Rwanda: 7-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Cultural Safari｜Rwanda

Embark on a 7-day adventure in Rwanda and explore the country's natural beauty and wildlife. Visit the Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village. See the endangered golden monkeys and gorillas, and go on a canopy walk.

Day 1: Kigali
Arrive in Kigali and spend the day at leisure. Depending on your time of arrival, you can take part in optional excursions. Overnight at Legend hote Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali-Nyungwe
After an early breakfast, drive south for a visit to the Royal Palace at Nyanza. Continue to the university town of Butare and visit the National Museum. Have lunch in Butare and then proceed to Nyungwe Forest. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge.

Day 3: Nyungwe Forest
After breakfast, go chimpanzee tracking. You may spot other primates such as the Lhotse’s monkey and the grey-cheeked Mangabey. The birds are spectacular, though as in most tropical forests, on the way you may also spot birds. Enjoy the chimpanzees in their natural environment.

Before retiring back for relaxation, go for a canopy walk. The canopy walk is a guided tour starting from the Uwinka Visitors center in Nyungwe forest, followed with a 30-minute walk via the igishigishi trail in a steep slope deep into the forest to the starting point of the walkway. Many primates, birds, and butterflies can be spotted from the top of the canopy walkway with also great views of the entire forest canopy including Lake Kivu on a clear day. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge.

Day 4: Nyungwe-Ruhengeri
After breakfast, drive north to Ruhengeri, the home of gorillas. Dinner and overnight at Tiloreza Eco Lodge.

Day 5: Ruhengeri
Visit the grave of Dian Fossey and experience the practical part of her work. After relaxing, visit the Ibyiwachu cultural village. They perform cultural activities like singing and dancing. Retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Ruhengeri
Transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters to track gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Gorilla tracking through the forest and hills can be tough, arduous, and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. After finding the gorillas, enjoy them for 1 hour taking snaps and videos.

After relaxing, visit the Twin Lakes of Rubondo and Bulera. Enjoy the scenery and the different bird species. Retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Ruhengeri-Kigali
In the morning, after breakfast, re-enter the same forest in search of another endangered species, the golden monkey. This is also another experience as you enjoy them jumping around the tree tops. After lunch, the guide will drive you back to Kigali for your flight back home.