Black and white colobus monkey in lush green foliage, One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda
Guest observing gorilla in dense rainforest vegetation
Modern white lodge buildings lit at dusk with landscaping, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda
Illuminated lakeside lodge with large swimming pool at dusk, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Lake Kivu, Rwanda
Aerial view of lodge buildings nestled among forest canopy, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda
Terracotta-roofed lodge nestled in misty mountain valley, Virunga Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Modern hotel building lit at dusk with palm trees, Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda
Illuminated pool area with lounge chairs and dining table at dusk, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda
Guests relaxing by fire pit on evening terrace, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda
Lakeside swimming pool with lounge chairs and palm trees, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Lake Kivu, Rwanda
Volcanic mountains rise above forested hillsides and settlement, Virunga Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Resort pool area at dusk with surrounding buildings and trees, Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda
Courtyard with illuminated colonial-style buildings and tropical plants, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda
Covered deck with seating overlooking forested canopy view, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda

inspiration

rwanda: a week of gorillas and rainforest

Private Safari
From $8,700 pp
2 guests
7 nights

trip highlights

  • Chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walkway from a lodge set on a working tea estate at the edge of Nyungwe rainforest.
  • A private sand beach on Lake Kivu at Gisenyi, where the water holds no crocodiles and guests swim off the sand.
  • Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park from a ridge that faces the Virunga volcanoes above Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo.
  • Guided forest walks to the Kamiranzovu marsh and waterfalls, with close to 300 recorded bird species in Nyungwe.
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Chimpanzee walking on forest trail during guided trek, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda

Across Rwanda's Forests and Volcanoes

This seven-night route runs from Kigali down to the mountainous south-west and back up to the volcanoes of the north. It opens in the capital, then reaches the Gisakura tea estate on the edge of Nyungwe rainforest, drops to a sand beach on Lake Kivu at Gisenyi, climbs to a ridge above the twin lakes for Volcanoes National Park, and closes with a last night in Kigali.

You travel by road and, where it suits, by air, with private driver-guides handling the transfers. The days hold chimpanzee tracking and forest walks, time on the lake, and gorilla trekking at altitude. The properties range from boutique city hotels to a rainforest lodge, a lakeside resort and an early eco-lodge on the ridge, each chosen for its position.

plan your safari

Daily Itinerary Breakdown

Kigali: Arrival in the Capital

Begin in central Kigali at a boutique hotel of stone, teak and Rwandan craft in the leafy Kiyovu district, a short drive from the airport and the city's markets, galleries and memorials. It is a calm base to ease off a long-haul flight. Kigali sits at the centre of the country across a series of ridges, widely regarded as the cleanest city in Africa. If time allows, the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi makes for a quiet, essential few hours.

Southwest Rwanda: Nyungwe Rainforest

Move down to the Gisakura tea estate, where waist-high green tea runs to the treeline of Nyungwe National Park, one of the oldest and largest mountain rainforests in Africa. Mornings begin early for chimpanzee tracking on foot, with black-and-white colobus monkeys moving through the upper canopy. Days fill out with guided forest walks to the Kamiranzovu marsh and the waterfalls, birding across close to 300 recorded species, and the park's suspended canopy walkway strung high above the valley floor.

Lake Kivu: A Beach Below the Virungas

Drive to Gisenyi on Lake Kivu's northern shore, where a private sand beach runs down to water that holds no crocodiles, so guests swim off the sand. The Virunga volcanoes cut the skyline to the north and the green hills of the Congolese shore lie across the water. This is a place to sit still: a guided cruise to the coves and islands, a kayak off the sand, or dinner of crisp-fried isambaza and tilapia at the Ziwani Café as fishermen pass at dusk in three-hulled canoes.

Volcanoes NP: Gorillas and the Ridge

Climb to a ridge high in northern Rwanda, with the Virunga volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo to the east; six of the eight volcanoes in the chain are visible on a clear day. The lodge, one of Rwanda's first eco-lodges, is the base for gorilla trekking in the park. Between treks, walk the terraced gardens and the ridge trails, take in the long views from a private terrace, and use the volcanic-stone spa and sauna.

Kigali: A Composed Last Night

Return to Kigali for a final night on Boulevard de la Révolution, the city's established five-star address, roughly twenty minutes from the airport. Built around a polished granite atrium hung with Rwandese art and craft, it does the quiet work of departure well. Dining centres on the Milima Restaurant, with terrace seating over the gardens and pool.

Ed Charles photographing wildlife

Ed Charles, BBC Producer

Fitzroy are true specialists in accessing the wilderness. They know where to go and importantly, when to go there. Highly recommended.

Ed Charles

Bafta & Emmy award winning film producer of BBC’s Planet Earth 2 and A Perfect Planet

looking for inspiration?

Young gorilla feeding on vegetation in dense forest, Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Guest observing gorilla in dense rainforest vegetation Modern white lodge buildings lit at dusk with landscaping, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Terracotta-roofed lodge nestled in misty mountain valley, Virunga Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Thatched-roof lodge nestled among trees with mountains beyond, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga National Park, Uganda Lodge nestled among dense forest canopy with mountain backdrop, Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Illuminated pool area with lounge chairs and dining table at dusk, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Volcanic mountains rise above forested hillsides and settlement, Virunga Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Spacious bedroom with four-poster bed and fireplace, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga National Park, Uganda Dense tropical forest canopy viewed from above, Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Courtyard with illuminated colonial-style buildings and tropical plants, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Spacious bedroom with four-poster canopy bed and fireplace, Virunga Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Guest observing gorilla in lush forest vegetation, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga National Park, Uganda Covered wooden deck with chairs overlooking forested valley, Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

rwanda & uganda

all gorilla parks safari

Ten nights linking Kigali, Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Bwindi, tracking mountain gorillas across Rwanda and Uganda.

  • Private Safari
  • From $12,125 pp
  • 2 guests
  • 10 nights
View Safari
Close-up portrait of a mountain gorilla peering through dense forest foliage Modern white lodge buildings lit at dusk with landscaping, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Modern lodge building with volcanic mountain backdrop and green fields, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Infinity pool overlooking savanna landscape with trees, Singita Faru Faru Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Safari lodge buildings with thatched roofs nestled among trees, Mwiba Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Overhead view of curved white building with pool surrounded by vegetation, Xanadu Villas, Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania Illuminated pool area with lounge chairs and dining table at dusk, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Modern lodge building nestled in lush green valley landscape, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Modern lodge building with pool surrounded by savanna vegetation, Singita Faru Faru Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Candlelit outdoor dining deck overlooking savanna at dusk, Mwiba Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Luxury villa pool with white picket fence and garden views, Xanadu Villas, Zanzibar & Pemba, Tanzania Courtyard with illuminated colonial-style buildings and tropical plants, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Modern brick lodge building with mountain backdrop and vegetation, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Guest observing gorilla in dense rainforest vegetation

rwanda & tanzania

gorillas, grumeti and zanzibar

Rwanda's mountain gorillas, private Serengeti reserves in Tanzania and a finish on the Zanzibar coast.

  • Private Safari
  • From $32,805 pp
  • 2 guests
  • 15 nights
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Distinctive dome-shaped buildings nestled among forested hillside, Bisate Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Modern hotel building with cream facade and red logo, Kigali Marriott Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda Waterfront lodge with canvas tents lit at dusk, Magashi Camp, Akagera National Park, Rwanda Modern white lodge buildings lit at dusk with landscaping, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Aerial view of lodge buildings nestled among forest canopy, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda Thatched-roof lodge nestled among forest trees at dusk, Bisate Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Outdoor dining terrace with umbrellas overlooking gardens, Kigali Marriott Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda Wooden deck dining area under acacia tree at dusk, Magashi Camp, Akagera National Park, Rwanda Illuminated pool area with lounge chairs and dining table at dusk, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda Guests relaxing by fire pit on evening terrace, Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda Thatched-roof lodge nestled among lush green forest vegetation, Bisate Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Modern hotel exterior illuminated at dusk with entrance, Kigali Marriott Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda Illuminated lodge pavilion under large acacia tree at dusk, Magashi Camp, Akagera National Park, Rwanda Courtyard with illuminated colonial-style buildings and tropical plants, Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

rwanda

the country’s finest lodges

Eleven nights across Rwanda's three parks, from Akagera's savannah to Nyungwe's rainforest and the Virunga gorillas.

  • Private Safari
  • From $24,125 pp
  • 2 guests
  • 11 nights
View Safari

rated five stars by our clients

Planning a journey together

our approach

remote, exclusive
& personal

Every journey starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your vision before we start planning.

Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape something that is considered, personal, and expertly delivered.

Every journey starts with a conversation. We favour a direct, personal approach: understanding your vision before anything else.

Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape a journey that is both thoughtfully considered and expertly delivered.

Get in touch to start planning yours.

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