What You Need to Know: This 6-day private safari from Kigali covers chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. It costs from US$4,542 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the chimpanzee and gorilla permits.
Is the 6-Day Rwanda Safari Right for You?
It is the classic Rwanda primate trip, with one long scenic drive along Lake Kivu.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want chimps and gorillas in Rwanda | You want savannah too: see the 9-day Rwanda safari |
| You enjoy forest walks | You only want gorillas: see the 3-day gorilla trip |
| You start and end in Kigali | You want two gorilla treks: see the 10-day Rwanda and Uganda safari |
The 6-Day Rwanda Safari Route at a Glance
One night in Kigali, two in Nyungwe and two near Volcanoes National Park.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kigali | Airport transfer, 20–30 minutes | Kigali |
| 2 | Kigali to Nyungwe Forest | Drive 5–6 hours | Nyungwe Forest |
| 3 | Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe | Chimp trek 2–5 hours | Nyungwe Forest |
| 4 | Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park | Drive 6–7 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 5 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 6 | Return to Kigali and departure | Drive 2.5–3 hours | — |
6-Day Rwanda Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
South-west to the rainforest first, then north along Lake Kivu to the volcanoes.
-
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
You land at Kigali International Airport, where your driver-guide is waiting to take you to your hotel. If you arrive with time to spare, the Kigali Genocide Memorial gives a sobering grounding in Rwanda's recent history before the trip heads into the countryside, and the hilly capital is pleasant to walk.
Airport transfer, 20–30 minutesKigaliDinner -
Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest
The first long day on the road heads south-west into the hills, past terraced farms and the King's Palace Museum at Nyanza, and ends at Nyungwe Forest National Park, among Africa's oldest montane rainforests, where you spend two nights.
Drive 5–6 hoursNyungwe ForestBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
This is your primate day before the gorillas. Set off before dawn with a park ranger to find the chimpanzees; they move quickly over steep slopes, so allow a few hours. In the afternoon, cross the canopy walkway, a suspension bridge about 160 ft (50 m) above the forest floor, and watch for the large troops of Angola colobus monkeys.
Chimp trek 2–5 hoursNyungwe ForestBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park
On a six-day trip this is the longest transfer: north along the Congo-Nile road with Lake Kivu below, past tea estates and fishing villages, to Musanze at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, your base for the gorilla trek.
Drive 6–7 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
Trek day starts with the 7:00 ranger briefing at Kinigi. From there you walk up through farmland into the bamboo zone to reach the gorilla family assigned to your group, spend your hour with them, and come down for a late lunch.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Return to Kigali and departure
After breakfast it is about 2.5 hours back to Kigali, breaking the drive at a craft cooperative, in time for your flight home.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 6-Day Rwanda Safari
- Nyungwe: chimpanzees, Angola colobus monkeys and the canopy walkway
- Lake Kivu: views along the Congo-Nile road
- Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas
How Much Does the 6-Day Rwanda Safari Cost?
From US$4,542 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Nyungwe chimpanzee trek | US$150 |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | US$1,500 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas
- Flights: there are no flights on this trip
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Nyungwe chimpanzee trek (RDB) | About US$150 per person, plus Nyungwe park entry |
| Nyungwe Forest National Park entry and canopy walk (RDB) | Official RDB rate, shown in your quotation |
| Volcanoes gorilla permit (Rwanda Development Board) | US$1,500 per person, including park entry |
What the 6-Day Rwanda Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
- 5 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Nyungwe chimpanzee trek, Rwanda gorilla permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
- Visas
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
How the 6-Day Rwanda Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
Our Rwanda trips compared:
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes gorillas | 3 | US$2,946 | Gorilla trek only |
| Akagera, Nyungwe, Kivu | 5 | US$2,410 | No gorillas: savannah, forest, lake |
| Nyungwe and Volcanoes | 6 | US$4,542 | Chimps and gorillas |
| Rwanda in full | 9 | US$5,988 | Akagera, chimps, gorillas |
| Rwanda and Uganda | 10 | US$7,270 | Two gorilla treks and chimps |
| Rwanda and Tanzania | 14 | US$8,348 | Gorillas, then the Serengeti |
Add golden monkeys with one more night near the volcanoes.
How to Book the 6-Day Rwanda Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
In Rwanda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.
This page covers what is particular to the 6-Day Rwanda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 6-Day Rwanda Safari
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
Reasonably fit. Treks last from under an hour to six hours on steep, often muddy slopes at altitude. Porters and walking sticks make a big difference, and rangers try to match groups to fitness. The minimum age is 15.
Is Nyungwe chimp tracking reliable?
Sightings are good but less predictable than gorillas, because the chimps move fast across steep forest. The canopy walk and colobus monkeys make the day worthwhile either way.
How much does the 6-Day Rwanda Safari cost?
From US$4,542 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
Six days for chimpanzees and gorillas in one compact country. Reserve both permits early.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.