Safari destination
Rwanda
Gorillas, wrapped in ultra-luxury.
The Land of a Thousand Hills, where world-class gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park meets rolling green landscapes and vibrant culture.
Rwanda
Gorilla trekking's ultra-luxury address
Rwanda has deliberately built the world's most exclusive gorilla experience. Permits are capped and priced at US $1,500, tourism runs on a high-end, low-volume model with revenue channelled into conservation and communities, and the strongest evidence is who has built here: Singita, One&Only and Wilderness all sit beside Volcanoes National Park.
The result is the most polished wildlife encounter in Africa, about three hours' drive from Kigali's international airport. Read why Rwanda leads the world in gorilla trekking.
- How much does a Rwanda gorilla permit cost?
- US $1,500 per person per trek, with numbers deliberately limited, which keeps groups small and the hour with the gorillas intimate. Permits sell out months ahead for the dry seasons, so we secure them at the moment of booking. The fee funds the conservation model behind Rwanda's gorilla success story.
- Rwanda or Uganda for gorilla trekking?
- Rwanda is the ultra-luxury route: permits are pricier and scarcer by design, conservation standards are the strictest in the region, access is an easy drive from Kigali, and the lodges, Singita Kwitonda, One&Only Gorilla's Nest and Wilderness Bisate among them, are world-class. Uganda's Bwindi Forest offers wilder, longer treks at a lower permit price. Neither is a budget trip; Rwanda is the more polished, more expensive experience.
- How fit do I need to be to trek gorillas?
- Reasonably walking-fit rather than athletic. Gorilla families are assigned on the morning by location and your group's ability, so treks run from around an hour to a full morning on steep, muddy ground. Porters are available and worth hiring, they steady the climb and the fee supports the local community.
- When is the best time to visit Rwanda?
- The dry seasons, June to September and December to February, give the most comfortable trekking. Treks run year-round, and the forest is beautiful in the rains, just muddier; permits are also easier to secure outside peak months.
- What else is there beyond gorillas?
- Golden monkey trekking in the same park, chimpanzees and a canopy walkway in Nyungwe Forest, the Big Five restored in Akagera National Park, and Lake Kivu's shoreline for the decompression days. Kigali itself is clean, safe and worth a night.
- Which lodges should I look at?
- Singita Kwitonda, One&Only Gorilla's Nest and Wilderness Bisate lead the field beside Volcanoes National Park, three of the finest lodges in Africa. The lodges on this page carry per-person from-rates; your safari specialist matches the property to the trip.
Tailor-made safaris
Safaris in Rwanda.
Most requested · 4 days · Rwanda
4-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Adventure: Affordable & Unforgettable
All meals · All activities · All transfers
- 3 nights at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge near Volcanoes National Park
- Scenic drive from Kigali through the Land of a Thousand Hills
- One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family in the misty forest
- Golden monkey trek through the bamboo forests of the Virungas
From
$3,130
per person, complete package
≈ $6,265 for two · international flights excluded
Most requested · 3 days · Rwanda
3-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
All meals · All activities · All transfers
- 2 nights at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel in Musanze
- Scenic 3-hour drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
- Permit-led mountain gorilla trek with expert trackers
- Visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
From
$3,850
per person, complete package
≈ $7,700 for two · international flights excluded
Most requested · 4 days · Rwanda
4-Day Mystical Gorilla Trekking Adventure
All meals · All activities · All transfers
- 3 nights at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel in Musanze
- Mountain gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park with expert trackers
- Visit to the Dian Fossey Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus
- Golden monkey trek followed by Gorilla Guardians Village cultural visit
From
$5,300
per person, complete package
≈ $10,600 for two · international flights excluded
5 days · Rwanda
5-Day Ultra Luxury Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trek in Rwanda
Most meals · All activities · All transfers
- 1 night at Kigali Serena Hotel, then 2 at Singita Kwitonda Lodge
- Half-day Kigali city tour with museum and cultural visits
- Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park with permit included
- Golden monkey tracking through the Virunga bamboo forests
From
$17,830
per person, complete package
≈ $35,665 for two · international flights excluded
6 days · Rwanda
6-Day Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest
Most meals · All activities · All transfers
- 1 night at The Retreat by Heaven in Kigali on arrival
- 2 nights at One & Only Nyungwe House with canopy walkway and chimpanzee trekking
- Visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus to learn about gorilla conservation
- 2 nights at One & Only Gorilla's Nest near Volcanoes National Park
From
$15,240
per person, complete package
≈ $30,480 for two · international flights excluded
9 days · Kenya · Rwanda
9-Day Kenya & Rwanda Safari: Big Five, Maasai Mara & Gorilla Trekking Tour
Most meals · All activities · All flights & transfers
- 2 nights at Mara Sopa Lodge with game drives in the Maasai Mara
- Boat safari on Lake Naivasha and walking tour on Crescent Island
- 2 nights at Amboseli Sopa Lodge with elephants and Kilimanjaro views
- Kigali city tour including the Genocide Memorial
From
$7,550
per person, complete package
≈ $15,100 for two · international flights excluded
No safaris matching these criteria.
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Brochure
East Africa Guide
East Africa in signature pairings, like elephants beneath Mount Kenya: the Serengeti and Masai Mara, gorilla trekking and Zanzibar.
Where to stay
Lodges in Rwanda.
12 lodges
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PremiumTiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge
Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge is an intimate, owner-run retreat at the foot of the Virunga mountains, a short drive from the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The lodge pairs warm Rwandan hospitality with easy access to gorilla and golden-monkey trekking, cultural excursions and a quiet base for rest between forest treks.
From $375 per person · night
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PremiumOne & Only Nyungwe House
Experience the mesmerizing wildlife, lush mountain vistas, and the vibrant beauty of our working tea plantation at One&Only Nyungwe House—a unique and unparalleled retreat nestled in the heart of Rwanda’s wilderness. Here, nature thrives in its most breathtaking form.
From $1,885 per person · night
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PremiumFive Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Nestled at the gateway to Rwanda's breathtaking Volcanoes National Park, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel offers an ideal blend of adventure and relaxation. This luxurious retreat provides an immersive starting point for exploring the park’s many wonders while enveloping guests in serene, elegant surroundings perfect for unwinding.
From $450 per person · night
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AffordableHôtel des Mille Collines
A Kigali landmark since 1973, Hôtel des Mille Collines sits in the heart of Rwanda's capital within walking distance of the central business district. The hotel offers 112 rooms and suites set around a large garden pool, with on-site dining, a spa and gym, making it a natural city-stay base before or after a gorilla-trekking safari.
From $145 per person · night
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AffordableIngagi Lodge
Ingagi Lodge is a tranquil retreat in Kinigi, set in Rwanda's Gorilla Highlands at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes. A small collection of forest cottages, private cabins and a family villa puts guests within easy reach of mountain gorilla and golden monkey treks in Volcanoes National Park, with cosy fireplaces, locally sourced cuisine and warm Rwandan hospitality.
From $260 per person · night
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AffordableIngagi Lodge
Ingagi Lodge sits in Kinigi on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, the launch point for Rwanda's gorilla treks. Twelve cottages, cabins and a family villa accommodate a maximum of 25 guests, with open fires, locally sourced meals and views across the Virunga volcanoes and Twin Lakes.
From $260 per person · night
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PremiumMagashi Camp
Discover the incredible diversity of Akagera National Park from Wilderness Magashi. This region is once again flourishing with apex predators and abundant wildlife. Spot lions, black and white rhinos, buffalo, and elephants traversing its rolling hills and sprawling savannas. Magashi offers an authentic East African safari experience, ideally paired with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
From $1,395 per person · night
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Lux Live availabilityOne & Only Gorilla's Nest
Nestled among towering eucalyptus trees, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest ignites a profound sense of adventure. Here, guests are invited to look inward through awe-inspiring encounters with the magnificent mountain gorillas. Positioned on the border of Volcanoes National Park, this unique resort unveils the enchanting mysteries of Rwanda.
From $4,130 per person · night
Rates per person sharing, per night.
January
Short dry: fine trekking
Best time to visit
The gorilla year.
Treks run every month; the dry windows simply trade mud for firmer footing on the volcano slopes.
Rwanda
Your guide to Rwanda.
When
The country has a tropical highland climate, due to its high elevation, therefor, you can expect lower temperatures than is typical for equatorial countries.
The best times for the various activities:
June to September and from December to February
Gorilla trekking, Wildlife, general tourism, hiking and forest exploration:
- Easier hiking conditions and lower malaria risk.
- Wildlife viewing in parks like Akagera National Park.
- For hiking, especially in Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Relaxing at Lake Kivu's beaches
December to February
Bird Watching:
- To see a large variety of migratory birds.
June and September
- Overall birding conditions
Year Round
Cultural Tours and Beach Holidays
Where
Rwanda is located in the Great Rift Valley, at the meeting point of the African Great Lakes region and East Africa. Bordering Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
The main international airport in Rwanda is Kigali International Airport. It's situated near the capital city of Kigali. This is the primary gateway for most travellers coming to Rwanda for tourism, especially those planning to go on gorilla treks, as it provides access to the country's major tourist destinations.
Photos from our guests
A traveller's view.
Every photo below was taken by a guest of ours on a recent trip to Rwanda. No stock imagery, no marketing shots. What they saw, on their cameras.
Imagery
Rwanda, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Rwanda.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Rwanda, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"Mel was very helpful in my booking process, and now I understand why they have such high recommendations and stars. Mel provided me a customized itinerary right away for Rwanda. Very quick to respond and answer all questions in detail and reachable by email or Whatsapp. The email to book provided me detailed steps and even offered insurance options, which wa…"
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