7-Day Rwanda Primates Safari — Gorillas & Chimpanzees

A complete Rwanda primate safari combining chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, a scenic Lake Kivu boat crossing, mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, and a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund — covering all of Rwanda's major primate destinations in seven days.

Overview

This 7-day Rwanda itinerary is one of the most complete primate safaris available in a single country — combining two of East Africa’s most celebrated primate encounters (chimpanzee trekking at Nyungwe and gorilla trekking at Volcanoes) with a Lake Kivu scenic crossing, a Kigali cultural day, and a full conservation day at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

The route is a deliberate loop of Rwanda’s two great forest parks. The trip opens in Kigali — Genocide Memorial, markets, and an introduction to the country’s history — before heading south to Nyungwe Forest National Park for two nights. Nyungwe’s chimpanzee trek on Day 3 is conducted in one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse montane forests, where 13 primate species share the same ecosystem. The transition north to Ruhengeri on Day 4 passes along the eastern shore of Lake Kivu — Rwanda’s great Rift Valley lake — with a scenic boat ride adding a memorable mid-trip pause. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park follows on Day 5, with Day 6 at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus deepening the conservation context before the return to Kigali on Day 7.

The two primate encounters — chimpanzees and mountain gorillas — are genuinely complementary. Nyungwe’s chimps are encountered in a cooler, mistier, high-altitude forest environment; the Virunga gorillas occupy a different forest character entirely — bamboo corridors, Hagenia woodland, and the volcanic landscape of the Virunga chain. Together they represent the full range of what Rwanda’s forests offer.

It suits primate-focused travellers, conservation-minded visitors, and anyone wanting to experience both of Rwanda’s flagship wildlife destinations on a single trip.

Key Information:

Duration: 7 days
Departure Location: Kigali International Airport
Trip Type: Personalized / Physical
Price: USD 7,870 pp

The combination of Nyungwe and Volcanoes gives you the full picture of Rwanda's primate forests. The chimps and the gorillas are completely different experiences in completely different environments — and the Lake Kivu crossing in between is one of the most beautiful days on any Rwanda itinerary.

Highlights

Kigali Genocide Memorial and cultural immersion — essential Rwanda context
Scenic road journey through Rwanda’s hill country to Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park — one hour with a habituated troop
13 primate species in Nyungwe, including Angolan colobus in large troops
Scenic Lake Kivu boat crossing — Karongi to Rubavu
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park — one hour with a habituated family
Ellen DeGeneres Campus, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund — gorilla research and conservation in depth

General Information

Rwanda is one of the few countries in the world where two great ape species — chimpanzees and mountain gorillas — can be trekked in their natural habitats within a single national trip. The two parks are ecologically distinct: Nyungwe Forest in the southwest is ancient, high-altitude montane rainforest sitting on the Congo-Nile watershed — one of the wettest and most biodiverse forest ecosystems in Africa. Volcanoes National Park in the northwest is volcanic mountain forest at higher altitude, with the Virunga chain’s bamboo and Hagenia zones creating a strikingly different visual character.

Lake Kivu — the great Rift Valley lake on Rwanda’s western border — provides the geographical and logistical link between the two parks. The crossing from Karongi (Kibuye) on Kivu’s eastern shore to Rubavu (Gisenyi) in the north is a full-day boat journey through the lake’s forested volcanic islands, with the DRC’s mountains visible on the western shore. It is one of the most scenic transitions in any Rwanda itinerary.

The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, opened in 2022 near Musanze, brings the conservation science behind Volcanoes NP’s gorilla programme into focus — a fitting close to the park days.

What's Included?

Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary
1 gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 — Rwanda Development Board)
1 chimpanzee trekking permit ($90 — Rwanda Development Board)
Park entrance fees
Ellen DeGeneres Campus entry ticket
All excursions and activities listed in the itinerary
Professional English-speaking guide throughout
Ground transport and transfers in a 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
AMREF emergency evacuation insurance cover
Government taxes

International flights to/from Kigali
Travel insurance (required — not provided)
Rwanda tourist visa costs and processing
Extra activities and meals not listed in the itinerary
Service tips, gratuities, souvenirs, and snacks
Accommodation after the end of the trip

Detailed

Itinerary

This 7-day itinerary follows a clear south-then-north structure through Rwanda. The Kigali day on Day 1 provides cultural grounding. Days 2 and 3 cover Nyungwe in the southwest. Day 4 is the Lake Kivu transition — a full scenic crossing day that avoids a long overland drive and adds one of Rwanda’s most memorable experiences. Days 5 and 6 cover Volcanoes National Park in the northwest. Day 7 is the return to Kigali.

The pacing is appropriate — two nights in Nyungwe is the minimum for the chimp trek and a night to arrive; two nights at Volcanoes NP covers the gorilla trek and the Fossey Campus day without rushing either. The Lake Kivu crossing on Day 4 serves as both a practical transfer and a proper mid-trip experience.

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, your guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel. The afternoon covers the Kigali Genocide Memorial — one of the most carefully designed memorial sites in Africa, providing essential historical and human context for the country you are about to travel through — followed by time in Kigali’s markets, art galleries, and craft centres. Kigali’s restaurant scene is strong; the evening meal is a natural introduction to Rwandan cuisine.

Accommodation: Kigali hotel (selected at planning) Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Kigali for the drive south to Nyungwe Forest National Park — approximately four to five hours through Rwanda’s southern highlands. The road climbs through intensely cultivated hillside country, past tea estates and community farms, before the Nyungwe massif appears ahead as the vegetation thickens and the altitude increases. The forest edge is visible from the road for the final approach.

Arrive at the lodge in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is free to acclimatise to the forest atmosphere and prepare for tomorrow’s chimpanzee trek.

Accommodation: Nyungwe lodge (One&Only Nyungwe House or similar — confirmed at planning) Meal plan: Full board

Briefing at the park visitor centre early morning, then into Nyungwe Forest with the ranger guide. The habituated chimpanzee troop is tracked daily — the trek follows the ranger team’s morning intelligence on the troop’s location. The forest is cooler and mistier than Kibale in Uganda, with a more enclosed quality at altitude. The troop can number up to 70 individuals; one hour is spent with them on finding them, observing feeding, social grooming, and the fast-moving activity of younger animals through the canopy.

The forest holds 12 additional primate species alongside the chimpanzees — Angolan colobus (in some of the largest aggregations in Africa), L’Hoest’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, and olive baboon are commonly encountered on the same day. Over 300 bird species are recorded in Nyungwe, with a strong concentration of Albertine Rift endemics.

Accommodation: Nyungwe lodge (as above) Meal plan: Full board (packed lunch)

A morning departure from Nyungwe, driving north to Karongi (Kibuye) on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu. From here, a scenic boat journey crosses the lake northward to Rubavu (Gisenyi) — passing through the lake’s island-dotted waters with the DRC’s forested mountains visible on the western horizon and Rwanda’s volcanic Virunga peaks appearing ahead as you approach the north.

Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s Great Rift Valley lakes — 90 km long, straddling the Rwanda-DRC border, and surrounded by some of the most dramatically scenic shorelines in the region. The crossing takes approximately four hours and is one of the itinerary’s most distinctive and relaxing experiences.

Arriving at Rubavu, your driver meets you for the short transfer to Ruhengeri (Musanze) and your lodge at the base of the Virungas.

Accommodation: Ruhengeri / Musanze lodge (confirmed at planning) Meal plan: Full board

Briefing at the Rwanda Development Board visitor centre at Kinigi at 7:00 am. Groups of a maximum of eight are assigned to a habituated gorilla family and led into Volcanoes National Park with park rangers and trackers. The Virunga forest — bamboo corridors and Hagenia woodland — is a markedly different environment from Nyungwe’s dense montane rainforest, and the comparison between the two forest ecosystems encountered on this trip is one of its distinguishing features.

One hour is spent with the gorilla family on finding them. The encounter — the silverback’s calm authority, the social activity of females and juveniles around him, and the silence of the forest — is the itinerary’s emotional peak. The afternoon is free at the lodge.

Accommodation: Volcanoes NP luxury lodge (Wilderness Bisate, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, or similar — confirmed at planning) Meal plan: Full board (packed lunch)

A morning visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund — the world’s most advanced mountain gorilla research and conservation centre, opened in 2022 near Musanze. The guided visit covers gorilla population genetics, veterinary research, anti-poaching coordination, community buffer programmes, and the decades of monitoring data that underpin the gorilla population’s recovery from around 250 individuals in the 1980s to over 1,000 today.

Meeting the Dian Fossey Fund researchers on the day after the gorilla trek gives the science direct relevance — the family visited yesterday is among those whose movements are tracked by the team here.

The afternoon allows time at the lodge before the Day 7 return to Kigali.

Accommodation: Volcanoes NP luxury lodge (as above) Meal plan: Full board

A morning departure from the Volcanoes area for the two to three-hour drive back to Kigali. The road descends from the Virunga foothills through Rwanda’s northern highlands, arriving in Kigali in time for a final lunch, last-minute shopping at Kimironko Market or the Inema Arts Centre, and transfer to the international airport.

Accommodation: None included unless requested Meal plan: Breakfast and packed lunch

Testimonials

What Our Travellers Say

My son and I spent two weeks experiencing African magic with Nkuringo Safaris, and we will never forget our time there. Truly a priceless experience. I could talk about those experiences for pages — the friendly people, the beautiful Nile River where we did whitewater rafting, the tree lions, the chimpanzees, and the majestic mountain gorillas.

Steven Susser

In November 2020, we travelled to Uganda as a couple in a 4×4 Safari Jeep. Considering the difficult time we are all in, we were especially happy about the level of service we experienced. You can travel to Uganda with no problem. During our travel, we felt safer than in Europe – everybody cared about our health and happiness.

Sarah B

Don’t miss out on this unique experience. Our guide, Richard, was excellent. We had an informative and unique walk down the mountain from Kisoro to Lake Mutanda. We walked through villages and saw families actively working their farms. The walk is easy. The dugout canoe was very comfortable, with padded seats. We highly recommend the adventure.

Kwa Alaska

My husband and I had a week’s vacation, which is not a lot given everything we wanted to do/see. Nkuringo organized our trip to make the most of this week. The trip was flawlessly organized. Time management was perfect. They were flexible and accommodating, all our needs were met, and we felt listened to; it was a truly customized experience.

Victoria V

The most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. The welcome from a gorgeous team was lovely… hot water bottles in the bed and a fire lit in our room each night made it such a special place.

David Q, UK

My son and I spent two weeks experiencing magic in Africa… the friendly people, the Nile where we did white-water rafting, the tree lions, the chimpanzees and the majestic mountain gorillas.

Steven S, USA

Travelling Uganda as a couple… our guide knew so much about animals, plants and the country’s history. He was funny and friendly and looked after us incredibly well.

Tom R, USA

We are a travel company ourselves and this company over-delivered for us… The whole thing ran like clockwork, even while making sure everyone was happy with the amount of time spent in each place.

Jeannie E, USA