Private • Rwanda
7 Days Fly-in Rwanda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Safari
Volcanoes, Nyungwe canopy, and mountain gorillas by private charter
Overview
About this journey
- Region
- Northern Province
- Duration
- 7 days
- Departures
- All year round
- Party size
- Up to 6
Experience Rwanda's incredible primate diversity on this 7-Day Fly-in Rwanda Safari, combining scenic domestic flights with unforgettable encounters with the country's most iconic wildlife. Trek through the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe National Park in search of chimpanzees, meet the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, and track the rare golden monkeys found only in the Virunga Mountains. Designed to minimize long road transfers, this fly-in safari allows you to maximize your time exploring Rwanda's spectacular national parks while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the country's rolling hills, forests, lakes, and volcanoes.
Safari Highlights
Scenic domestic flights across Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey tracking
Kigali city tour
Optional cultural village visit or Dian Fossey hike
Stunning views of Rwanda's "Land of a Thousand Hills"
Professional English-speaking safari guide
Highlights
What you'll experience
Mountain Gorilla Trek, Volcanoes NP
Your tracker picks up the Susa group's trail before dawn. An hour of bamboo forest, then the silverback settles three metres away and chews wild celery while an infant wrestles his mother's arm. You have one hour — it rarely feels like enough.
Golden Monkey Morning
On the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, golden monkeys move through the bamboo in brief, electric bursts of amber and black. Our guide Fabrice calls them 'the forest's sparks'. A two-hour habituation session leaves you with a sore neck from looking up and a full memory card.
Nyungwe Canopy Walkway
The walkway sways 50 metres above Nyungwe's forest floor as a troop of Angola colobus passes close enough to hear the rustle of their white-fringed cloaks. Below, the canopy folds away in every direction like a green sea no horizon interrupts.
Chimpanzee Tracking, Nyungwe
Nyungwe holds one of East Africa's largest chimpanzee communities. Your guide reads the forest — a half-eaten fig here, a fresh knuckle-print there — before the chimps announce themselves with a chorus of calls that seems to come from every direction at once.
Private Charter Flights
Each inter-park transfer is a low-altitude charter flight. Watching the terraced hills give way to high-altitude moorland from a four-seat Cessna, with a cold bottle of water and no other passengers, is the quietest luxury of the whole week.
Kigali Genocide Memorial and City Walk
Before you leave, a morning at the Genocide Memorial offers context that no amount of wildlife watching provides alone. Afterward, the Kimironko Market and a plate of isombe at a neighbourhood restaurant remind you that Kigali is one of the continent's most alive cities.
Why choose us
Why choose a Private Journey?
Most Rwanda visitors spend five days in Volcanoes and never reach Nyungwe. This itinerary closes that gap — entirely by air, which means no eight-hour road transfer and no lost afternoons to tarmac.
Both Primate Strongholds, One Week
The itinerary pairs mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virungas with chimpanzee tracking and the Angola colobus in Nyungwe — Rwanda's full primate story in seven days rather than the usual single-park visit.
All Transfers by Private Charter
Every inter-park move is a short charter flight. You arrive fresh, with daylight still ahead of you, rather than road-weary at dusk. The aerial views of the terraced hills are worth the early boarding alone.
Maximum 6 Guests
Small groups move faster in the forest, disturb less, and allow guides to give real attention to questions. Our policy is never to combine private bookings into a larger group without your prior agreement.
Itinerary
Your day-by-day journey
Day 1
Arrival in Kigali
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional guide from Arrive Africa Safaris and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a guided tour of Rwanda's vibrant capital city. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, museums, or art galleries to gain insight into Rwanda's remarkable history, culture, and transformation. Relax and prepare for the exciting adventures ahead.
Accommodation: Vista Hotel, Empire Guest House, or similar
Meal Plan: Dinner
Meals · Dinner
Day 2
Kigali – Scenic Flight to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Kigali before transferring to the airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Kamembe Airport, the gateway to Nyungwe National Park. Upon arrival, transfer to your lodge located near the ancient rainforest. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the surrounding area while enjoying spectacular views of one of Africa's oldest montane forests. Nyungwe National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, home to more than 13 primate species, over 320 bird species, and hundreds of butterfly and plant species.
Accommodation: Lodge near Nyungwe National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Wake up early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing by experienced park guides. Accompanied by expert trackers, venture deep into Nyungwe Forest in search of one of the park's habituated chimpanzee communities. The trek takes you through dense rainforest, where you may also encounter other primates such as L'Hoest's monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys.
Once you locate the chimpanzees, spend one unforgettable hour observing their fascinating behavior as they feed, groom, communicate, and swing effortlessly through the forest canopy. After your trek, return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon surrounded by the peaceful rainforest.
Accommodation: Lodge near Nyungwe National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Golden Monkeys and a Second Trek OptionFly to Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Kamembe Airport for your domestic flight back to Kigali. Upon arrival, meet your guide and continue by road to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The scenic drive offers breathtaking views of Rwanda's rolling hills, tea plantations, and the majestic Virunga Volcanoes. After checking in at your lodge, spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Depending on your interests, you may enjoy an optional cultural village visit, guided nature walk, or simply relax while preparing for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by Rwanda Development Board park rangers. You will receive important information about gorilla trekking regulations, conservation efforts, and safety procedures before being assigned to a habituated gorilla family.
Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, hike through the lush rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family, the trek may last between 2 and 6 hours. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, groom, care for their young, and interact naturally within their family group. This extraordinary encounter is one of Africa's greatest wildlife experiences. Return to your lodge for a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Golden Monkey Tracking – Optional Cultural Experience
After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for another exciting primate adventure as you track the rare golden monkeys. These beautiful and energetic primates are endemic to the Virunga Mountains and are known for their striking golden-orange fur and playful nature. Watching them leap through the bamboo forests provides a memorable wildlife experience and excellent photography opportunities. In the afternoon, you may choose one of several optional activities, including:
Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village for an authentic cultural experience, Hiking to the Dian Fossey Tomb and Karisoke Research Center (optional), Exploring the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, Relaxing at your lodge while enjoying the spectacular mountain scenery. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Return to Kigali – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the nearby airstrip or airport for your scheduled flight back to Kigali. Depending on your departure time, you may have an opportunity for last-minute shopping at local craft markets or enjoy a brief sightseeing tour before your guide transfers you to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
Your unforgettable 7-Day Fly-in Rwanda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Safari comes to an end, leaving you with incredible memories of Rwanda's remarkable wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and warm hospitality.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Safari Includes
Airport transfers
Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
Transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
Gorilla trekking permit
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Golden monkey tracking permit
Park entrance fees
Six nights' accommodation
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Bottled drinking water during the safari
Safari Excludes
International flights
Rwanda visa (where applicable)
Travel insurance
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and telephone calls
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
End of Your 7 Days Fly-in Rwanda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Safari
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- All private charter flights between Kigali, Kinigi (Volcanoes), and Nyungwe
- Two mountain gorilla trekking permits (Days 3 and 4)
- One golden monkey habituation permit (Day 4 morning)
- One chimpanzee tracking permit (Day 6)
- Nyungwe canopy walkway entry
- 6 nights' accommodation in lodges specified in the itinerary
- All meals from dinner Day 1 through lunch Day 7
- Private game-drive vehicle and driver-guide throughout
- English-speaking specialist guides in each park
- Park entry fees for all protected areas
- Airport meet-and-greet and all ground transfers
- Bottled water and snacks on all drives and flights
Not included
- International flights to and from the region
- Entry visas and any transit visas
- Travel and medical insurance, which is mandatory
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Laundry, telephone and other items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities for your guide, drivers and lodge staff
- Optional activities not listed in the day-by-day itinerary
Pricing
Available all year round
A private itinerary with no fixed departure dates. Rates are per person in USD.
Journey Details
Essential information
Minimum Age
15 years for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
Safari Duffel
Soft-sided bags only on charter flights; maximum 15 kg per person in the hold plus 5 kg cabin bag
First Group Event
Dinner on Day 1 at your Kigali hotel, 19:00
Last Group Event
Lunch on Day 7 in Kigali before airport transfer
Guaranteed Departures
All departures run with a minimum of 2 guests. With 6 guests maximum, this itinerary is guaranteed once your deposit is received.
Alternate Sightseeing
If gorilla permits are unavailable on a given date, we substitute a full-day gorilla habituation experience (GHEX), which allows four hours with a semi-habituated group. We notify you of any such change at least 60 days before departure.