Ultra Luxury Rwanda Safaris
Named lodges, your own vehicle and guide, and helicopter transfers on request, planned around you by a safari company based in Kigali.
For lodges one level below, see our luxury Rwanda safaris.
Ultra luxury Rwanda safaris start from US$14,450 per person sharing for four days and reach US$19,000 or more for seven days. Lodges at this level cost US$2,500 to US$4,000 or more per person per night. A gorilla permit is US$1,500 per person. These are guide prices, and the final price comes in a written quotation.
Key facts at a glance
- Price from
- US$14,450 per person sharing (4 days, ultra-luxury). Guide price, final price in a written quotation
- Trip length
- 3 to 12 days. The ultra-luxury itineraries on our website run 4 to 7 days
- Best season
- June to September and December to February
- Lodges
- US$2,500 to US$4,000 or more per person per night
- Group size
- Your own party. We do not mix clients. Gorilla families take 8 visitors a day, so you trek with other travelers unless you buy an exclusive permit
- 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; golden monkey tracking in every itinerary that lists it
- Permit
- US$1,500 per person. Exclusive permit to trek a gorilla family alone: US$15,000 for the group
- Booking lead time
- 3 to 6 months ahead, earlier for June to September and December to February
- Languages
- English, French, Kinyarwanda
Our ultra luxury Rwanda safaris
These are the three itineraries on our website at ultra-luxury level. Each one is built for your party. We change the nights, the lodges and the order to suit you, and we plan the return around your flight.
The 4 Day Ultra Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Safari stays in Volcanoes National Park for the gorilla trek.
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.
Longer routes covering all three parks are planned on request.
Looking for lodges one level below? Our luxury Rwanda safaris start from US$4,000 per person for three days. To see every itinerary we offer, browse our Rwanda safari packages.
| Itinerary | Days | Nights | Parks | Package level | Price from (US$ per person sharing) | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Day Ultra Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Safari | 4 | 3 | Volcanoes | Ultra-luxury | 14,450 | One of our three preferred lodges, near the gorillas, on a short trip |
| 6-Day Luxury Rwanda Safari: Gorillas & Akagera Big Five | 6 | 5 | Volcanoes, Akagera | Ultra-luxury | 17,200 | Gorillas plus a classic game drive safari |
| 7-Day Rwanda Luxury Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari | 7 | 6 | Volcanoes, Nyungwe | Ultra-luxury | 16,185 | Gorillas plus chimpanzees |
What is included, and what is not
Included in every itinerary
- Your own vehicle and guide, with rooms for your party only
- Accommodation at the lodges we plan with you
- 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 (see the helicopter section below)
- Exclusive gorilla permit to trek with a family alone: US$15,000 for the group (see the gorilla section below)
- Golden monkey tracking, if your itinerary does not list it: US$100 per person
- Porters: about US$10 a day, tips optional
- Stretcher carry: US$200 per guest for the whole carry
Popular combinations
- Gorillas only: 3 to 4 days in Volcanoes National Park
- Gorillas and chimpanzees: 5 to 7 days, Volcanoes with Nyungwe Forest, as in our 7-day safari
- Gorillas and the Big Five: 5 to 7 days, Volcanoes with Akagera, as in our 6-day safari
- All three parks: more than 7 days, planned on request
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 level suits, and who it does not
Best for travelers who:
- Want to stay at the lodges named on this page and accept the nightly rates that come with them.
- Would rather spend less time on the road. A helicopter turns a seven hour drive to Nyungwe into a flight of 35 to 45 minutes.
- Want to trek the gorillas alone, as a family, a couple or a solo traveler, and are happy to buy an exclusive permit.
- Are celebrating a honeymoon or a milestone and want the lodge to be part of the memory.
Not ideal for travelers who:
- Want the lowest possible cost. The gorilla trek itself is the same at every level. The permit is US$1,500, and the park assigns the family on the morning. What changes is the lodge, the transfers and the privacy.
- Need to confirm dates at short notice. The lodges we recommend are small, and peak dates fill. Check the best months to travel and book three to six months ahead.
- Expect to choose their gorilla family. No family is guaranteed on any day.
Planning a honeymoon or traveling with children? See our luxury honeymoon safaris and our family luxury safaris.
What ultra luxury Rwanda safaris cost
At this level the lodge is the largest part of the price. Four things shape the total: the lodges you choose, the number of nights, the parks you add, and the extras you choose, such as helicopter transfers or the exclusive gorilla permit.
- The gorilla permit is US$1,500 per person.
- Lodges on ultra luxury safaris cost US$2,500 to US$4,000 or more per person per night.
- Price ranges by trip length are in the table below.
| Trip | Ultra-luxury |
|---|---|
| 7 days, Volcanoes and Nyungwe | 14,000 to 19,000+ |
Our 4-day ultra-luxury safari costs US$14,450 per person sharing. The lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, is the main driver of that price.
The 6-day safari costs US$17,200, more than the 7-day safari at US$16,185, because it uses more expensive lodges.
All prices are per person, for two people sharing, and they are guide prices. We send the final price in an official quotation. 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.
Lodges, helicopters and the gorilla trek at this level
Lodges
At Hope Tours Africa, ultra-luxury is the highest package level we plan. We build it the same way as every safari we plan: for one guest or group, with your own vehicle, guide and rooms. We do not mix clients.
Our three preferred lodges for ultra luxury safaris are Bisate Reserve and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in the Volcanoes area, and Magashi Peninsula in Akagera National Park. The table below sets them side by side. Bisate Reserve has four villas, so dates fill early.
Magashi Peninsula is the newer and more luxurious of two camps run by Wilderness. The other, Magashi Camp, is also a luxury camp. For a wider comparison of Rwanda lodges, read our guide to the best luxury lodges in Rwanda.
| Lodge | Park | What we know | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bisate Reserve | Volcanoes | Four villas. The newer and more luxurious of two Bisate properties side by side | Gorilla trekking from a small villa lodge |
| One&Only Gorilla’s Nest | Volcanoes | Forest-view suites and a spa in the rainforest near Volcanoes National Park. The lodge on our 4-day ultra-luxury safari (US$14,450 per person sharing), and the main driver of that price | Short trips focused on the gorillas |
| Magashi Peninsula | Akagera | The newer and more luxurious of two camps run by Wilderness. Magashi Camp, the other, is a luxury camp | Adding Akagera to a gorilla trip |
Nightly range for lodges on ultra luxury safaris: US$2,500 to US$4,000 or more per person per night. We do not publish a rate per lodge.
Helicopter transfers
We arrange helicopter transfers with Akagera Aviation between tourist destinations in Rwanda. A flight from Kigali to Musanze, near Volcanoes National Park, takes 25 to 30 minutes against a drive of 2.5 to 3 hours. Kigali to Nyungwe National Park is 7 hours by road.
Helicopters are priced per aircraft, not per person, and they are not part of the standard price. The table below shows Akagera Aviation’s 2026 rack rates, one way, for five common routes.
| Route | By road | Robinson 44 (3 seats): flight time and rate | Agusta Westland 119 (6 seats): flight time and rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kigali to Musanze (Volcanoes) | 2.5 to 3 hours | 30 minutes, US$1,694 | 25 minutes, US$3,328 |
| Kigali to Akagera National Park | 2.5 hours | 25 minutes, US$1,634 | 20 minutes, US$3,086 |
| Kigali to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) | 4 hours 30 minutes | 40 minutes, US$2,057 | 35 minutes, US$3,933 |
| Kigali to One&Only Nyungwe House | 7 hours (Kigali to Nyungwe National Park) | 45 minutes, US$2,420 | 35 minutes, US$5,143 |
| Musanze to One&Only Nyungwe House | 5 hours (Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe National Park) | 45 minutes, US$3,025 | 30 minutes, US$6,353 |
Source: Akagera Aviation rack rate card, 1 January to 31 December 2026. The Robinson 44 seats 3 passengers, so a party of 4 or more needs a larger aircraft.
Children under 2 cannot fly, baggage is limited by weight, and flights depend on suitable weather. The pilot in command makes the final decision.
Waiting charges and overnight fees are extra and not in the quoted rates. Waiting costs US$300 per hour on the Robinson 44 and US$400 per hour on the Agustas. An overnight stay costs US$500 per hour or US$2,500 per night, plus accommodation for the crew.
Trekking the gorillas alone
Each gorilla family receives up to 8 visitors a day. Without an exclusive permit, you trek in a group of up to 8 with other travelers. The exclusive permit gives your group all 8 places with one family. It costs US$15,000 for the group in any month.
For how the permit works and what changes on the morning of the trek, read our page on private Rwanda luxury safaris and our gorilla trekking in Rwanda guide. For gorilla trekking itineraries and costs, see Rwanda gorilla trekking.
What we cannot promise
You cannot choose the gorilla family. The park assigns it on the morning of the trek, and no family is guaranteed on any day. With an exclusive permit, we request a family for you. Park management gives priority to requests for an exclusive permit, but it cannot promise one.
We also cannot promise a lodge on a given date, so book three to six months ahead, and earlier for June to September and December to February. Akagera is a public park: a vehicle of your own gives you your own schedule and guide, not exclusive access. For the private side of the trip, see our private Rwanda luxury safaris.
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 guest or group, and we do not mix clients.
- Helicopter transfers and the exclusive gorilla permit arranged for you, with a written quotation for each.
- Licensed Rwanda safari company, founded in 2021.
- Single-use plastic free operations. Reusable water bottles on every tour.
To go further: read about luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda, see how Rwanda compares with Kenya for luxury, or check the best months to travel.
A note from Eric
My ultra-luxury pick is Bisate Reserve, for its architecture and its connection with nature.
A helicopter is worth it when guests do not want to spend long hours driving.
The exclusive permit suits guests who want ultra privacy on the gorilla trek and want to trek alone.
Eric SabiFounder, Hope Tours Africa
What guests say
5.0 from 44 TripAdvisor reviews.
Questions about ultra luxury Rwanda safaris
More questions about the gorilla trek itself? See our Rwanda gorilla trekking FAQs.
What makes a Rwanda safari ultra luxury?
At Hope Tours Africa, ultra luxury means the highest package level we plan, with lodges at US$2,500 to US$4,000 or more per person per night. Every safari we plan is built for one guest or group. We do not mix clients, so your vehicle, guide and rooms are for your party only. Helicopter transfers and the exclusive gorilla permit are optional extras.
How much do ultra luxury Rwanda safaris cost?
Ultra luxury safaris start from US$14,450 per person sharing for four days and reach US$19,000 or more for seven days. The lodge is the largest part of the price, and the 6-day safari costs more than the 7-day because its lodges cost more. These are guide prices, and the final price comes in a written quotation. The gorilla permit is US$1,500 per person.
Which lodges does Hope Tours Africa use for ultra luxury safaris?
Our three preferred lodges for ultra luxury safaris are in two parks. Bisate Reserve and the lodge on our 4-day safari sit near Volcanoes National Park, and Magashi Peninsula is in Akagera National Park. Bisate Reserve has four villas, so dates fill early. The lodge table on this page names all three and shows where each one fits in a trip.
Is a helicopter worth it in Rwanda?
It is worth considering when you want to avoid long drives. Kigali to Volcanoes takes 2.5 to 3 hours by road and 25 to 30 minutes by helicopter. Kigali to Nyungwe takes 7 hours by road and 35 to 45 minutes by helicopter. Helicopters are priced per aircraft, not per person, and they are an extra.
Can we trek the gorillas alone?
Yes, with an exclusive permit. It gives your group all 8 places with one gorilla family, for a family, a couple or a solo traveler. It costs US$15,000 for the group in any month. You cannot choose the family. The park assigns it on the morning, and park management gives priority to requests for an exclusive permit but cannot promise a family.
How far ahead should we book?
Book three to six months ahead, and earlier for June to September and December to February. The lodges we recommend are small, and Bisate Reserve has four villas, so dates fill early. We book permits early and watch for cancellations, so we can sometimes find last-minute slots, but it is never guaranteed.
What can you not guarantee?
We cannot promise a particular gorilla family, because the park assigns it on the morning of the trek. We cannot promise helicopter flights in bad weather, because the pilot decides. We cannot promise a lodge on a given date. Akagera is a public park, so a vehicle of your own gives you your own schedule and guide, not exclusive access.
How booking works
- Tell us your plans. Send your dates or month, number of travelers and ages (the gorilla trekking minimum age is 15), country of residence, the places and activities you want, your lodge level, your budget range and how you prefer to be contacted. Say if you want to trek the gorillas alone or travel by helicopter. We reply within 24 hours, usually within 1 to 4 hours. There is no fee to plan and no obligation.
- We plan and quote. We send a tailor-made itinerary and an official quotation in US$. Website prices are per person guide prices.
- 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, the gorilla permit in every itinerary with gorilla trekking, and golden monkey tracking in every itinerary that lists it. 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