Rwanda Safaris, Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Tours

We offer Rwanda safaris, featuring gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife viewing, and luxury safari experiences designed for different travel styles. Whether you are looking for a short primate-focused journey, a classic wildlife safari, or a longer private holiday, our Rwanda safaris can be tailored to match your interests, pace, and budget.

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of East Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations, combining mountain scenery, rich wildlife, vibrant culture, and well-organised travel experiences. Gorilla trekking remains one of the country’s most sought-after activities, but Rwanda offers far more than that alone. Travellers can also enjoy wildlife safaris, cultural encounters, city tours, mountain hiking, cycling experiences, and scenic relaxation in different parts of the country

At AA Safaris and Tours, we arrange private, group, and luxury Rwanda safaris with practical planning and local destination knowledge, helping travellers enjoy a well-paced and memorable journey through one of Africa’s most remarkable destinations.

What to expect on a Rwanda safari

The most famous park for Rwanda safari holidays is the Volcanoes National Park in the north-western part of the country. The park is frequented because of its residents, the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is the most sought-after activity in the country. However, there are other parks that tourists can consider visiting, and these are Akagera National Park in the east and Nyungwe National Park in the South. Nyungwe Forest National Park is known to be the oldest tropical forest in Africa.  Nyungwe Park is home to a great number of primates, including chimpanzees and the black and white colobus monkeys. In contrast to Nyungwe, Akagera National Park is the only park in Rwanda where one can do safaris, with opportunities of viewing animals in a jeep. Despite the low numbers of animals compared to Kenya, Akagera offers excellent scenery that is worth the 2-hour drive from Kigali.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorilla tracking in Rwanda is the ultimate wildlife experience that a person visiting the land of a thousand hills shouldn’t miss out on. Mountain gorillas are currently estimated to number 1,063 as of the census that took place in 2019, and these are divided between three countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo. Rwanda is known to be home to part of these mountain gorillas, and there are about 13 gorilla families to visit per day. The existence of over 1000 individual gorillas is proof of Africa’s greatest conservation stories that have been aided by tourism. This is in relation to the time when Dian Fossey first made the world aware of the existence of these great giant primates. In the 1960’s, there were only 250 mountain gorillas left. Mountain gorilla trekking permits aren’t cheap at all, but the experience is worth every coin. In Rwanda today, gorilla trekking permits cost USD 1,500 per person. Part of the proceeds go back to the local communities that protect the forests and home of these gentle giants.

Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Parc des Volcans is not just a home to the silverbacks, but also to large groups of golden monkeys. These monkeys travel in large groups of 100s. Volcanoes National Park has two groups that have been habituated for tracking. One group can be found along the slopes of mountain Karisimbi, whereas the other group is in the bamboo forest of the Sabyinyo mountains. In addition, this tropical rain forest is not only home to the golden monkeys, but also the owl-faced monkeys, vervets,  blue and dent monkeys. Primate safaris in Rwanda aren’t only focused on safaris in the Volcanoes park. Other parks like Nyungwe have chimpanzees and L’hoest monkeys, whereas if you drive through Akagera at night, you can spot the small pottos and Olive baboons during the day.

Golden monkey trekking is one of the most rewarding primate experiences in Rwanda for travellers who want something lighter, faster, and still highly memorable. Unlike gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking often takes place at a lower altitude and can be more manageable for travellers who want to enjoy primate viewing without a longer, more demanding forest hike. Their playful behaviour, fast movement, and bright golden-orange markings make the experience especially exciting for photography and close observation.

For many visitors, golden monkey trekking works very well as part of a wider Rwanda safari, especially when combined with gorilla trekking, Kigali city experiences, or a visit to Lake Kivu. It adds variety to the itinerary and gives travellers a broader understanding of the primate life found in Rwanda’s volcanic landscape. Because the trek takes place in the same wider region as gorilla trekking, it can also fit well into short Rwanda safaris built around Volcanoes National Park

Golden monkey tracking also gives travellers a chance to experience the beautiful bamboo zone of Volcanoes National Park, one of the most scenic parts of the park. The setting itself adds to the value of the activity, with fresh mountain air, forest views, and a sense of being in one of East Africa’s most remarkable primate habitats. For travellers interested in wildlife, scenery, and unique encounters beyond the better-known gorilla trek, this is a worthwhile addition to a Rwanda safari

Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks in Nyungwe

Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is the one and only home for chimpanzee tracking safaris. The park is located in the south of the country and can be easily accessed in 4 and a half hours by road from the capital city, Kigali.  The park is not only famous for chimpanzees, but it’s also home to 12 different primate species, which are worth exploring.

Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda costs USD150 for international visitors, and it has an age limit. Anyone below 15 years is not allowed to trek with chimpanzees. The actual chimpanzee trek starts as early as 5:30 am, and once you meet the chimps, this will last for 1 hour.  Please note that the price is subject to change.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe gives travellers a lively and fast-moving primate experience, while the canopy walk adds a very different perspective of the same forest. Together, they make Nyungwe one of the most varied nature experiences on Rwanda safaris, especially for travellers who want more than one activity in a single destination

The canopy walk is one of the highlights of visiting Nyungwe because it allows travellers to experience the rainforest from above, with sweeping forest views and a stronger sense of the scale and beauty of the landscape. For many visitors, this adds a memorable scenic element to the trip and creates a contrast to the forest-floor experience of chimpanzee tracking. It also appeals to travellers who enjoy walking, photography, and immersive nature experiences beyond wildlife sightings alone.

For longer Rwanda safaris, combining chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walk in Nyungwe helps create a more balanced itinerary. It brings together primates, rainforest scenery, and soft adventure in one part of the journey, making Nyungwe a strong complement to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or wildlife viewing in Akagera. This makes the park especially valuable for travellers who want a Rwanda safari with variety, scenery, and active experiences.

Wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the home to the Big Five in Rwanda, and therefore, if you visit Rwanda, game viewing can be done in this park. Located in the east, sharing a border with Tanzania, Akagera is home to the famous and most sought-after animals, like leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and so much more. The park is also home to Lake Ihema, where visitors can take boat cruises to get close to water-loving animals.

Akagera offers a very different side of Rwanda safaris, making it a valuable contrast to the country’s primate-focused experiences. Instead of dense mountain forest, travellers find open savannah, rolling hills, lakes, and a wider sense of space that suits classic game viewing. This makes Akagera especially attractive for visitors who want to balance gorilla trekking or chimpanzee tracking with a more traditional wildlife safari experience.

One of the strengths of Akagera is how well it fits into short and well-paced Rwanda safari itineraries. Travellers can enjoy game drives, scenic landscapes, and boat experiences without needing to cross into another country for savannah wildlife. That gives Rwanda a more complete safari appeal and helps visitors experience both primates and plains game within one destination.

Akagera also stands out for the variety of scenery it brings to a Rwanda safari. The combination of lakes, wetlands, woodland, and open grassland creates a richer visual experience and supports a wider range of wildlife encounters. For travellers who enjoy photography, changing landscapes, and the feeling of a broader safari circuit, Akagera adds depth and balance to the overall journey.

Frequently asked questions about Rwanda safaris

What is the best time to visit Rwanda? 

Safaris in Rwanda are possible at any time of the year. Although the most popular time of travel for gorilla trekking safaris is during the long dry season. This is between June and September and the short dry season is between December and February. Rwanda receives rains during March and May and during October and November.

For those intending to track gorillas during the drier months of the year. We recommend you book your Rwanda tour months in advance to ensure that you have gorilla permits.

Do I need a Visa to visit Rwanda? 

Rwanda visas can be obtained online or at the point of entry, which is at airports and borders on arrival. We encourage our clients to apply for the visas online so as to save some time at the border.  There are different types of visas, including the tourist single-entry visa, the multiple-entry visa, etc. We recommend our clients obtain the single-entry visa that costs USD 50 only if they are visiting Rwanda.

However, if you are proceeding to other countries like Uganda and Kenya, we recommend that you obtain the East African Tourists Visa, which costs USD 100. With the bilateral relations that countries have, of course, there are a number of countries exempt from paying visa fees.

To obtain a visa, you require a valid travel document for at least 6 months’ validity. You also need a certificate of immunisation against any epidemic disease at the same time.

How do I get around in Rwanda? 

Rwanda currently has excellent roads that have replaced the dirt roads. It also has airstrips for those who wish to fly from one place to another. Charter flights are readily available to connect you to all major national parks, including the mountain gorilla park.

Notably,  the best way to get to Rwanda’s countryside is by using a 4-wheel drive with a driver. Getting around on a self-drive is complicated. We recommend that you leave the driving to our specialists and relax and enjoy the countryside.

Where to stay while on tour in Rwanda? 

Rwanda has a great number of hotels and lodges that can accommodate you and your friends or Family.  There are quite a number of them in the city, and also closer to the national parks. This country has a great number of luxury hotels and lodges. However, basic and moderate facilities are available for those with a budget for their Rwanda safari holiday.

Rwanda has positioned itself as a luxury destination, and therefore, there are quite a number of new luxury 5-star facilities that one can consider staying at whilst on a luxury Rwanda safari.

Is Rwanda good for Safari?

Yes, Rwanda is excellent for safaris, because it is one of the countries where you can see the Big Five animals: rhinos, elephants, leopards, lions, and buffalo. In addition to the most sought-after animals, you can also get an opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

Unlike other wildlife destination countries, Rwanda’s parks, such as Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes National Park, are not congested. These parks still give you the authentic feel of being in the wilderness.

What is the cost of a Rwanda Safari?

Prices of a Rwanda Safari depend on the activities you are doing and also the number of days you are spending in Rwanda. However, for those doing a longer trip or a trip with gorilla tracking, the price starts from USD 1500, because of the gorilla tracking permit prices.

Rwanda trips can be from 1 Day to as many days as you desire, and the cost will surely vary according to what is included in the fees, and the number of people in your party, too. We tailor our Rwanda tours to the client’s requirements, and we do offer free price quotations for our Rwanda tours. Do not hesitate to inquire or send us an email.  

What is the Cost of Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda?

Rwanda gorilla tracking permit costs USD 1500, and if you want to track a particular gorilla family privately, then the fee is USD 15,000. 8 people are allowed to track a particular gorilla family in a day.

Is gorilla tracking in Rwanda worth the price?

Yes, the gorilla trekking experience is one of the experiences that is hard to explain, no matter how many times you do it. Each time is different, and the price is worth it a thousand times. More so, part of the proceeds of the gorilla permit fees go back to the communities. These efforts are attributed to their sustainable development projects.

Can you touch the gorillas in Rwanda?

Unfortunately, No. You can be as close as 7 metres, and if you are lucky, the little ones come closer to you and touch you, then that is the closest you will get to touching them.  Mountain gorillas are close to humans and therefore can easily catch any infectious disease. Therefore,  you need to keep your distance.

How many days do I need to see gorillas in Rwanda?

In Rwanda, you need at least 1 full free day to see the gorillas. However, we recommend that you do the 3-day gorilla tracking tour because it is not rushed. Most noteworthy, if you are in Kigali for business, you can do the 1-day gorilla trek or the 2-day gorilla tracking safari. These two tours are rushed, although they work it.