7 Days Gorilla & Nyungwe Chimpanzee Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Welcome to Rwanda

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your safari guide will warmly welcome you. After a short transfer to your hotel, you may enjoy a Kigali city tour depending on your arrival time, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts Centre, and Kimironko Market.

Relax and recover from your flight as you prepare for the adventures ahead.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven / Kigali Serena Hotel

• Mid-range: Heaven Boutique Hotel / Hotel des Mille Collines

Day 2: Kigali – Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, begin your scenic journey north to Volcanoes National Park, the home of Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas. The 2.5-hour drive takes you through rolling hills, lush valleys, and rural farmlands, offering beautiful glimpses of local life.

Arrive in Musanze in time for lunch and an afternoon visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you can experience traditional Rwandan music, dance, and local crafts.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Bisate Lodge / Singita Kwitonda Lodge

• Mid-range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Wake up early for one of Africa’s most awe-inspiring experiences—mountain gorilla trekking. After a briefing at the park headquarters, join your ranger guides and trek through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes in search of a gorilla family.

Once you find them, spend a magical one hour observing their behavior—watching mothers nurse their young, juveniles play, and silverbacks oversee their families. This intimate experience is a highlight of any trip to Rwanda.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, surrounded by views of the misty Virunga volcanoes.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge / Bisate Lodge

• Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking & Drive to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, enjoy a golden monkey tracking experience in Volcanoes National Park. These energetic primates are a joy to watch as they leap through the bamboo forest, chattering and playing in large groups.

After the trek, drive west to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes, located in Gisenyi (Rubavu). Upon arrival, relax on the sandy beaches or take a boat cruise to nearby islands.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

• Mid-range: Paradise Malahide

Day 5: Lake Kivu – Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, follow the scenic Lake Kivu Belt Road southward toward Nyungwe Forest National Park. This drive is one of Rwanda’s most picturesque, offering views of terraced hills, tea plantations, and sparkling lake waters.

Stop in Kibuye for lunch and a short boat ride before continuing to Nyungwe. Arrive at your lodge by evening and enjoy a peaceful dinner surrounded by lush green hills.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest

Rise early for your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Led by park rangers, you’ll enter the forest to track these intelligent primates, whose excited calls fill the canopy. Watching them feed, groom, and interact is an unforgettable experience.

After lunch, embark on the thrilling Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 160-meter suspension bridge offering panoramic views over the rainforest and its vast biodiversity. Return to your lodge for relaxation and a cozy evening in the forest.

Dinner and Overnight:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House

• Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Day 7: Nyungwe – Drive Back to Kigali & Departure

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive back to Kigali, passing through Rwanda’s rolling countryside and local markets. Stop en route for coffee or crafts, and enjoy a farewell lunch in Kigali before your transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

Your 7 Days Gorilla & Nyungwe Chimpanzee Tour concludes with memories of gorilla families, playful chimps, golden monkeys, and Rwanda’s timeless landscapes.