7 Day Rwanda Luxury Gorilla, Golden Monkey, and Wildlife Safari: A 7-day luxury Rwanda safari is the ultimate African adventure, weaving together the country’s three iconic national parks into one seamless, extraordinary journey. Begin in the sweeping savannahs of Akagera National Park, where lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo roam freely across sun-drenched plains. Then travel west into the mist-shrouded volcanic highlands of Volcanoes National Park — the realm of the mountain gorilla and the enchanting golden monkey. Rwanda offers an unmatched combination of Big Five wildlife, rare primate encounters, and world-class luxury, all in one breathtaking destination.
Summarized Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival, Pick Up, and Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
- Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking
- Day 6: Culture, Hiking & the Legacy of Conservation
- Day 7: Kigali City Tour & Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Pick Up, and Transfer to Akagera National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your driver-guide will welcome you and brief you about the safari. You will then begin the journey to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savanna park. Upon arrival, check in at your luxury lodge in Rwanda, relax, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp / Magashi Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, go on a morning game drive to spot early risers, including lions, leopards, and hyenas. Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five, with lions and rhinos recently reintroduced to join elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. During the drive, you may also see giraffes, zebras, warthogs, antelopes, and many other species. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s second-largest lake. The cruise offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and wetlands. Expect to see hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species along the lake shores, as well as other animals that come to drink water in the afternoon.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp / Magashi Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park, known for its mountain gorillas and five volcanoes that form part of the Virunga ranges. The park was once the research base of primatologist Dian Fossey. Enjoy stopovers and lunch along the way. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Bisate Lodge / One&Only Gorilla’s Nest / Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will board your vehicle and transfer to the Volcanoes Park headquarters for a gorilla trekking experience. You will be briefed at the park headquarters and later depart for the gorilla trekking experience alongside the ranger guides. Once you find them, you will spend one hour taking pictures with them, then return to the lodge for the night.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Bisate Lodge / One&Only Gorilla’s Nest / Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking
The Virunga region is home to another remarkable primate found nowhere else on the planet: the endangered golden monkey. Smaller, faster, and considerably more acrobatic than the mountain gorilla, these vivid creatures inhabit the bamboo forests of the lower slopes and are an absolute delight to observe. Your guide leads you through the forest to locate a habituated troop, where you’ll spend an hour watching them leap, chase, and forage with boundless energy. It is a lighter, joyful complement to the raw power of yesterday’s gorilla trek.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Bisate Lodge / One&Only Gorilla’s Nest / Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Culture, Hiking & the Legacy of Conservation
Today offers the freedom to choose your own adventure. Visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village — also known as the Gorilla Guardians Village — where former poachers-turned-conservationists welcome you into their community and share traditional music, dance, and the powerful story of how Rwanda transformed its relationship with wildlife. Alternatively, lace up your boots for the rewarding hike to Dian Fossey’s grave on the slopes of Mount Bisoke, where you can honour the legacy of the pioneering primatologist who dedicated her life to protecting Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Bisate Lodge / One&Only Gorilla’s Nest / Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Kigali City Tour & Departure
Your final morning begins with the drive back to Kigali, Rwanda’s immaculately clean and vibrant capital. Before your departure, the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers a sobering and essential testament to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and to the extraordinary national healing and reconstruction that followed. It is a place of profound reflection. Afterwards, browse the city’s excellent craft markets for hand-woven baskets, wood carvings, and contemporary Rwandan art — the perfect reminder of a country that has met its past with courage and its future with extraordinary grace. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, carrying memories that will last a lifetime.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
End of the Tour
Cost Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Game drives in Akagera National Park
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- Iby’iwachu cultural experience
- Accommodation as per the selected category
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
Cost Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Personal travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Optional activities not mentioned
- Personal expenses
Things to Consider for 7 Day Rwanda Luxury Gorilla, Golden Monkey, and Wildlife Safari
Gorilla Permits
- Must be booked in advance
- Issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) on a first-come, first-served basis
Permit Costs:
- Non-Foreign Residents: USD 1,500
- East African Foreign Residents: USD 500
- East African Citizens: USD 200
Golden Monkey Permits
- Available through the Rwanda Development Board
- Subject to availability
Permits
- Foreign non-residents:$100
- Foreign residents in Rwanda: $65 for adults and $45 for children
- East African Citizen: $65 for adults and $45 for children
- East African foreign residents: $80 for adults and $45 for children
- Rwandan Citizen: RWF 4000 for adults and RWF 2000 for children.
Physical Fitness
- Gorilla and golden monkey trekking require a reasonable level of fitness
Age Limit
- Minimum age for gorilla trekking: 15 years and above
Main Destination
- Volcaones National Park
- Akagera National Park
Transport
- 4×4 Land Cruisers for luxury travelers
- All vehicles are air-conditioned and guided by professionals
Best Time to Visit
Available year-round
- Best months: June–September and December–February
Gorilla and Golden Monkey Sighting Chances
- Approximately 98% success rate
What to Pack
- Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts (neutral colors)
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Gardening gloves
- Rain jacket, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle and camera with extra batteries
- Passport, travel documents, and local currency
