6 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari

A 6-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari is an exciting journey through some of Rwanda’s most remarkable landscapes and wildlife destinations. From the mist-covered mountains of Volcanoes National Park to the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe, this safari combines gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, scenic drives, cultural encounters, and relaxing moments around Lake Kivu.

This carefully planned Rwanda safari allows you to experience two very different sides of the country. In the north, you will trek through the Virunga Mountains in search of endangered mountain gorillas. Later, you will travel south to Nyungwe Forest, where chimpanzees, monkeys, birds, and other forest species create a completely different wildlife experience.

With Experiya Tour Company, the journey is organized to give you enough time to enjoy each destination without making the itinerary feel rushed. From airport pickup to your final transfer to Kigali, our team helps make your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari comfortable, memorable, and easy to enjoy.

Safari Highlights

During this six-day Rwanda gorilla and Nyungwe safari, you will experience:

• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
• Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest.
• The spectacular Nyungwe Canopy Walk.
• Scenic drives through Rwanda’s famous rolling hills.
• A cultural visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
• Wildlife viewing and birdwatching in Nyungwe.
• Relaxation and optional activities around Lake Kivu.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Your 6-day Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari begins when you arrive at Kigali International Airport. You will meet your Experiya Tour Company guide, who will welcome you and provide a short briefing about the journey ahead.

If your arrival time allows, begin with a short Kigali city tour. Rwanda’s capital is clean, organized, and surrounded by attractive hills, making the drive through the city an interesting introduction to the country. You can visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, explore local markets, or browse through craft shops for locally made souvenirs.

After the city tour, leave Kigali and drive north toward Volcanoes National Park. The journey introduces you to Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, with green hills, cultivated farmland, and communities along the roadside. As you approach the Virunga Mountains, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge and take time to relax. Your guide can also brief you about the following day’s gorilla trek, including what to carry, how to prepare, and what to expect in the forest.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the highlight of your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari. After an early breakfast, prepare for your transfer to the park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing. Rangers will explain the trekking guidelines before you set off into the forest.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movement of the assigned gorilla family. Therefore, comfortable hiking shoes, long trousers, a waterproof jacket, drinking water, and a small backpack are useful. A walking stick can also provide additional support on steep or slippery sections.

Once you locate the gorilla family, you will have time to observe these fascinating primates in their natural environment. You may see adults feeding, youngsters playing, or members of the group resting among the vegetation. The experience is particularly rewarding because every encounter develops differently according to the behavior and location of the gorillas.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation. Later in the afternoon, visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you can learn about Rwandan traditions, community life, dance, music, crafts, and local history.

This cultural experience adds another dimension to your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari, allowing you to connect with the people and traditions surrounding the gorilla habitat.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Day 3: Transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe Forest

After breakfast, leave the northern part of Rwanda and begin the scenic journey toward Nyungwe Forest National Park. Although the drive takes time, it is an important part of the safari because it allows you to experience Rwanda beyond its famous mountain gorillas.

The road passes through beautiful countryside characterized by rolling hills, cultivated slopes, small towns, and tea plantations. Rwanda’s nickname as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” becomes particularly clear during this journey.

Along the way, make a stop at Lake Kivu for lunch and some time to appreciate the peaceful surroundings. The lake provides a welcome break before continuing toward Nyungwe.

As you approach Nyungwe, the landscape changes from cultivated hills to thick natural forest. Nyungwe is one of Rwanda’s most important forest ecosystems and provides habitat for numerous primate and bird species.

Arrive at your accommodation, check in, and spend the evening relaxing. Since the following morning begins early with chimpanzee trekking, an early night is recommended.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / Gisakura Guest House

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Wake up early and prepare for one of the most exciting Nyungwe Forest safari experiences: chimpanzee trekking. After breakfast, head toward the designated park briefing point, where guides explain the trekking procedures and safety guidelines.

Once the trek begins, follow experienced trackers into the forest. Chimpanzees are active and mobile, so the experience can involve walking along forest trails while listening for their calls and watching the trees for movement.

When the chimpanzees are located, observe them as they feed, climb, communicate, and move through the forest. Their behavior can change quickly, which makes each encounter different. Keep your camera ready, but also take time to appreciate the sounds and atmosphere of the rainforest.

Nyungwe is also home to a remarkable variety of birds and other primates. Therefore, even when chimpanzees are not immediately nearby, the forest remains full of things to discover.

In the afternoon, you can choose a relaxed forest activity such as birdwatching or a guided nature walk, depending on your interests and available time.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel / Gisakura Guest House

Day 5: Nyungwe Canopy Walk and Waterfall Hike – Leisure at Lake Kivu

Start the day with another memorable Nyungwe experience: the Nyungwe Canopy Walk. Suspended high above the forest floor, the canopy walkway provides a different perspective of the rainforest.

As you cross the walkway, look across the forest canopy for monkeys, birds, and other signs of wildlife. The elevated viewpoint also offers impressive views of the surrounding forest and hills. For nature lovers and photographers, this is an excellent opportunity to appreciate Nyungwe from above.

After the canopy experience, you can enjoy a waterfall hike or another suitable forest activity before beginning your journey toward Lake Kivu.

The drive to the lake provides another opportunity to appreciate Rwanda’s changing scenery. Once you arrive, settle into your accommodation and enjoy some leisure time beside the water.

Depending on your interests and schedule, you may take an optional boat cruise, relax along the lakeshore, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. After several days of trekking and forest exploration, Lake Kivu provides a pleasant opportunity to slow down.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide

Day 6: Return to Kigali and Departure

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Kigali. The drive allows you to enjoy more views of Rwanda’s countryside before reaching the capital.

Depending on your international flight schedule, you may have time for a final visit to a local market, craft shop, or art gallery. This is also a convenient opportunity to purchase souvenirs and locally made products before leaving Rwanda.

Your Experiya Tour Company guide will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport in time for your onward flight, marking the end of your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari.

Although the safari comes to an end, the combination of mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee encounters, rainforest exploration, cultural experiences, and Rwanda’s scenic landscapes creates memories that can last long after your departure.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Safari Inclusions

Your Rwanda gorilla and Nyungwe safari package includes the main services required for the itinerary:

• Gorilla trekking permit at USD 1,500 per person.
• Chimpanzee trekking permit.
• Applicable park entrance fees and scheduled activities.
• Professional English-speaking safari guide.
• Transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle.
• Accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water during the safari.

Safari Exclusions

The following expenses are not included in the standard package:

• International flights.
• Rwanda visa fees.
• Personal shopping and other personal expenses.
• Tips and gratuities.
• Optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary.

Why Choose a 6-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari?

Choosing a 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari gives you an opportunity to combine two of Rwanda’s most distinctive primate experiences in one journey. Volcanoes National Park introduces you to mountain gorillas beneath the Virunga Mountains, while Nyungwe takes you deep into an ancient rainforest environment.

Moreover, the itinerary does not focus only on wildlife. The Kigali city tour, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, Lake Kivu stop, scenic countryside drives, and forest activities create a broader Rwanda travel experience.

The journey also offers a good balance between active and relaxed experiences. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking provide the adventure, while the lodge stays and time around Lake Kivu give you opportunities to rest between activities.

Whether you are planning a dedicated Rwanda gorilla safari, a primate-focused holiday, or a wider East African adventure, this itinerary brings together some of the country’s most distinctive experiences.

Book Your Rwanda Gorilla and Nyungwe Safari

Ready to explore Rwanda’s mountain forests, encounter endangered mountain gorillas, track chimpanzees, and walk above the Nyungwe rainforest canopy? Experiya Tour Company can organize your 6-day Rwanda Gorilla & Nyungwe Safari according to your travel dates, accommodation preferences, and interests.

Contact Experiya Tour Company to plan your Rwanda wildlife adventure and begin preparing for an experience that combines primates, rainforest, culture, scenery, and relaxation in one carefully arranged safari.