7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari : Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee tracking & Big Five
7 Days Rwanda gorilla Safari to Volcanoes National Park & Nyungwe Forest national Park. The 7 day Rwanda gorilla safari offers an exceptional mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest National Park. If you have a passion for primates, this 7-day Rwanda Gorilla safari will undoubtedly impress you.
The 7 day Rwanda gorilla safari itinerary starts with a Kigali City Tour, followed by chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest. Your journey will begin with a transfer from Nyungwe to Lake Kivu, where you will engage in various activities before proceeding to Volcanoes National Park.
During your visit to Volcanoes National Park, you will engage in gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, and explore the twin lakes as well as the Gorilla Guardians Village. What follows is a brief overview of each of the locations.
Nyungwe National Park is regarded as the largest and oldest afro-montane forest in Africa. This location hosts 13 species of primates, waterfalls, various bird species, and a diverse array of trees. During the tracking of chimpanzees and the canopy walk, one can anticipate the presence of various smaller primates, including Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Your journey will continue from Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu ranks among the largest lakes on the African continent. The territory is jointly held by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake is renowned for its substantial reservoir of boiling methane located beneath its surface. There are significant concerns that an explosion could lead to a major catastrophe in the future. For present, there are no restrictions on swimming, canoeing, island hopping, or bird watching. Following Lake Kivu, the journey proceeds to Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park stands as the premier tourist destination in Rwanda. The park features a stunning landscape characterized by multiple volcanoes, lush forests, and serene lakes. The primary highlights include the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, a visit to Dian Fossey’s grave, and hiking one of the volcanoes.
This 7-day Rwanda gorilla Safari begins and ends in Kigali. By the conclusion of the trip, you will have experienced an exceptional adventure and explored the finest National Parks in Rwanda. If you are seeking a more concise experience, consider the 6-day Rwanda safari or the 5-day Rwanda tour package. For a more economical tour featuring even more engaging activities, consider our 7-day Uganda safari package.
What to Do in a 7 days Rwanda Safari
   Kigali city tour, featuring city markets, the former presidential palace, artisan shops, and the Gisozi Genocide memorial site.
   Gorilla Trekking
   Golden monkey tracking
   Chimpanzee Tracking
   Canopy walk at Nyungwe Forest
   Touring and boat riding at Lake Kivu
1: Airport or hotel Pick up – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
The company representative will meet you early in the morning from your hotel or airport so you can start the longer journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in the southwestern region of Rwanda. Prior to commencing the journey, it is advisable to receive a briefing on what to anticipate and the timeline for each activity. The journey lasts approximately 5 hours, providing an opportunity to soak in the stunning vistas of the Rwandan countryside. You’ll see why Rwanda is frequently called “A land of a thousand hills.” Upon arrival at the forest, proceed directly to the lodge for check-in, refreshments, and a period of relaxation.
The accommodations for dinner and overnight stays will be at Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range), and Gisakura Guest House (Budget).
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest – Engaging in a Canopy Walk
You will rise early and enjoy breakfast at your hotel prior to attending the briefing on chimpanzee tracking at the Nyungwe forest offices. The guides possess the expertise to locate the chimpanzees, and your role is simply to accompany them deep into the forest. Upon locating the chimpanzee, ensure you capture several photographs and dedicate time to observe the behavior of the primates. It is essential to consistently adhere to the instructions provided by the Guides/Rangers. Despite their habituation, the chimpanzees in Nyungwe continue to exhibit their wild nature. It is essential to maintain a safe distance and avoid any actions that may cause them to feel threatened. Chimpanzees exhibit significant agility and will swiftly retreat if they perceive any threat from your behavior.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park offers a unique opportunity to observe 12 additional species of primates, as well as a variety of butterflies and birds. One may choose to traverse the path that features waterfalls and stunning rocky escarpments. Following the chimpanzee tracking adventure, it is advisable to return to your lodge for lunch and prepare for the upcoming Canopy walk. The canopy walk stands out as a premier attraction within Nyungwe National Park. This provides an opportunity to gain an aerial perspective of the park, enabling a broader observation of the monkeys and birds from an alternative viewpoint. Following the exceptional canopy walk, the driver will return you to your lodge.
Accommodation and dinner will be provided at Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range), and Gisakura Guest House (Budget).
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Go for an afternoon boat ride
You will awaken at your own pace following the demanding activities of Day 2. Enjoy breakfast and complete the hotel checkout as you await the guide’s arrival to commence your journey to Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is the largest freshwater lake in Rwanda, extending into the Democratic Republic of Congo. As previously mentioned, the Lake is renowned globally for the boiling methane gas that emerges from beneath its surface. Upon your arrival at the new hotel, you will enjoy lunch with a view of the Lake. In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat ride to explore several islands. After completing the boat ride, please return to the hotel and get ready to swim in the lake. If swimming does not appeal to you, you may choose to unwind by the lake, appreciating the picturesque surroundings and observing the local community as they engage in their daily activities.
The dinner and accommodation options include the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel for luxury, Paradise Marahide for mid-range, and Palm Resort Gardens for budget-friendly stays.
Day 4: Tour of Lake Kivu and fishing villages – Transfer to Volcanoes national park
You will have the flexibility to wake up at your preferred time, enjoy breakfast, and get ready for a guided tour of various sites around Lake Kivu, including the fishing villages. This period presents an excellent opportunity for bird watchers to observe a variety of resident and migratory bird species. Several primates can also be observed inhabiting the forests on the islands and along the lake shores. There will be opportunities for unexpected interactions with the locals as they engage in their daily routines. Following a thorough exploration of the Lake, you will proceed to the Volcanoes National Park in Musanze. Upon checking into your room, take a moment to appreciate the stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes before settling in for an early night’s rest, ensuring you are refreshed and prepared for the upcoming gorilla trekking adventure.
Dining and lodging options include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).
Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking – A visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village.
Rise early to enjoy a delightful breakfast at your hotel before proceeding to the Kinigi park headquarters for the briefing scheduled at 7:00 am. The head guide and rangers will provide you with information on what to bring for the trek and the appropriate behavior around the gorillas. Subsequently, you will be assigned a gorilla family and presented with the opportunity to hire a porter should you have any heavy luggage. A gorilla safari in Rwanda provides travelers with the opportunity to track one of the 10 habituated gorilla groups. Although you can no longer select your own gorilla group, your preferences, age, and general level of fitness will be taken into account to determin the gorilla group allocation. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park presents challenges; however, the excitement and thrill of approaching the gorilla family render the experience invaluable. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to observe various forest creatures and plants as you navigate towards the gorilla family. Upon locating the gorilla family, please adhere to the instructions provided by your guide. Mountain gorillas exhibit a notably tranquil and composed demeanor in contrast to other large wild animals. Attacks on humans are infrequent and typically occur only under significant provocation. You will have one hour with the gorillas, so maximize this time by capturing as many photos and videos as you can.
After observing the mountain gorillas, please return to the starting point to meet our guide, who will escort you back to the lodge for lunch and a period of rest. Following your rest period, you will proceed to visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village, situated in proximity to the Volcanoes National Park. The Centre, now recognized as the Gorilla Guardians Village, originally served as a venue for former poachers to market their art and crafts to tourists. It has now established itself as the premier destination for understanding the culture of the Rwandan people. During your visit to the village, you will experience cultural dances and gain insights into the local Kinyarwanda culture. Anticipate active participation in the performances, along with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs.
Dining and lodging options include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).
Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking – Exploring the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Start your day early and enjoy breakfast before proceeding to the Volcanoes National Park offices for a briefing on golden monkey tracking.
Following the briefing, it is advisable to engage a porter to assist with your backpack or any other heavy equipment, ensuring a comfortable experience while tracking the golden monkeys. The park guide will escort you into the forest, where you will have the opportunity to observe the monkeys both in the trees and on the ground as they feed. Golden monkeys represent a unique and threatened group of primates. They appear quite charming, and it would be advisable to capture numerous photographs for your collection, provided that the use of flash cameras is permitted. Upon completion, you will return to the lodge for lunch and a period of rest. In the evening, our guide will escort you on a drive to explore the stunning twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Dining and lodging options include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).
Day 7: Return to Kigali – Explore Kigali, including the genocide memorial center and various other significant sites.
Following a demanding six days, you may wish to rise at your convenience and make preparations for the return journey to Kigali. If you were unable to participate in the Kigali tour on your arrival day due to time and flight constraints, today is the designated day for you to experience it. Your itinerary includes a visit to the city market, the former presidential palace, artisan shops, and the Gisozi genocide memorial site. Throughout the city tour, you will have an opportunity to purchase local art pieces to present as gifts for your family and friends at home. Following the city tour, our guide will escort you back to the airport for your departure or to your hotel if you are staying in Kigali.
The cost of our 7 days Rwanda Gorilla safari will include: –
    A 4X4 private safari car
   A Guide/Driver who speaks excellent English
   Fuel for the whole tour
   Gorilla tracking Permits
   Drinking water and lunch every day
   Golden monkey tracking permits
   Pickup and departure at any location in Kigali
   Chimpanzee tracking permits
   Cultural and community visit
   Tour of Kigali
   Accommodation and meals for 6 nights
Excludes of the 7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
The 7 days Rwanda primates Safari excludes flights, visas, personal costs and insurance
Conclusion of Tour