Rwanda Safaris
Private safaris in Rwanda, planned by a local team
Rwanda, planned by the team that plans Uganda
Rwanda is small, green and well run. You can trek mountain gorillas in the morning and be back in a lodge with a fire lit by lunchtime. Most of our Rwanda routes start or end in Uganda, because the two countries sit side by side and the road between them is short.
Tell us your dates and how much walking you want, and we will come back with a route and a price.
Why choose Rwanda for your safari?
Mountain gorillas
Volcanoes National Park is one of only three places in the world where you can trek mountain gorillas. Permits are limited each day, so the date is the first thing we lock in.
Easy distances
Kigali to the gorilla forest is a morning drive. Less time in the car leaves more time with the animals.
More than gorillas
Golden monkeys, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, a savannah park at Akagera and a lake to rest beside at the end.
Pairs with Uganda
Many travellers trek in both countries and compare. We can plan one trip that crosses the border.
Where should you go in Rwanda?
Volcanoes National Park
The home of Rwanda's gorilla families, in the Virunga volcanoes near Musanze. Golden monkey tracking and the hike to Dian Fossey's old research site are also done from here.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
A high mountain rainforest in the south-west with chimpanzees, many other primates and a canopy walkway above the trees.
Akagera National Park
Rwanda's savannah park on the Tanzanian border, with lakes, hippos, giraffes and elephants. Lions and rhinos have been brought back, so it can add Big Five sightings to a gorilla trip.
Lake Kivu
A quiet lake on the western edge, good for a day or two of rest after trekking. Boat rides and short hikes are easy to add.
Kigali
The capital is clean and calm. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the place to understand the country's history, and we suggest allowing a half day for it.
When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
Rwanda is high, so it is mild all year. The drier months, June to September and mid-December to February, make forest trails easier.
- Jun to Sep: Long dry season. Best underfoot, busiest for gorilla permits
- Oct to Nov: Short rains. Greener, quieter, some muddy trails
- Dec to Feb: Short dry season. Good trekking weather
- Mar to May: Long rains. Wettest, fewest visitors, slippery forest paths
Book permits early
Gorilla permits sell out in the dry months. If your dates are fixed, tell us as soon as you can.
What do you need to know before you go?
How do you get a visa?
Most visitors can apply online before travel or get a visa on arrival. If you also visit Uganda or Kenya, ask about the East Africa Tourist Visa. Rules change, so check Rwanda's official immigration site before you book flights.
What's the currency?
The Rwandan franc (RWF). US dollars are accepted at most lodges, in recent, clean notes. ATMs are in Kigali and larger towns, not near the parks.
What languages are spoken?
Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili. Guides and lodge staff speak English.
What health steps do you need?
A yellow fever certificate can be required depending on where you travel from. We recommend anti-malaria medication. See a travel clinic well before you fly.
Is there an age limit for gorillas?
Yes. Trekkers must be at least 15. Tell us the ages in your group when you enquire.
What should you pack?
Waterproof hiking boots, long trousers and sleeves for the nettles, gloves for gripping branches and a rain jacket. Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda, so take a reusable bag.
What about tips?
Tipping guides, porters and lodge staff is customary. We include a simple guide with your itinerary.
Tours to Rwanda
4 days
Four-Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari (4 days)
Track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, and learn Kigali's story first. Four days, starting and ending in Kigali.
13 days
Highlights of Uganda and Rwanda (13 days)
Thirteen days across four parks and two countries, from the savannah of Queen Elizabeth to the volcano slopes of Rwanda. You track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge and gorillas in both Bwindi and Volcanoes.
7 days
Rwanda Akagera and Gorillas Safari (7 days)
Game drives and a Lake Ihema boat cruise in Akagera, then gorilla trekking and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Six nights, seven days.
7 days
Rwanda Chimps, Golden Monkeys and Gorillas (7 days)
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe, golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, with a rest stop on Lake Kivu between treks.
3 days
Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trip (3 days)
Three days from Kigali with one gorilla trek, a golden monkey morning and an evening at Ibyachu Cultural Village in Volcanoes National Park.
6 days
Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Trekking (6 days)
Six days, two forests and two gorilla treks. You begin in Kigali, track gorillas in Rwanda, cross into Uganda for a second trek in Bwindi, then return to Kigali for your flight.
12 days
Rwanda and Uganda Safari (12 days)
Twelve days from Kigali to Entebbe, or the reverse. Two gorilla treks, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, two boat cruises and four parks, with a route planned to keep drives manageable and border crossings straightforward.
2 days
Two-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek (2 days)
A short Rwanda trip built around one gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. A good fit for long layovers and free weekends in Kigali.
10 days
Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari (10 days)
Four national parks and one border crossing in ten days. Track chimpanzees in Kibale, look for lions in Queen Elizabeth, and trek gorillas in both Bwindi and Volcanoes. Start in Entebbe, finish in Kigali.
Ready to plan your safari?
Tell us your dates, group and what you want to see
You’ll get a route and a price back, not a template. Planned by the team in Kampala before you land in Entebbe.