Safari Overview
The complete Rwanda circuit in 7 days: chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walk in Nyungwe forest, the King's Palace at Nyanza, then gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virunga mountains, with the Karisoke Research Centre and a Kigali city tour. Trekking permits, a private 4WD and a driver-guide are included.
Gallery
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Kigali
Your journey begins the moment you land at Kigali International Airport. Our meet-and-greet team welcomes you, helps you through immigration and with your luggage, and hands you over to your driver-guide, who stays with you throughout your time in Rwanda. After a brief introduction you are transferred to your hotel in Kigali (about 30 minutes) for an overnight stay.
Drive to Nyungwe National Park and King's Palace, Nyanza
After an early breakfast, drive towards Nyungwe National Park via Butare, with lunch on the way and a visit to the Nyanza museum (about 5.5 hours of driving in total). The King's Palace is a reconstruction of the traditional royal residence, a thatched dwelling shaped like a beehive. Nyanza was once the heart of Rwanda's monarchy, and at the back a few long-horned Inyambo cattle, descended from the king's herd, are tended by keepers who sing to them, keeping a unique tradition alive. Rwanda ceased to be a monarchy in 1962, when it gained independence. Drive on to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
After an early breakfast, drive with a packed lunch to the starting point of your chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park, the largest block of montane forest in East and Central Africa and a place of rich biodiversity. Rwanda's chimpanzee population is small and endangered. Chimpanzees are unpredictable and can travel long distances in a day, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Later, take the canopy walk, a 150-metre walkway 50 metres above the ground, the first of its kind in East Africa. It lets you see the forest from above the trees, at eye level with the birds and monkeys of the upper storeys. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Your permit covers the park entrance fee and a ranger-guide. A porter is optional at USD 25 per porter.
Nature walk and drive to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, return to the park for a nature walk to the Kamiranzovu waterfall. The forest holds many tree species, more than 280 bird species and over 100 kinds of colourful butterfly. With lunch en route, drive about 4 hours to Musanze, Rwanda's second-largest town, set against the five volcanoes of the Virunga range. Spend the afternoon at leisure, then dinner and an overnight stay.
Golden monkey tracking and intercultural exchange
This day is set aside for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. You walk through dense stands of bamboo and open glades into golden monkey territory, where guides lead you to habituated groups. Viewing is limited to one hour, during which adults feed on bamboo leaves and leap from perch to perch and females carry their young. Return to the lodge for lunch, then drive to the Redrocks Intercultural Exchange Centre to join local brew makers and learn how beer is made from bananas. You can help the women squeeze the juice from the bananas (optional), see how the juice turns to alcohol once sorghum flour is added, and taste the local brew. The centre also offers basket weaving, and your visit supports local families. Later, drive to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Your permit covers the park entrance fee and a ranger-guide. A porter is optional at USD 25 per porter.
Mountain gorilla tracking and Karisoke Research Centre
After an early breakfast, drive to Kinigi, the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, to meet your guides. Once park formalities are complete you set off to track mountain gorillas through the forest on the slopes of the Virungas. When you find the family you spend one hour with them, close enough to watch them feed, play and rest. The trek can be strenuous, up to six hours or longer at altitude, so good fitness is recommended. If you cannot trek far, ask your driver-guide to request a group with a shorter walk. Bring hiking boots, long trousers, gloves for stinging nettles, snacks for yourself and plenty of water. Later, visit the Karisoke Research Centre, now the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Dr Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Centre in 1967 and began her research on gorilla behaviour there; it is the world's longest-running gorilla research site. Highlights include a replica of her forest cabin with original artefacts, a 360-degree theatre showing gorilla footage and a virtual-reality experience. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Your permit covers the park entrance fee and a ranger-guide. A porter is optional at USD 25 per porter.
Kigali city tour and departure
After breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and drive to Kigali. Depending on your flight time, the day begins with a city tour. Kigali is often described as one of Africa's best-kept cities, with tree-lined streets, a striking modern convention centre and hillsides of red-roofed homes and terraced farmland. Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills. Stops may include the craft market, the Gisozi genocide memorial and the Kigali museum. Enjoy some last-minute shopping in one of Africa's friendliest capitals before returning to the airport for your flight home. End of service.
Rates per person by group size
| Travellers | 2026 (USD) | 2027 (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6,846 | $7,046 |
| 2 | $5,114 | $5,314 |
| 3 | $4,784 | $4,984 |
| 4 | $4,619 | $4,819 |
| 5 | $4,520 | $4,720 |
| 6 | $4,454 | $4,654 |
| 7 | $4,407 | $4,607 |
| Single room supplement | $745 | $845 |
Rates are per person and depend on the number of travellers sharing the private vehicle. Please confirm current rates when you enquire.
Hotels & Camps Used
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
Kigali
Munazi Lodge
Nyungwe National Park
Tiloreza Eco Lodge
Musanze
Included
- Transport in a 4WD safari vehicle used only by your group
- Pick-up and drop-off at Kigali International Airport, with meet and greet
- Professionally trained English-speaking driver-guide and all guide fees
- One chimpanzee tracking permit, one canopy walk permit and one nature walk permit per person
- One gorilla tracking permit per person (US$1,500) and one golden monkey tracking permit per person
- Meals and accommodation as listed
Not Included
- International flights and Rwanda tourist visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the driver-guide or local escorts
- Drinks, dining-room tips and personal items such as phone calls and laundry
- Porter for treks (optional, USD 25 per porter)
- Activities not in the programme
Optional Extras
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Rwanda Classic Safari cost?+
The 7 Days / 6 Nights Rwanda Classic Safari starts from $4,407. The final price depends on your travel dates, group size and room category, so please enquire for an exact quote.
What is the itinerary for the Rwanda Classic Safari?+
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali. Day 2: Drive to Nyungwe National Park and King's Palace, Nyanza. Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk. Day 4: Nature walk and drive to Volcanoes National Park. Day 5: Golden monkey tracking and intercultural exchange. Day 6: Mountain gorilla tracking and Karisoke Research Centre. Day 7: Kigali city tour and departure.
Where will we stay on this trip?+
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (Kigali); Munazi Lodge (Nyungwe National Park); Tiloreza Eco Lodge (Musanze).
What is included in the price?+
Transport in a 4WD safari vehicle used only by your group; Pick-up and drop-off at Kigali International Airport, with meet and greet; Professionally trained English-speaking driver-guide and all guide fees; One chimpanzee tracking permit, one canopy walk permit and one nature walk permit per person; One gorilla tracking permit per person (US$1,500) and one golden monkey tracking permit per person; Meals and accommodation as listed.
What is not included?+
International flights and Rwanda tourist visa; Travel insurance; Tips for the driver-guide or local escorts; Drinks, dining-room tips and personal items such as phone calls and laundry; Porter for treks (optional, USD 25 per porter); Activities not in the programme.
Good to Know
- Rates are per person, based on group size (see the rates table), and exclude international flights and visas.
- Primate trekking is physically demanding, up to six hours or longer at altitude. Permits give a fixed one-hour visit with the group.
- We recommend comprehensive travel insurance for the full duration of your trip.
- Errors and omissions are excluded.
