Savannah, Volcanoes and Rainforest in One Week
Gorilla permit US$1,500 pp · trip price quoted for your dates
This is the itinerary most people mean when they talk about a week in Rwanda. It links the country’s three great national parks: Akagera for savannah wildlife, Volcanoes for the mountain gorillas, and Nyungwe, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, for chimpanzees and a walkway high in the canopy.
Distances in Rwanda are short, but the roads are winding, so we pace the drives with lunch stops and keep each park to at least two nights where it matters. You finish in Nyungwe with a scenic drive back to Kigali through the tea estates and hills of the south.
Photo: Joseph Lionceau, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip Highlights
Gorillas in the Virungas
One hour with a mountain gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe
An early-morning trek to a habituated chimpanzee community, plus the canopy walkway, about 50 metres above the forest floor.
Big Five in Akagera
Game drives and a boat safari in the only park in Rwanda with lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards.
Your Permit Supports Conservation
Gorilla permit fees pay for ranger patrols and veterinary care, and a share of park revenue funds schools, clinics and water projects around the park. How permits work.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Kigali to Akagera National Park
Pick-up in Kigali and drive east to Akagera, about two and a half hours. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema.
Day 2Akagera game drives, then Kigali
Morning game drive in the north of the park, then return to Kigali in the afternoon. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial if time allows.
Day 3Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Drive north to the Musanze area, about two and a half hours. Afternoon at leisure or a short walk in the farmland at the foot of the volcanoes.
Day 4Gorilla trekking
The 7:00 am briefing at Kinigi, your trek and one hour with a gorilla family. Afternoon free.
Day 5Volcanoes to Nyungwe Forest
A long, scenic drive south to Nyungwe, around six hours with stops. Arrive in time to watch the sunset over the forest.
Day 6Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk
Very early start to track chimpanzees, which move fast through the forest. After lunch, walk the canopy walkway above the treetops.
Day 7Nyungwe to Kigali
Drive back to Kigali through the southern hills and tea estates, about five to six hours, in time for an evening flight.
Accommodation
We match lodges to your budget. These are examples we use on this trip; we will suggest alternatives if they are full.
What's Included
Included
- Gorilla permit (US$1,500 per person), booked in your name
- Chimpanzee tracking permit and Nyungwe canopy walk
- Akagera park fees and Lake Ihema boat trip
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport or Kigali hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation at your chosen lodge level, with meals as listed each day
- Park entry fees for the activities named in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Help with permits, timings and pre-trip questions from our Kigali office
Not included
- International flights and your Rwanda visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended; it should cover medical evacuation)
- Porter fees on trek days and tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges, laundry and personal purchases
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Physical Requirements
Two demanding treks: gorillas (one to five hours at altitude) and chimpanzees (fast-paced, sometimes steep, and usually two to five hours). Days 5 and 7 are long drives.
Request This Trip
Tell us when you would like to travel. We will check gorilla permit availability for your dates and send a quote within one working day. No obligation.
Why Travel with Us?
Rwanda specialists, based in Kigali
We plan Rwanda trips and Rwanda–Uganda combinations, so our advice on permits, lodges and timings is current and first-hand.
Permits checked before you pay
We confirm gorilla permit availability for your date before asking you to pay for it, then build the itinerary around the permit.
Private trips only
Your own vehicle and driver-guide, on your dates, at your pace — no shared minibuses and no fixed departures.
Honest advice on trek difficulty
Your guide talks to the rangers at the briefing so the gorilla family you visit suits your fitness as closely as possible.
Lodges chosen for location
We favour lodges close to the Kinigi park headquarters, so trek mornings start calmly rather than before dawn.
Conservation and community
Every permit funds park protection and community projects around Volcanoes National Park, and we work with local guides and porters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is seven days enough for Rwanda?
Seven days covers the three main parks at a comfortable pace. With more time, add golden monkeys, the Dian Fossey hike or Lake Kivu, as in our 10-day Best of Rwanda.
Are chimpanzee sightings guaranteed?
No. Chimpanzees range widely, but trackers locate them on most mornings, especially in the drier months.
Can I fly instead of driving?
Some lodges can arrange helicopter or light-aircraft transfers between the parks at extra cost. Ask us when you enquire.
