The 6 Days Rwanda Primate Safari is an immersive wildlife experience combining four of Rwanda’s most remarkable primate encounters: mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee tracking and colobus monkey tracking. The safari explores Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park in the north.The journey also provides opportunities to experience Rwanda’s spectacular scenery, forests, local communities and tea-growing landscapes. Nyungwe is particularly renowned for chimpanzees and several other primate species, while Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.The safari starts and ends in Kigali and is ideal for travelers who want to experience Rwanda’s primates within a relatively short period.
Trip Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park
- Colobus monkey tracking
Itinerary
Your 6 Days Rwanda Safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel or Kigali International Airport. Meet your professional safari guide and begin the scenic journey southwest towards Nyungwe National Park.
The drive takes you through Rwanda's beautiful rolling hills, rural communities and agricultural landscapes. Depending on your schedule, you may make stops at cultural and historical attractions such as Nyanza King's Palace, the Rwanda National Museum in Huye or Murambi Genocide Memorial.
Continue towards Nyungwe Forest, arriving in the evening. Check into your lodge, relax and prepare for the following day's chimpanzee tracking experience.
Accommodation: Lodge/hotel near Nyungwe National Park
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Activities: Scenic drive and cultural visits
After an early breakfast, proceed to the designated park briefing point for chimpanzee tracking.After briefing by the ranger guides, enter the forest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. The trek can vary in duration depending on the location and movement of the chimpanzees.During the trek, you may encounter other forest primates, including Ruwenzori colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and L'Hoest's monkeys, as well as numerous forest bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.In the afternoon, depending on availability and your preferred activities, you can enjoy the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, which offers panoramic views over the rainforest and opportunities to observe wildlife from above.Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.Accommodation: Lodge/hotel near Nyungwe National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking and optional canopy walk
After breakfast, return to Nyungwe Forest for a colobus monkey tracking experience.Follow a ranger or community guide into the forest in search of groups of black-and-white colobus monkeys. The forest environment provides excellent opportunities for photography and observation of Rwanda's diverse primate species. After the activity, return to the lodge for lunch before beginning the long but scenic journey north towards Volcanoes National Park.The route provides spectacular views of Rwanda's countryside, hills and local communities. Arrive in the Musanze/Volcanoes area in the evening and check into your lodge.Accommodation: Lodge/hotel near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities: Colobus monkey tracking and scenic transfer
Today is the highlight of your Rwanda safari: mountain gorilla trekking.After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing. Your ranger guide will explain the trekking guidelines and safety procedures before you begin your hike into the forest.The trek involves walking through the mountainous terrain of Volcanoes National Park in search of a habituated gorilla family. The duration varies depending on the location and movement of the gorillas.Once you locate the gorilla family, you will have the opportunity to observe their natural behavior, including feeding, playing, grooming and interactions between adults and young ones.After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.In the afternoon, you may enjoy a community or cultural experience around Musanze, depending on time and energy.Accommodation: Lodge/hotel near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities: Gorilla trekking and optional cultural experience
After breakfast, prepare for another exciting primate adventure: golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park.
The golden monkey is an endangered primate associated with the bamboo forests of the Virunga region. Accompanied by ranger guides, you will trek through the forest searching for a habituated troop.
Golden monkeys are often active and entertaining to watch as they move through the bamboo vegetation, feed and interact with one another.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you can relax at the lodge or take an optional visit to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, depending on your schedule.
Accommodation: Lodge/hotel near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities: Golden monkey tracking and optional Twin Lakes visit
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before beginning your journey back to Kigali.
Drive through Rwanda's scenic countryside, with opportunities for photography and short stops along the way.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a Kigali city tour, souvenir shopping or a visit to a cultural or historical attraction.
You will then be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla, Golden Monkey, Chimpanzee & Colobus Safari.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Activities: Scenic drive, optional Kigali city tour and airport transfer
Included/Exclude
The Cost Includes
- One Signature Coffee Drink
- One Artisan Pastry
- Talk with Head Barista
- Souvenir Coffee Sample
The Cost Excludes
- Additional Food and Drinks
- Cafe Merchandise Purchases
- Transportation to the Cafe
- Gratuities for the Barista



