Luxury Rwanda Safari
Mountain gorillas in the Virungas, the Big Five in Akagera and chimpanzees in Nyungwe, with the finest lodges and a private guide all the way.
What a luxury Rwanda safari looks like
Rwanda is small, safe and beautifully run, and it holds three very different safaris: mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, the Big Five on the savannah and lakes of Akagera, and chimpanzees beneath the ancient rainforest canopy of Nyungwe. A luxury safari lets you enjoy all three at an unhurried pace.
- A private vehicle and guide for your party only, so the pace is yours.
- Short transfers: Volcanoes National Park is about two to two and a half hours from Kigali, so more of your time is spent with the wildlife.
- Hand-picked lodges in the best locations, close to the trailheads and the wildlife.
- Everything arranged: gorilla, golden monkey and chimpanzee permits, park fees, transfers and timing, handled by our team on the ground.
Luxury lodges in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park: the gorillas
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, stone cottages with fireplaces at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes.
- Virunga Lodge, bandas high on a ridge overlooking the volcanoes and Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo.
- Bishop's House, a colonial-style lodge with nine rooms and hand-crafted four-poster beds.
Akagera National Park: the Big Five
- Wilderness Magashi Camp, eight tented suites on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga.
Nyungwe National Park: chimpanzees and the canopy walk
- One&Only Nyungwe House, secluded villas bordering one of Africa's oldest rainforests.
Kigali and Lake Kivu
- Kigali Serena Hotel, in the heart of the capital for your first and last nights.
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, on the lakeshore, a restful stop after trekking.
Lodge choice depends on availability and on the dates of your gorilla permits.
Gorilla trekking in luxury
The gorilla permit is the same for every visitor: USD $1,500 per person in Rwanda, issued by the Rwanda Development Board, for one hour with a habituated family. What changes on a luxury safari is everything around it: a lodge close to the park headquarters at Kinigi, a porter to carry your bag, and a fireside dinner waiting when you return.
Each gorilla family receives a maximum of 8 visitors a day and dates sell out months ahead, so we secure permits as soon as your trip is confirmed. Add golden monkey tracking in the same park for a second primate encounter. Read more in our Rwanda gorilla trekking guide and our silverback gorilla guide.
Akagera: a luxury Big Five safari
Akagera National Park in the east is Rwanda's only savannah park and its Big Five destination, with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos among rolling hills, lakes and wetlands. Days are spent on private game drives and on a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos and crocodiles gather along the shore.
Nyungwe: chimpanzees and the canopy walk
Nyungwe National Park in the southwest is one of Africa's oldest rainforests and Rwanda's home for chimpanzees. Mornings start early on the trail of a chimpanzee community, and the canopy walkway carries you high above the forest floor among colobus monkeys, birds and orchids. One&Only Nyungwe House makes this the most comfortable rainforest stay in the region.
How much does a luxury Rwanda safari cost?
Every luxury Rwanda safari is priced to your plans. The main factors are the number of nights, the lodges, and how many gorilla, golden monkey and chimpanzee permits you include. The gorilla permit alone is USD $1,500 per person, so many guests trek once in Rwanda and spend their remaining days in Akagera, Nyungwe or on Lake Kivu. Our gorilla trekking cost comparison sets Rwanda and Uganda side by side.
Luxury Rwanda safari itineraries
- 5-Day Gorilla Tour, Rwanda (gorillas and golden monkeys)
- 7-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari (Akagera, Volcanoes and Lake Kivu)
- 10-Day Best of Rwanda (Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes)
- 13-Day Uganda and Rwanda Safari Combo
Every journey can be tailored. Enquire about your luxury Rwanda safari and our Kampala and Kigali teams will shape it around you.
Extend your safari into Uganda
Rwanda and Uganda share the Virunga volcanoes, and Bwindi lies close to the border, so the two countries pair naturally. Add a second gorilla trek in Bwindi, where the permit is USD $800 in 2026, chimpanzees in Kibale, or the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Our 13-day Uganda and Rwanda safari combo covers both, and our luxury Uganda safari guide shows the lodges on the Uganda side.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a luxury Rwanda safari cost?
It depends on the number of nights, the lodges you choose and how many gorilla permits you include. The gorilla permit is USD $1,500 per person, nearly twice Uganda's, and Rwanda's top lodges are among the finest in Africa. Every itinerary is priced to your dates and plans.
What makes a Rwanda safari luxury?
Small, high-end lodges close to the trailheads, a private safari vehicle and guide for your party only, and gorilla, golden monkey and chimpanzee permits, park fees and transfers handled for you from arrival in Kigali to departure.
Is Rwanda good for a short luxury safari?
Yes. Volcanoes National Park is about two to two and a half hours by road from Kigali, so a gorilla trek fits comfortably into four or five days. Add Akagera for the Big Five and Nyungwe for chimpanzees on a week or more.
Which are the best luxury gorilla lodges in Rwanda?
Our luxury Rwanda itineraries use lodges such as Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge and Bishop's House near Volcanoes National Park. We match the lodge to the dates of your gorilla permits.
Can I combine a luxury Rwanda safari with Uganda?
Yes. Bwindi in Uganda lies close to the Rwanda border, so many guests trek gorillas in both countries, or add Uganda's chimpanzees in Kibale and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Our 13-day Uganda and Rwanda safari combo does exactly that.
When is the best time for a luxury Rwanda safari?
The drier months from June to September and December to February are the most popular, and the best lodges book out early for them. Gorilla trekking runs all year, so the quieter months can be a good choice too.
Plan your luxury Rwanda safari
Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will send a tailored itinerary with lodge and permit availability checked.
