5-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari

The 5-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari starts from $3,100 per person, but the final price depends on a few things. Your accommodation category (budget, mid-range or luxury) has the biggest effect, followed by group size, because a solo traveller shares no vehicle or driver costs. Travel season matters too, as peak months can raise lodge rates. Optional extras such as the canopy walk and the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village are paid separately. Your quotation shows the exact figure before you pay.

The price covers the gorilla trekking permit, the chimpanzee trekking permit, government taxes, a 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel and an experienced driver-guide, bottled drinking water, and accommodation and meals as listed in your itinerary. It does not cover international flights, visas, travel insurance, accommodation before or after the trip, souvenirs, tips, porter hiring, or the optional canopy walk and cultural village visit. Your quotation confirms the inclusions for your chosen accommodation level.

Day one is a drive from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Day two is chimpanzee trekking, with an optional canopy walk in the afternoon. On day three you travel north to Volcanoes National Park, and day four is your mountain gorilla trek, with an optional visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. On day five you hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb, then return to Kigali for a short city tour and your departure.

The drive from Kigali to Nyungwe takes roughly six to seven hours, passing through terraced hills and tea plantations before the forest closes in. The transfer from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park is another long day on the road, with plenty of scenery along the way. Your driver-guide plans comfort stops for photos, snacks and stretching. Because this is a driving itinerary rather than a fly-in, tell us your arrival and departure times so we can plan realistic travel days.

Once the trackers locate the group, you are allowed one hour with the mountain gorillas, and chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe follows a similar one-hour viewing rule. You can watch behaviour, take photographs without flash, and enjoy the encounter under ranger supervision. The time spent searching varies from day to day. Chimpanzee treks can take two to five hours, while gorilla treks typically take two to six hours round trip, depending on where the animals have moved.

Yes. Visitors must be at least 15 years old to track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, and the minimum age for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe is generally 12. Younger children may therefore not be able to join both activities on this itinerary. If you are travelling as a family, send us everyone’s age before booking so we can check eligibility and suggest alternative activities for those who cannot trek.

The canopy walk is a 160-metre suspended walkway about 70 metres above the forest floor, offering a rare view over the treetops where birds and mist drift past at eye level. It is an optional activity on day two and is not included in the base price. It suits most visitors, but you should be comfortable with heights, and it can be skipped if the weather or your energy levels say otherwise. Tell us if you want it added to your quotation.

Iby’Iwacu is a community cultural village near Volcanoes National Park where local people share traditional dance, storytelling, craft-making and everyday village life. It is an optional afternoon activity after your gorilla trek and is not included in the base price. Visits support local livelihoods and conservation efforts in the area. It is a relaxed, low-effort way to learn about Rwandan culture, and it suits travellers of all ages. Ask us to add it to your quotation.

The hike to Dian Fossey’s research camp and tomb on the slopes of Mount Bisoke is usually shorter and less demanding than a gorilla trek, though the trail can still be steep and muddy at altitude. It takes you through forest where she lived and worked for nearly 20 years, and your guide shares her story and conservation legacy at the tomb. Wear the same hiking boots you used for trekking and bring your rain jacket.

Follow your ranger’s instructions at all times. Keep the distance set by the rangers, speak quietly, avoid flash photography, and never touch or feed the animals. Do not eat or drink near them, and avoid direct eye contact with the chimpanzees. If an animal approaches, stay calm and move slowly as directed. Primates can catch human illnesses, so you must also follow the health and hygiene rules explained at each briefing, including wearing a face mask.

Tell your driver-guide and park staff straight away if you develop a cold, flu symptoms, diarrhoea or another contagious illness. Gorillas and chimpanzees are vulnerable to human diseases, so rangers may stop visitors who are unwell from joining the trek. Any refund or rescheduling depends on Rwanda Development Board permit conditions. We recommend travel insurance that covers medical issues and trip interruptions, and that you carry your own personal medication.

Both experiences offer excellent chances of seeing habituated groups, but sightings cannot be guaranteed absolutely because these are wild animals. Trackers go out ahead of each trek and guide you to the group, and mountain gorilla sightings are very reliable. Chimpanzees move widely through the forest, so treks can be longer and the viewing less predictable. We plan your itinerary to give you the best practical chance of success.

You can choose budget, mid-range or luxury lodging. Near Nyungwe, options include Chimpanzee Lodge (budget), Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (mid-range) and One&Only Nyungwe House (luxury). Near Volcanoes National Park, options include La Palme Hotel (budget), Ingagi Lodge (mid-range) and Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (luxury). Final lodges depend on availability on your dates, and we confirm them in your quotation before you pay.

Porter hiring is not included in the price, but we recommend it for both treks. Porters carry your daypack, steady you on slippery slopes, and earn income from the communities around the parks. Tips for your porter, rangers, trackers and driver-guide are optional and are paid directly. Many travellers carry small US dollar notes or Rwandan francs for this, and your driver-guide can advise on what is customary.

Entry rules depend on your nationality, so confirm the current visa requirements with the Rwandan immigration authorities before you travel. Visas are not included in the safari price. Check vaccination guidance, including yellow fever, with a travel clinic well before departure. Rwanda also restricts single-use plastic bags, so avoid packing them in your luggage. Bring travel insurance that covers medical care and trip interruption.

Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers and accommodation category through the quote form, email or WhatsApp. We first check gorilla and chimpanzee permit availability, then prepare a detailed quotation with lodges, costs and payment terms. Once you approve the itinerary and payment terms, we buy the permits and make the lodge reservations on your behalf and coordinate your airport pickup. Booking four to six months ahead is wise for peak months.