Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Experience

Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be met by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short Kigali city tour, visiting local markets, craft centers or other attractions.

Overnight: Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey toward Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most spectacular montane forests.

Enjoy scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling countryside and agricultural landscapes along the way. Nyungwe is famous for its biodiversity and is home to several primate species.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax.

Overnight: Nyungwe Forest area.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking – Nyungwe Forest

Rise early for your chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe Forest.

After a briefing, enter the forest with experienced trackers in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. Listen for their calls as you explore the dense rainforest and observe their fascinating social behavior.

Nyungwe is also home to other primates, including colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and blue monkeys.

After the trek, return to your lodge to relax.

Optional: Depending on your schedule and park arrangements, enjoy the spectacular Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, suspended high above the forest floor.

Overnight: Nyungwe Forest area.

Day 4: Nyungwe – Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and travel toward Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda.

The journey takes you across Rwanda’s scenic countryside, offering opportunities to appreciate the country’s famous hills, villages and agricultural landscapes.

Arrive near Musanze and check into your lodge. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your upcoming gorilla trekking experience.

Overnight: Volcanoes National Park area.

Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes National Park

Today is the highlight of your 6-Day Rwanda Primate Safari.

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. You will then enter the forest with experienced guides and trackers in search of your assigned mountain gorilla family.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas and the terrain. Once you find the family, enjoy a remarkable encounter observing these endangered primates in their natural habitat.

After the trek, return to your lodge for a well-earned rest.

Overnight: Volcanoes National Park area.

Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking – Kigali

After breakfast, embark on your golden monkey trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.

Golden monkeys are an endangered primate species found in the Virunga Mountains. They are energetic and fascinating to observe as they move through the bamboo forests.

After the trek, begin your journey back to Kigali. Depending on your departure schedule, you can be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

End of the 6-Day Rwanda Primate Safari.

Why Choose This Rwanda Primate Safari?

This itinerary brings together Rwanda’s most exciting primate experiences in one carefully designed journey. Instead of focusing only on gorillas, you have the opportunity to encounter chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, while also exploring two of Rwanda’s most important forest ecosystems.

It is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee safari, a wildlife-focused holiday, or a short East African primate adventure.

Best Time for a Rwanda Primate Safari

Rwanda can be visited throughout the year for primate trekking. The drier months are generally popular because forest trails can be easier to navigate.

The wetter months bring lush vegetation and beautiful green scenery, although trekking conditions can be more challenging. Because gorilla and chimpanzee permits are limited, we recommend booking your safari well in advance, particularly for peak travel periods.