Permit included
Volcanoes3 days
Gorilla trekking & golden monkeys in the Virungas
4.9· 212 reviewsout of 5
From
$1,890per person
PrimatesPrivate tour
Chimpanzees & gorillas: Rwanda primates safari
4.9· 64 reviewsout of 5
Nyungwe Forest & Volcanoes National Park- Duration5 days · 4 nights
- GroupPrivate · 1–6 guests
- DifficultyModerate to hard
- Start & endKigali airport
Chimps in the rainforest, gorillas in the volcanoes
Rwanda’s two great primate encounters in one trip. Track chimpanzees at dawn in the ancient Nyungwe rainforest and cross its canopy walkway, then follow the shore of Lake Kivu north to the Virungas for an hour with a mountain gorilla family.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
- Canopy walk 70 m above the forest
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family
- Chimp and gorilla permits included
- Scenic drive along Lake Kivu
- Private 4×4 and English-speaking guide
Day by day
- 01
Day 1 · Kigali → Nyungwe
South to the rainforest
Your guide meets you in Kigali for the scenic drive south via the King’s Palace at Nyanza, arriving at the forest edge in time for dinner.
Nyungwe Top View Hotel Lunch · Dinner
- 02
Day 2 · Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzees & the canopy walk
An early start to track chimpanzees with the rangers, then the canopy walkway and a tea estate visit in the afternoon.
Nyungwe Top View Hotel Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- 03
Day 3 · Nyungwe → Lake Kivu → Musanze
Along the shore of Lake Kivu
A long, beautiful drive north along the Congo-Nile road with lunch by the lake, arriving at the foot of the volcanoes by evening.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- 04
Day 4 · Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking
Briefing at Kinigi at 7:00, then trek to your gorilla family for one unforgettable hour. Afternoon at the cultural village or at leisure.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
- 05
Day 5 · Volcanoes → Kigali
Golden monkeys & return
An optional morning with the golden monkeys, then back to Kigali for your flight.
Breakfast · Lunch
What’s included
Included
- Gorilla permit ($1,500)
- Chimpanzee permit
- Canopy walk
- Private 4×4 and driver-guide
- 4 nights full board
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Rwanda visa
- Travel insurance
- Golden monkey permit (optional)
- Tips
Where you’ll stay
Two forest lodges
Cottages above the Nyungwe tea fields, then stone cottages facing the Virunga volcanoes.
· 4 nights· Full board
Prices
Per person in US dollars. Prices fall as your group grows.
| Travellers | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $4,410 | $8,190 |
| 2 travellersMost booked | $3,150 | $6,143 |
| 3–4 travellers | $2,898 | $5,828 |
| 5–6 travellers | $2,709 | $5,639 |
Gorilla and chimp permits sell out in peak season — book 4–6 months ahead.
Primate trekking essentials
How fit do I need to be?
Treks take 1–5 hours on steep, muddy slopes at 2,500–3,000 m. Rangers match groups to gorilla families by fitness, and porters ($15) can carry your bag and help on steep sections.
Is there a minimum age?
Gorilla trekking is open to visitors aged 15 and over. Younger travellers can join the golden monkey trek, the cultural village or a nature walk instead.
What should I pack?
Waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, a rain jacket, garden gloves for gripping vegetation, and a small daypack. We lend walking sticks at the park.
What happens if it rains?
Treks go ahead in light rain — the forest is at its most atmospheric. In the rare event the park cancels, we rebook your permit or refund it in full.
4.9
4.9out of 5
64 reviews of this tour
- 5.0· August 2026out of 5
Chimps on Tuesday, gorillas on Thursday — the best week of our travelling lives.
Lucy & Ben · Bristol
Combine it with the savanna
Most guests add a second park. We can join any of these to your trip.
Small group
Signature
All of Rwanda10 days
The complete Rwanda: gorillas, chimps & savanna
5.0· 94 reviewsout of 5
From
$4,980per person
Your Rwanda, planned by people who live here.
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