At a glance
The Mountain Gorilla last bastion as an endangered species is in the Virungas that traverses the Rwanda, Uganda and DRC. Rwanda boasts a huge portion of the mountain gorillas and a visit will the best opportunity to experience these gentle giants in their natural habitat. A number of primates can also be tracked along the gorilla families.
Detailed trip itinerary
Day 1: Nyungwe Forest National Park, Nyungwe Topview Hill Hotel (Fullboard)
Leave Kigali and drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park, The drive takes approx. 7 hours within our reliable, Strong 4WD Safari Jeeps with experienced tour Guide. Nyungwe Forest National Park is located south of Lake Kivu on the border with Burundi and is the home for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Along the way, make stops at places of interest including local markets, the traditional palace of Rwanda’s Former King in Nyanza. Dinner and Overnight at Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
- Conference facilities
- Restaurant
- Bar Lounge
- Birding
- Chimp Treks
- Nature Trail Hiking
- Canopy Walk
Nyungwe Top View Hotel is a medium-range 3 stars hotel, the only one with the name hotel in the Gisakura center because others are just guest houses, lodges, hostels. It is located in the Western province of Rwanda, Nyamasheke district, Gisakura center in very few kilometers from Kamembe airport in Rusizi district. The hotel is set on the top of a hill, in about 500m from the main road of Gisakura to Rusizi or Gisakura to Kigali. Its location favors the great view of the environment around such as the incomparable view of Lake Kivu and its islands, the view of Nyungwe forest and its mountains range, and the view of tea estate which is the most dominant cash crop in the area. The hotel offers accommodation from a single room to the family room.
From its hilltop vantage point, Top View has beautiful views across the neighbouring forest and tea plantations, and its proximity to the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park makes it is a good base for trekking to see the chimpanzees and exploring the forest.
The remarkably accessible Nyungwe Forest National Park contains the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa. Montane rainforests are a rare and unique ecosystem, found only in mountainous areas above 1,000m/3,281ft within the tropical belt. The main attraction is primates including chimpanzees. Another highlight is the suspended canopy walk, offering a bird’s eye view into the dense forest.
Although not a classic safari destination, Nyungwe Forest National Park has a good variety of animals. Forest wildlife is often difficult to spot, but primates are the exception. Thirteen species are present, including chimpanzees and Rwenzori colobus monkeys which can both be tracked on separate activities. Another highlight is the terrestrial l'Hoest's monkey which can often be found along the main road and in the campsite.
Nyungwe, recognized as an IBA (Important Bird Area) by Birdlife International, has over 300 species recorded. Forest birding is never easy, but the wide road running through the park offers a great vantage point into the canopy. Of specific interest are the many Albertine Rift endemics (birds restricted to the Albertine Rift). Three birds unrecorded elsewhere on the eastern side of the Albertine Rift are Albertine owlet, red-collared babbler and Rockefeller’s sunbird.
There is good birding to be had in Nyungwe throughout the year, with a few caveats. Breeding activity peaks at the end of the rainy season. During May and June, and from July to September, many birds are feeding their fledglings and keep quiet – only becoming vocally active again in January or February. Since so much of forest birding depends on calls, the best time in this regard is from January to June. April is the wettest month and the logistics of birding might become a challenge, as trails get very slippery. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
- Albertine owlet (NE)
- Archer's robin-chat
- Blue-headed sunbird
- Buff-throated apalis
- Dusky crimsonwing
- Dwarf honeyguide
- Grauer's swamp warbler
- Handsome francolin
- Kivu ground thrush
- Mountain masked apalis
- Neumann’s warbler
- Purple-breasted sunbird
- Red-collared babbler
- Red-faced woodland warbler
- Red-throated alethe
- Regal sunbird
- Rockefeller's sunbird (NE)
- Ruwenzori apalis
- Ruwenzori batis
- Ruwenzori nightjar
- Ruwenzori turaco
- Shelley's crimsonwing
- Strange weaver
- Stripe-breasted tit
- Yellow-eyed black flycatcher
Day 2: Nyungwe Forest National Park, Nyungwe Topview Hill Hotel (Fullboard)
Very early in the morning, you will go for chimpanzee tracking. You may spot other primates such as the L’Hoest’s monkey and the grey-cheeked Mangabey are often sighted. The birds are spectacular, though as in most tropical forests, you’ll have to look hard for them. Giant horn bills, great blue turacos and red-breasted sparrow hawks are amongst the specials, of which 24 are endemic to this section of the Rift Valley.
After Lunch go for canopy walk in the forest. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel.
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Fullboard)
In the morning, after breakfast, drive from Nyungwe to Volcano national Park, lunch En route where the evening iss pend on leisure to rejuvenate for the following day treasured gorilla trekking activities. Dinner and overnight at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
- 24-hour room service
- Hot water showers
- Bar Lounge
- Fine restaurants
- Foreign exchange bureau
- Wi-Fi
- Bisoke Hiking
- Cycling Tours
- Karisimbi Hiking
- Gorilla Trekking
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge is one of the finest safari lodges offering comfortable accommodation to travelers visiting Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda. Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge is perfectly positioned in Kinigi, Musanze and offers a prime location to those looking to gorilla tracking and exploratory tours within the Volcanoes National Park.
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge is one of the latest additions to the Rwanda gorilla safari lodges. It enjoys the center stage for staying overnight for the travelers intending to track Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge is new, relaxing and has attention to offering ideal midrange stay for the travelers on a trekking safari in Rwanda.
That's why it’s highly recommended to enjoy the comfort of the lodge as your station while going gorilla trekking, hiking the volcanoes, going on biking tours, and visiting the Volcanoes National Park. It is a great chance to enjoy walking with the gorillas while staying at a great place.
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (easily added on to any African safari). But there is plenty more on offer. Volcanoes National Park is the place to be for gorilla trekking and volcano hikes. Chimps and many other primates can be found in Nyungwe Forest, while savannah safaris are offered in off-the-beaten-track Akagera National Park. Rwanda has an amazing variety of primates. Aside from mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, there are many different monkey species to look out for including the very localized golden monkey, as well as l’Hoest’s monkey, Rwenzori colobus and red-tailed monkey. All of the Big Five can be seen in Akagera NP but there is no cheetah in Rwanda.
Rwanda is a great birding destination with nearly 700 species recorded within an area smaller than Belgium. Rwanda doesn’t have any endemics, occurring in the country only, but it does have several near-endemics which can be found in Rwanda and its neighboring countries. Of specific interest are the 27 Albertine Rift endemics which can be found in the high-altitude rainforest area in and around Nyungwe Forest National Park.
From a birdlife perspective, Rwanda is a fine destination any time of year, especially since the main draw here is the resident birds. Most of Rwanda’s special birds can be found in Nyungwe Forest; the birding is best here from January to June as most birds are vocal at that time. April is extremely wet, however, so logistics can become challenging. The Dry season months from June to September are easier, as forest trails are drier and hiking is less difficult. This is also the best time for gorilla trekking. Migrants are present from November to April.
- Archer's robin-chat
- Beaudouin's snake eagle
- Blue-headed sunbird
- Blue-shouldered robin-chat
- Brown-chested lapwing
- Buff-throated apalis
- Cabanis’s bunting
- Carruthers’s cisticola
- Dimorphic egret
- Dusky crimsonwing
- Dwarf honeyguide
- Eleonora’s falcon
- Grasshopper buzzard
- Grauer's swamp warbler
- Handsome francolin
- Kivu ground thrush
- Mountain masked apalis
- Neumann’s warbler
- Northern brown-throated weaver
- Papyrus canary
- Papyrus gonolek
- Papyrus yellow warbler
- Purple-breasted sunbird
- Red-collared babbler
- Red-faced barbet
- Red-faced woodland warbler
- Red-throated alethe
- Red-winged francolin
- Regal sunbird
- Ring-necked francolin
- Ruwenzori apalis
- Ruwenzori batis
- Ruwenzori nightjar
- Ruwenzori turaco
- Shelley’s francolin
- Shelley's crimsonwing
- Shoebill
- Short-tailed pipit
- Slate-coloured boubou
- Souza's shrike
- Strange weaver
- Stripe-breasted tit
- Striped pipit
- Tabora cisticola
- White-collared oliveback
- White-headed black chat
- White-winged swamp warbler
- Yellow-bellied eremomela
- Yellow-eyed black flycatcher
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Fullboard)
After breakfast you will transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters to track Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills can be tough, arduous and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. After finding the gorillas, enjoy them for 1 hour taking snaps and videos return back. After relaxing, go and visit the Ibyi’wachu cultural village, they perform cultural activities like singing, dance etc. retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Day 5: Dian Fosey Visit (Lunch)
Dian fossey was an American as an American zoologist, primatologist, and anthropologist who undertook an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups over a period of 18 years. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by anthropologist Louis Leakey. Her 1983 book, Gorillas in the Mist, combines her scientific study of the gorillas at Karisoke Research Center with her own personal story. It was adapted into a 1988 film of the same name.
Unfortunately Fossey was murdered in 1985; inside her research Centre and was buried near her favorite gorilla digit. You will visit her grave and experience the practical part of her work. After Descend back to the headquarters and have lunch at the lodge. The guide will drive you to the airport for your flight back home.
End of the safari
Tour Inclusions
4 Nights Accommodation and meals
Gorilla permits per person
Dian Fossey Hike permit
4WD transportation Safari Jeep
Knowledgeable English speaking Guide
Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits
Canopy walk
Tour Exclusions
International flights
Rwanda Visa
All meals and drinks not specified
Tips and gratuities
Items of a personal nature not included in the Itinerary

Easter & Christmas Surcharges
A surcharge would be charged per person per night on Good Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Easter Monday and on 24th 25th, 26th, 31st December and 1st January. The Surcharge would be confirmed at the time of booking for clarity purposes.
For optimal enjoyment of your safari, we urge you to carry the following:
All weather firm shoe pair, short and dress to use during the day, trouser for use in the evenings with long sleeved shirt, sweater or jacket, hat, swimming costume, sunglass, camera, binocular, sun protection cream and insect repellent spray or cream.