Rwanda Safari Packages
Trips from one day to twelve across Volcanoes, Akagera and Nyungwe, compared in one place and planned around you by a safari company based in Kigali.
Rwanda safari packages cost from US$3,460 to US$19,000 or more per person sharing for 3 to 7 days, with the US$1,500 gorilla permit included wherever gorillas are listed. Trips run from one day to twelve and cover three national parks. Length, parks and lodge level set the guide price, and your written quotation shows the final total.
Rwanda safari packages at a glance
- Price from
- US$3,460 per person sharing for a 3 day gorilla safari, permit included. A 1 day gorilla trek from Kigali is US$1,950. Guide prices, final price in a written quotation
- Trip length
- 1 to 12 days. Trips of more than 7 days are planned on request
- Parks
- Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, with Lake Kivu as an extension
- Best season
- June to September and December to February
- Group size
- Your own party. We do not mix clients. Gorilla groups take 8 visitors a day
- Starts and ends in
- Kigali
- Includes
- Your own vehicle and guide, accommodation, park fees, airport transfers, the gorilla permit wherever gorilla trekking is listed
- Permit
- US$1,500 per person. Minimum age 15
Rwanda safari packages compared by length
Length decides most of what a trip can do. Three to four days stay in Volcanoes National Park for the gorillas. Five to seven days usually add a second park, and more than seven days cover all three. The table sets each length beside the parks it covers and the price from at each lodge level.
| Length | Parks and nights | Mid-range | Luxury | Ultra-luxury | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Volcanoes, from Kigali, no overnight | 1,950 (one price) | Not listed | Not listed | One trek with no overnight stay |
| 2 days | Volcanoes, 1 night | 2,700 | Not listed | Not listed | One trek on a tight schedule. The 2 day Akagera safari is from 1,025 |
| 3 days | Volcanoes, 2 nights | 3,460 to 3,900 | 4,000 to 5,500 | 5,800 to 8,000+ | The shortest gorilla trek we recommend |
| 4 days | Volcanoes, 3 nights | 3,500 | On request | 14,450 | A trek plus golden monkey tracking, with no other park |
| 5 days | Two parks, or Volcanoes with two treks | From 4,500 | 6,500 to 9,000 | 9,500 to 13,000+ | Gorillas plus one more park, or two treks |
| 7 days | Volcanoes and Nyungwe | 5,500 to 7,500 | 9,000 to 12,500 | 14,000 to 19,000+ | Gorillas plus chimpanzees |
| 8 to 12 days | All three parks, with Lake Kivu on request | On request | On request | On request | Time for every park |
How to read the prices: they are in US$, per person, for two travelers sharing a room. The gorilla permit is included wherever gorillas are listed. They are guide prices, and your written quotation shows the final total. The vehicle and guide are shared, so the per person price falls as the group grows. For every cost and what is in it, read our Rwanda safari cost guide.
Find your Rwanda safari by travel style
Start with the page that matches how you want to travel. Each one has its own itineraries, lodges and prices, so this page gives you the map and the first number, and the page behind each block gives you the detail. If you are not sure which style fits, use the table above and request a tailor-made itinerary.
Gorilla trekking
For travelers whose main goal is the gorillas, from a single day trek to multi-day trips with golden monkeys.
Price fromUS$1,950 per person sharing for a 1 day trek
Rwanda gorilla trekking
Luxury
For travelers who want a higher lodge level and a fuller route across the parks.
Price fromUS$4,000 per person sharing for 3 days
luxury Rwanda safaris
Ultra-luxury
For travelers who want the highest lodge level we plan, with helicopter transfers on request.
Price fromUS$5,800 per person sharing for 3 days
ultra-luxury Rwanda safaris
Honeymoon
For couples who want gorillas, quiet lodges and time together, planned around their flights.
Price fromUS$4,000 per person sharing for 3 days
luxury Rwanda honeymoon safaris
Private
For travelers who want a trip built for one party, with an exclusive gorilla permit as an option.
Price fromUS$4,000 per person sharing for 3 days
private Rwanda safaris
Family
For families with teenagers aged 15 and over who want to trek the gorillas together.
Price fromUS$4,970 per person sharing for 3 days
family luxury Rwanda safaris
Short safaris
For travelers with two to four days, such as a conference visit or a stop on a longer trip.
Price fromUS$3,460 per person sharing for 3 days
Rwanda short safaris
Day trips
For travelers with one day to spare, with trips to Akagera, the golden monkeys or the gorillas.
Price fromUS$400 per person
day trips from KigaliFeatured Rwanda safari itineraries
These are the Rwanda safari itineraries we show most often. Each one is a starting point. We change the nights, the lodges and the order to suit your flights and your pace.
Gorilla trekking
Trips that stay in Volcanoes National Park for the gorillas, from the 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda from Kigali to the 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safaris with Golden Monkey Trekking.
Gorillas with a second park
Trips that add Akagera or Nyungwe to the gorillas, such as the 6-Day Luxury Rwanda Safari: Gorillas & Akagera Big Five and the 7-Day Rwanda Luxury Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari.
Luxury and ultra-luxury near the gorillas
Higher lodge levels in Volcanoes National Park, such as the 3-Day High end Gorilla Trekking & Golden Monkeys Rwanda trip and the 5 Day Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Safari – Double Gorilla Trekking, which has two gorilla treks.
How many days do you need in Rwanda?
Three days is the shortest gorilla trek we recommend. You sleep near Volcanoes National Park the night before, so you start the trek rested, and you drive back to Kigali afterwards. One and two day trips exist for travelers with very little time. They suit one trek and nothing else, and they leave no spare day if a flight or a road runs late. For those trips, see our Rwanda short safaris.
Four days add golden monkey tracking and stay in Volcanoes National Park. A four day gorilla trip does not include another park, because the driving would take the time you came for.
Five to seven days usually cover two parks: Volcanoes with Nyungwe for chimpanzees, or Volcanoes with Akagera for game drives. The exception is the five day luxury gorilla safari, which stays in Volcanoes for two treks. More than seven days cover all three parks, and Lake Kivu can follow for one or two nights of rest. A 12 day route that covers all three parks exists and is planned on request, because it is not yet listed on the website. In our experience, seven days is too many if you visit one park only.
Tell us your arrival and departure flights when you ask for a quotation, and we plan the days around them. We advise guests not to trek on the day they fly, unless it is a night flight from about 8 pm onward.
For the trek day itself, read our complete guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda. To see how lodge levels differ, read luxury and mid-range Rwanda safaris compared. Comparing countries? Read Rwanda vs Uganda gorilla trekking.
If none of these lengths fits, that is normal. Tell us the days you have and request a tailor-made itinerary.
Where Rwanda safari packages go
Rwanda safari packages use three national parks, and Lake Kivu as a place to rest. The table gives what you do in each, the drive from Kigali and the time to allow.
| Park or place | What you do | Drive from Kigali | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes National Park | Gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking | 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic | 2 to 3 nights on our 3 and 4 day gorilla trips |
| Akagera National Park | Game drives, boat trips | 2.5 hours | 1 night on our 2 day safari |
| Nyungwe National Park | Chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk | 7 hours (5 hours from Volcanoes) | Part of 5 to 7 day trips with Volcanoes |
| Lake Kivu | Rest by the lake after the trek | 4 hours 30 minutes to Gisenyi | 1 to 2 nights after the trek (about 3 hours from Volcanoes and about 2 hours from Nyungwe, to Karongi) |
What a Rwanda safari package price includes
Prices differ between Rwanda safari packages for five reasons: the lodge level, the number of nights, the parks you add, the size of your group and the type of gorilla permit. The vehicle and guide are shared, so the per person price falls as the group grows: one traveler pays more than two, and a group of four pays less than two. An exclusive gorilla permit, which gives your group a gorilla family alone, costs more than trekking in a shared group. Our Rwanda safari cost guide shows how each part adds up.
Included in every package:
- Your own vehicle and guide. We do not mix clients.
- Accommodation. Meals depend on the package and the lodge, and your quotation lists them.
- Park fees
- Airport transfers
- Gorilla trekking permit, wherever gorilla trekking is listed
- Golden monkey tracking, in any itinerary that lists it
- Reusable water bottles
- 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:
- Porters: about US$10 a day, tips optional
- Golden monkey tracking, when the itinerary does not list it: US$100 per person
- Stretcher carry: US$200 per guest for the whole carry
- 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. For the full cost breakdown, read the Rwanda safari cost guide.
When to go and when to book
Gorilla trekking runs all year. Only 96 gorilla permits are issued each day, across 12 gorilla families that each receive 8 visitors, which is why permits and lodges are booked early. The dry seasons, June to September and December to February, give the easiest trails. Book three to six months ahead, and earlier for those months. We book permits early and watch for cancellations, so we can sometimes find last minute slots, but it is never guaranteed.
Trip prices do not change between seasons. The only seasonal difference is the gorilla permit. From November to May it is US$1,050 instead of US$1,500, but only if you also spend at least two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe. For month by month detail, read the best time for gorilla trekking and the best time for luxury Rwanda safaris.
Who these packages suit, and who they do not
Best for travelers who:
- Have three or more days and want to trek the gorillas.
- Love wildlife and want to add game drives in Akagera.
- Want a planned trip with their own vehicle and guide, not a group departure.
Not ideal for travelers who:
- Have fewer than three days and expect more than one trek.
- Dislike long drives and want Nyungwe. It is 7 hours from Kigali by road.
- Expect to choose their gorilla family. The park assigns the family on the morning of the trek, and no family is guaranteed.
- Need to confirm dates at short notice. Permits and lodges are booked early.
A note from Eric
Most guests who trek the gorillas do only that. When someone adds a second place, it is usually Akagera or Nyungwe, one at a time. Gorillas followed by Lake Kivu alone is not common.
I add Akagera to the proposal when a guest loves wildlife and wants game drives. I advise skipping Nyungwe if you have little time or dislike long drives, because it is far from both the Volcanoes and Kigali.
When you compare quotes, look at the level of the lodges and how private the trip is. The more people in the group, the less each person pays, and an exclusive gorilla permit costs more than trekking in a shared group.
Eric SabiFounder, Hope Tours Africa
Why plan your Rwanda safari with Hope Tours Africa
- Local expertise. We are based in Kigali. Eric Sabi has worked in Rwanda tourism since 2012 and is an RDB-licensed guide.
- One costing method for every guest, in a written quotation that lists what is included.
- Permits arranged by us. We book permits early and watch for cancellations.
- Community. We take guests to community places near the parks, such as Gorilla Guardians Village and community souvenir shops, and guests can hire local porters on the trek.
- Licensed Rwanda safari company, founded in 2021. Single-use plastic free operations, with reusable water bottles on every tour.
What guests say
5.0 from 44 TripAdvisor reviews.
Rwanda safari package questions
More questions about the gorilla trek itself? See our Rwanda safari and gorilla trekking FAQs.
How much does a Rwanda safari package cost?
Rwanda safari packages cost from US$3,460 per person sharing for three days to US$19,000 or more for seven days. A one day gorilla trek from Kigali is US$1,950. Lodge level, trip length, parks and group size move the price. These are guide prices, and your written quotation shows the final total. Our Rwanda safari cost guide explains each part.
What is included in a Rwanda safari package?
Every package includes your own vehicle and guide, accommodation, park fees, airport transfers and the gorilla permit wherever gorilla trekking is listed. Meals depend on the package and the lodge, and your quotation lists them. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal items are not included.
How many days do I need for a Rwanda safari?
Three days is the shortest gorilla trek we recommend. Four days add golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Five to seven days usually cover two parks, such as Volcanoes with Nyungwe or Volcanoes with Akagera. More than seven days cover all three parks. One and two day trips exist for travelers with little time.
Does a Rwanda safari package include the gorilla permit?
Yes. The US$1,500 gorilla permit is included in every itinerary that lists gorilla trekking. We book permits early and watch for cancellations. From November to May the permit is US$1,050 when you also spend at least two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe. Read how gorilla permits are booked for the steps.
Can I do a Rwanda safari without gorilla trekking?
Yes. A package can focus on Akagera National Park for game drives, on Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee trekking, or on Lake Kivu for rest. A trip without gorilla trekking has no gorilla permit in the price. Tell us what you want to see, and your written quotation shows the exact total.
When should I book a Rwanda safari package?
Book three to six months ahead, and earlier for June to September and December to February. We book permits early and watch for cancellations, so we can sometimes find last minute slots, but it is never guaranteed. Send your dates or month, and we reply within 24 hours, usually within 1 to 4 hours.
What is the difference between mid-range, luxury and ultra-luxury packages?
The names describe the package level. Lodges cost US$250 to US$500 per person per night at mid-range, US$600 to US$1,200 at luxury and US$2,500 to US$4,000 or more at ultra-luxury. The gorilla permit is the same at every level. Compare our luxury Rwanda safaris and read about the best luxury lodges in Rwanda.
Can a Rwanda safari package be changed or made private?
Yes. Every package is a starting point, and we change the nights, the lodges and the order to suit your flights and your pace. Your vehicle, guide and rooms are for your party only, because we do not mix clients. For a trip built around one party, see our private Rwanda luxury safari page.
How booking a Rwanda safari package works
- Tell us your plans. Send your dates or month, the number of travelers and each person’s age (the gorilla trekking minimum age is 15), country of residence, the places and activities you want, your lodge level, your budget range and how you prefer to be contacted. We reply within 24 hours, usually within 1 to 4 hours. There is no fee to plan and no obligation.
- We plan and quote. We send a tailor-made itinerary and an official quotation in US$. Website prices are per person guide prices, and the quotation shows the total for your group.
- 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 wherever gorilla trekking is listed. 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