Rwanda’s complete wildlife experience
Gorillas, chimpanzees and the Big Five
Begin in capital Kigali, where you can visit the fascinating Kigali Genocide Centre to learn more about Rwanda’s troubled past and how the country has moved on since 1994. From Kigali, travel to Akagera National Park on the border with Tanzania, where savannah plains offer the chance of a Big Five safari and the wetlands are home to crocodiles, hippos and water birds. After a couple of days exploring the animals, travel to Volcanoes National Park for an exhilarating mountain gorilla trek. Travelling in small groups, you’ll spend an hour watching the world’s largest living primate in its natural habitat. Volcanoes National Park also offers the chance to explore scenic hiking routes, dormant volcanoes and try golden monkey tracking. Complete your Rwandan wildlife experience in the rainforests of Nyungwe National Park, where you can track some of the park’s 500 chimpanzees, as well as seeing waterfalls and more than 100 species of orchid. Transfer back to Kigali and the end of your trip.
Key information
| Destinations | Kigali, Nyungwe National Park, Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park |
|---|---|
| Activity | Safari, Nature & Wildlife, Responsible Travel |
| Physical Level | Moderate |
 Season |
January - December |
Suggested itinerary
Rwanda's cultural capital
Day 1 in Kigali
Rwanda’s bustling capital sprawls across several valleys and hillsides, bookended by towering mountains. This surprisingly attractive city has been the centre of Rwanda’s rebuilding efforts since the horrors of 1994’s genocide, and now offers luxury hotels, fine dining and safe streets. Look out for its atmospheric markets, colourful craft shops and the sobering Kigali Genocide Centre.
Don't miss
Experience contemporary Kigali
Spend time in bustling Kigali to experience its markets and nightlife. For a more sober experience, visit the Genocide Museum and Memorials just outside the city.
Big Five safari in Akagera
Day 2–4 in Akagera National Park
The savannah plains of Akagera National Park on Rwanda’s border with Tanzania are the perfect place for a Big Five safari. Here, you can see lions, leopards, rhino, buffalo and elephants, but it is the Park’s wetlands that offer the best wildlife watching. Swamp-fringed lakes, created by the Kagera River, are home to crocodiles, hippos and birdlife. Take a boat trip on Lake Ihema to see the animals up close.
Rainforest hikes to see mountain gorillas
Day 5–7 in Volcanoes National Park
Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda and named for the chain of dormant volcanoes that make up the Virunga Massif (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura), Volcanoes National Park is home to endangered mountain gorillas, rare golden monkeys and more than 200 bird species.
The park also offers scenic hiking trails – look out for the tomb dedicated to primatologist Dian Fossey – canoeing and mountain biking.
Rwanda’s 12 habituated gorilla families reside in Volcanoes National Park (VNP), which is just a two-hour drive on good roads from Kigali International Airport.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is generally easier-going than in Uganda, the terrain is gentler and the forest is less dense. VNP’s accessibility makes Rwanda a popular choice for those on limited time. Gorilla tracking permits and many accommodations are considerably more expensive than in Uganda, and the tourism industry here caters for higher-end and more luxurious experiences.
Plan to stay at least two nights in the vicinity of Volcanoes National Park. This will allow you to spend one-night acclimatising and another recuperating after your trek. It is possible to fly in and out on a one-day trek, but we don’t recommend it. There’s much more to the country than one hour with the gorillas!
Don't miss
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Spend a magical hour in the company of the world's largest living primate at Volcanoes National Park. Your guided trek will take you through the rainforest where you can watch these magical creatures eat, socialise and interact in their natural habitat.
Primates and birdlife in Nyungwe
Day 8–10 in Nyungwe National Park
One of Africa’s oldest rainforests, Nyungwe National Park is home to around 500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species. Visitors come for chimpanzee treks, but the rainforest also offers some of Africa’s best birdwatching, more than 100 species of orchid and the chance to catch a glimpse of a leopard. Nyungwe has 15 excellent hiking trails, taking in waterfalls, mountain summits and forest walks.
Don't miss
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe
Take a guided tour of the Nyungwe National Park rainforest and learn more about the Park’s 500 chimpanzees. You’ll witness these fascinating primates squawking, eating and playing among the trees.
Where to stay
Classic
The Bishops House
Bishops House is a newly renovated accommodation a convenient 30 minutes from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The hotel offers fine accommodation at a competitive price with the atmosphere of a colonial manor house. Bishops House has nine rooms - six standard and two junior suites, as well as a presidential suite. All rooms offer television, mini bar, and en-suite bathrooms. On the grounds, visitors will find a spacious lounge and terrace, as well as a small library, a smart dining area, and a gorgeous, walled garden with tropical trees and flowers.
Superior
Virunga Lodge
The Virunga Lodge is one of Africa’s finest and most renowned lodges. Perched high on a ridge with stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes, the lodge offers fine views, uniquely decorated rooms in the Rwandese style, fantastic food and exceptional and personalised service.
Superior
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
The lodge is only minutes away from the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans from where clients trek on foot to see the magnificent Mountain Gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible. Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises six double cottages, two suites and one family suite. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms.
Deluxe
Bisate Lodge
Bisate Lodge is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone and has dramatic views of the peaks of the volcanoes Bisoke and Karisimbi rearing up through the Afro-alpine forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park. Six luxurious en-suite villas maximise comfort and views while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of rural Rwanda. Each guest contributes to Bisate’s biodiversity conservation and local community projects – making a far-reaching impact on an iconic Critically Endangered species: the mountain gorilla.
Deluxe
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Boasting breathtaking views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes and surrounded by high-altitude forests, Singita Kwitonda Lodge offers an experience unlike any of Singita’s other destinations. With its exceptional natural beauty, environmentally conscious luxury and transformative, purpose-driven experiences, the lodge was designed in response to this remarkable location, and the eight contemporary suites (as well as the private four-bedroom villa – Kataza House) are linked by volcanic rock pathways to the central lodge.
Book this itinerary
This route booked with one of our specialist tour operators would cost from $8,100pp. Pricing varies by accommodation class, and can be tailored to suit your budget.
Pricing is typically inclusive of hotels, transfers, meals, and all guided excursions and activities.
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Speak to Tailormade Africa for expert advice
This tour is operated by
Tailormade Africa
