Family Luxury Rwanda Safaris
Gorilla trekking for teenagers and adults, rooms that keep the family close, and a safari company based in Kigali to plan every day.
For lodges and itineraries beyond family travel, see our luxury Rwanda safaris.
Every gorilla trekker in Rwanda must be 15 or older, so a family luxury Rwanda safari is planned around teenagers and adults. Our luxury family itineraries start at US$4,970 per person sharing for three days, with gorilla permits included. Rooms are shared in pairs, so a family of four pays up to four times the per person price.
Key facts at a glance
- Price from
- US$4,970 per person sharing (3 days, luxury). At most US$19,880 for four. A 5-day luxury safari with two gorilla treks is US$9,076. Guide prices, final price in a written quotation
- Trip length
- 3 to 7 days on our family itineraries. Shorter and longer trips of 3 to 12 days are planned on request
- Best season
- June to September and December to February
- Group size
- Your own family. We do not mix clients. Gorilla groups take 8 visitors a day
- Starts and ends in
- Kigali
- Includes
- Your own vehicle, guide and rooms; accommodation; airport transfers; park fees; gorilla permit in every itinerary with gorilla trekking
- Permit
- US$1,500 per person. Minimum age 15. The 5-day luxury safari includes two gorilla treks
- Booking lead time
- 3 to 6 months ahead
- Languages
- English, French, Kinyarwanda
Family luxury Rwanda safari itineraries
These are the four itineraries on our website that we recommend for families. Each one is built for your family. We change the nights, the lodges and the order to suit you, and we plan the return around your flight.
The 3-Day High end Gorilla Trekking & Golden Monkeys Rwanda is the shortest way to trek together: one gorilla trek and golden monkey tracking, based at The Bishop’s House. The 5 Day Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Safari – Double Gorilla Trekking stays in Volcanoes National Park for two gorilla treks. The 6-Day Luxury Rwanda Safari: Gorillas & Akagera Big Five adds Akagera National Park for a classic game drive safari. The 7-Day Rwanda Luxury Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari adds Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzees, for guests aged 15 and over.
For other short trips, see our Rwanda short safaris. For the highest lodge level we plan, see our ultra luxury Rwanda safari. To compare every itinerary we offer, browse our Rwanda safari packages.
Longer routes covering all three parks are planned on request.
| Itinerary | Days | Nights | Parks | Level | Price from (US$ per person sharing) | Total for four, at most (US$) | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day High end Gorilla Trekking & Golden Monkeys Rwanda | 3 | 2 | Volcanoes | Luxury | 4,970 | 19,880 | The shortest way to trek together |
| 5 Day Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Safari – Double Gorilla Trekking | 5 | 4 | Volcanoes only; two gorilla treks | Luxury | 9,076 | 36,304 | Two treks, one base |
| 6-Day Luxury Rwanda Safari: Gorillas & Akagera Big Five | 6 | 5 | Volcanoes, Akagera | Ultra-luxury | 17,200 | 68,800 | Gorillas plus a game drive safari |
| 7-Day Rwanda Luxury Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari | 7 | 6 | Volcanoes, Nyungwe | Ultra-luxury | 16,185 | 64,740 | Gorillas plus chimpanzees |
The per person price falls as the group grows, because the vehicle and guide are shared. Your written quotation shows the exact total.
What is included, and what is not
Included in every itinerary:
- Your own vehicle and guide, with rooms for your family only
- Accommodation at the lodges we plan with you, with neighboring rooms for your family
- Gorilla trekking permit, in every itinerary that includes gorilla trekking
- Park fees
- Golden monkey tracking, in every itinerary that lists it
- Airport transfers
- Planning and a written quotation, with no fee and no obligation
Not included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal items.
Arranged on request, priced separately:
- Helicopter transfers with Akagera Aviation, priced per aircraft (see our helicopter rates on the ultra luxury page)
- Exclusive gorilla permit for a smaller party that wants a gorilla family alone: US$15,000 for the group
- Porters: about US$10 a day, tips optional
- Stretcher carry: US$200 per guest for the whole carry, useful for older family members
- A single room for a traveler who does not share: a single supplement applies, quoted with your itinerary
Visas, insurance and flights are the responsibility of the traveler. We recommend travel insurance for every guest. Payment and cancellation terms are in our booking policy.
Who this suits, and who should wait
Best for families who:
- Have teenagers aged 15 and over and want the whole family to trek the gorillas together.
- Travel as several generations. Parents, adults and grandparents can all join, and a stretcher carry can be arranged if someone needs it.
- Are traveling as 4, 6 or 8 people and want rooms close together.
- Plan ahead for the summer school holidays.
Not ideal for families who:
- Have children under 15 and want them to trek gorillas or chimpanzees. The age limit is firm. See the section below on what younger children can do.
- Expect to choose their gorilla family. No family is guaranteed on any day.
- Want to confirm dates at short notice. Peak dates fill early, so check the best months to travel and plan three to six months ahead.
Traveling as a couple? See our luxury honeymoon safaris.
What a family luxury Rwanda safari costs
A family pays the per person price for two travelers sharing a room. We use one costing method for every safari, so there is no separate family price. The vehicle and guide are shared between the travelers, so the per person price falls as the group grows: one traveler pays more than two, and four travelers pay less than two. Four things shape the total: the number of travelers, the lodges, the number of nights and the parks you visit.
- The gorilla permit is US$1,500 per trekker, from age 15.
- Rooms are shared in pairs. An odd number of travelers means one single room and a single supplement, quoted with your itinerary.
- The vehicle and guide are shared between the travelers, so the more travelers there are, the lower the transport cost per person.
- Price ranges by trip length are in the table below, with the total for four.
| Trip | Per person sharing | Total for four, at most |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days, Volcanoes only | 4,000 to 5,500 | 16,000 to 22,000 |
| 5 days, Volcanoes and one more park | 6,500 to 9,000 | 26,000 to 36,000 |
| 7 days, Volcanoes and Nyungwe | 9,000 to 12,500 | 36,000 to 50,000 |
All prices are per person, for two people sharing a room, and they are guide prices. We send the final price in an official quotation. For example, our 3-day safari is US$4,970 per person for two travelers, US$4,680 for four and US$4,500 for six. For every cost and what is in it, see our Rwanda safari cost guide. For a luxury-level breakdown, read luxury safari cost in Rwanda.
A saving for trekking families. From November to May the gorilla permit is US$1,050 instead of US$1,500, if you also spend at least two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe. For four trekkers this saves US$1,800. Four standard permits cost US$6,000.
Ages, rooms and trekking together
Ages for each activity
The age limit decides who treks. Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking are for guests aged 15 and over. Golden monkey tracking starts at 12. The table below sets them side by side.
For how the trek day works and what to wear, read our gorilla trekking in Rwanda guide. For trip choices and costs, see Rwanda gorilla trekking.
| Activity | Where | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking | Volcanoes National Park | 15 |
| Chimpanzee trekking | Nyungwe Forest | 15 |
| Golden monkey tracking | Volcanoes National Park | 12 |
If your youngest is under 15
We do not recommend bringing a child under 15 to Rwanda while the parents trek. A long journey from overseas to wait at the lodge is not a good use of the trip. Most families who learn the age limit postpone the safari until the youngest turns 15, so everyone can trek together.
If you still want to travel sooner, children under 15 can visit Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest, and golden monkey tracking starts at 12. Tell us the ages, and we will say honestly what fits.
Rooms for your family
Rooms are shared in pairs, as on every safari we plan. A parent and two children take two double rooms, one for the parents and one for the children. All the lodges we use accept families, and a family room is not required.
We ask each lodge for neighboring rooms, and some lodges have interconnected rooms. The lodge makes the arrangement when your family arrives. With an odd number of travelers, one person takes a single room and a single supplement applies.
For a family, our suggestions are The Bishop’s House, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, all near Volcanoes National Park.
Trekking the gorillas together
A family can trek the gorillas together. Each gorilla family receives 8 visitors a day, so a family of 6 is joined by two other trekkers to make 8. A family of 8 treks as its own group, without buying the exclusive permit.
The park assigns the gorilla family on the morning of the trek, and no family is guaranteed on any day. For a smaller party that wants a gorilla family alone, read about the exclusive permit on our private Rwanda luxury safaris page.
| Travelers | Rooms | Gorilla group | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 shared rooms | Your 4 are joined by 4 other trekkers | Up to 4 times the per person price |
| 6 | 3 shared rooms | Your 6 are joined by 2 other trekkers | Up to 6 times the per person price |
| 8 | 4 shared rooms | Your 8 trek as their own group, without the exclusive permit | Up to 8 times the per person price |
| 3 or 5 | Shared rooms plus 1 single room | The park fills the rest of the group | Per person price, plus a single supplement quoted with your itinerary |
When to plan
Most families travel in the summer school holidays, which fall in our dry season. We recommend that you start planning three to six months ahead. Starting early gives you the best choice of dates, lodges and permits.
For a wider comparison of Rwanda lodges, read our guide to the best luxury lodges in Rwanda.
Why plan with Hope Tours Africa
- Local expertise. We are based in Kigali. Eric Sabi has worked in Rwanda tourism since 2012.
- Planned for you. Every itinerary is built for one family, and we do not mix clients.
- One costing method for every guest, so a family sees the same per person prices as any other traveler, in a written quotation.
- Licensed Rwanda safari company, founded in 2021.
- Single-use plastic free operations. Reusable water bottles on every tour.
To go further: read about the best time for gorilla trekking, see the destination pages for Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest.
A note from Eric
The thing families most often get wrong about Rwanda is the age. Most do not know that you must be 15 to trek the gorillas, and they are surprised when I explain it.
When I explain the age limit, many families decide to postpone the trip until their child turns 15, so that the whole family can trek. I do not recommend bringing a child from overseas to stay at the lodge while the parents trek.
Families who start planning three to six months ahead have the best chance of getting the dates they want, especially in the summer holidays.
Eric SabiFounder, Hope Tours Africa
What guests say
5.0 from 44 TripAdvisor reviews.
Questions about a family luxury Rwanda safari
More questions about the gorilla trek itself? See our Rwanda gorilla trekking FAQs.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
The minimum age is 15 years. This is a park rule, and it applies to every trekker, so children under 15 cannot join the trek. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest also starts at 15, and golden monkey tracking starts at 12. Many families wait until their youngest turns 15, so that the whole family can trek together.
Can children under 15 join a Rwanda safari?
Yes, children under 15 can join parts of a safari, such as game drives in Akagera National Park, and they can visit Nyungwe Forest. They cannot trek gorillas or chimpanzees, and golden monkey tracking starts at 12. We do not recommend leaving a child at the lodge while the parents trek. Tell us the ages, and we will say honestly what fits.
How much does a family luxury Rwanda safari cost for four?
The per person price falls as the group grows, because the vehicle and guide are shared. Our three day luxury safari is US$4,970 per person for two travelers and US$4,680 for four, so US$18,720 for a family of four. A five day safari with two gorilla treks starts at US$9,076 per person. Your written quotation shows the exact total.
Can our family trek the gorillas together?
Yes. Each gorilla family receives 8 visitors a day. A family of 6 trekking together is joined by two other trekkers to make 8, and a family of 8 treks as its own group, without the exclusive permit. The park assigns the gorilla family on the morning of the trek, so we cannot promise a particular family or group.
How do rooms work for a family?
Rooms are shared in pairs. Parents take one double room and children take another, and you pay the per person price for your group size. All the lodges we use accept families, and a family room is not required. We ask the lodge for neighboring rooms, and some lodges have interconnected rooms. An odd number of travelers means one single room with a single supplement.
How far ahead should we book for the school holidays?
Start planning three to six months ahead. Most families travel in the summer school holidays, and June to September is also a busy period for gorilla permits and lodges. Starting early gives you the best choice of dates. We book permits early and watch for cancellations, so we can sometimes find last minute slots, but it is never guaranteed.
Is there a low season saving for a family?
Yes. From November to May the gorilla permit is US$1,050 instead of US$1,500, for travelers who also spend at least two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe. For four trekkers this saves US$1,800. The saving applies to each permit, so it grows with the number of trekkers. Children under 15 do not need a gorilla permit.
How booking works
- Tell us your plans. Send your dates or month, the number of travelers and each person’s age (the gorilla trekking minimum age is 15), country of residence, the places and activities you want, your lodge level, your budget range and how you prefer to be contacted. We reply within 24 hours, usually within 1 to 4 hours. There is no fee to plan and no obligation.
- We plan and quote. We send a tailor-made itinerary and an official quotation in US$. Website prices are per person guide prices, and the quotation shows the total for your family.
- Confirm your booking. For bookings made more than 90 days before departure, a deposit of 50 percent of the total tour cost is due. Your booking is confirmed when we receive the deposit and issue written confirmation. Bookings within 90 days are paid in full.
- Pay the balance. The balance is due 60 days before departure, unless we agree otherwise in writing.
Included in the price: your own vehicle and guide, accommodation, park fees, airport transfers and the gorilla permit in every itinerary with gorilla trekking. Not included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal items.
Payment is by bank wire transfer or credit card. Credit card payments carry a 4 percent processing charge. Gorilla permit fees are non-refundable once purchased. Read the full terms in our booking policy.
Contact: WhatsApp +250 788 602 524, info@hopetoursafrica.com.
Plan your Rwanda safari with Eric and his team.
Speak with a safari specialist
WhatsApp: +250 788 602 524 · Email: info@hopetoursafrica.com · Phone: +250 788 602 524