The Cost of 5-Day Rwanda Primates Luxury High-End Safari
Imagine waking up to the sound of birds in a misty forest, sipping coffee while gazing at endless green hills, and then stepping into the wilderness to meet chimpanzees and gorillas face-to-face. The 5-Day Rwanda Primates Luxury Safari is not just a trip; it is an adventure that blends rare wildlife encounters with world-class comfort. This safari takes you to two of Rwanda’s most famous national parks: Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you will stay in luxury lodges, enjoy fine dining, and experience cultural highlights. Every detail is designed to give you both excitement and relaxation. Whether you choose a chartered flight or a 4×4 Land Cruiser transfer, this trip gives you memories that last a lifetime.
How Much Does this Safari Cost?
The cost of this safari depends on how you choose to travel between parks.
- Chartered flights option: $22,499 per person (based on 2 people sharing accommodation)
- 4×4 Land Cruiser transfers option: $17,610 per person (based on 2 people sharing accommodation)
What the Cost Covers
This safari package covers almost everything from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. Here is what is included:
- Domestic chartered flights (for the flight option)
- High-end luxury accommodation and all meals as listed per day
- Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking permits
- Driver guide for all ground transfers
- Government taxes
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages — including house wines and beers
- Laundry service (within reason)
- Nespresso machine, tea, and coffee facilities in your room
- Use of steam rooms and sauna at Club One
- Complimentary wireless internet access
- Access to the fitness centre, open daily
- Daily bottled water and personal pantry in your room
- Complimentary trekking gear from the lodge — ponchos, gaiters, backpacks, and shoe cleaning
Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Your guide from Iconic Africa Safaris will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali and take you to the airport for a 45-minute chartered flight to Nyungwe. Once you land, you will head straight to One&Only Nyungwe House, your luxury base for the next two nights. Set among lush tea plantations on the edge of Nyungwe National Park in southwest Rwanda, this stunning resort offers a mix of treehouses and private villas tucked into untamed forest surroundings.
After you will check in and enjoy lunch, you will take a relaxed visit to the nearby tea plantations. The rolling green hills and the smell of fresh tea leaves make for a peaceful and beautiful first afternoon in Rwanda.
- Meals: Lunch and dinner (Half Board)
- Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
You will wake up early and sit down for breakfast at around 6:30 am. Your driver guide will then take you to the park headquarters, located at either Uwinka, Gisakura, or Kitabi. After a brief introduction by the park rangers, you will set off in small groups into the forest. Small groups keep the experience personal and quiet — just you and the wild.
The trek through the forest takes between 1 and 4 hours, depending on where the chimpanzee community is that day. As you push through thick undergrowth and listen to the sounds of the forest, the excitement builds. Then, suddenly, you hear them — chimpanzees calling, swinging through branches, or moving along the forest floor. You spend 1 full hour watching them up close as they feed, groom each other and go about their daily lives. Along the way, you will also spot other primates (monkeys) and a wide variety of colorful forest birds.
After the trek, you will return to the lodge for a well-earned rest and lunch. In the afternoon, you will head out for the canopy walk — a suspended 70 meters walkway high above the forest floor, offering a bird’s-eye view of the treetops. From up there, you have another opportunity to see more primates and rare birds that are hard to spot from the ground.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Full Board)
- Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House
Day 3: Flight to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will board a scenic 45-minute flight from Nyungwe to Musanze, the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park. Your Iconic Africa Safaris guide will meet you at the airstrip and will drive you to One&Only Gorilla’s Nest — your home for the next two nights. Surrounded by swaying eucalyptus trees on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, this exceptional resort puts you right beside the misty slopes where mountain gorillas roam.
You will check in, relax and soak in the atmosphere. In the afternoon, you will have the option to hike to the grave of Dian Fossey or visit Karisoke Research Centre, where this legendary scientist once lived and worked studying mountain gorillas. It is a deeply moving and educational experience.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Full Board)
- Accommodation: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience
This is the day most travelers dream about. You will rise early at around 5:30 am and enjoy a hearty breakfast to give you energy for the trek ahead. By 7:00 am, you arrive at Kinigi park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing. The rangers divides all trekkers into groups of eight, and each group gets assigned a specific gorilla family to track.
Before you head into the forest, you will have the chance to hire a porter for between $10 and $25. It is optional, but strongly recommended — porters carry your bag, help you stay steady on slippery trails and hiring them directly supports the local community.
You then set off into the forest, guided by armed rangers who clear the path with machetes when needed. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on where your gorilla family has moved that day. When you finally reach the gorillas, the ranger signals for silence. You stand there, hearts pounding, as a whole gorilla family goes about their lives around you. The silverback patrols and beats his chest to assert authority. Mothers nurse their young. Young gorillas chase and wrestle each other. You get 1 full hour with them — an hour that feels both endless and far too short.
After the trek, you descend to the starting point and drive back to the lodge for lunch and rest. Later in the afternoon, you visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where local communities share their traditions, music, dance and way of life. It is a warm and joyful way to connect with the people of Rwanda.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Full Board)
- Accommodation: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
Day 5: Flight Back to Kigali and Optional City Tour
After your final breakfast at the lodge, you board your 30-minute scenic flight back to Kigali. Your guide meets you and takes you on an optional city tour of Rwanda’s vibrant capital.
You start at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a sobering and important place that tells the story of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial stands as a tribute to the victims and a reminder of Rwanda’s journey toward healing and unity. From there, you head to Inema Arts Center or Niyo Art Gallery, both spaces that showcase the creativity and resilience of Rwandan artists. If time allows, you stop at Kimironko Market — a lively, colorful local market where you can pick up handcrafted souvenirs and fresh local produce.
After the city tour, your guide drives you to the airport for your international flight home. If you wish to spend more nights in Kigali, the team can arrange luxury hotel accommodation at an extra fee.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch (Half Board)
- Accommodation: Not included but can be arranged at extra cost
When Should You Book this Safari?
You are advised to book this safari 4 to 6 months in advance. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are limited and sell out fast, especially during peak travel seasons. Flights and luxury accommodations at One&Only resorts also fill up quickly.
The best time to go is during the dry seasons: June, July, August and September, and then again from December to February. During these months, the skies stay clear, the trekking trails are dry and easier to walk and wildlife sightings are at their best. That said, Rwanda stays green all year round, and the wet season months still offer rewarding treks — just with muddier trails.
What to Pack for this Safari
For this adventure, pack wisely to ensure comfort and readiness:
- Lightweight trekking clothes
- Waterproof jacket and poncho
- Hiking boots
- Backpack
- Camera and binoculars
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle
How to Book Your 5-Day Rwanda Primates Luxury Safari
Booking your 5-Day Rwanda Primates Luxury Safari is simple and flexible. You can choose whichever method feels most convenient, and one of our safari consultants will respond to you within 12 hours. Here are the options:
- Email booking: Send us an email at info@iconicafricasafaris.com with your travel details, preferred dates, and any special requests.
- WhatsApp booking: Chat with us directly on WhatsApp at +256767585369 or tap on the WhatsApp icon hovering the right side of your device for quick and direct responses.
- Form submission: Fill out the booking form provided and our team will get back to you with confirmation and next steps.
Whichever option you select, our consultants will guide you through the process, confirm availability and help tailor the safari to your preferences.
