3-Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari
$2,600 / personPrivateView itinerary
Rwanda
Rwanda safaris
Rwanda offers a short, well organised route to the mountain gorillas: about two and a half to three hours by road from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park.
Why Rwanda
A short, well organised route to the gorillas.
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking runs from Volcanoes National Park, an hour’s drive from Kigali’s international airport, which makes it the easiest primate destination on the continent to reach. Land at lunchtime, sleep at the foot of the volcanoes, trek the next morning.
Rwanda also takes its conservation seriously and prices it accordingly: gorilla permits are US$1,500, the highest in the region. The result is deliberately fewer visitors, smaller trekking groups, and a park system that properly funds both itself and the communities around it.
Beyond the gorillas, Rwanda is compact enough for a superb short trip: the canopy walk over Nyungwe’s rainforest, the beaches and islands of Lake Kivu, the Big Five returning to Akagera, and Kigali itself, the cleanest and safest city in the region.
The parks
Parks and areas we visit in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
The heart of Rwandan gorilla trekking, in bamboo forest on the slopes of the Virunga chain. A permit is a full-day commitment and, for most people, the reason they came to Africa.If you have a second day, track the golden monkeys, a rare and beautifully coloured primate found only in the Virunga volcanoes. A gentler, cheaper hike that complements the gorillas perfectly.
The canopy
Nyungwe National Park
One of Africa’s oldest rainforests, with a canopy walk suspended 50 metres up, 13 primate species including chimps and colobus, and more than 300 bird species. A cool, green two days.
Lake Kivu
Rwanda’s great inland sea: island hopping by wooden boat, coffee at the water’s edge, and some of the most laid-back lodges in the country. A perfect post-trek unwind.
The Big Five
Akagera National Park
Eastern Rwanda’s savannah park, where lion, rhino and elephant have all been reintroduced since 2015. Boat safaris on Lake Ihema and the classic game drive, without the crowds.
The capital
Kigali
The continent’s cleanest capital. Start here for the Genocide Memorial, which is essential, sobering and beautifully done, and for the best coffee and craft scene in the region.
When to go
When to visit Rwanda
| Season | Months | Wildlife | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry, high season | Jun – Sep | Treks at their driest; permits sell out weeks ahead | Best for trekking |
| Short dry | Dec – Feb | Warm, dry and green; ideal for the full circuit | Excellent |
| Rains | Mar – May, Oct – Nov | Muddy trails and misty forest, and the gorillas do not mind | Quieter and cheaper |
Rwandan gorilla permits are a fixed government cost of US$1,500 per person. They are included in our quotes and secured against your name the day you book.
Tours in Rwanda
Safaris that visit Rwanda
6-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari
$7,200 / personPrivateView itinerary
Plan your Rwanda safari
Tell us your dates and what’s on the list, and we’ll route it for you.
All prices shown are estimates. Your final price is confirmed in your written quote.
