15-Day Rwanda Safari — Gorillas, Wildlife & Chimp Tracking
This two-week safari brings together the very best of Rwanda: dramatic landscapes, a moving national history, and some of the most remarkable wildlife encounters on the continent. Starting and finishing at Kigali International Airport, the route weaves through Akagera, Volcanoes, and Nyungwe National Parks, with a stop in Kigali itself to reflect on the country’s past and celebrate its creative present through the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Inema Arts Centre.
In Akagera, expect classic game drives, a peaceful boat cruise on Lake Ihema, and time spent with local communities. From there, Volcanoes National Park delivers the headline experiences — tracking mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, meeting the Gorilla Guardians community, canoeing across the twin lakes, and learning about Dian Fossey’s conservation legacy at Karisoke. The trip closes in Nyungwe, home to chimpanzee and colobus monkey treks, a walk across the region’s only canopy bridge, and a hike to the striking Isumo Falls. By the end, you’ll have collected a lifetime of memories woven through Rwanda’s forests, savannahs, and hills.
Full Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Kigali
Land at Kigali International Airport, clear immigration, and meet your driver guide, who will take you to your hotel to settle in and rest.
Stay: Marriott Hotel Kigali (upscale) or Onomo Hotel Kigali (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast
Day 2 — Kigali City Tour
A relaxed morning start leads into a tour of the capital, beginning at the Kigali Genocide Memorial — the city’s most significant landmark, which traces the events leading up to the 1994 genocide and Rwanda’s journey toward healing. After lunch, visit the Inema Arts Centre, a creative hub founded by two brothers to encourage artistic expression and community development.
Stay: Marriott Hotel Kigali (upscale) or Onomo Hotel Kigali (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 — Kigali to Akagera National Park
Set off early for Akagera, Rwanda’s premier savannah reserve. Arrive in time for lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Stay: Magashi Camp (upscale) or Ruzizi Tented Camp (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 — Full Day in Akagera
Spend the morning gliding across Lake Ihema by boat, with a stop at an island known for its rich birdlife. After lunch, head out on an afternoon game drive through the park before returning for dinner.
Stay: Magashi Camp (upscale) or Ruzizi Tented Camp (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 — Community Visit & Evening Game Drive
Following breakfast, visit a community living on the park’s edge to learn about their daily life, traditions, and customs. After lunch back at the lodge, head out for an evening game drive.
Stay: Magashi Camp (upscale) or Ruzizi Tented Camp (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 — Akagera to Musanze / Volcanoes National Park
Leave Akagera behind and travel to Musanze, arriving in time for lunch and dinner at your resort.
Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (upscale) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 — Gorilla Trekking & Cultural Tour
Rise early for a briefing at park headquarters before heading into the forest to track mountain gorillas — one of Rwanda’s twelve habituated families. The trek can last anywhere from two to six hours, and once you find the group, you’ll spend a full hour observing them at close range. Return to the resort for lunch, then spend the afternoon at the Gorilla Guardians Village, where a community once reliant on poaching now shares its transformed way of life through cultural performances and storytelling.
Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (upscale) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 — Golden Monkey Trekking
After breakfast, head to park headquarters for a briefing before setting out on a roughly four-hour trek to find golden monkeys. These lively, curious primates spend their days leaping through the bamboo forest, and you’ll get an hour to watch them in action. Return to the resort for lunch and an afternoon of leisure.
Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (upscale) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 — Canoeing on the Twin Lakes
Spend the morning on Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, twin lakes connected near the Uganda border, prized for their terraced hillsides and clear waters. Paddle by canoe past birdlife and scenic shoreline views before returning for dinner and an overnight stay.
Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (upscale) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 — Dian Fossey Fund / Karisoke Research Centre
Visit the Karisoke Research Centre, established by Dian Fossey in 1967 and named for its original location between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke (now based in Musanze town). Learn about ongoing conservation work that has helped grow the mountain gorilla population, and about the centre’s role in supporting local livelihoods through employment.
Stay: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (upscale) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 — Musanze to Nyungwe National Park
Travel south toward Nyungwe Forest, passing through Gisenyi with lunch along the way, and arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner.
Stay: One&Only Nyungwe House (upscale) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 — Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk
Head out with a packed breakfast for a chimpanzee trek through the forest, spotting a wide range of birdlife and primates along the way, with an hour spent observing the chimps once found. Return to the lodge to rest and eat, then head back out in the afternoon for a walk across East Africa’s only forest canopy walkway, taking in the treetops from a dramatic new vantage point.
Stay: One&Only Nyungwe House (upscale) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 — Colobus Monkey Trek
After a briefing at park headquarters, trek in search of Angolan colobus monkeys — striking black-and-white primates found here in Africa’s largest known troop, numbering around 400 individuals. This trek is gentler than the chimpanzee trek, with plenty of sightings as the monkeys move through the treetops. Return for lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing at the resort.
Stay: One&Only Nyungwe House (upscale) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 — Isumo Waterfall Hike
Set out on Nyungwe’s most popular trail, a roughly 10.6-kilometer route (including the road segment) that takes about four hours round trip. Starting from the Uwinka and Gisakura reception area, the path winds through tea plantations to Isumo Falls — “isumo” being local slang for waterfall — climbing between 1,770 and 1,940 meters above sea level. It’s considered a moderate hike, suitable for most fitness levels.
Stay: One&Only Nyungwe House (upscale) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 — Departure
After an early breakfast and checkout, transfer back to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
What’s Included
- Rwanda gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person)
- 14 nights’ accommodation with meals as listed above
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Kigali Genocide Memorial and Inema Arts Centre visits
- National park entrance fees
- Boat ride on Lake Ihema
- Game drives in Akagera
- Community visit near Akagera National Park
- Gorilla Guardians cultural visit
- Golden monkey trekking
- Canoe excursion on the twin lakes
- Karisoke Research Centre visit
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Canopy walk
- Colobus monkey trekking
- Isumo Waterfall hike
- Experienced English-speaking driver guide
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Government taxes
Not Included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities
- Gratuities
- Beverages
- Personal expenses
