Steps to Take to Book a Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda.

Steps to Take to Book a Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda. Planning a gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Rwanda is an exciting process, but it requires careful preparation. The most important thing to understand from the start is that gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking cannot happen on the same day. Each activity takes place in a different national park, and traveling between the two parks takes time. With proper planning, however, you can combine both experiences into one unforgettable Rwanda primate safari.

Step 1: Book Your Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permits

The first and most critical step is securing your permits. Without permits, neither activity is possible. Gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. Chimpanzee trekking takes place in Nyungwe National Park in the southwest. The drive between these two parks takes approximately five hours, so you must plan a travel day between the two activities.

Start by choosing your preferred dates and the number of permits you need. Our safari consultants check permit availability directly from the Rwanda Development Board. Once availability is confirmed, we strongly advise purchasing your permits immediately. Both gorilla and chimpanzee permits sell on a first-come, first-served basis, and they sell out quickly, especially during the peak season. To complete the booking, you must provide your full name as it appears on your passport, your nationality, date of birth, and passport expiry date.

A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit currently costs USD 1,500 for international non-residents, USD 500 for foreign residents, and USD 250 for East African citizens. The permit covers park entrance fees on the trekking day, ranger guide services, security, gorilla conservation, community support, a trekking certificate, and government tax. Tips, porter hire, and accommodation are not included.

A Rwanda chimpanzee trekking permit costs USD 150 for foreign non-residents, USD 75 for international residents, and USD 25 for East African citizens. This fee covers guide fees, security, chimpanzee conservation, one hour with the chimpanzees, community support, and government tax. Park entrance fees, porter hire, and personal expenses are not included.

Step 2: Book Your Accommodation

After securing your permits, the next step is booking accommodation near each trekking destination. Both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking begin early in the morning, so spending the night close to the respective park is essential.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts as early as 7:00 AM. Visitors must check in at the ranger station before briefing begins. To arrive on time without a stressful early morning drive, book accommodation close to the park. Options near Volcanoes National Park include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, and Hotel La Palme.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park runs in two sessions — morning and afternoon. Both sessions require visitors to report to the Uwinka Visitor Center beforehand. Staying nearby the night before ensures a smooth start. Accommodation options near Nyungwe National Park include One and Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge, and Gisaku Family Hostel.

During the peak season, accommodation in both areas fills up quickly. Booking well in advance protects your spot and removes the stress of last-minute searching.

Step 3: Arrange Your Transport

The third step is planning your transport. Rwanda’s roads leading to both Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park pass through upcountry terrain that can be rough and dusty. A four-wheel-drive vehicle in good condition is essential for the journey.

Book your driver guide in advance so they can plan the route and logistics ahead of time. Factor in fuel costs and travel time between the two parks. Charter transport services from Kigali International Airport to either national park are also available, but these must be booked in advance.

At Anthill Safaris, we handle all transport arrangements for you. From airport transfers to inter-park travel, we plan every detail so you can focus entirely on enjoying your safari.

Step 4: Add Other Rwanda Safari Activities

Rwanda offers many other exciting activities that pair well with gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. Planning these helps create a smooth and well-organized itinerary.

Golden monkey trekking is available in Volcanoes National Park alongside gorilla trekking. These lively and colorful primates live in the Virunga area and are fascinating to observe. A separate permit from the Rwanda Development Board is required, and permits are limited, so early booking is essential.

Mountaineering is another popular option. Volcanoes National Park sits within the Virunga mountain range, which includes five volcanoes — Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Bisoke. Hiking to the peak of Mount Sabyinyo offers the rare opportunity to stand at the meeting point of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo simultaneously.

Game drives in Akagera National Park give visitors the chance to spot zebras, elephants, cape buffaloes, rhinos, waterbucks, bushbucks, and Uganda Kobs. The park is still recovering from the damage of the 1994 genocide, but has made remarkable progress through strong government and conservation partnerships.

Cultural tours offer a meaningful look into Rwanda’s rich heritage. Visitors can explore the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, view contemporary Rwandan art at the Rwesero Art Museum in Nyanza, witness the traditional Imigingo cow dung painting in Nyakarambi, and experience the energetic Intore dance performance.

Rwanda is also a top birding destination. The country shelters over 700 bird species across Nyungwe Forest, Volcanoes National Park, and Akagera National Park, including many Albertine Rift endemics.

Best Time to Book

Steps to Take to Book a Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda. Gorilla and chimpanzee safaris run throughout the year. The dry season from June to September and December to January is the most popular period, and permits sell out fastest during these months. The wet season from March to May and November offers fewer crowds, more private encounters, and lower accommodation prices, making it an excellent option for budget travelers.

Safari Rules

Steps to Take to Book a Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda. All visitors must follow the rules during both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. Anyone who is sick must stay behind. Visitors must eat and drink at least 250 meters away from the primates. Flash photography is strictly forbidden. Visitors must never provoke the animals or enter the forest without a ranger guide. All waste must be disposed of properly, and any toilet use in the forest requires digging a hole at least 30 centimeters deep. The minimum age for both activities is 15 years.