Essence of Rwanda Gorillas & Game Safari

Essence of Rwanda Gorillas and Game is a private guided safari with chimpanzee treks, gorilla tracking, golden monkeys, rainforest walks, scenic drives, cultural visits and lake adventures. All the best of Rwanda's treasures in an exciting 9-night safari.

Overview

Kigali * Akagera * Nyunywe Forest * Lake Kivu * Volcanoes (Gorillas)

Our Essence of Rwanda Gorilla & Akagera Safari is a wonderful private safari throughout Rwanda with many highlights including tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe, gorilla trekking in the highlands of the Volcanoes National park, golden monkeys, game-viewing in Akagera and Lake Kivu. On this tour you pack in many of Rwanda's treasures in an exciting 9 night safari.

The good news is that is it also offered at different price points.

Essence of Rwanda Gorillas & Game at a glance:

  • 1 night Kigali Serena Hotel, Bed & Breakfast
  • 2 nights Ruzizi Tented Camp, Akagera, Full Board & Activities
  • 2 night One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Full Board
  • 2 nights Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, , Full Board
  • 2 nights The Bishop's House, near Volcanoes National Park for the Gorilla Trek, Full Board

After a restful night in Kigali, you immediately head to Akagera National Park, a very scenic national park with a wide range of plains game and predators. Then you head to Nyungwe National Park where you spend 2 nights. Here you enjoy chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk through the forest. On Day 6, you head along the shores of the scenic Lake Kivu for 2 relaxing nights.

Then you head to the base for gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National park). This is a scenic journey through the lush terraced landscape of rural Rwanda.

On the following day you start early for your gorilla trek. You are given a full briefing, assessed and put into small groups for the gorilla trek. This can take between two and six hours depending on the movements of the gorillas. And the number of rests and photo stops that you may need. After the trek you return to the lodge where you spend another night.  There is time on the following day to do a second gorilla trek or the very popular Golden Monkeys trek or an alternative excursion. You return to Kigali in the afternoon for your onward flight in the evening.

Note that sometimes you may need to add an extra night in Kigali at the end, depending on your flight connections.

Upgrade Option:

You can also upgrade the accommodation to the best on offer.

  • 1 night The Retreat @ Heaven in Kigali, Bed & Breakfast
  • 2 nights Magashi Camp, Akagera Game Reserve, Fully Inclusive
  • 2 night One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Full Board & Activities
  • 2 nights Mantis Lake Kivu Marina Bay Hotel, Lake Kivu Full Board
  • 2 nights Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge at Volcanoes National Park, Full Board & Activities

Or you can substitute Lake Kivu Serena Hotel and One&Only Gorilla's Nest for an additional upgrade. Contact us for a tailor-made quote.

Modest Option:

We can also offer this tour on a more modest basis. Contact us for a tailor-made quote.

  • 1 night Park Inn Kigali, Bed & Breakfast
  • 2 nights Akagera Game Lodge, Akagera, Full Board & Activities
  • 2 night Nyungwe Top View Lodge, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Full Board
  • 2 nights Comoran Lodge on Lake Kivu, Full Board
  • 2 nights Gorillas Mountain View Lodge, Volcanoes National Park for the Gorilla Trek, Full Board
Now Including one Gorilla permit & Chimpanzee tracking

We have now included the gorilla permit which is $1500 per person in peak season and $1050 in the off-season and the chimpanzee trekking permits which are $150 per person.

Other optional tours or permits:

  • Nyungwe Colobus Monkey permit - $40 per person
  • Nyungwe Canopy Walk or Guided Birding tour - $40 per person
  • Volcanoes Golden Monkey permit - $100
Essence of Rwanda Gorillas & Game Safari - Lower prices for 4+  people

The price below shows per person prices based on 2 people travelling. However prices decrease by approx 10-15% if you are a party of four people, depending on which itinerary you choose, and even less if you are more people. Single supplements for 3rd or 5th person in a group are also available. Contact us for a tailor-made quote.

 

 

 

Tour Video

Our Digital Itinerary

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PRICE FROM ₤ 8,632

An idea of price

This is a set tour using specific camps. However many tours can be adapted. Chat to us about your options. It excludes international flights but includes an estimate for all domestic or regional flights within the tour.

INCLUDES

Accommodation with breakfast in Kigali, full board everywhere else, 4x4 safari vehicle, bottled water in the vehicle, one gorilla tracking permit, one chimpanzee tracking permit,all park and conservation fees.

EXCLUDES

Gratuities & other optional activities- see list in the tour description

Jan 2025 - Feb 2025 Upgrade Option
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 13,738
Jan 2025 - Feb 2025
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 8,749
Mar 2025 - May 2025
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 8,632
Mar 2025 - Apr 2025 Upgrade Option
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 12,153
Apr 2025 - May 2025 Upgrade Option
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 12,522
May 2025 - Sep 2025
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 10,289
May 2025 - Oct 2025 Upgrade Option
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 15,926
Oct 2025 - Oct 2025
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 10,192
Nov 2025 - Dec 2025
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 8,632
Nov 2025 - Dec 2025 Upgrade Option
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 12,802
Dec 2025 - Dec 2025 Upgrade Option
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 15,460
Dec 2025 - Dec 2025
PP SHARING FROM ₤ 9,827

Accommodation

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Leanne Rangana

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Hi I'm Leanne, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience GET IN TOUCH