7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Game Safari

The safari includes private transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle, an experienced English-speaking driver-guide, accommodation, meals as specified in your itinerary, and bottled drinking water throughout the journey. Your confirmed package also details national park entrance fees, scheduled wildlife activities, and applicable gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits. Activities may include game drives in Akagera, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe, and mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. International flights, visas, personal expenses, and travel insurance are generally excluded unless specifically stated in your quotation.

The 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Game Safari starts from USD 3,900 per person. However, the final price depends on your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred accommodation category, and selected safari arrangements. Travelling as a couple or small group can reduce individual transportation costs compared with travelling alone. Luxury lodges, private room arrangements, and additional experiences may increase the overall price. At Iconic Africa Safaris, we prepare a personalised quotation outlining accommodation, transportation, trekking permits, park activities, meals, and other applicable inclusions before confirming your booking.

This safari combines three of Rwanda’s most remarkable national parks, each offering a different wildlife experience. Akagera National Park provides opportunities for traditional African game drives, including encounters with elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and other savannah wildlife. Nyungwe Forest National Park is renowned for its chimpanzees, rainforest biodiversity, and beautiful forest landscapes. Volcanoes National Park protects endangered mountain gorillas within the Virunga Mountains. Visiting these destinations allows travellers to experience Rwanda’s savannah, tropical rainforest, and volcanic mountain environments during one carefully organised journey.

The seven-day journey connects Rwanda’s major wildlife destinations through a privately guided itinerary. Your safari includes opportunities to explore Akagera National Park, track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, and encounter mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Travel days connect the different destinations, with scenic landscapes and optional stops along the way. The exact sequence of activities, accommodation locations, and departure arrangements follows your confirmed itinerary. We coordinate the driving schedule, park activities, and trekking permits to make the journey comfortable while allowing sufficient time for each experience.

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are important components of this Rwanda safari and should be clearly listed in your final quotation. Rwanda’s standard mountain gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1,500 per foreign visitor, while chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe costs USD 250 for an international visitor. Certain visitor categories and qualifying travel arrangements may attract different rates. We check permit availability before confirming your booking and explain the applicable charges. Booking early is particularly important during popular travel months when trekking spaces can become limited.

Akagera National Park offers opportunities to encounter Rwanda’s Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. Other wildlife includes giraffes, zebras, impalas, topis, waterbucks, hippos, and several antelope species. Your driver-guide explores suitable wildlife-viewing areas according to the available time and prevailing conditions. Early morning game drives can be particularly rewarding because many animals become active during cooler hours. Although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, Akagera provides an excellent contrast to the rainforest experiences offered by Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Parks.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe requires reasonable physical fitness because the experience involves walking through tropical rainforest, sometimes across steep, slippery, or uneven terrain. Trekking duration varies depending on the location and movements of the chimpanzees. Some groups may be reached relatively quickly, while others require longer walks through the forest. Experienced ranger-guides lead the activity and explain the behaviour of the chimpanzees. We recommend comfortable hiking boots, long trousers, rain protection, and sufficient drinking water. Inform us about any mobility concerns before booking.

Once your ranger-guides locate your assigned habituated gorilla family, you are permitted to spend one hour observing the gorillas. During this encounter, you may watch family interactions, feeding behaviour, playful juveniles, and the movements of the dominant silverback. Photography is permitted without flash, provided visitors follow the ranger’s instructions. The journey to reach the gorillas varies depending on their location, terrain, and weather conditions. Your gorilla trekking permit covers one guided encounter, making this experience one of the most memorable highlights of the safari.

Rwanda offers wildlife experiences throughout the year, although seasonal conditions can influence trekking comfort and game viewing. June through September and December through February are generally drier periods, making forest trails easier to navigate. These months are popular for gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris. Wetter periods bring lush landscapes, beautiful scenery, and sometimes more challenging trekking conditions. Chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking remain available throughout the year, subject to park conditions. We recommend booking permits early when travelling during popular holiday periods.

Accommodation can be arranged in comfortable mid-range properties, luxury lodges, or selected high-end safari retreats, depending on your budget and preferences. Around Akagera, travellers may stay at Akagera Game Lodge or luxury properties such as Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Nyungwe offers accommodation choices including Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel and premium rainforest lodges. Near Volcanoes National Park, options range from comfortable boutique lodges to exclusive luxury retreats. We select accommodation according to location, comfort, availability, and your preferred travel style before presenting the final quotation.

Seven days provides an opportunity to experience Rwanda’s three major wildlife environments within one organised safari. Travellers can combine mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and savannah game viewing without booking separate holidays. However, visiting Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes National Parks involves considerable road travel between destinations. The itinerary therefore prioritises major wildlife encounters rather than extended relaxation at every location. Travellers who prefer additional game drives, cultural experiences, or more leisure time may consider extending the safari by one or two days.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is restricted to visitors aged 15 years and above. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park generally requires participants to be at least 15 years old as well. These restrictions help protect wildlife and ensure visitors can safely participate in forest trekking activities. Families travelling with younger children can still enjoy suitable experiences, including selected game drives in Akagera National Park. Please share the ages of all travellers when requesting your safari quotation so we can recommend appropriate activities.

Pack comfortable safari clothing, waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a lightweight rain jacket, and gardening gloves for forest trekking. A small daypack, reusable water bottle, insect repellent, sunscreen, binoculars, and a camera are also recommended. Volcanoes and Nyungwe can be cool and wet, particularly during early morning activities, so include a warm layer. Neutral-coloured clothing is suitable for game drives in Akagera. Carry any prescribed medication and follow the latest park guidance regarding face masks and wildlife health precautions.

Yes. Iconic Africa Safaris organises private, tailor-made journeys, allowing travellers to adjust accommodation, travel dates, and selected experiences. Depending on your interests and available time, you may extend your stay in Akagera for additional game drives or a Lake Ihema boat cruise. Nyungwe offers opportunities for canopy walks and other guided forest activities, while Volcanoes National Park provides golden monkey trekking and cultural experiences. Additional activities may require separate permits, entrance fees, or accommodation nights. We explain these costs before incorporating them into your personalised itinerary.

Booking begins by sharing your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, accommodation category, and any special requirements with Iconic Africa Safaris. Our team checks trekking permit availability, reviews suitable accommodation, and prepares a detailed safari quotation. Once you approve the proposed itinerary, we provide booking conditions and payment instructions before proceeding with reservations. Early confirmation is recommended because gorilla trekking permits have limited daily availability. You can contact our safari planning team to discuss your preferred arrangements and receive a personalised quotation before making any commitment.