Luxury Rwanda Safaris, Planned Around You
Explore Rwanda in luxury, combining mountain gorilla treks beneath the Virunga volcanoes, Big Five safaris in Akagera, chimpanzee expeditions, rainforest walks and time beside Lake Kivu. We’ll plan your accommodation, transfers and connections from start to finish.
Rwanda Gorilla Safari Holidays: Mountain Gorillas and Scenic Landscapes
The most dramatic gorilla safaris in Rwanda.
Trek through the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas and golden monkeys up close. You can also track golden monkeys in the shadows of Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi.
Stay in luxury lodges beside Rwanda’s wildest places.
Stay in high-end forest lodges near Volcanoes National Park, safari camps overlooking Akagera’s lakes and savannah, or peaceful retreats beside Lake Kivu.
Experience Rwanda how you want it.
Planning a honeymoon, wild adventure, or gentle exploration with children and elderly relatives? We can plan it for you.
Responsible eco-tourism.
At our core, we support safari experiences that respect wildlife, conserve natural habitats and benefit local communities.
The most dramatic gorilla safaris in Rwanda.
Trek through the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas and golden monkeys up close. You can also track golden monkeys in the shadows of Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi.
Stay in luxury lodges beside Rwanda’s wildest places.
Stay in high-end forest lodges near Volcanoes National Park, safari camps overlooking Akagera’s lakes and savannah, or peaceful retreats beside Lake Kivu.
Experience Rwanda how you want it.
Planning a honeymoon, wild adventure, or gentle exploration with children and elderly relatives? We can plan it for you.
Responsible eco-tourism.
At our core, we support safari experiences that respect wildlife, conserve natural habitats and benefit local communities.
Choose a local safari expert and start planning.
Expertly planned Rwanda safaris tailored to your schedule and interests.
Rwanda is a small country, about nine times smaller than the UK and equivalent to the U.S. state of Maryland. Yet this stunning African gem has so much to offer. You could easily spend months exploring, and so the challenge is working out how to see Rwanda’s highlights without rushing your trip.
That’s where we come in. Tell us when you want to travel, who’s coming and what you want to see, and we’ll plan everything — from your route, accommodation, guides and transfers.
With our luxury safaris in Rwanda, you can expect to:
- Track mountain gorillas through the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park
- Search for golden monkeys beneath the Virunga volcanoes
- Trek for chimpanzees and walk above the rainforest canopy in Nyungwe National Park
- Search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos on game drives in Akagera
- Take a boat safari on Lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds
- Stay in the very best luxury forest lodges, safari camps and lakeside retreats
- Spend a few slower days beside Lake Kivu between safari experiences
- Plan a route that works for honeymoons, families and private guided trips
- Easily combine Rwanda with Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda or another East African destination
- All your travel arrangements organised in advance
Speak to our safari specialists today so your journey can begin.
Our favourite Luxury Rwanda safaris
Here are our travel experts’ top picks and some of our favourite ways to experience Rwanda. They’ll give you a feel for what’s possible.
Many of our guests combine two or more destinations into one unforgettable multi-centre safari journey, pairing Rwanda with Kenya or Tanzania in one of our multi destination safaris.
Here is a brief overview of Rwanda’s key safari regions and why they stand out.
We always recommend speaking to our specialists before choosing your route.
Many of our guests include Rwanda as part of a wider multi-centre safari across East Africa.
Volcanoes National Park
Akagera National Park
Nyungwe National Park
Lake Kivu
Kigali
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park
Best for:
– Gorilla safaris, honeymoons, luxury guided trips, photography.
What to do:
– Trek through bamboo and montane forest to see mountain gorillas at close range.
– Track golden monkeys on the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes.
– Stay in luxury forest lodges with views towards Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi and the Virunga range.
– This is Rwanda’s standout destination for travellers who want its most iconic wildlife experience.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park
Best for:
– Big Five safaris, family safaris, first-time safari trips.
What to do:
– Search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos on guided game drives.
– Take a boat safari on Lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds.
– Explore savannah, woodland, wetlands and lakes within the same park.
– Akagera is ideal for combining gorilla trekking with a classic African safari and for camping safaris out in the wild.
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park
Best for:
– Chimpanzee trekking, rainforest walks, birdwatching, active trips.
What to do:
– Trek through ancient rainforest in search of chimpanzees and other primates.
– Walk the Nyungwe canopy walkway high above the forest floor.
– Look for forest birds, monkeys and other wildlife among steep, densely wooded hills.
– Walk the Nyungwe canopy walkway high above the forest floor.
– Nyungwe offers a greener, more active contrast to Akagera’s open savannah.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu
Best for:
– Honeymoons, slower-paced trips, post-safari relaxation.
What to do:
– Spend time beside one of Africa’s great lakes, surrounded by green hills and mountain scenery.
– Take a boat trip or kayak along the shoreline and around the lake’s islands.
– Stay in a lakeside hotel or lodge between gorilla trekking and the rest of your Rwanda safari.
– Lake Kivu is ideal for adding a few slower days to the end of a wildlife-focused itinerary.
Kigali
Kigali
Best for:
– First and last nights, culture, history, food, city stays.
What to do:
– Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to understand Rwanda’s recent history and national story.
– Explore local markets, art galleries and neighbourhoods with a guide.
– Try Rwandan coffee, local dishes and Kigali’s growing restaurant scene before or after your safari.
– Kigali works well as the starting or finishing point for trips to Volcanoes, Akagera and Nyungwe, with luxury hotels available for a comfortable city stay.
Custom safaris in Rwanda built around your dreams.
If you dream of tracking mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, searching for lions and rhinos in Akagera, trekking for chimpanzees in Nyungwe or slowing down beside Lake Kivu, our specialists will help you turn those ideas into a carefully planned reality.
Rwanda also combines easily with a luxury safari in Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda, and many of our guests add a beach stay in Zanzibar, the Seychelles or another Indian Ocean destination after their safari.
Whatever your interests are, tell us when you want to travel, how long you have and what you most want to see. We’ll create a private, customised itinerary that makes every day count.
Talk to a Specialist
Our experienced Safari Consultants—based in Nairobi and around the world—are here to guide you every step of the way. From expert advice to seamless planning, we’ll take care of every detail to create a safari that’s perfectly tailored to you.
Get in touch today, and a dedicated Safari Specialist in your time zone will start crafting your personalised safari to Rwanda.
Kenya
North America & Canada
North America & Canada
North America
UK & Europe
South America
Australia
India
Kenya
Head Office in Nairobi
We have an experienced team of Safari Consultants based in Kenya.
You can email our Nairobi team here or call at +254-722-509-200.
North America & Canada
Rick Mcintyre
Hello, I’m Rick, based in Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years in the travel industry and a passport filled with stamps from over 70 countries. My heart was captured by Africa during my first visit to Kenya, and since then, I’ve journeyed back repeatedly, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Whether you’re dreaming of a “once in a lifetime” vacation or you’re a seasoned safari traveler, I’m here to assist in planning your perfect African adventure.
You can contact me at rick@gamewatchers.com or give me a call at +1-877-710-3014, and together, we’ll make your African dreams a reality.
North America & Canada
Rachel Chambers
Hi, I’m Rae, based on the West Coast of Canada, on beautiful Vancouver Island. I’m a passionate traveler who has explored nearly 30 countries, but it was a solo journey to Africa that truly transformed my perspective. From the moment I arrived in Botswana, I felt an undeniable connection to the continent and was inspired to spend more time experiencing its extraordinary wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultures. My solo travels have since taken me through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, and Kenya, where I experienced Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps firsthand. It was during these immersive and unforgettable journeys that my passion for Africa evolved into a clear vision: to join the Gamewatchers team and help others discover the magic of safari. I’d love to connect and plan your wildest dreams!.
You can reach me by email at rae@gamewatchers.com
North America
Julie Roggow
Greetings, I’m Julie Roggow, and I come to you with over two decades of immersion in the world of travel. My journey into the heart of safari adventures began as I traversed Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, capturing the essence of these mesmerizing landscapes through my lens. Among these remarkable destinations, Kenya and the Porini safari camps hold a special place in my heart. Their unique blend of wilderness and conservation resonates deeply with me.
My passion for travel is matched only by my dedication to sharing that passion with others. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your very first safari, I’m here to ensure that planning your safari vacation is an enjoyable and seamless experience.
Feel free to reach out to me by email at julie@gamewatchers.com or through our toll-free telephone line at +1-877-710-3014. Let’s embark on an unforgettable safari journey together, where the wild beauty of Africa awaits to enchant and inspire you.
UK & Europe
Tom Mees
Jambo, I’m Tommy Mees, most people call me Tom.
My connection with Africa began through years of travelling across the continent.
I later spent more than twelve years managing safari camps and lodges while supporting conservation initiatives including beekeeping and tree-planting projects.
Having travelled extensively throughout Eastern and Southern Africa, I developed a deep appreciation for authentic wilderness experiences and the conservation-focused approach of the Porini Camps.
I am originally from Belgium and now based in Spain, though my heart has always remained in Africa.
Alongside my safari background, I am also a professional photographer and enjoy helping travellers experience and capture the extraordinary wildlife, landscapes and cultures that make Africa so special.
If you are considering an African safari, feel free to contact me at tom@gamewatchers.com
South America
Andrea Landaeta
Hola, I’m Andrea and my love affair with the captivating world of safaris began during my teenage years when I embarked on my very first safari in Kenya. There, amidst the awe-inspiring wildlife and expansive plains, I found my true passion. Over the years, Kenya has called me back time and time again, leading me to explore its myriad camps, conservancies, and renowned parks. More recently, I’ve had the privilege of staying at all the Porini Camps, where the spotlight shines on wildlife conservation—a cause close to my heart as I traverse the globe. While Kenya holds a special place in my wanderlust-filled heart, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda have also woven their magic into my soul.
If you’re eager to embark on your own safari adventure or share your passion for conservation, please feel free to contact me at andrea@saririterra.com
Australia
Kristy Thomson
Hello, I’m Kristy, your Australian-based Safari Advisor with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps. My background in ecology and conservation management, combined with a deep passion for nature and the great outdoors, led me to Kenya where I instantly fell in love with its spectacular wildlife and warm-hearted people. Having spent significant time at our Porini Camps and explored other camps we offer, I bring intricate knowledge to help craft your ultimate wildlife safari adventure. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of the savannah or the serenity of the wilderness, I’m here to make your safari dreams a reality.
Feel free to reach out to me on the Gold Coast, Australia, at kristy@gamewatchers.com or call on +61 419 175 672.
India
Pranay Chandra
Hello, I’m Pranay Chandra, a veteran of the Indian Armed Forces whose profound passion for nature and wildlife led me to the world of wildlife photography. My lens has captured the essence of the wild, earning recognition in esteemed competitions like the Sanctuary Asia annual wildlife awards and the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. Beyond photography, I’ve dedicated myself to conservation efforts, collaborating with Ecological Task Forces and supporting WWF India’s training initiatives in tiger reserves. In the realm of education, I’ve partnered with CEC, New Delhi, to create informative video programs on Human-Wildlife Conflicts. I’ve ventured to Kenya, embracing the splendours of Africa while staying at Porini camps and other renowned lodges.
You can connect with me via email at pranay@gamewatchers.com or call on +91 801 788 5256.
What Our Clients Say About Us...
What Our Clients Say About Us...
Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
Get essential details about getting there, Visas, what to pack, and travel tips to make your safari seamless.
FAQs — Luxury Rwanda Safaris.
Yes, Rwanda’s main safari destinations are safe and accessible to travellers. Your safety comes first at all times for us, so we always monitor local conditions closely when planning your trip and will continue to do so throughout your time in Rwanda.
Read more about safety and other travel information in our Rwanda travel information guide here.
No. We can make your Rwanda safari as active or relaxed as you want it to be. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking involve walking, but you can also enjoy guided game drives in Akagera, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, time in Kigali and slower days beside Lake Kivu.
It can be physically demanding, but you do not need to be a serious hiker. You’ll be walking through mountain forest, so sturdy footwear and clothing are important, and rain can make the conditions tougher.
We understand you’ll have lots of questions about gorilla trekking. If you’re researching Rwanda gorilla safaris holidays, visit our gorilla safaris page here for more information on what to expect from the trek itself.
We recommend around six to nine days for most Rwanda safaris. Six days gives you time to combine gorilla trekking with Akagera and Kigali, while around nine days allows you to add Nyungwe, chimpanzees and Lake Kivu without rushing from place to place.
June to mid-September is generally the best time for gorilla trekking and safari travel, as conditions are drier and paths are easier to navigate. Rwanda can be visited year-round, though its main rainy seasons run from mid-February to May and mid-September to mid-December.
