Gorillas in the Virungas and chimpanzees in Nyungwe, linked by a helicopter flight across the country.
Rwanda’s two great ape forests sit at opposite ends of the country. By road the journey between them takes most of a day; by helicopter it takes under an hour and shows you the whole of Lake Kivu on the way.
You trek gorillas from Bisate, fly south to Nyungwe House for the chimpanzees, and return to Kigali in time for an evening flight.
Rwanda
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Minimum age 15
Gorilla permits are only issued to visitors aged 15 and over.
Pace and fitness
Balanced, fitness: active.
Drive north from Kigali to Bisate for lunch and an afternoon by the fire.
Overnight
Wilderness Bisate Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Six forest villas on the slope of an eroded volcanic cone, facing Bisoke and Karisimbi.
Your hour with a mountain gorilla family, and an afternoon planting a tree in Bisate’s forest.
Overnight
Wilderness Bisate Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Six forest villas on the slope of an eroded volcanic cone, facing Bisoke and Karisimbi.
Fly south over the length of Lake Kivu to Nyungwe. The afternoon is for a tea estate walk or the spa.
Overnight
One&Only Nyungwe House (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Rooms inside a working tea plantation, on the very edge of Nyungwe Forest.
Chimpanzee tracking at dawn, then back to Kigali by road or by air.
Wilderness Bisate Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Six forest villas on the slope of an eroded volcanic cone, facing Bisoke and Karisimbi.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
One&Only Nyungwe House (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Rooms inside a working tea plantation, on the very edge of Nyungwe Forest.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb) | US$12,150 | US$9,450 | US$8,883 | US$8,883 | US$8,883 | US$8,883 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$11,020 | US$8,320 | US$7,821 | US$7,821 | US$7,821 | US$7,821 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. Gorilla permits are included at the current government rate and are subject to availability.
Best time for this trip Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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