5-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari

Safari Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 5-day primate safari in Rwanda, exploring two of the country’s top wildlife destinations Volcanoes National Park for Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Nyungwe Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking. This thrilling adventure offers an exceptional opportunity to witness two of Africa’s great ape species in their natural habitat, making it a bucket-list experience for every wildlife enthusiast and ape lover.

Safari Highlights

Guided Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Cultural stops at Nyanza Royal Palace and the Ethnographic Museum
Kigali city tour including the Genocide Memorial

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Upon arrival, your expert safari guide from Usoke Explorers will pick you up from either Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali. After a detailed briefing about your 5-day Rwanda primate safari, embark on a scenic 6-hour drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park East Africa’s largest montane rainforest.

Scenic Drive Through Rwanda, The Land of a Thousand Hills
Enjoy breathtaking views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and lush green landscapes, a signature of the country’s nickname, “The Land of a Thousand Hills.” Along the way, you will make two key cultural stops:

Stop 1: Ethnographic Museum (Rwanda Museum), Butare
Located in Huye, this is the largest and most extensive museum in Rwanda and East Africa, housing over 100,000 cultural and historical artifacts. Learn about Rwanda’s heritage, traditions, and history through its impressive exhibits.

Stop 2: Nyanza Royal Palace, The Kings’ Legacy
Continue to Nyanza Royal Palace, the former home of King Musinga and King Rudahigwa, where you will get a glimpse into Rwanda’s royal history. Here, you will also witness the Inyambo (Long-Horned Traditional Cattle), which were historically trained for royal ceremonies.

Enjoy lunch in Butare before resuming your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Mid-range: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Afternoon Canopy Walk

Start your day with an early morning breakfast before heading out for an unforgettable Chimpanzee Trekking adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and a biodiversity hotspot.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Departure Time: 6:00 AM
Starting Point: Nyungwe Forest National Park Headquarters

Transfer to the Park Headquarters, where you will receive a safety briefing and guidelines from experienced park rangers. You will then be divided into small groups of 8 people before venturing into the dense tropical rainforest to track Rwanda’s wild chimpanzees.

Trekking Duration: 4 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees

Along the trek, you will encounter Nyungwe’s rich flora and fauna, including towering mahogany trees, exotic birds, and vibrant butterflies. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have one full hour to observe their behaviours in the wild watching them swing through the treetops, communicate through gestures and vocalizations, and feed and groom one another.

Afternoon: Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk
After lunch, embark on the Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk, one of East Africa’s most exhilarating treetop experiences and only one of three in Africa. The canopy walk is 90 metres long and suspended 40 metres above the forest floor, offering panoramic views of the lush forest, birds, butterflies, and primates.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Along the Congo Nile Divide Trail

After a relaxed breakfast, check out of your lodge and embark on an 8-hour scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s endangered Mountain Gorillas.

Breathtaking Drive Along the Congo Nile Divide & Lake Kivu
Your journey follows the Congo Nile Divide, offering spectacular views of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Along the way, you will pass through charming resort towns including Kibuye and Gisenyi. Take in the breathtaking scenery of rolling hills, tea plantations, and lush forests.

Upon arrival in Volcanoes National Park in the evening, check in to your accommodation, relax, and enjoy a delicious dinner as you prepare for Mountain Gorilla Trekking the next day.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge
Mid-range: Hotel La Palme
Budget: Muhabura Hotel

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Musanze Caves Exploration

Wake up early for a hearty breakfast before heading out for one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Morning: Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Starting Point: Volcanoes National Park Headquarters
Start Time: 8:00 AM
Trekking Duration: 4 to 8 hours

Transfer to the Park Headquarters, where you will receive a detailed briefing on the rules and regulations of Gorilla Trekking. You will be assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families and guided by an expert park ranger, along with an armed escort for safety.

Expect to hike through lush bamboo forests, misty volcano slopes, and dense vegetation. Upon locating the gorillas, you will have one hour to observe them watching the Silverback protecting the family, mothers cradling their infants, and juveniles playing. After the trek, you will receive a Gorilla Trekking Certificate as a memento of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Afternoon: Explore the Ancient Musanze Caves
After lunch and some relaxation, head out for a guided tour of the Musanze Caves, an incredible geological wonder formed 65 million years ago by volcanic lava from Mount Bisoke and Mount Sabyinyo. The caves feature underground tunnels stretching over 2 kilometres, home to thousands of bats and ancient rock formations.

Accommodation Options: Same as Day 3

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Transfer Back to Kigali & City Tour

After a refreshing breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your scenic drive back to Kigali, the vibrant capital of Rwanda.

Visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial: Upon arrival in Kigali, take a deeply moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, also known as the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site. This memorial honors the over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and serves as a place of remembrance, education, and healing. Learn about Rwanda’s history before, during, and after the genocide, and explore personal stories, artifacts, and photographs of victims.

After the visit, your driver-guide will drop you off at your hotel in Kigali or transfer you to Kigali International Airport, depending on your flight schedule.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Safari Inclusions

Airport pickup and drop-off in Kigali
Transportation in a private 4WD vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person)
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Canopy walk experience
Park entry fees and conservation levies
Cultural stops (Ethnographic Museum, Nyanza Royal Palace)
Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial visit
All meals as specified in the itinerary
Bottled drinking water

Safari Exclusions

International flights and visas
Travel insurance
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and souvenirs
Tips and gratuities for guides and staff
Porter fees during treks