Destination
Rwanda Safari
Mountain gorillas, chimpanzee tracking, and classic savanna safaris — Rwanda is one of Africa's most compact and accessible safari destinations.
Why Visit Rwanda
A small country with an extraordinary range of wildlife experiences — from the misty volcanic mountains of gorilla country to the wetlands of Akagera.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is one of only three places on earth where you can trek mountain gorillas. Spending an hour in the presence of a family group is one of the most profound wildlife experiences available.
Extraordinary Accessibility
Rwanda is one of Africa's most compact safari destinations — Volcanoes National Park is just 2.5 hours from Kigali. No long internal flights or rough roads. This makes Rwanda ideal for combining with a Tanzania safari.
Canopy Walks & Chimpanzees
Nyungwe Forest National Park offers Africa's highest canopy walkway and excellent chimpanzee tracking. A different kind of primate experience from the gorillas, in one of Africa's most biodiverse forests.
Rwanda's Safari Parks
Three very different parks — choose one or combine them for a complete Rwanda safari.
Mountain gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park protects the Rwandan section of the Virunga Mountains and is home to ten habituated gorilla families available for trekking. Permits are limited to 80 per day, making this an exclusive and carefully managed experience.
Best Time
Year-round — drier Jun-Sep best for hiking; Wet seasons still excellent
Highlight
Golden monkeys, Dian Fossey's gravesite, Musanze caves
Gorilla permit: $1,500 per person per day
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Chimpanzee tracking and Africa's highest canopy walkway
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe is East Africa's largest montane rainforest and one of the most biodiverse forests on the continent. Thirteen primate species live here, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and L'Hoest's monkeys. The canopy walkway is a highlight.
Best Time
Year-round — chimpanzee tracking best dry season Jun-Sep
Highlight
Chimpanzee tracking, colobus monkey groups, canopy walkway, forest walks
Chimpanzee permit: $90 per person
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Classic savanna safari in Rwanda's east
Akagera National Park
Akagera is Rwanda's largest protected area and a classic African savanna park — a contrast to Rwanda's mountainous primate parks. Lions, elephants, buffalo, and giraffes are all present after successful reintroduction programs.
Best Time
Year-round — wildlife viewing best dry season Jun-Sep
Highlight
Big Five, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, wetland birding
Park fees from $30 per person per day
Learn More →Combine Rwanda with Tanzania
The classic pairing: Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then gorillas in Rwanda. Two of Africa's greatest wildlife experiences in one trip. We handle all logistics, transfers, and permits on both sides.
See Tanzania & Rwanda Itinerary →Planning Your Rwanda Safari
Combining Rwanda with Tanzania Safari
The most common itinerary combining Rwanda and Tanzania is: fly into Arusha (Tanzania) for your Northern Circuit safari — Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire — then fly to Kigali for gorilla trekking, or vice versa. The flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kigali takes approximately 4 hours with a connection. We handle all logistics on both sides of the border.
How Much Does a Rwanda Safari Cost?
A Rwanda gorilla trekking safari starts from $3,200 per person for a 5-day trip including gorilla permits, park fees, accommodation, and guiding. The gorilla permit alone is $1,500 per person per day — this is set by the Rwandan government and non-negotiable. A Tanzania and Rwanda combined trip typically costs from $6,800 per person for 12 days.
When to Visit Rwanda
Rwanda can be visited year-round. The dry seasons (Jun–September and December–February) are best for hiking in Volcanoes National Park — trails are less muddy and wildlife viewing is easier. The wet seasons bring greener landscapes and are equally rewarding for gorilla trekking. Rwanda's altitude (1,500–3,000m) means nights can be cool even in dry season.
Ready to Plan Your Rwanda Safari?
We have been arranging Rwanda and Tanzania combination trips since 1978. Tell us your travel dates and we will build a private itinerary around your pace, interests, and budget.
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