5 Days Rwanda Safari: Nyungwe Chimpanzees & Gorilla Trek

Tour Plan

This 5-day Rwanda safari offers a compact yet extensive journey through the country’s top primate and rainforest destinations.

Starting in Kigali, you will travel to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks through one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, before continuing to Volcanoes National Park for the unforgettable experience of gorilla trekking.

Blending adventure, scenic beauty, and expert-guided experiences, this itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a short but impactful exploration of Rwanda.

 

Safari Summary

• Start/End: Kigali
• Status: Private Tour, departs on any day, open all year round
• Vehicle used: : 4/4 Land Cruiser
• Accommodations: Tented Camp/Lodge
• Kigali – 2 Nights, Nyungwe – 1 Night & Volcanoes – 2 Nights
• Activities: Gorilla trek, photography, nature walk, sightseeing & birding

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Arrive in Kigali Airport and be transferred to city hotel.

Overnight: Kigali Serena/The Manor Kigali/Park Inn Hotel

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 2: Kigali - Transfer to Nyungwe National Park, Approx. 5 hours

Have early breakfast then immediately depart for Nyungwe National Park, located in western province.

You will have a short stop at Ethnographic Museum in Southern Province, for brief history of traditional ways of Rwandese and their past way of leadership of Kingship.

Later have lunch then drive to Nyungwe for a canopy walk.

This 90-meters suspended metallic bridge will give you a great view of Nyungwe forest and on a lucky day you can spot one or two primates in the forest.

Later drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: One & Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel/Emeraude Kivu Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3: Nyungwe - Chimpanzee tracking – Transfer to Volcanoes

Have early breakfast then depart for Chimp tracking in Nyungwe forest. Nyungwe is well known for hosting 13 species of primates and you will be entitled to one hour with the chimpanzees.

After doing the chimpanzee trek, you will head back to the lodge for lunch, and thereafter transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Overnight: The Bishop’s House/Five Volcanoes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 4: Volcanoes - Gorilla Trekking & Cultural visit

Arise early and have breakfast, at 6.30 a.m. thereafter be transferred to the park’s headquarters, Office of Tourism in Kinigi where you are briefed by the park ranger about the rules and regulations governing Gorilla tracking before you head off to the jungle in search for these gentle giants.

The gorilla trek can last from an hour to six hours depending on the gorilla’s movements and although the trek is strenuous it is rewarding at the end.

You will be given an hour with the gorilla to take as many pictures and just enjoy watching them play.

Thereafter trek back to start point and head to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will have a village foot safari, to explore the local life with a taste of the traditional performance at Iby Iwacu cultural center.

Overnight: The Bishop’s House/Five Volcanoes

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

 

Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking & Transfer to Kigali, Approx. 3 hours

Have early breakfast then be transferred to the park’s headquarters for briefing and immediately start off your golden monkey trek. Just like the gorilla trek experience, the same applies to golden monkey trekking though not hectic like gorilla trekking.

You will have lunch and head to Kigali. If time permits, you will have a Kigali city tour with a visit to Kigali genocide memorial ground and Kimironko local market for shopping. Later be dropped off at your hotel or airport.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch