A Complete 5-Day Rwanda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps & Big Five
Enjoy a Complete 5-Day Rwanda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Big-Five
This 5-Day Rwanda Safari is a well-crafted 5-Day Rwanda Safari tour that takes visitors to all the three popular Safari Parks in Rwanda. Unlike most Africa Safari Packages that only focus on primate tracking in Rwanda, this package allows visitors to also explore the Akagera National Park, which is the only savanna park in the country – home to the African Big Five & the other savanna park. This 5-Day Rwanda Safari also takes visitors to Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla trekking and Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking experience. Rwanda is a popular primate tracking destination in East Africa, especially for mountain gorilla – it offers one of the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.
Primate Adventures in Rwanda (Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee trekking) involve trekking in the thick forest with challenging terrain and slippery ground. The Experience is challenging, though worth every effort and money. An encounter with the mountain gorilla in the wild is a remarkable experience that will leave lasting memories of the African jungles.
Embark on this 5-Day Rwanda Safari in and enjoy an all round Rwanda safari experience while trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and witness the iconic African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) in Akagera National Park. Chat with us today and start planning
Brief Summary of 5-Day Rwanda Safari
- Day 1: Transfer Volcanoes NP – lodge check-in and rest.
- Day 2: Volcanoes gorilla trekking — briefing, trekking, one-hour viewing time, community visit.
- Day 3: Transfer Volcanoes → Nyungwe NP — lodge, optional canopy walk/birding.
- Day 4: Chimp trekking in Nyungwe → transfer Akagera NP — lodge.
- Day 5: Morning game drive in Akagera → transfer to Kigali for drop-off.
Why this 5-Day Rwanda Safari Stands Out
- All-round Rwanda experience: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes, chimp trekking in Nyungwe, savanna game drives in Akagera — primates plus Big Five all in one compact trip.
- Efficient routing: logical loop from Kigali → Volcanoes → Nyungwe → Akagera → Kigali, minimizing backtracking.
- Suitable for active travelers: Combines forest trekking (physically demanding) with relaxed game drives.
- Community visits near Volcanoes and Nyungwe offer valuable local insight.
- Conservation value: Park fees and permits you pay help fund wildlife conservation in Rwanda as well as communities.
Detailed 5-Day Rwanda Safari Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Lodge Check-In and Rest
From Kigali, you’ll be picked and transferred to Volcanoes National Park to start you 5-Day Rwanda Safari. Volcanoes National Park is located in the north Province of Rwanda, near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. This short drive takes about 2 hours as you traverse the scenic countryside, witness the rolling hills of this country that give it its nickname – the land of a thousand hill. Along the way, you’ll also witness different settlements and fam lands. Arrive in Volcanoes National Park and proceed with a drive to your booked safari lodge. Arrive at the lodge and check in.
You’ll spend the rest of your day resting at the lodge as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure the next morning. Dinner and overninght stay at the lodge.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Volcanoes Gorilla Trekking — Briefing & Trekking
Start your day with an early morning breakfast. After breakfast, depart the lodge and head to the park headquarters. At the park headquarters, you’ll be joined by other travelers for a gorilla trekking briefing session by the park officials. During the briefing, you’ll be taken through the gorilla trekking guidelines and rules, safety tips during the trek, and best tips to make your adventure memorable. After the briefing session, you’ll be put into groups of 8 members each and each group will be allocated a gorilla family and ranger guides.
Volcanoes National Park is home to about 10 habituated mountain gorilla families that can be visited by travelers each day. Grab your trekking stick and follow your guide into the forest to search for the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. depending on the location of the gorilla, expect to spend anywhere between 30 minutes to 6 hours in the forest searching for the gorillas. Volcanoes is also home to several other wildlife species including the endangered Golden Monkey that you might encounter as you trek in the forest.
After locating the gorillas, You will spend about 1 hour observing them as they bond, play, and groom their young ones. Visitors get enough time to film these creatures and take photographs for memories. Later, after the allocated time elapses, you’ll trek back to the visitors center from where your safari guide transfers you back to the lodge. At the lodge, refresh and later go for a memorable cultural experience in the local community.
Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals: All meals included
Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Transfer Volcanoes → Nyungwe NP — lodge, optional canopy walk/birding.
On the 3rd day of the 5-Day Rwanda Safari, Wake up early in the morning and enjoy and breakfast. After breakfast, check out of the lodge and start your journey to Nyungwe National Park where you’ll enjoy your next adventure on this 5 Days Safari in Rwanda. From Volcanoes National Park, you’ll drive southwards passing through different towns – the journey takes about 5 hours to reach Nyungwe Forest National Park. You’ll arrive at the park in time for lunch and proceed with a drive to your booked safari lodge.
Check in and enjoy lunch at the lodge. In the evening, you can go for optional activities like canopy walk or birding experience in the forest at an extra cost.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Meals: All meals included
Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 4: Chimp Trekking in Nyungwe → Transfer Akagera National Park — Lodge.
Wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast on this 4th day of your 5-Day Rwanda Safari. After breakfast, head to the park headquarter where you join other visitors for a briefing session. Just like mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking has its guidelines and rules that visitors must adhere to. After the briefing, you’ll then embark on a chimpanzee trekking experience in the forest searching for these incredible creatures. Chimpanzees are the humans closest relatives, sharing about 98% DNA with humans.
Expect to witness these primates mimicking human characters. You’ll be allowed to observe the primate for a full hour before you start the trek back to the visitors center. Visitors get enough photography and filming opportunities while with the primates. After your allocated time for observing the primates elapses, trek back to the visitors’ center. Transfer to the lodge and enjoy lunch. After lunch, start your journey to Akagera National Park where you’ll enjoy the final adventure on this classic 5-Day Rwanda Safari .
You’ll drive to the north East, arriving in the late evening. Proceed to your booked safari lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Meals: All meals included
Destination: Akagera National Park
Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Transfer to Kigali
On the Last day of your 5-Day Rwanda Safari, Wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast, embark on a game drive safari in Akagera National Park. Unlike Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park that are explored on foot, Akagera National Park is a savanna park and can be explored in a 4×4 Safari Car. Your experienced drive guide will drive you to different wildlife viewing sites for opportunities to see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos, and different antelope species, among others.
After this memorable game drive in the park, you’ll return to the lodge. Enjoy Lunch at the lodge before checking out. You’ll then drive back to Kigali city from where you will be driven to your preferred drop-off point (Airport or Hotel).
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Destination: Kigali
And that will mark the end of your 5-Day Rwanda Safari Tour
Approximate cost range (budget to mid-range) — Planning Costs
- Budget / Value choice: USD 1,100 – 1,600 per individual — shared transfers, medium-level safari lodges, group trips (gorilla & chimp entry fees not included).
- Mid-range / Comfort: USD 2,000 – 3,200 per person — more pleasant accommodations, some private transfers, less planning hassle, higher quality food.
- What it costs: gorilla permit fee, private vehicle, single accommodations, luxury lodge upgrades, internal flight or private charters.
Kinldy Note: Gorilla Permits and Chimpanzee Permits are restricted and are listed separately by authorities; they must be booked in advance
Usually included on a 5-Day Rwanda Safari
- Ground transfers as per the plan.
- Accommodations all-inclusive of the use of meals where indicated.
- Park entry fees where stated (confirm at booking)
- English-speaking driver/guide as well as local guides for.
- Gorilla and chimp trekking information and ranger help (permit fees may cost extra)
- Boat or game drive in Akagera if requested in package
Generally Excluded on a 5-Day Rwanda Safari
- International flight, visa, travel insurance
- Permits for gorilla and chimps (except where indicated in the quote)
- Drinks, tips, personal spending, additional activities (canopy walk, donation for the communities)
- Credit card surcharges or bank transferral fees
Recommended Time of Arrival
- Dry Seasons: June–September and December–February — best walking and wildlife visibility; trails firmer for trekking.
- Green / Wet season: March–May (long rains) and October–November (short rains) — fewer tourists, stunning landscape and lower costs, but slippery and muddy on rains. Trekking for gorillas year round but gets more tricky when it rains excessively.
Responsible conservation and eco-tourism
- Follow the rules: Stay a safe distance from primates and listen to the ranger and guide — these rules keep you and the animals safe.
- Support communities: Visits should be culturally ethical and community-based; purchase crafts directly from cooperatives. Local fees may fund area schools and health clinics.
- Leave no trace: Don’t leave trash behind, don’t use single-use plastics and minimize wildlife disruption.
Permits, Health, and Safety
- Permits for Gorilla & Chimp Treks: Book now — Permit Slots are Limited. Book 3 months Prior before starting your 5-Day Rwanda Safari
- Vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate may be required on arrival depending on where you’re arriving from. Routine vaccines and tetanus are advisable.
- Malaria: Akagera and the low-lying areas have malaria risk — take precautions and use mosquito protection. Mountain areas (Volcanoes, Nyungwe highlands) are cool but still use precautions.
- Fitness: This 5-Day Rwanda Safari – Gorilla trekking can be hard work — hikes can last for several hours on steep, muddy ground. Think about getting fit and choose a porter for help if you can.
- Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance and medical insurance (including an emergency evacuation) are highly advisable.
Photography and wildlife viewing advice
- Slow and quiet: Animals react to calm watching — the best views during this 5-Day Rwanda Safari often comes from being patient.
- Equipment: Telephoto lens (200–400mm) for savanna wildlife. Short lens (70–200mm) for gorillas and chimpanzees when in forests. Tripods when driving aren’t very useful; bring spares batteries as well as memory cards.
- Clothing: Shades of beige or gray, not bright colors; layers for mountain mornings and rainproof outer shell in rainy season.
- Follow the flash rules: Generally, you cannot use flash photography when you encounter primates — check the park and guides.
What to Pack on this 5-Day Rwanda Safari
- Sturdy hiking boots/shoes
- Waterproof lightweight jacket and layers (can feel cold in the mornings)
- Long-sleeved shirts and long pants (for being safe)
- Hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and camera equipment, spare batteries, and memory sticks.
- Small pack, collapsible water bottle, minimalist first-aid kit
- Insect repellent and personal drug supply
- Passport photocopies, permits, and insurance details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How physically prepared do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
A: Treks vary between 30 minutes and 6 hours. It’s advisable for people with moderate fitness; porters will typically also be available for carrying equipment or helping.
Q: Does the gorilla and the chimp have timed viewing times?
A: Yes — as a rule you get an hour with the habituated groups after locating them. Time of sear depends.
Q: Can you add a beach stay in this 5-day safari?
A: Yes — many add on a Zanzibar or Kenyan beach extension after Rwanda. Book multi-country logistics.
Q: What languages do the guides speak?
A: Most guides speak English. Many will also speak French or regional languages as per your reservation.
