Gorilla trekking
A permit in Volcanoes National Park. The group size on the mountain is small, and the start is early.
Rwanda is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, savannah in Akagera, and forest in Nyungwe. The gorilla permit is shown on its own line.
Things to do in Rwanda
Golden monkey tracking
A shorter forest walk in the same park, often the day before or after the gorillas.
Canopy walk
The suspension bridge in Nyungwe, with colobus and a chance of chimpanzees on a separate tracking permit.
Game drives
Akagera for savannah animals on the eastern lakes.
Kigali and Lake Kivu
A city day, then the lake if you want a night off the parks.
Top destinations to explore
Volcanoes National Park
Gorillas and golden monkeys on the Virunga slopes.
Nyungwe
Montane forest, the canopy walk, and chimpanzee tracking.
Akagera
Savannah, lakes, and the reintroduced lions and rhinos.
Lake Kivu
A rest night after the forest, with the Congo Nile trail if you want a walk.
Kigali
The usual arrival city, and the genocide memorial if you want that visit in the plan.
Travel guides
Best time to visit
June to September and December to February are drier. The forest treks run all year. Paths are harder in the long rains.
What to expect
Roads between Kigali, Musanze, and the forest gates are good by regional standards. The trek itself is the variable: uphill, and as long as the gorillas’ location that morning.
Planning notes
The gorilla permit is quoted alone. Rwanda’s own entry rules are sent before a deposit.
Wildlife and safari experiences
Mountain gorillas
One hour with the family. Permits are limited, so the month has to be agreed before we request them.
Big Five in Akagera
Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino are the reason for the savannah day. Sightings are wildlife, not a guarantee of all five in one drive.
Chimpanzees and colobus
Nyungwe is the forest for both. Chimpanzee tracking uses its own permit.
Golden monkeys
Bamboo forest in Volcanoes, a different morning from the gorillas.
Plan a tailor-made Rwanda safari
Tell us the month, who is travelling, and what you want to see. We reply with a route and a written price.