Chimpanzees and the canopy walk in Nyungwe, a Lake Kivu boat trip, then mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.
Discover Rwanda’s most remarkable wildlife and cultural highlights on this thoughtfully paced eight-day journey. Trek through the ancient forests of Nyungwe National Park in search of chimpanzees, walk among the treetops on a canopy walkway, cruise the peaceful waters of Lake Kivu, and meet endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, enjoy authentic encounters with Rwandan communities, tea-growing traditions, museums, and Kigali’s vibrant city life.
This safari combines Rwanda’s two premier primate destinations—Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park—with the scenic beauty of Lake Kivu and meaningful cultural experiences. You will have the opportunity to trek chimpanzees and golden monkeys, encounter mountain gorillas, and learn about the conservation work protecting Rwanda’s wildlife.
From Kigali’s welcoming city atmosphere to the rolling hills of the countryside, this itinerary offers a balanced mix of wildlife, scenery, and local heritage—an ideal introduction to the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, complete immigration and customs formalities before meeting your Africa Exquisite Tours guide. Enjoy a warm welcome to Rwanda and a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Kigali. In the evening, receive a briefing about your safari, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, travel south toward Nyungwe National Park. En route, visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza to learn about Rwanda’s traditional monarchy, cultural heritage, and history. Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing to your lodge near Nyungwe. Arrive in the afternoon with time to relax before dinner.
Begin early with breakfast before transferring to Nyungwe National Park for a pre-trek briefing. Set out with experienced rangers to track chimpanzees in one of Africa’s most biodiverse rainforests, home to 13 primate species. Once located, spend up to one hour observing these intelligent primates in their natural habitat.
After lunch, enjoy the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, suspended high above the forest floor. This guided walk offers sweeping views of the rainforest and a chance to look for birds, monkeys, and other wildlife from a unique perspective. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, visit the Gisakura Tea Plantation to learn about tea cultivation, harvesting, and local production practices. This is a relaxed opportunity to appreciate one of Rwanda’s important agricultural traditions.
Continue to Lake Kivu for a scenic boat trip among its islands and shoreline communities. Enjoy the lake’s calm setting before transferring to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before departing for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s north. On arrival, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about mountain gorilla conservation, scientific research, and community-centered protection efforts.
Afterwards, transfer to your lodge. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, preparing for the following day’s gorilla trekking experience.
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines and safety. Accompanied by trained rangers, enter the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Trek duration varies, typically taking between two and six hours depending on gorilla movements and trail conditions.
Once you find the gorillas, spend a memorable hour observing their behaviour, family interactions, and daily life. Return to the lodge for lunch and time to rest. In the afternoon, you may relax at the lodge or choose an optional visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for an authentic introduction to Rwandan traditions, music, and community life.
After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting out to track golden monkeys. These lively, striking primates are found in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park. The trek is generally less demanding than gorilla trekking and offers an excellent opportunity for wildlife photography and observation.
After the trek, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to deepen your understanding of gorilla conservation. Return to the lodge for lunch before transferring to Kigali for dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, explore Kigali on a guided city tour. Visit the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre to learn about local women’s cooperatives and community-led initiatives. You will also visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important place of remembrance and education about Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.
Enjoy lunch before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, taking home lasting memories of Rwanda’s wildlife, landscapes, and people.
3DaysGorilla trekKigali · Musanze · Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda’s most celebrated wildlife encounter: a mountain gorilla trek and golden monkey trek in the misty Volcanoes National Park.
View itinerary
6DaysGorillas & wildlifeKigali · Akagera · Volcanoes National Park
Classic game drives and a Lake Ihema boat safari in Akagera, followed by mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virunga foothills.
View itinerary
10DaysPrimates & wildlifeAkagera · Kigali · Nyungwe · Lake Kivu · Volcanoes
Rwanda in full: Big Five game drives in Akagera, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, Lake Kivu, and mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
View itinerary
Tell us where you want to go, what you want to experience, and we’ll create a journey around you.