7 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Conservation Experience
This 7 Days Rwanda Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Conservation Experience journey through Rwanda offers one of the most profound wildlife and conservation experiences in Africa, combining close encounters with endangered mountain gorillas in the misty volcanoes, thrilling chimpanzee tracking in ancient rainforests, and meaningful visits to world-renowned conservation and cultural sites including the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The itinerary is carefully designed to showcase Rwanda’s extraordinary biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes of rolling green hills and volcanic mountains, and its inspiring transformation into one of Africa’s most progressive conservation destinations.
Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly received by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel located in the clean, modern, and beautifully organized capital city of Rwanda. Kigali is widely regarded as one of Africa’s safest and most welcoming cities, characterized by its orderly streets, green surroundings, and vibrant cultural atmosphere.
Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax at the hotel or enjoy an optional short city orientation tour that introduces you to Kigali’s hills, local markets, and artisan craft centers, offering a gentle introduction to Rwanda’s rich cultural identity and warm hospitality.
Accommodation: Hôtel des Mille Collines or Similar
Day 2 – Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, begin a guided exploration of Kigali, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving site that provides important historical context about Rwanda’s past and its remarkable journey of unity and recovery. The tour continues through local neighborhoods, craft markets, and cultural centers where visitors gain insight into contemporary Rwandan life and creativity.
Following the city experience, you will depart on a scenic drive northward toward Volcanoes National Park, passing through rolling countryside landscapes often referred to as the “land of a thousand hills.” The journey offers stunning views of terraced farms, rural villages, and volcanic peaks that dominate the horizon.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge located near the park, where you will spend the evening preparing for the highly anticipated gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Similar
Day 3 – Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park
This day begins early in the morning with a transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a detailed briefing conducted by park rangers and conservation experts. After allocation to your trekking group, you will enter the dense montane rainforest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas, one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters in the world.
The trek can vary in duration depending on the location of the gorilla family, and involves hiking through thick vegetation, bamboo forests, and sometimes steep volcanic slopes. Once the gorilla family is located, you will spend a magical hour observing them in their natural habitat, witnessing their social behavior, interactions, and gentle movements at close range, an experience that is both emotional and unforgettable.
After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation and reflection as you absorb the significance of this rare wildlife encounter.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Similar
Day 4 – Ellen DeGeneres Campus and Cultural Experience
After breakfast, visit the remarkable Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a world-class conservation and research center dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas and the continuation of the pioneering work of Dian Fossey.
At the campus, you will explore interactive exhibits, research facilities, and educational spaces that highlight ongoing conservation efforts, gorilla behavior studies, and community engagement programs that support wildlife protection in the region. The experience provides deep insight into how science, tourism, and local communities work together to preserve Rwanda’s endangered primates.
In the afternoon, enjoy a cultural experience in nearby communities where visitors can engage with traditional music, dance, and crafts, offering a deeper appreciation of Rwanda’s living heritage.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Similar
Day 5 – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart for a scenic drive to the southwestern region of Rwanda toward Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically rich montane rainforests. The journey passes through tea plantations, mist-covered hills, and rural landscapes that showcase the country’s natural beauty and agricultural traditions.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge located on the edge of the forest, where the cool mountain air and dense canopy create a peaceful and immersive rainforest atmosphere. The rest of the day is reserved for relaxation and preparation for the chimpanzee tracking experience.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hotel or Similar
Day 6 – Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Forest Experience
Begin the day early with a guided chimpanzee tracking adventure inside the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe. Accompanied by experienced trackers, you will follow the calls and movements of chimpanzee families as they swing through the treetops, forage for food, and interact within their social groups. The experience offers a dynamic and energetic contrast to gorilla trekking, as chimpanzees are highly active and often move quickly through the forest.
In addition to chimpanzees, Nyungwe is home to a rich variety of primates, including colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys, as well as hundreds of bird species and unique plant life.
Later in the day, experience the famous canopy walkway suspended above the forest, offering breathtaking views over the treetops and a unique perspective of one of Africa’s most pristine rainforests.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hotel or Similar
Day 7 – Return to Kigali and Departure
After breakfast, depart Nyungwe and journey back to Kigali through Rwanda’s scenic highlands, enjoying panoramic views of rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural landscapes along the way. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure flight.
As your journey concludes, you leave Rwanda with unforgettable memories of intimate gorilla encounters, energetic chimpanzee tracking adventures, and inspiring conservation experiences that showcase the country’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage.
Tour Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
- Scenic drives through Rwanda’s “land of a thousand hills”
- Cultural immersion experiences in local communities
- Canopy walkway adventure in ancient rainforest
- Accommodation
Package Includes
- Airport transfers
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transport in a customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private lodges
- Gorilla Permits
- Chimpanzee Permits
- Private game drives
- All park entrance fees
- Full-board meals during safari
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Government taxes and levies
Exclusions
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Tips and gratuities