8 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari (7 Nights)
MEET THE LOCALS
Prepare to leave your ordinary world behind for an 8-day journey through Rwanda’s captivating wilderness and rich cultural tapestry. The 8 day gorilla tour from Amahoro Tours is the perfect headlong dive into the beautiful culture and landscape of Rwanda. This is your chance to step into the wild and come face-to-face with majestic mountain gorillas, vibrant golden monkeys, and Rwanda’s warm and welcoming communities. The raw excitement of this adventure will awaken your senses as you trek through mist-laden forests and explore the heart of Rwanda’s cultural heritage. It’s an immersive experience that will shake up your routine and plunge you into a world teeming with nature, wildlife, and deeply rooted traditions—an adventure you’ll carry with you forever. Read more about our exciting opportunity below.
8 Day Rwanda Gorilla Tour, Golden Monkey Trekking and Cultural Experience (7 Nights)
Get ready for an unforgettable 8-day adventure, where you'll trek through misty forests to encounter magnificent mountain gorillas and immerse yourself in Rwanda's vibrant culture. This tour not only offers close encounters with some of the world's rarest primates but also provides unique opportunities to connect with local communities, experience their rich traditions, and explore breathtaking landscapes. It’s more than a journey; it’s a chance to feel deeply connected with both nature and the people who call this incredible place home. Learn more from Amahoro Tours as we take you through our award-winning 8 day Rwanda Gorilla Tour experience. Enjoy the cultural deep dive and golden monkeys alike as you open your eyes to the wonders of the world. See your itinerary from the best tours in Rwanda now!
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by Amahoro driver/guide and be transferred to your hotel in Kigali arriving for overnight on bed and breakfast.
Driving distance: 30 Minutes
Activity: 0
Overnight: Value – Ubumwe Grande Hotel | Midrange – Mille Collins Hotel | Luxury – Governor’s Residence
Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast
DAY 2: VISIT NTARAMA & NYAMATA MEMORIAL VISIT + UBURANGA STUDIO
After breakfast, head out to the Ntarama Genocide Memorial, situated about 30 kilometers south of Kigali in the Bugesera region. This church stands as a haunting reminder of the 1994 genocide, where over 5,000 lives were tragically lost. The visit offers a deeper understanding of the unity and reconciliation efforts that followed. Next, proceed to the Nyamata Memorial Site, another church that commemorates the brutal events of the genocide. Through graphic exhibits and audio-visual displays, you’ll learn about the atrocities inflicted, particularly upon women, including the horrifying use of HIV as a weapon of war.
Contemporary Art and A Relaxing Evening
After reflecting on these powerful memorials, return to Kigali for lunch (on your own account). In the afternoon, visit Uburanga Studio, a creative sanctuary nestled in a lush garden adorned with vibrant murals and sculptures. This art studio, whose name means "beautiful" in Kinyarwanda, is home to some of Rwanda’s most talented contemporary artists. Here, you’ll have the chance to meet with artists, explore their work, and immerse yourself in the local art scene. Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere before heading back to your hotel in Kigali for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Value – Ubumwe Grande Hotel | Midrange – Mille Collins Hotel | Luxury – Governor’s Residence
Meal Plan: Half board –Lunch, Bed & breakfast
DAY 3: KIGALI CITY TOUR + DEPART FOR MUSANZE
After breakfast, begin your day with an exploration of Kigali. Established in 1907 by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first colonial governor of Rwanda, this vibrant city is nestled among lush, green hills and is known as the land of a thousand hills. You’ll have the chance to visit fascinating sites, such as the bustling craft market, the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, and the Kigali Museum.
Later, embark on a scenic three-hour drive to Ruhengeri, Rwanda's second-largest town, framed by the dramatic Virunga Mountains. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy a leisurely lunch. The afternoon is yours to unwind, followed by a relaxing evening with dinner and an overnight stay.
Driving distance: 3 hours
Activities: Kigali City Tour
Overnight: Value - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Midrange – Tiloreza Eco Lodge | Luxury - Bisate Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, bed & breakfast
DAY 4: RWANDA GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING + KARISOKE RESEARCH CENTER TOUR
Your day begins with an exhilarating Golden Monkey tracking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. Venturing into the dense bamboo forests dotted with open glades, you’ll journey deep into the center of golden monkey families. Guided by expert trackers, you’ll encounter groups of ‘habituated’ golden monkeys—those accustomed to the presence of humans. For one unforgettable hour, observe these vibrant creatures up close as they leap between branches, nibble on bamboo leaves, and playfully interact with one another. Witness the mothers carrying their young, completely at ease amidst their human admirers.
In the afternoon, visit the renowned Karisoke Research Center, now known as the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Established in 1967 by Dr. Dian Fossey, this research center has become the world’s longest-running site dedicated to gorilla study and conservation. Here, you’ll learn about the groundbreaking work conducted on gorilla behavior and habitat preservation. Following this inspiring visit, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening, with dinner and overnight accommodations. You're halfway done with the best 8 day gorilla tour in Rwanda!
Driving distance:
Activities: 1 Golden Monkeys Trek + Karisoke Research Center tour
Overnight: Value - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Midrange –Tiloreza Eco Lodge | Luxury -Bisate Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, bed & breakfast
DAY 5: RWANDA GORILLA TRACKING IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK + INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGE
After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the National Park headquarters at Kinigi to meet your guides for the day. Once the park formalities are complete, you'll set off on a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience: tracking mountain gorillas. As you make your way through the forest, anticipation builds until, finally, you spot them—the majestic gorillas. You’re allowed an hour with these magnificent primates, and it’s an awe-inspiring encounter. Face-to-face, you find yourself wondering who will break the silence first as you take in the shared curiosity between human and gorilla.
The Full Day Gorilla Trek
The trek through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is nothing short of magical. These gentle giants are incredibly rare, with fewer than 700 remaining in the wild. You’ll be within meters of their family group, close enough to feel their presence and observe their intricate social behaviors. While the 1 day gorilla Rwanda trek can be challenging, sometimes taking up to six hours at a relatively high altitude, it’s accessible to many fitness levels. Even visitors in their seventies have successfully completed the experience. If you prefer a shorter route, simply ask your Rwanda tour guide to arrange a group that matches your needs.
Red Rocks - Intercultural Exchange Center
Following this unforgettable morning, you'll return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch before heading to the Red Rocks Intercultural Exchange Center. Here, you’ll dive into local traditions by joining the brewers to learn the fascinating art of banana beer making. Try your hand at squeezing the juice from bananas or sample the fresh juice before fermentation. As you explore the brewing process, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the community’s rich customs and heritage. You'll also have the chance to support local artisans through engaging basket weaving demonstrations. After a culturally enriching afternoon, you'll head back to your hotel for dinner and a well-deserved overnight stay.
Driving distance: 45 minutes
Activities: 1 Gorilla Trek + Intercultural Exchange
Overnight: Value - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Midrange – Tiloreza Eco Lodge | Luxury - Bisate Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, bed & breakfast
DAY 6: LOCAL RWANDAN SCHOOL VISIT + DEPART FOR GISENYI
After breakfast, you’ll have the unique opportunity to explore Rwanda’s education system by visiting local schools. If in session, you can engage with the children, participating in either teaching or playing games—an experience that allows the children to connect with visitors and appreciate the positive impact of tourism. You'll gain insight into the daily lives of primary school students in this remote community, fostering a memorable cultural exchange.
Afterward, enjoy lunch before departing for Gisenyi, where you’ll check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon in this lively port town on the Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu. Accompanied by a Amahoro Tours' guide, you can enjoy a boat ride to one of the lake’s picturesque islands, explore the bustling local market, or wander the leafy streets lined with charming colonial-era buildings. Conclude the day with dinner and a relaxing overnight stay at your hotel.
Driving distance: 2 Hours
Activities: Inter cultural exchange + 1 hour boat ride in Gisenyi
Overnight: Value - Kivu Paradise Resort | Midrange/Luxury - Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, bed & breakfast
DAY 7: GISENYI TOUR
After breakfast, spend the morning soaking up the beauty of the Lake Kivu tour on the Rwandan shore. You can take a refreshing swim in this expansive lake, which covers an area of 2,700 km² (1,040 sq. mi) and rests at an altitude of 1,460 m (4,790 ft) above sea level. Nestled in a rift valley, Lake Kivu is gradually being pulled apart by tectonic activity, resulting in remarkable depth—reaching a maximum of 480 m (1,575 ft), making it one of the deepest lakes in the world. Surrounded by stunning mountains, this African Great Lake forms a natural border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Later, return to your hotel to enjoy dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
Driving distance: 2 Hours
Activities: At Leisure
Overnight: Value – Kivu Paradise Resort | Midrange/Luxury – Kivu Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Full board – Lunch, Dinner, bed & breakfast
DAY 8: FINAL DEPARTURE
After breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts as you depart for a scenic 3.5-hour drive back to Kigali. Enjoy some last-minute shopping in one of Africa’s friendliest capitals before heading to the airport for your onward international flight home. Safe travels!
End of service
Driving distance: 3 ½ Hours
Activity: 0
Overnight: Own arrangement
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Book Your 8-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour in Rwanda Now
As your incredible 8-day journey through Rwanda comes to a close, you'll carry with you the unforgettable memories of tracking majestic gorillas, observing playful golden monkeys, and immersing yourself in the vibrant culture of Gisenyi. Each moment spent in this stunning landscape has the power to transform your perspective and deepen your appreciation for the beauty of nature and humanity. Don’t let this opportunity slip away—take the greatest step of your life by booking your unforgettable tour with Amahoro Tours now. Your adventure awaits! Book now or Contact us today.