8 days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari

Itinerary in Details

On this 8 days Rwanda primates safari, we give you the best of the best when it comes to Primates in Rwanda staying in luxury lodges. The trip takes you to trek chimpanzees, gorillas, golden monkeys and also do a canopy and primate walk in Nyungwe national park and Volcanoes national park.  This 8 days Rwanda safari starts for Kigali and ends in Kigali. Airport transfer can be organised at no extra charge.

Tour Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival BB
• Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe. Canopy walk.  BLD 4hrs drive
• Day 3: Colobus monkey trek in Nyungwe forest park. BLD
• Day 4: Chimpanzee trek- Nyungwe – Kibuye. BLD
• Day 5: Kibuye – Gisenyi -Musanze – Kinigi of Volcanoes National park. BLD
• Day 6: Gorilla tracking
• Day 7: Golden Monkey Trek.
• Day 8: Optional activities / transfer back to Kigali- Airport drop.

Day 1: Arrival – Kigali (BB)

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our company representative who will transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you will receive a detailed briefing about your safari and the start time for the following day. Overnight at:

• Luxury: Serena Kigali / Radisson Blu Hotel / The Retreat

Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest | Canopy Walk (BLD, 4 hrs drive)

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Along the way, visit the King’s Palace Museum and the National Museum in Huye to explore Rwanda’s history and culture. Arrive at Nyungwe in the afternoon, enjoy lunch, and later take part in the exhilarating canopy walk, offering spectacular views of the forest from above. Dinner and overnight at:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

Day 3: Colobus Monkey Trek | Nyungwe Forest (BLD)

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading into the forest for a colobus monkey trek. Nyungwe is home to large troops of colobus monkeys, estimated at around 200 individuals. The trek lasts 2–4 hours. In the afternoon, you may relax at your lodge or opt for a visit to the tea plantations, learning about Rwanda’s tea and coffee heritage. Dinner and overnight at the previous lodge.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trek | Nyungwe – Kibuye (BLD)

Start the day early with chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. The trek begins at 6:00 AM, and once you find the chimps, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing their behavior and interactions. Afterward, return to the lodge, meet your driver-guide, and continue to Kibuye on Lake Kivu. Optional activities such as kayaking or lakeside adventures can be arranged. Overnight at:

• Midrange: Moriah Hill Resort

Day 5: Kibuye – Gisenyi – Musanze (Volcanoes NP) (BLD)

After breakfast, drive along the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, passing through Gisenyi, before continuing to Musanze near Volcanoes National Park. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your lodge, set against the backdrop of the Virunga Volcanoes. Overnight at:

• Luxury: Bisate Lodge / Amakoro Lodge / Singita Kwitonda Lodge

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking | Volcanoes National Park (BLD)

Early morning transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing and allocation of a gorilla family to trek. The trek begins at 8:00 AM and may last 2–6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Along the way, your ranger guide will share insights about the park and its wildlife. Once you find the gorillas, spend one awe-inspiring hour with them before returning to the lodge. In the afternoon, you may opt for a visit to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Overnight at the previous lodge.

Day 7: Golden Monkey Trek | Volcanoes National Park (BLD)

This morning, embark on a trek to see the golden monkeys, another of the park’s unique primates. These playful and endangered monkeys live in large troops, mostly in the bamboo zones near Mount Sabyinyo. The trek lasts about 2–4 hours, returning in time for lunch at the lodge. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the previous lodge.

Day 8: Optional Activities | Return to Kigali – Departure (B)

After breakfast, you may choose an optional activity such as a second gorilla trek or a cultural visit to the Iby’Iwacu community village. Later, embark on the 3-hour drive back to Kigali, with a drop-off at the airport in time for your onward flight.