4-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour

This 4-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour takes you deep into Rwanda’s beating green heart – the land of a thousand hills, misty rainforests, ancient primates, and cultures so rich and inspiring. In just four days, weave through the canopies of Nyungwe Forest National Park and stand face-to-face with wild chimpanzees before trekking through the dense forest of Volcanoes National Park to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas. Still on this 4-day Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour, enjoy a brief city tour in the heart of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, one of Africa’s cleanest cities. This Rwanda tour experience is a journey of awe and intimacy, where every moment hums with the rhythm of the wild. Our 4-day Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour will start and end in Kigali, Rwanda.

Tour Highlights; 4-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour

A brief city tour giving insight into Rwanda’s history and cultural heritage
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Scenic countryside drives with stunning views of Rwanda’s rolling hills
Cultural tour in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation in fine lodges and hotels.

Detailed Itinerary of 4-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour & Transfer to Nyungwe Forest

Your 4-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour begins with your arrival at Kigali International Airport. Here, you will be met by our representative and driver-guide, who will welcome you on your safari and give you a briefing about your Rwanda tour and what to expect. From the Airport, enjoy a brief city tour where you will explore landmarks like the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a poignant tribute to Rwanda’s past. If time allows, you may also take a stroll through local art galleries and the Kimironko Market, teeming with African crafts, fabrics, and the smiles of local vendors.

Enjoy a hearty local lunch in Kigali with a fusion of Rwandan and continental flavors, after which you embark on a 3 to 4-hour journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park, winding through the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” with breathtaking views of valleys and villages. On arrival in the park, you will be transferred to your lodge nestled on the edge of Nyungwe. Dinner and overnight stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange), Gisakura Guest House (Budget)

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest

After an early breakfast at 6:30 am, transfer to the Park Offices for your chimpanzee trekking experience. Here, you will be briefed about the chimpanzee trekking and the guidelines for trekking. You will also be grouped and assigned a habituated chimpanzee troop to trek and a ranger guide to guide you through the forest.

By 8 am, set out in the tropical rainforest in search of your assigned chimpanzee troop. Located in southwest Rwanda near the Burundi border, Nyungwe Forest National Park protects one of Africa’s largest and oldest rainforests, numerous bird species, and over 13 primate species, including chimpanzees and monkeys.

While in the forest, you will have expert rangers and trackers who will help track the calls and rustling footsteps of the chimps through ancient trees. When you finally meet them, you will be given an hour to watch and observe them in their natural habitat, playing, leaping between tree branches, and grooming their young. The trek may last about 2 to 5 hours, depending on the chimps’ movement, but it is worth it.

After this captivating experience with the chimps, return to your lodge for lunch and relax. In the late afternoon, embark on the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 70-meter-high suspended bridge swaying over the rainforest canopy. This is a serene experience with a rewarding view of the forest canopy. Walk gently among the treetops as you encounter a variety of monkeys, exotic birds, and butterflies leaping beside you, amidst spectacular flora. Overnight stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Accommodation Options: One&Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange), Gisakura Guest House (Budget)

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Cultural Tour

After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind as you journey north-west toward Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s sacred home of the mountain gorillas. Enjoy the 4 to 5-hour scenic drive via Ruhengeri-Gisenyi passing through tea plantations, crater lakes, and terraced hills that roll like green waves. Arrive in Volcanoes National Park just in time for lunch at your lodge with stunning views of the Virunga volcano chain standing sentinel on the horizon.

Later, visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and immerse yourself in the local community’s rich customs and lifestyle. Enjoy the opportunity to interact with the local Batwa people, learn about their local customs, and participate in traditional dances and music, all fostering a connection between travelers and the native people. Overnight stay in Volcanoes National Park.

Accommodation Options: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Midrange), Kinigi Guest House (Budget)

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes – Return to Kigali

Wake up early at 6 am, and have an early breakfast before transferring to the Park Headquarters at Kinigi for a briefing from the park rangers. Following the briefing, you will be grouped with fellow trekkers and assigned a specific gorilla family to trek. By 7:30 am, venture deep into the dense rainforest accompanied by knowledgeable park rangers and expert guides on the search for your gorilla group.

Depending on where the gorillas are located that day, the hike may take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. But once you locate the gorilla group, everything else doesn’t matter! You will be allowed to spend up to one hour in their presence, watching them feed, interact, and go on about their daily routine. This silent communion between these Apes is humbling, raw, and unforgettable, offering a rare glimpse into the world of these gentle giants. After the trek, return to the park headquarters for certification and return to your lodge for lunch.

After a well-deserved lunch, check out of your lodge and begin your drive back to Kigali, which is approximately 2 to 3 hours. Depending on your departure flight schedule, you may spend the night in Kigali or be dropped off at Kigali International Airport to catch your flight.

Tour Inclusions;

Rwanda gorilla trekking permit ($1500)
Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit ($250)
Accommodation (Full board)
Ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Service of a professional English-speaking guide
Bottled water in the safari vehicle
All activities as per the trip itinerary

Tour Exclusions;

International flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Tips and personal expenses
All optional activities and excursions are excluded from the itinerary

Packing List for a Rwanda Primate Safari

Lightweight long-sleeved shirts
Long trousers – preferably waterproof or quick-dry
A waterproof jacket or poncho for the rain
Good sturdy hiking boots with a good grip
A pair of gardening gloves to protect against insect bites
A small daypack with a rain cover
A reusable water bottle or hydration pack
Snacks or energy bars
Insect repellent (with DEET)
Sunscreen (high SPF)
Sunglasses
A good camera (with no flash) and extra batteries
Trekking poles
Personal documents, including a valid passport with a Rwanda visa if needed
A face mask
Hand sanitizer & wet wipes
Extra cash for tips and other personal expenses

Things to Know Before Going on a Rwanda Primate Safari

A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1,500 and must be booked in advance.
On the other hand, a Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit costs $250 and must also be booked in advance.
The treks to see chimpanzees and gorillas can be tough, with hikes varying from 30 minutes to 6 hours on steep terrain. Thus, both physical and mental preparedness are required.
To trek chimps in Nyungwe and gorillas in Volcanoes, one must be 15 years and above.
To trek mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, one must be healthy, and sick travelers may be denied trekking. This is because gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases.
Tourists are required to respect the primate trekking rules and follow the guides’ lead during trekking.
The best time to embark on a Rwanda primate safari is during the dry seasons, typically from June to September and December to February, when the trekking conditions are favorable.