All Budget Gorilla Safaris > 8 Days Rwanda Safari | Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking, Golden Monkeys, Lake Kivu & Kigali City

8 Days Rwanda Safari | Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking, Golden Monkeys, Lake Kivu & Kigali City

Safari Overview.

This 8-day Rwanda safari offers a perfect combination of wildlife, adventure, and cultural experiences. Trek endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, track chimps and colobus monkeys in Nyungwe Forest, walk the famous canopy trail, relax on the shores of Lake Kivu, and explore the vibrant Kigali city.

This itinerary allows travelers to experience Rwanda’s most iconic wildlife and cultural highlights in a compact yet immersive safari.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali City Tour


Begin your safari with a Kigali city tour exploring the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, Presidential Palace, and the historic Hotel des Mille Collines. Enjoy a tour of downtown Kigali and its suburbs before checking into your lodge for overnight stay.

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel

  • Midrange: Hotel Chez Lando

  • Budget: Murugo Rwanda Hostel

Day 2: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park


Depart Kigali and drive through Rwanda’s scenic countryside with stops at Nyanza Palace, Butare Museum, and Murambi Genocide Memorial. Arrive in Nyungwe Forest National Park in the evening.

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Nyungwe View Lodge

  • Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top

  • Budget: Gisakura Guest House

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk


Embark on chimpanzee trekking early in the morning. Observe chimps feeding, playing, and interacting in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, experience the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, spotting primates and bird species from above the forest floor.

Accommodation: Same as Day 2

Day 4: Colobus Monkey Tracking & Nature Walk


Track the largest group of colobus monkeys in Africa, witnessing their playful movements in the forest canopy. Later, enjoy a nature walk along the colorful forest trails, spotting other primates and learning about the ecosystem.

Accommodation: Same as Day 2

Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu


Drive to Lake Kivu (~5 hours) with scenic stops en route. Arrive in Gisenyi and enjoy either a boat cruise on the lake or relax on the lake shores.

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

  • Midrange: Hotel Gorilla Lake Kivu

  • Budget: Palm Beach

Day 6: Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkey Tracking & Cultural Experience


Drive early to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking, encountering this rare primate species in the Virunga Volcanoes. In the evening, visit Iby’iwacu village for a cultural performance by the Banyarwanda community.

Accommodation:

  • Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

  • Midrange: Lapalme Hotel

  • Budget: Muhabura Hotel

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking


After breakfast, attend the gorilla trekking briefing at Kinigi. Trek in search of the mountain gorillas, spending up to 8 hours in the forest depending on gorilla movement. Observe and photograph gorillas for one hour, learning about their social behavior and conservation efforts. Return to the lodge for relaxation.

Accommodation: Same as Day 6

Day 8: Drive Back to Kigali – Visit Sina Gerald Ecotourism Site


After breakfast, drive to Kigali, stopping at the Urwibutso Ecotourism Project to see organic farming initiatives supporting local communities. Continue to Kigali city for transfer to the airport or your onward destination.

Safari Inclusions

  • Airport transfers in Kigali

  • All park entry fees and permits (gorilla, golden monkey, chimpanzee, colobus monkey)

  • Accommodation on full board basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  • Professional English-speaking driver/guide

  • Cultural tours and village visits

  • Bottled drinking water during safari

Safari Exclusions

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