15-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding Safari
- Pickup : Kigali Airport
- Drop-off : Kigali Airport
Tour Overview
This 15-day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding safari carries you from the reed fringed wetlands of Kigali to the sweeping savannahs of Akagera, deep into the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe, along the shores of Lake Kivu, and finally up into the misty volcanic highlands of the Virungas. Along the way you will track mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and rare birds found almost nowhere else on Earth. Every day brings something new, and every landscape adds another chapter to this remarkable Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding journey.
- Transportation (Car, Fuel, Driver Guide)
- Meals & Accommodation as mentioned
- Gorilla Trekking Permit
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
- Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
- Game Drive and Boat Cruise
- Bottled Drinking Water
- Government Taxes
Cost Includes
- International Flights
- Accommodation Before and After your Trip
- Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
- Sourvenirs
- Tips & Bwindi Porter Hiring
Cost Excludes
Travel Plan
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Birding at Nyandungu Wetland
A friendly driver and birding guide from Iconic Africa Safaris will meet you at your hotel or at Kigali International Airport. After a short briefing with your guide and trip manager, you will head straight out to Nyandungu Wetland for your first birding session of the trip. This productive wetland holds an impressive mix of species, including the Grey Crowned Crane, White collared Oliveback, Black headed Gonolek, Cinnamon chested Bee eater, Malachite Kingfisher, African Openbill, Great Egret, Hadada Ibis, Yellow billed Duck, Pied Kingfisher, Speckled Mousebird, Common Bulbul, Black Cuckooshrike, and several sunbird species, a fitting introduction to a trip built around Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding.
- Accommodation: Onomo Hotel
- Meal Plan: Half Board
Day 2: Travel to Akagera National Park and Evening Birding
After breakfast, you will set off on a drive of around 2 to 3 hours east toward Akagera National Park. On arrival, check into the lodge, enjoy lunch, and rest briefly before heading out for an afternoon game drive. Akagera blends savannah plains, rolling hills, and shimmering lakes into one rich environment for both birds and large mammals. Watch for the Grey Crowned Crane, African Fish Eagle, Black headed Heron, Saddle billed Stork, and the brilliant Malachite Kingfisher. Beyond the birds, this park also shelters elephants, buffaloes, zebras, kob, rhinos, giraffes, lions, and occasionally leopards, making every drive a genuine adventure.
- Accommodation: Akagera Rhino Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise, Southern Akagera
Rise at 6:00 am for a hearty breakfast, then head into the southern reaches of Akagera. This lower section of the park features dense acacia thickets, thick grasslands, and the scenic shores and swamps surrounding several beautiful lakes. Scan the treetops and waterways for sought after bird species while also watching for elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and lions moving through the landscape.
In the afternoon, board a boat on Lake Ihema for something truly special. From the water, look out for the extraordinary Shoebill Stork, one of Africa’s most legendary birds, and one of the star attractions of any Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding itinerary. Meanwhile, the African Fish Eagle fills the air with its iconic call, and the Giant Kingfisher dives sharply along the shoreline. Also watch for Grey Crowned Cranes, Malachite Kingfishers, African Jacanas, and Pink backed Pelicans, alongside curious hippos and basking crocodiles.
- Accommodation: Akagera Rhino Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Birding from Southern Akagera to the Northern Section
Carrying a packed lunch, you will travel north from the southern section into the vast northern part of Akagera, a landscape known for its sweeping savannahs, open grasslands, and important wetland zones. This northern area attracts predators such as lions and hyenas, drawn here by the abundance of grazing animals. Shoebill sightings are never guaranteed, but the chance alone makes this northern excursion exciting and worthwhile.
Accommodation: Kalenge Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Kilala Plains
Kilala Plains, in the northern part of Akagera, stretches across a vast open grassland habitat renowned for its high concentration of birds, especially raptors and savannah species. Soaring overhead, look for the African Fish Eagle, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, Booted Eagle, and several vultures, including the White headed, Lappet faced, Hooded, and Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture. On the ground, the Secretarybird, francolins, spurfowls, and Red capped Lark reward patient observers. Across the open plains, species such as the Lilac breasted Roller, Long crested Eagle, Senegal Lapwing, Wattled Lapwing, and Sooty Chat add colour and variety. Near the shores of Lake Rwanyakizinga, White faced Whistling Ducks, Spur winged Geese, and various herons frequent the water’s edge.
- Accommodation: Kalenge Tented Camp
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Early Morning Birding in Kilala Plains and Drive to Kigali
Start the morning with one final birding walk across Kilala Plains before breakfast. Then check out of the lodge and begin the scenic drive back toward Kigali, a journey of around 2.5 to 3 hours. Enjoy lunch on arrival and spend a relaxed afternoon at the lodge, recharging before the next leg of the journey.
- Accommodation: Hotel Chez Lando
- Meal Plan: Half Board
Day 7: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
You will set off on the long but rewarding drive, roughly 6 to 7 hours, southwest toward Nyungwe Forest National Park. The winding road cuts through terraced tea plantations and hillside villages, offering beautiful views at every turn. On arrival, check into the hilltop lodge and settle in, enjoying sweeping views over the ancient forest canopy below.
- Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
Early in the morning, set out with a ranger to track chimpanzees through Nyungwe’s dense forest, the chimp half of this Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding adventure. These energetic primates move fast and noisily through the trees, and finding them brings an immediate rush of excitement. Spend time observing their social behaviour, listening to their calls, and watching them swing between branches high above. Later in the afternoon, step onto the thrilling canopy walkway, one of only a few in Africa, suspended high above the forest floor and offering a unique view of the treetops and the birdlife within them.
- Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Full Day Birding in Kamiranzovu Swamp
Kamiranzovu Swamp, tucked within Nyungwe National Park, ranks as one of Rwanda’s premier birdwatching spots, famous for its high altitude wetland species. The rare Grauer’s Rush Warbler specialises in this Albertine Rift habitat and draws birders from around the world. Frequently heard in the dense surrounding forest, the Albertine Owlet adds an air of mystery to the morning. Hunting low over the open marshland, the African Marsh Harrier puts on a regular display. Along the trail edges, greenbuls and barbets appear with pleasing regularity, while various sunbirds and flycatchers fill the forest fringes with colour. Common wetland birds such as the Yellow billed Duck, Winding Cisticola, and Common Bulbul round out an exceptional day of birding.
- Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Monkey Trekking and Drive to Kibuye
Begin the morning with a trek to find habituated groups of Colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, and Mangabeys moving through the forest. After trekking, set off on the scenic drive north, around 3 to 4 hours, along the shores of Lake Kivu toward Kibuye. The route passes through the Gisakura tea plantations on the way out of the park and offers spectacular views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and the glistening lake below.
- Accommodation: Delta Resort Hotel
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 11: Morning Birding on the Kibuye Islands and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Head out early by boat to explore the Kibuye Islands on Lake Kivu, a lively and rewarding spot for birdwatching. African Fish Eagles soar overhead while Pied Kingfishers and Malachite Kingfishers hover and dive for fish below. Cormorants and darters dry their wings on rocky outcrops, and around the islands’ vegetation, Village Weavers, Holub’s Golden Weavers, sunbirds, and bulbuls move through the foliage. Out on the open water, Grey headed Gulls and terns glide effortlessly, and along the shallows, Black headed Herons, Cattle Egrets, and Little Egrets patrol quietly. After birding, transfer north, about 2.5 to 3 hours, toward Volcanoes National Park for the next exciting chapter of this Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding safari.
- Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking and Evening Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village
Day 13: Golden Monkey Trekking and Birding in Volcanoes National Park
Rise early and head into the misty lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes to track the Golden Monkey, one of Rwanda’s most playful and visually striking primates. These lively, acrobatic creatures live almost exclusively in the bamboo forests of the Albertine Rift, flashing brilliant golden orange patches as they leap energetically through the canopy. Spend around 1 hour watching them feed on bamboo shoots, groom one another, and tumble through the undergrowth.
Afterwards, the birding continues across Volcanoes National Park, home to more than 200 recorded species. The Rwenzori Turaco dazzles with vivid crimson and blue plumage, while the Handsome Francolin and secretive Dusky Crimsonwing reward patient observers. Overhead, the African Harrier Hawk and Mountain Buzzard soar against the volcanic skyline. Deep inside the bamboo zones, dedicated birders search for the rare Shelley’s Crimsonwing, rounding off a truly memorable day of gorillas, primates, and birding.
- Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 14: Full Day Birding at Twin Lakes Ruhondo and Burera
The twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in northern Rwanda offer a wonderful mix of waterbirds, raptors, and forest species in one visit, a fitting final field day for this Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding safari. Along the shores and during boat cruises, spot African Fish Eagles, Yellow billed Ducks, Great Cormorants, herons, Sacred Ibis, Yellow billed Storks, and African Jacanas moving through the reeds and papyrus. Malachite and Pied Kingfishers dart along the water’s edge, adding flashes of brilliant colour. In the wooded hills surrounding the lakes, find Rwenzori Turacos, Red faced Woodland Warblers, Rwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolins, various weavers, and other songbirds.
- Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 15: Departure and Optional Kigali City Tour
Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast before beginning the drive back to Kigali, around 2.5 to 3 hours. If time allows, stop for a brief city tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, and the city’s vibrant streets. Your driver will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, leaving you with cherished memories of this unforgettable Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding safari.
- Accommodation: None, unless requested
- Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Answered FAQs
How much does this safari cost, and can it be customized?
The total cost depends on your group size, chosen season, and level of accommodation. Mandatory permit and park fees are built into your total trip cost and currently run approximately as follows, though rates are set by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and can change:
Gorilla Trekking Permit: 1,500 USD per person
Chimpanzee Trekking Permit (Nyungwe): 250 USD per person
Golden Monkey Trekking Permit: 100 USD per person
Akagera National Park Entry Fee: 100 USD per person, per day
Send us your group size and let us know if you would like to upgrade any of the accommodations listed in the itinerary, and we will come back to you with a full cost per person.
How physically demanding is the trekking on this itinerary?
This trip suits travellers with a moderate level of fitness. Gorilla and golden monkey trekking can involve 2 to 6 hours of hiking on steep, uneven volcanic terrain at altitudes of up to 2,500 to 3,000 metres, sometimes through mud and dense vegetation. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe can be similarly demanding. Game drives and boat cruises in Akagera and on Lake Kivu are comfortable and require no special fitness. A basic level of cardiovascular fitness will make the trekking days far more enjoyable.
What is the best time of year to go on this trip?
The two dry seasons, from June to September and from December to February, offer the best conditions for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and birding, with drier trails and easier access. That said, Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding trips run year round, and the wetter months bring lush scenery and excellent birding, since many species are most active and vocal during the rains.
What should I pack for safari?
Pack light, neutral coloured clothing, a rain jacket, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a warm layer for chilly mornings at altitude, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, gardening gloves for gorilla and golden monkey treks, binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, a reusable water bottle, energy snacks, and a face mask. A face mask is required for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, since these primates are highly susceptible to human respiratory illnesses.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes. Days can be added or removed, accommodation can be upgraded or adjusted to fit your budget, and activities such as extra birding walks, cultural visits, or a second gorilla trek can be built in. Let us know your interests and travel dates, and we will tailor this Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding itinerary to suit you.
Are the gorilla and chimpanzee permits guaranteed?
Permits are issued in limited numbers by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to protect primate populations, so availability is never automatic. Before your booking is confirmed, we first check permit availability, and once permits are purchased on your behalf, your trekking spots are guaranteed. Because demand is high during peak months, you should book this itinerary 4 to 6 months in advance, and ideally 6 to 12 months ahead if you are travelling in June to September or December to February.
What type of vehicle is used for transportation?
You will travel in a customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser fitted with a pop up roof for wildlife viewing and photography. The vehicle features 4 wheel drive to handle rough park tracks and dirt roads in rural areas, comes stocked with bottled drinking water, and has an extended chassis so that every passenger gets a window seat.
Is birding good in Rwanda, and what can I expect to see?
Rwanda is one of Africa’s finest birding destinations, with more than 700 recorded species packed into a small country. On this Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Birding safari, you will move through wetlands, savannah, montane rainforest, bamboo zones, and lakeshore habitats, giving you access to Albertine Rift endemics such as the Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, and Grauer’s Rush Warbler, alongside icons like the Shoebill Stork, Grey Crowned Crane, and African Fish Eagle.
Do I need my own birding guide, or is one provided?
A dedicated, professional birding guide from Iconic Africa Safaris travels with you throughout this itinerary, so no separate booking is needed. Local park rangers with strong bird knowledge also join you inside Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Parks, and this extra pair of local eyes makes a real difference when it comes to picking out rare, quiet, or well hidden species.
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