter the rainforest with experienced guides to search for wild chimpanzees. The trek may take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzee groups.

Once the chimpanzees are found, you will spend one hour observing them as they play, feed, and move through the forest.

In the afternoon, you may choose to experience the famous Nyungwe canopy walkway, which offers spectacular views above the rainforest.

Overnight near Nyungwe Forest.

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe Forest and travel north toward Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.

The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, passing through scenic landscapes, lakeside villages, and lush countryside. You will also see views of the Virunga volcano mountains as you approach the park.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge near the park entrance and prepare for the highlight of your safari—gorilla trekking.

Overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing before your gorilla trek.

Guided by park rangers, you will hike through bamboo forests and mountain slopes in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take 2 to 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located.

Once you find them, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Watching these gentle giants interact with their families is considered one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences in the world.

After the trek, return to Kigali for your departure flight.