Forest trek4–6 nights
Rwanda Gorillas
Kigali · Musanze · Volcanoes
Nobu / Rwanda
Rwanda.
The land of a thousand hills, where the gorillas live in the clouds.
Travel stylePrivate & tailor-made
Start withYour dates and interests
Suggested paceFewer stops, more time
Your next stepA conversation with Nobu
The Nobu perspective
Rwanda,
at your pace.
Rwanda compresses mountain forest, rewilded savannah and a thoughtful capital into an unusually coherent journey. Track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes, seek chimpanzees beneath Nyungwe's canopy, then cross Akagera's lake-studded grasslands in search of the restored Big Five.
The Virunga volcanoes rise from cultivated hills within easy reach of Kigali, bringing gorilla trailheads unusually close to an international gateway. Permits, forest conditions and individual fitness still determine the practical shape of every trek.
Akagera adds game drives and boat safaris across revived savannah, while Nyungwe offers chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, birdlife and a suspended canopy walk. Respectful community visits and Kigali's renewal story give the wildlife route valuable human context.
5 areas to explore
All places in Rwanda
Browse the places by area type.
5 areas · All places
Suggested Rwanda journeys
Rwanda safari itineraries
Suggested routes are a starting point for a tailored journey.
What to experience
Things to do in Rwanda
When to go
Best time to visit Rwanda
Start with the season that suits the journey you want, then confirm conditions for your exact route.
A closer look at Rwanda
Jul / Individual planning
Your dates, your route
Start with your preferred month. Your designer will help match the season, chosen stays and connections to your route, interests and preferred pace.
June–September
The long dry season
June–September is the long dry season, while December–February provides a shorter dry window. Trails are generally firmer, volcano views clearer and trekking conditions easier, so gorilla and chimpanzee permits attract strongest demand and remain subject to availability and current park operations.
March–May and October–November
The wetter seasons
March–May and October–November are wetter, bringing dense green forest, dramatic skies, excellent birding and fewer trekkers. Trails may become muddy and journeys longer, but gorilla and chimpanzee tracking continues throughout the year, subject to permits, weather, access and current conditions.
Good to know
Rwanda travel essentials
Getting there
International gateways and domestic connections vary by route. Nobu confirms the best current connection for your dates before the itinerary is approved.
Read moreEntry rules
Passport, visa and arrival rules depend on your nationality and can change. Check the official source for your passport and travel date. We go over the current rules with you as we plan your trip.
Read moreHealth planning
Health requirements and advice vary by traveller and routing. Seek current advice from an appropriate travel-health professional before travel.
Read moreFees and permits
Park, conservation, trekking or local fees may apply. Nobu confirms current amounts and inclusions in the approved quote.
Read moreAccess needs
Share mobility, sensory, dietary and pacing needs early. Nobu checks each proposed stay, vehicle and activity against the individual journey.
Read moreTime to allow
The right length depends on season, route and pace. Nobu will shape the nights and connections around the approved journey rather than a fixed template.
Read moreGood questions. Straight answers.
Is Rwanda safe for tourists?
Conditions vary by place and date. Review current official travel advice for your route and discuss the support plan with Nobu before the itinerary is approved.
When is the best time for a Rwanda safari?
The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — are easiest for gorilla and chimp trekking; the wetter months bring lush forest, fewer crowds and superb birding. Gorilla trekking runs year-round.
How many days do you need in Rwanda?
Five to nine days suits most journeys; allow at least two nights near Volcanoes for the gorillas, and add Nyungwe or Akagera for forest or savannah.
Do you need a permit to see the gorillas in Rwanda?
Yes. Gorilla trekking requires a permit issued in limited daily numbers; we secure these well in advance as part of your journey, and confirm the current official rate with you.
Is Rwanda good for families, first-timers or accessible travel?
Suitability depends on the individual traveller, vehicle, stay and activity. Share your access needs early so Nobu can check each proposed part of the journey before approval.
Helpful stories & guides
Rwanda travel guides
Useful reads to help you compare places, think through the timing and imagine how your journey could come together.
Travel guide · 7 min read
Best time to visit Rwanda: Akagera, Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and the volcanoes
The best time to visit Rwanda is June to August and December to February. How the seasons play out in Akagera, Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 8 min read
Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking: which to choose?
Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking compared: $800 vs $1,500 permits, travel time from the airport, number of gorilla families and the wider trip.
Read the guide
Safari story · 6 min read
Is a luxury safari in Rwanda right for you?
Four nights is enough for a luxury safari in Rwanda: a US$1,500 gorilla permit, lodges near the park, and a reduced rate from November to May.
Read the story
Travel guide · 8 min read
Best time for gorilla trekking: the trail and the permit, month by month
The best time for gorilla trekking is June to August and December to February. Trail conditions by month, plus Uganda's and Rwanda's permit calendars.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
When is the best time to go on safari in East Africa?
The best time to go on safari depends on what you most want to see: crossings, calving, gorillas, elephants or quiet green months. A month-by-goal guide.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
Best time to see the great migration
Where the great migration is each month: calving in the southern Serengeti in February, the Grumeti around June, Mara River crossings in August and September.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
How much does a safari cost, and what drives the price?
How much does a safari cost? Six things set the price, from lodge tier and season to park fees that double in the Mara from July. Real fees, dated.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
What to pack for a safari
What to pack for a safari: soft bags, neutral clothes, each bush airline's own allowance, optics, plugs, plastic-bag bans and gorilla-trek extras.
Read the guide
Travel guide · 7 min read
Wheelchair-accessible safaris in East Africa: what works, and what to ask
A wheelchair accessible safari is possible in East Africa if each step is checked: vehicle, camp, paths, flights and pace. What works, where, and what to ask.
Read the guide
Safari story · 6 min read
Is a Big Five safari the right goal for you?
A Big Five safari needs a rhino area on the route. Where all five are realistic in Kenya and Tanzania, what it adds in days and fees, and when to let it go.
Read the story
Safari story · 6 min read
Christmas safari
A Christmas safari means green plains, peak rates and early booking. What it costs, how much rain to expect this December, and who should choose another month.
Read the story
Safari story · 6 min read
Green season safari
A green season safari trades dry-day certainty for space, soft light and lower rates. What you gain, what you give up, and who should go in the dry months.
Read the storyPair it with
Combine Rwanda with another destination
Give your time in Rwanda another dimension. We’ll help you consider the connections and the time each place deserves.
