Your 6-day itinerary, day by day

This is the costed 2027 route supplied by our Rwanda ground team. It is a starting point rather than a fixed package, so we can tailor the accommodation, pace and activities around your dates and budget.

Duration6 days
Guide price$5,465
RouteKigali to Nyungwe
Where you stay3 selected stays
Show prices in
indicative only, we quote in USD

Guide price per person for two sharing, valid June to September 2027. Every trip is tailor-made and the final quote depends on availability.

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  1. Day 1
    The green hills surrounding Kigali, Rwanda

    Arrive in Kigali

    Meet your local representative at Kigali International Airport and transfer to your hotel for a private safari briefing.

    OvernightHeaven Boutique Hotel (1 night)

  2. Day 2
    The Virunga volcanoes in northern Rwanda

    Kigali city tour and Volcanoes National Park

    Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Inema Arts Center, have lunch in Kigali and continue to Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga foothills.

    OvernightFive Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (2 nights)

  3. Day 3
    Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

    Mountain-gorilla trekking

    After the park briefing, trek through Volcanoes National Park with ranger-guides and spend a regulated hour with a habituated gorilla family. An optional cultural visit can follow after lunch.

    OvernightFive Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

  4. Day 4
    Tea plantations in Rwanda's south-western highlands

    Drive to Nyungwe National Park

    Leave the Virunga foothills and travel south-west through Rwanda's rolling countryside to the Nyungwe region. Check in and relax before dinner.

    OvernightMantis Kivu Marina (2 nights)

  5. Day 5
    A traveller crossing the canopy walkway in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda

    Chimpanzee trek and canopy walk

    Hike into Nyungwe Forest in search of habituated chimpanzees, return for lunch, then take the afternoon canopy walk above the rainforest.

    OvernightMantis Kivu Marina

  6. Day 6
    Rwanda's rolling green landscape

    Return to Kigali and depart

    Drive from the Nyungwe region to Kigali and continue to the international airport for your departure flight.

Your primate route through Rwanda

The route starts in Kigali, continues north to Volcanoes National Park and then crosses the country to Nyungwe before returning to Kigali.

  1. 1Kigali
  2. 2Volcanoes National Park
  3. 3Nyungwe National Park
  4. 4Kigali International Airport

Each numbered stop follows the itinerary in order. Journey times are indicative and exclude sightseeing, lunch and photography stops.

Where you'll stay

Tracy's selected option combines a boutique Kigali stay with practical bases for the Volcanoes and Nyungwe primate experiences.

Heaven Restaurant terrace table at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Residence courtyard at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Residence swimming pool and gardens at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Residence suite sitting room at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Residence bedroom at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Residence building and pool at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Villa entrance at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Villa bedroom at Heaven Boutique Hotel
Kigali1 / 8
Kigali

Heaven Boutique Hotel

The selected arrival stay in Kigali before the city tour and journey north.

The pool and stone terrace at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
A canopy bedroom with a private terrace at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
A four-poster guest bedroom at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
The swimming pool at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel near Volcanoes National Park
The gardens and lodge buildings at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
A guest area at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Volcanoes National Park1 / 7
Volcanoes National Park

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

A comfortable base near the park headquarters for the mountain-gorilla trekking section.

Hotel entrance at night at Mantis Kivu Marina
Guest bedroom and lake-view balcony at Mantis Kivu Marina
Guest bedroom at Mantis Kivu Marina
Guest balcony at Mantis Kivu Marina
Guest suite at Mantis Kivu Marina
Guest bathroom at Mantis Kivu Marina
Suite bedroom and sitting area at Mantis Kivu Marina
Suite living room at Mantis Kivu Marina
South-west Rwanda1 / 8
South-west Rwanda

Mantis Kivu Marina

The selected two-night base for the Nyungwe chimpanzee trek and canopy-walk section.

A smiling Brilliant Africa guide beside a branded safari vehicle

Ready to plan your Rwanda primate safari?

Tell us which primate encounters matter most. A Rwanda specialist will coordinate permits, stays and road transfers around your dates.

What's included

The guide price covers the essential ground arrangements and the activities shown in the itinerary, with Brilliant Africa's planning and in-country support wrapped around the trip.

In your price

  • Airport transfers
  • Private ground transport in a 4WD safari vehicle
  • An English-speaking driver-guide
  • Accommodation shown in the itinerary
  • Meals described in the itinerary
  • Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
  • Activities and excursions shown in the programme
  • AMREF Flying Doctors cover

With Brilliant, you'll also get

  • One-to-one planning with a dedicated East Africa specialist
  • Local ground support throughout your trip
  • Pre-travel support for permits, documents and practical preparation
  • A personalised guest portal and mobile app
  • WhatsApp contact with the local support team while you travel

The 'Life Happens' Postponement Guarantee

If life gets in the way and you need to postpone your trip, we won't charge any fees to move it and your deposit is applied to the rescheduled dates. Terms and conditions apply, enquire for details.

Guide price per person for two sharing, valid June to September 2027. Every trip is tailor-made and the final quote depends on availability.

Your questions answered

How much does Primates of Rwanda cost?

Primates of Rwanda starts from $5,465 per person for two people sharing, based on travel from June to September 2027. Final pricing depends on dates, permit and accommodation availability, and any changes you make to the route.

How long is the trip and where does it go?

This is a 6-day private journey from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest. It is a tailor-made starting point, so we can adjust the pace, stays and activities around your dates and priorities.

Are the gorilla permits included?

The guide price includes the permits specified in the costed itinerary. Permit availability must be confirmed before the trip can be secured, so early planning is important.

Can I change the accommodation level?

Yes. The displayed price uses the accommodation combination selected for this itinerary, but the costed proposals include three accommodation levels for most routes. We can reshape the stays around your budget and preferred level of comfort.

When is the best time to visit Rwanda?

Rwanda can be visited year-round. The drier periods are generally easier for forest trekking and classic safari, while the greener months bring lush landscapes and can offer better value. We will match the route to your dates and priorities.

Talk to someone who's actually been there

Rwanda rewards careful planning because trekking permits, lodge availability and road timings all shape the route. Our East Africa specialists will coordinate the details and tailor the journey around the wildlife experiences that matter most to you.

  • Barry, Safari Specialist & Field Guide, Brilliant Africa

    Barry

    Safari Specialist & Field Guide
  • Alyson, Guest Experience Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Alyson

    Guest Experience Specialist
  • Tracy, Tailor-Made Safari Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Tracy

    Tailor-Made Safari Specialist
  • Holly, Guest Experience Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Holly

    Guest Experience Specialist
  • Marc, Africa Travel Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Marc

    Africa Travel Specialist

Speak to an Expert

Interested in Primates of Rwanda? Tell us your dates, budget and priorities. A Rwanda specialist will coordinate the gorilla and chimpanzee permits and tailor the route around you.

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Close-up of a lion in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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As seen in

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The Telegraph
Forbes
USA Today
CNBC
Nature
University of Cambridge

Ready to plan your African adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We start by getting to know you: your dates, who's travelling, your budget and the wildlife and moments you're dreaming of.

2
Match

Design

Then we design your safari from scratch, hand-picking the camps, routing and pace to suit you. No off-the-shelf packages, just impartial expert advice.

3
Reserve

Refine & reserve

We fine-tune every detail with you, then place a 24 hour hold on your preferred camps, with no obligation, before you confirm.

Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.

+44 330 818 9960