6-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Nyungwe Chimpanzee Adventure

Theme: Primates | Volcanoes & Rainforest
Safari Overview

This adventure combines gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest, offering a full primate-focused experience complemented by cultural and scenic exploration.

Brief Travel Plan

Day 1: Arrival Kigali → Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking
Day 3: Volcanoes hiking & nature walk
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking
Day 6: Return to Kigali → Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Serengeti Wildlife Safaris representative. After a brief safari orientation, you will begin your scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of Rwanda. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.

As you travel, enjoy breathtaking views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, vibrant villages, and picturesque countryside landscapes known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” The smooth road network makes this one of the most accessible gorilla trekking destinations in Africa .

Evening Briefing: Upon arrival, check into your lodge with stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes. In the evening, you will gather for a welcome briefing with your guide, covering trekking guidelines, safety protocols, and what to expect during your gorilla trek the following day.

Meals: Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Wake early for breakfast, then proceed to the park headquarters at Kinigi for a detailed briefing by Rwanda Development Board rangers . The briefing covers trekking guidelines, safety measures, and behavioral protocols to ensure respectful interactions with the gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Massif and contains five of the eight volcanoes in the chain: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. It is home to 12 habituated gorilla groups, with 96 permits available daily .

The Trek: You will be assigned to a specific gorilla family based on your fitness level and begin your trek through dense bamboo and montane forests. Due to the high number of habituated groups, on any given day you will encounter a group within an hour’s walk, though some treks last from 5 to 7 hours for keen hikers.

The hike traverses lush vegetation, with terrain varying from moderate slopes to steeper sections. Along the way, you may spot birds, small mammals, and signs of gorilla activity. One Hour with the Gorilla: When you encounter the gorilla family, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch the silverback lead with quiet authority, mothers groom their infants, and juveniles tumble through the vines . Only 8 tourists are allowed to visit each gorilla group per day, ensuring an intimate and exclusive encounter .

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. The afternoon is reserved for rest and reflection, allowing you to absorb the experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 3: Explore Volcanic Foothills & Crater Lakes

Walking in the Shadow of the Virungas

Today offers a more relaxed exploration of the volcanic foothills surrounding Volcanoes National Park. With a local guide, hike through the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains, exploring nearby crater lakes and volcanic landscapes. The area is rich in flora and fauna, including buffalo, a few elephants, spotted hyena, black-fronted duiker, and bushbuck . Birding is impressive, with 178 bird species recorded in the park .

Options include:

Lake Bisoke – A stunning crater lake at the base of Mount Bisoke
Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera – Twin lakes with breathtaking views
Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village – Meet former poachers now working in conservation, enjoy traditional dance performances, and learn about local culture

Return to your lodge for lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy panoramic views of the volcanoes. Optional photography walks or short nature trails can be arranged.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Journey Through Rwanda’s Scenic Countryside

After breakfast, depart Volcanoes National Park and drive south to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, passing through Rwanda’s scenic hills and tea plantations . En Route Stop: Visit the Ethnographic Museum in the Southern Province for a brief history of traditional Rwandan culture and the past way of kingship . Alternatively, stop at Lake Kivu for stunning views and a picnic lunch .

Arrival at Nyungwe: Nyungwe Forest is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, home to over 400 chimpanzees, 13 primate species, and 300 bird species . Check into your forest lodge, set amidst the lush vegetation, and prepare for tomorrow’s chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk

Morning – Chimpanzee Tracking

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by park rangers . Nyungwe Forest is home to over 400 chimpanzees across 13 different communities . These habituated chimpanzees are safe to track and are easily noticeable by their deafening screams, loud hoots, and booming hitting of tree barks. The trek involves following chimpanzee calls, footprints, and feeding remains through dense rainforest terrain . Tracking time can range from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ movements. Once located, you will spend up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat – feeding, grooming, calling, and moving rapidly through the trees.

Afternoon – Nyungwe Canopy Walk

After lunch, experience the Nyungwe Canopy Walk – one of East Africa’s most iconic attractions . The canopy walk is a 200-metre rope-style metal bridge suspended 60–70 metres above the forest floor. Walking above the rainforest canopy provides a unique perspective on the ecosystem, with opportunities to spot birds, monkeys, and butterflies at eye level . The whole trek lasts around 2 hours, though some parts can be slippery and steep, so comfortable and suitable shoes are recommended .

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 6: Depart Nyungwe – Kigali

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Kigali. The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, with optional stops along the way .

En Route Options (time permitting):

Scenic viewpoints – Capture final photographs of Rwanda’s beautiful countryside
Craft markets – Browse traditional Rwandan art, pottery, and souvenirs
Kigali Genocide Memorial – A powerful and moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide

Arrive at Kigali International Airport in the afternoon for your departure flight, carrying with you the profound memories of gorillas in the mist, chimpanzees in the canopy, and the beauty of Rwanda.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Drinking water included

End of Safari

Inclusions

Airport transfers (Kigali International Airport – Kigali)
Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 value)
Chimpanzee tracking permit
Nyungwe Canopy Walk experience
All park entry and conservation fees
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
All meals as indicated (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Bottled drinking water
Accommodation as described in the itinerary

Exclusions

International flights
Rwanda visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.)
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

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