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Rwanda is one of the few places to see wild mountain gorillas.

Rwanda

Rwanda holidays & safaris

Holidays to Rwanda: Gorillas & more

If you want to see mountain gorillas, some of the closest relatives to humans, then choose a Rwanda holiday. There are not many more amazing wildlife experiences than sitting with a family group of gorillas.

Rwanda’s gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park usually starts in the early morning. You head off in small parties to one of the known mountain gorilla groups, where the gorillas are used to the presence of humans. Typically most will just continue their natural interactions, while some may watch you with curiosity.

After a few days of gorilla trekking, most Rwanda holidays will pass Lake Kivu, with its breath taking scenery, and head to the southwest, to Nyungwe Forest – which is home to chimpanzees and a wide range of other primates.

Have a look through our trip ideas and information about Rwanda and give us a call to discuss your Rwanda holiday.

Rwanda
Showing 1-9 of 9
Name
Duration
Cost
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Golden Monkey Safari

12 days • 5 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Combine four key areas of Rwanda on this excellent-value trip, for a true wildlife and cultural experience. The perfect itinerary for those who want to see all the highlights of Rwanda.

US$9,710 - US$11,270 per person

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Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

This trip combines two of Africa's most unforgettable wildlife experiences – Rwanda's mountain gorillas and Kenya's Maasai Mara.

US$11,260 - US$14,080 per person

Itinerary image

Gorillas and Migration Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

This luxury safari combines two iconic wildlife experiences: trekking to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, then flying to the northern Serengeti in search of the wildebeest migration and spectacular river crossings.

US$17,070 - US$23,410 per person

Itinerary image

Gorillas and Serengeti Safari

11 days • 4 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Combine three iconic experiences – mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and the Serengeti plains and awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

US$12,620 - US$14,390 per person

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L'Hoest's Monkey Safari

7 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Meet three iconic primates – gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys – and explore Rwanda's fascinating culture on this excellent value privately guided adventure.

US$5,570 - US$6,320 per person

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Mona Monkey Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

This example of a luxury holiday explores the wildlife of Nyungwe Forest, the scenic shores of Lake Kivu and the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, all accompanied by a private guide and vehicle.

US$12,160 - US$17,600 per person

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Mountain Gorilla Safari

5 days • 2 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Staying in great-value lodges, with a private driver-guide and 4WD, this adventure includes two treks to get up close with groups of mountain gorillas.

US$5,760 - US$6,050 per person

Itinerary image

Silverback Gorilla Safari

4 days • 1 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Fly into Rwanda and you can be trekking to meet a family of mountain gorillas the next morning. An itinerary like this could easily be combined with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.

US$10,170 - US$13,040 per person

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The Highlights of Africa

17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.

US$14,280 - US$18,140 per person

Showing 1-9 of 9

Our travellers' 10 most recent Rwanda reviews

All are published in full; none have been edited.
Click the button below to browse all 165 reviews.


99%
165 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
156
Good
8
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr & Mrs R from California

Arrived 15 Jul 2023, 18 nights

"My Jul 2023 trip"

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr S. from Albuquerque

Arrived 21 Jul 2023, 7 nights

"My Jul 2023 trip"

"Very enjoyable. …" Read Mr S.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs A from London

Arrived 7 Jul 2023, 11 nights

"My Jul 2023 trip"

"Very happy with the service received …" Read Mr & Mrs A’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Lola from Canada

Arrived 11 Jan 2023, 8 nights

"My Jan 2023 trip"

"Amazing trip! I would highly recommend. …" Read Lola’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs A. from S. Carolina

Arrived 18 Sep 2022, 15 nights

"My Sep 2022 trip"

"Fabulous itinerary and trip. …" Read Mrs A.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs R from Glos

Arrived 17 Jul 2022, 14 nights

"My Jul 2022 trip"

"It was an amazing adventure. It was great to be able to return to Africa …" Read Mr & Mrs R’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs H from UK

Arrived 17 Sep 2022, 12 nights

"My Sep 2022 trip"

"The trip was extremely well organised. …" Read Mr & Mrs H ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Laura from Vienna

Arrived 2 Sep 2022, 15 nights

"My Sep 2022 trip"

"Many thanks to Jessica - I've already passed her name onto friends of mine! …" Read Laura’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

N&J from West Sussex

Arrived 2 Sep 2022, 17 nights

"Rwanda Trip September 2022"

"The accommodation, guide, experiences & activities all exceeded expectations. …" Read N&J’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs K from UAE

Arrived 2 Sep 2022, 16 nights

"My Sep 2022 trip"

"the trip was amazing, well organised and covered everything we could have hoped …" Read Mr & Mrs K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Rwanda reviews

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Our travellers’ wildlife sightings in Rwanda

This is their success in sighting key species on our safaris in Rwanda. Click on a species for more detail. How we work this out.


Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,191 sightings from 2,654 observations

Where to see buffalo in Rwanda

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.

100% SUCCESS

28 sightings from 28 observations

Where to see chimpanzee in Rwanda

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,130 sightings from 3,454 observations

Where to see elephant in Rwanda

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,000 sightings from 3,497 observations

Where to see giraffe in Rwanda

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,277 sightings from 2,559 observations

Where to see hippo in Rwanda

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

54% SUCCESS

1,827 sightings from 3,394 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Rwanda

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

46% SUCCESS

1,657 sightings from 3,569 observations

Where to see leopard in Rwanda

Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

2,604 sightings from 3,213 observations

Where to see lion in Rwanda

Mountain Gorilla

Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla beringei

The world’s most impressive primate, the mountain gorilla inhabits a handful of locations in Africa’s equatorial cloud forests, where guided treks offer an intense wildlife experience.

100% SUCCESS

37 sightings from 37 observations

Where to see mountain gorilla in Rwanda

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

30% SUCCESS

528 sightings from 1,734 observations

Where to see black rhino in Rwanda

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

47 sightings from 2,860 observations

Where to see pangolin in Rwanda

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

67 sightings from 2,902 observations

Where to see aardvark in Rwanda

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

48% SUCCESS

1,229 sightings from 2,562 observations

Where to see eland in Rwanda

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

3,295 sightings from 3,913 observations

Where to see zebra in Rwanda

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

22% SUCCESS

399 sightings from 1,774 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Rwanda

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

22% SUCCESS

383 sightings from 1,772 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Rwanda

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

17% SUCCESS

50 sightings from 290 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Rwanda

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

43% SUCCESS

422 sightings from 973 observations

Where to see white rhino in Rwanda

Let us help you customise your trip

Like all of our holidays on this site, this is just an idea. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you.


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Prepare for your trip

The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.

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After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.

When you return

We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.

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