7-Day Great Apes Expedition: Gorilla & Chimp Trek in Rwanda

The 7-day Great Apes Expedition is Rwanda’s definitive primate safari: two mountain gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park, a golden monkey trek, and chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. Every permit — including the $1,500 gorilla allocation — is secured in advance, with private guiding and curated lodges throughout. Seven days cover the full arc of Rwanda’s primates at a pace that never feels rushed.

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Primate Trekking · Rwanda · Volcanoes National Park · 7 days · Moderate

7-Day Great Apes Expedition | Gorilla & Chimp Trek Rwanda

Expedition Overview

Join a 7-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari with two mountain gorilla treks, golden monkey trekking, and Lake Kivu. Book your expedition today.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali

Your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari begins with airport pickup and transfer to your hotel in Kigali. Spend the afternoon exploring the city, with an optional visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a deeper understanding of Rwanda's history, before a welcome dinner introducing you to Rwandan cuisine.

Day 2: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Travel roughly three hours to Musanze, gateway to Volcanoes National Park and home to Rwanda's mountain gorillas. In the afternoon, visit the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village for an authentic look at local traditions before resting ahead of your first trek.

Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Day One

An early morning briefing at park headquarters kicks off your first mountain gorilla trek. Guided by experienced trackers through the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains, you'll spend a full hour observing a habituated gorilla family in their natural habitat — one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Africa.

Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking

A lighter trek through Volcanoes National Park's bamboo forest brings you face to face with playful golden monkeys, an endangered primate species found only in this region. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge or exploring the scenic Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.

Day 5: Second Gorilla Trek or Dian Fossey Hike

Choose between a second mountain gorilla trek with a different family group, or a more challenging hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb and former Karisoke Research Camp, honoring the legacy of the renowned primatologist who dedicated her life to gorilla conservation.

Day 6: Lake Kivu Getaway

After days of trekking, unwind on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu. Enjoy boat rides, lakeside walks, and stunning sunset views over one of Africa's Great Lakes — the perfect way to decompress before heading home.

Day 7: Return to Kigali and Departure

A relaxed morning precedes your drive back to Kigali for your onward flight, bringing your Rwanda great apes expedition to a close.

Price

From $6,436 per person

  • 1 traveler: $8,956 per person
  • 2 travelers: $7,213 per person
  • 3 travelers: $6,824 per person
  • 4 travelers: $6,654 per person
  • 5 travelers: $6,515 per person
  • 6 travelers: $6,436 per person
  • 7 travelers: $6,714 per person
  • 8 travelers: $6,650 per person

Prices are per person in USD and vary with group size. Contact us for current availability and gorilla permit booking.

What's Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off in Kigali
  • Private transportation throughout the safari in a 4x4 safari vehicle
  • 6 nights' accommodation (Kigali, Musanze/Volcanoes area, Lake Kivu) on a double/twin sharing basis
  • All meals as per itinerary (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • 2 mountain gorilla trekking permits ($1,500 each)
  • 1 golden monkey trekking permit
  • Park ranger and tracker fees during treks
  • Bottled water during game drives and treks
  • Kigali Genocide Memorial entrance fee Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village visit
  • Kigali Genocide Memorial entrance fee

What's Not Included

  • International Flights
  • Items for personal nature
  • Visa
  • Travel insurance

Page Sections

  • The Complete Rwanda Great Apes Safari
  • Two Gorilla Treks, Golden Monkeys & Chimpanzees
  • Day-by-Day Itinerary
  • Permits for the Great Apes Expedition
  • Lodges, Guides & What’s Included

Related Safaris & Guides

For the full itinerary, live pricing and availability, book directly: 7-Day Great Apes Expedition: Gorilla & Chimp Trek in Rwanda on Lux Gorilla Safaris.