Luxury Rwanda Safaris 2026 and 2027: Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes Lodges and Akagera

Luxury Rwanda Safaris, in Brief

What a luxury Rwanda safari includes.

A luxury Rwanda safari centres on mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, about two and a half hours from Kigali, staying at Singita Kwitonda, Bisate or One&Only Gorilla's Nest on the park edge. Add golden monkeys, chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, the Big Five in Akagera and a few days on Lake Kivu. A gorilla permit costs USD 1,500 in 2026 and 2027, and our Rwanda journeys start from USD 21,950 per person.

USD 1,500Gorilla permit, 2026 and 2027
2.5 hoursKigali to Volcanoes by road
30 minutesBy helicopter
4.9From 170+ guest reviews

By Abner Ongeri, founder, Karen, Nairobi

Where to Go in Rwanda

Luxury Rwanda safari destinations, on the map.

Choose an area to see when to go, how long it takes from Kigali, and the luxury lodges we use there.

Luxury Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes

Best months: June to September and December to February
From Kigali: About 2.5 hours by road, or 30 minutes by helicopter

Luxury camps, lodges and villas in Volcanoes National Park 5 stays, scroll →

VolcanoesSingita Kwitonda Lodge
VolcanoesSabyinyo Silverback Lodge
VolcanoesOne&Only Gorilla's Nest
VolcanoesBisate Lodge
Private villaSingita Kataza House

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Luxury Kigali

Kigali

A clean, green capital of galleries, restaurants and the Genocide Memorial

Best months: All year
From Kigali: About 20 minutes by road

Luxury camps, lodges and villas in Kigali

KigaliThe Retreat
KigaliThe Pinnacle

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Luxury Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest

Ancient montane rainforest with chimpanzees, colobus and a canopy walkway

Best months: June to September and December to February
From Kigali: About 5 hours by road, or 45 minutes by helicopter

Luxury camps, lodges and villas in Nyungwe Forest

NyungweOne&Only Nyungwe House

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Luxury Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

Savannah, lakes and the Big Five, a classic safari after the gorillas

Best months: June to September and December to February
From Kigali: About 2.5 hours by road, or 30 minutes by helicopter

Luxury camps, lodges and villas in Akagera National Park

AkageraWilderness Magashi

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Luxury Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu

A deep, calm lake among green hills, for kayaking, boat trips and rest

Best months: All year
From Kigali: About 3 to 4 hours by road

Two or three nights on the lake shore between the gorillas and Nyungwe, or a boat day from the Volcanoes lodges.

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Private Luxury Safaris

Private Rwanda safaris, done properly.

The finest gorilla lodges

Singita Kwitonda, Bisate and One&Only Gorilla's Nest, with private villas, fireplaces and a butler waiting after the trek.

Your permits, secured

Permits are the first thing to sell out. We request yours the day you confirm and send them in writing.

Thirty minutes, not three hours

A private helicopter from Kigali to the Volcanoes, and on to Nyungwe or Akagera.

Read our full guide to luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, and what a gorilla trek costs.

Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla permit prices for 2026 and 2027.

Permits are limited to eight guests per family each day. We request yours the day you confirm and show every fee in your proposal.

Permit	Price per person	What it includes
Mountain gorilla permit	USD 1,500	One hour with a habituated family in Volcanoes National Park. A low season saving applies from November to May when combined with nights in Akagera or Nyungwe.
Golden monkey tracking	On request	An hour with the golden monkeys in the bamboo of the same park.
East African residents	Reduced	Citizens and residents of East Africa pay considerably less, in local currency.

Luxury Rwanda Safari Packages

Rwanda gorilla safaris, priced and ready.

Our journeys that include Rwanda, with their prices. Every one can be reshaped around your dates, or we can design one from a blank page.

RwandaGorillas included

Rwanda Gorillas and the Maasai Mara

DestinationsKigali · Volcanoes · Maasai Mara
Duration10 Days · 9 Nights
HighlightsThe finest gorilla lodges in Africa on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, then the Maasai Mara. Our most requested gorilla journey.

Starting fromUSD 21,950 per person

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RwandaPrivate charter

The Ultimate East Africa Luxury Safari

DestinationsRwanda · Kenya · Tanzania
Duration12 Days · 11 Nights
Departures12 Sep 2027, limited seats
HighlightsGorillas and golden monkeys in the Virungas, the Mara and the western Serengeti, every leg by private charter, for twelve guests at most.

Starting fromUSD 46,200 per person

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Best Time to Visit Rwanda

The best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Gorillas can be trekked every month of the year. The seasons change the trails, the crowds and the price. Choose a month to see the weather, the wildlife, the prices and where we would send you.

The short dry season

January in Rwanda

Weather: Short dry season
Trekking: Gorillas often lower on the slopes
Prices: High
Best for: Gorillas and Akagera
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, then Akagera

The short dry season

February in Rwanda

Weather: Short dry season
Trekking: Good trekking, green hills
Prices: High
Best for: Gorillas and chimpanzees
Where we would send you: Volcanoes and Nyungwe

The long rains

March in Rwanda

Weather: The rains begin
Trekking: Lush forest, muddier trails
Prices: Shoulder
Best for: Value before the long rains
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, with Lake Kivu

The long rains

April in Rwanda

Weather: Long rains
Trekking: Wet trails, quiet lodges
Prices: Low, with the permit saving
Best for: Value for the fit and flexible
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, combined with Akagera for the permit saving

The long rains

May in Rwanda

Weather: Long rains ease
Trekking: Green and quiet
Prices: Low, with the permit saving
Best for: Quiet trekking
Where we would send you: Volcanoes and Nyungwe

The long dry season

June in Rwanda

Weather: Long dry season begins
Trekking: Firmer trails, excellent trekking
Prices: High
Best for: The start of the best months
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, then the Maasai Mara

The long dry season

July in Rwanda

Weather: Dry
Trekking: Superb trekking conditions
Prices: Peak
Best for: Gorillas with the Great Migration
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, then the Mara or the Serengeti

The long dry season

August in Rwanda

Weather: Dry
Trekking: Superb trekking, the busiest month
Prices: Peak
Best for: Gorillas and the Mara
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, booked well ahead

The long dry season

September in Rwanda

Weather: Dry
Trekking: Excellent trekking, Kwita Izina naming season
Prices: Peak
Best for: Gorillas and celebrations
Where we would send you: Volcanoes and Akagera

The short rains

October in Rwanda

Weather: Short rains begin
Trekking: Green, fewer visitors
Prices: Shoulder
Best for: Quieter trekking
Where we would send you: Volcanoes and Nyungwe

The short rains

November in Rwanda

Weather: Short rains
Trekking: Showers, lush forest
Prices: Low, with the permit saving
Best for: Value and solitude
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, with Akagera for the permit saving

The short dry season

December in Rwanda

Weather: Short dry season
Trekking: Good trekking returns
Prices: High late
Best for: Festive gorilla safaris
Where we would send you: Volcanoes, booked early

Luxury Private Villas in Rwanda

An exclusive use house beside the gorillas.

The whole house for your party, with gorilla trekking from the door, your own guide and a private chef.

Volcanoes National Park · Exclusive UseSingita Kataza HouseA private house on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, taken exclusively, with gorilla trekking from the door and Singita's kitchen and guiding behind it.Best forFamilies and small groups wanting the gorillas privately

See every luxury private villa and exclusive use house →

The First Decision

Rwanda or Uganda?

Both offer one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family. The difference is everything around that hour, and many guests do both.

	Rwanda	Uganda
Permit, 2026 and 2027	USD 1,500	USD 800, or USD 600 in April, May and November
Where you trek	Volcanoes National Park	Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga
From the airport	About 2.5 to 3 hours by road from Kigali, or 30 minutes by helicopter	About 1.5 to 2 hours by light aircraft from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro, or 8 to 10 hours by road. The southern sectors are about 4 to 5 hours by road from Kigali
The terrain	Bamboo and open volcano slopes, often steep but clear	Dense, steep rainforest, often muddier and longer
Four hour habituation	Not offered	Offered in the Rushaga sector, USD 1,500, rising to USD 1,800 from 1 January 2027
Lodges	Singita Kwitonda, Bisate, One&Only Gorilla's Nest	Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Erebero Hills
Pairs well with	Golden monkeys, Nyungwe, Akagera, a flight to the Maasai Mara	Chimpanzees in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, the Maasai Mara
Best for	Shorter trips, easier access and the finest lodges	Value, the habituation experience and a longer journey

See luxury Uganda safaris and luxury gorilla trekking.

Beyond the Gorillas

Things to do in Rwanda.

Golden monkeys

Playful and bright, tracked in the bamboo of Volcanoes National Park, and a lovely second day.

Dian Fossey's grave

A demanding hike to the Karisoke research site and the resting place of the famous primatologist.

Nyungwe's canopy walk

A walkway high above the rainforest, with chimpanzee tracking at dawn.

Akagera by boat

Hippos, crocodiles and elephants from the water on Lake Ihema, then the Big Five on the plains.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial

A moving and essential introduction to modern Rwanda.

Lake Kivu

Kayaking, boat trips to the islands and long, slow afternoons by the water.

The safaris were intimate, never rushed, and our guide made each sighting significant.

Guest review · Rated 4.9 from more than 170 reviews

Good to Know

Luxury Rwanda safari questions, answered.

How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?

A gorilla permit in Volcanoes National Park costs USD 1,500 per person in 2026 and 2027, for one hour with a habituated family. A low season saving applies from November to May when combined with nights in Akagera or Nyungwe.

When is the best time to visit Rwanda?

June to September and December to February, the dry seasons, when trails are firmer. Gorillas can be trekked all year, and the rainy months are greener and quieter.

How far is Volcanoes National Park from Kigali?

About two and a half hours by road, or thirty minutes by private helicopter. Most guests spend a night in Kigali on arrival.

What are the best luxury lodges in Rwanda?

Singita Kwitonda, Bisate Lodge and One&Only Gorilla's Nest at Volcanoes, with Singita Kataza House for exclusive use, One&Only Nyungwe House in Nyungwe and Wilderness Magashi in Akagera.

How many days do I need in Rwanda?

Four to five nights for two gorilla treks and golden monkeys, or seven to nine nights to add Nyungwe and Akagera. Many guests then fly to the Maasai Mara or the Serengeti.

Is Rwanda safe for tourists?

Yes. Rwanda is one of the safest and best organised countries in Africa, with clean cities, good roads and well run national parks.

Rwanda or Uganda for gorilla trekking?

Rwanda is quicker to reach, with open terrain and the finest lodges, at a higher permit price. Uganda costs less, offers the four hour habituation experience and suits a longer journey with chimpanzees. See our gorilla trekking guide.

Can I combine Rwanda with a Kenya or Tanzania safari?

Yes. Kigali is about an hour and a half from Nairobi by air, and our Rwanda Gorillas and the Maasai Mara journey does exactly that, while the Ultimate East Africa adds the Serengeti by private charter.

Begin

Secure your gorilla permits.

Permits are limited and June to September sells out months ahead. Tell us your dates, and a designer in Nairobi will check availability today and send your route, your lodge and an exact price within 24 hours.

Plan Your Rwanda Safari Speak to an Expert

Also see luxury Uganda safaris, Kenya and Tanzania.