Where you’ll stay
The location of the camps on our private guided trips is very important. You can expect to be somewhere with a real feel for the destination, perhaps in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, home to the mountain gorillas, or overlooking the expansive waters of Lake Kivu. Rwanda is not renowned for its luxury accommodation, but times are changing, and while the simpler options remain, there are now more upmarket lodges, with accommodation and service to match.Get a feel for the country
Travelling by road, you will get a feel for the landscape as a whole rather than just the national parks and other big attractions. Follow roads that wind up and round the country’s many hills, or collines, passing churches and shrines that are visible reminders of the troubled past. Stop when you wish, perhaps at a village or to visit a coffee plantation; this is very much your trip. And travelling in this way, with your own guide, allows you to gain a sense of the underlying Rwandan culture.About your private guide
The guides on our private guided trips have been selected for their ability to work with individual guests, adapting and personalising each trip according to individual needs and requests. Highly knowledgeable, articulate and personable, they are your link with the Rwanda of both past and present, including the tragedy of the 1994 genocide. While they are not trained wildlife guides (you will be accompanied by specialist guides on all wildlife-based activities), they are likely to have a broad understanding of the country’s fauna, too.Trip routes & suggested itineraries
All of our privately guided trips in Rwanda start from the capital, Kigali, and all will give you the flexibility to do what you want, when you want. From Kigali at the centre, the country’s roads fan out like the spokes of a bicycle wheel, and are connected by cross-country roads that make it easy to create a circular trip. So whether you’re visiting Volcanoes National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, seeking out wildlife in Akagera or heading for the enchanting Lake Kivu, driving is the best way to explore.Possible routes for these trips are limited only by your imagination and available time. To give you some ideas, we have included a few costed examples of privately guided trips around Rwanda here:
Our top picks for holidays to Rwanda
We'll always tailor-make your Safari for you. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.
Golden Monkey Safari
12 days • 5 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
Combine four key areas of Rwanda on this excellent-value trip, for a true wildlife and cultural experience. The perfect itinerary for those who want to see all the highlights of Rwanda.
US$9,710 - US$12,170 per person
Mona Monkey Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
This example of a luxury holiday explores the wildlife of Nyungwe Forest, the scenic shores of Lake Kivu and the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, all accompanied by a private guide and vehicle.
US$12,160 - US$19,000 per person
L'Hoest's Monkey Safari
7 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
Meet three iconic primates – gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys – and explore Rwanda's fascinating culture on this excellent value privately guided adventure.
US$5,570 - US$6,830 per person
Gorillas and Serengeti Safari
11 days • 4 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
Combine three iconic experiences – mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and the Serengeti plains and awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.
US$12,620 - US$15,540 per person
Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
This trip combines two of Africa's most unforgettable wildlife experiences – Rwanda's mountain gorillas and Kenya's Maasai Mara.
US$10,600 - US$13,500 per person
Mountain Gorilla Safari
5 days • 2 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
Staying in great-value lodges, with a private driver-guide and 4WD, this adventure includes two treks to get up close with groups of mountain gorillas.
US$5,830 - US$6,120 per person
Gorillas and Migration Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
This luxury safari combines two iconic wildlife experiences: trekking to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, then flying to the northern Serengeti in search of the wildebeest migration and spectacular river crossings.
US$17,070 - US$25,280 per person
The Highlights of Africa
17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.
US$14,360 - US$19,690 per person
Silverback Gorilla Safari
4 days • 1 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
Fly into Rwanda and you can be trekking to meet a family of mountain gorillas the next morning. An itinerary like this could easily be combined with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.
US$10,170 - US$14,080 per person
