Best Short Gorilla Trek Tours in Congo from Kigali

September 27, 2026

Private Transfer from Kigali to Buhoma or Ruhija

September 27, 2026

Why Rwanda and Congo Were Combined

Rwanda and eastern Congo complement each other beautifully:

Rwanda offers excellent infrastructure, short drives, luxury lodges, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, and Big Five safaris in Akagera National Park.
Eastern Congo offered Virunga’s mountain gorillas at a lower permit price, the unique Nyiragongo volcano hike, the Senkwekwe Center for orphaned gorillas, and eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega, found nowhere else on Earth.

Because Goma and Bukavu sit directly across the border from Rwanda’s lakeside towns of Rubavu and Rusizi, crossing between the two countries was quick and easy. Our guides to combining Rwanda, Uganda and Congo on a safari and combined tours to Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Burundi explain how these multi-country trips were structured.

Classic Congo and Rwanda Combined Routes

Route 1: The Virunga Volcano Circuit. Kigali → Volcanoes National Park (gorillas and golden monkeys) → Rubavu → Goma → Virunga (gorillas and Nyiragongo) → back to Kigali. This route let travellers trek gorillas in two countries and hike an active volcano.

Route 2: The Lake Kivu and Lowland Gorilla Route. Kigali → Nyungwe Forest (chimpanzees and canopy walk) → Rusizi → Bukavu → Kahuzi-Biega (eastern lowland gorillas) → Lake Kivu → Kigali.

Route 3: The Grand Rwanda and Congo Loop. Kigali → Akagera (Big Five) → Volcanoes → Rubavu → Virunga → Lake Kivu by road or boat → Bukavu → Kahuzi-Biega → Rusizi → Nyungwe → Kigali. A ten to fourteen-day journey through the heart of the Great Lakes region.

See our overviews of Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park pages.

Current Status: Can You Combine Congo and Rwanda Now?

At the time of writing, we do not recommend including eastern Congo in a combined safari.

Goma and Bukavu, the gateways to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega, have been under M23 control since early 2025.
Virunga’s gorilla tourism is suspended, with reopening to be announced by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and park authorities.
Kahuzi-Biega packages have been withdrawn by tour operators.
Governments including Australia and Canada advise against all travel to the DRC, with strong warnings for North and South Kivu and for land border crossings.
Travel insurance is unlikely to cover travel to areas under a “do not travel” warning.

Rwanda itself remains safe and welcoming for visitors. Before planning any trip that goes near the Congo border, check your government’s latest travel advice. Our articles Is Congo safe to go for gorilla trekking? and gorilla trek safaris from Congo provide more detail.

The Best Alternative: A Full Rwanda Combined Safari

Rwanda alone offers an extraordinary variety of experiences in a compact country, easily combined into one safari:

Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, Dian Fossey’s grave and volcano hikes
Nyungwe Forest National Park: chimpanzee tracking, 13 primate species and a spectacular canopy walkway
Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s Big Five park, with lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes and boat safaris on Lake Ihema
Lake Kivu: beaches, boat trips, island visits and coffee tours on the Rwandan shore
Kigali: the Genocide Memorial, markets, art galleries and a vibrant café culture

A full Rwanda safari gives you gorillas, chimpanzees and the Big Five without crossing any borders. Pick and Transfer Safaris explains the best wildlife experiences in Rwanda beyond gorillas and the best places to see monkeys and primates in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park: Rwanda’s Share of the Virungas

Volcanoes National Park is the Rwandan section of the Virunga massif, directly next to Congo’s Virunga National Park. Its gorillas belong to the same population that roams across the border, so trekking here is very similar to what travellers once enjoyed in Congo’s Virunga sector.

Distance from Kigali: about 2 to 3 hours
Gorilla permit: USD 1,500 per person for foreign non-residents
Other activities: golden monkey tracking, the Dian Fossey hike, Mount Bisoke’s crater lake, and the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo

See our guides to Volcanoes National Park, golden monkey tracking in Rwanda and the Burera and Ruhondo Twin Lakes, plus Pick and Transfer Safaris’ Volcanoes National Park page.

Nyungwe Forest: Chimpanzees Instead of Kahuzi-Biega

For travellers who planned the southern route to Kahuzi-Biega, Nyungwe Forest National Park is the natural replacement. It is one of Africa’s oldest montane rainforests and home to chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, large troops of Rwenzori colobus and hundreds of bird species. Its canopy walkway, suspended high above the forest floor, is one of the most memorable experiences in Rwanda.

Nyungwe lies in southwestern Rwanda, about five to six hours from Kigali, close to the Rusizi area that once served as the gateway to Bukavu. See our guide to chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 2 Days Nyungwe chimps tracking trip.

Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s Big Five

Akagera National Park, in eastern Rwanda, is a remarkable conservation success story. After years of decline, lions and rhinos were reintroduced, and the park is now home to the Big Five. Game drives reveal elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and, with luck, lions, leopards and rhinos, while boat trips on Lake Ihema pass hippos, crocodiles and water birds.

Akagera is about two to three hours from Kigali, making it easy to combine with gorilla trekking. See our guides on combining Volcanoes National Park with an Akagera safari and how many days you need for Volcanoes and Akagera.

Lake Kivu: Enjoying the Border Lake From the Rwandan Side

Lake Kivu was the heart of many Congo and Rwanda combined safaris. The Rwandan shore offers beautiful beaches, boat trips to islands, coffee plantation tours and relaxing lakeside lodges.

The main towns are Rubavu (Gisenyi) in the north, Karongi (Kibuye) in the middle and Rusizi (Cyangugu) in the south. Rubavu and Rusizi sit directly on the border with Goma and Bukavu, so check the latest security advice before staying there. Karongi, further from the border, is a peaceful and popular alternative. The scenic road along the lake, often called the Congo Nile Trail region, is one of the most beautiful drives in Rwanda.

Rwanda and Uganda: The Safe Way to Experience the Virungas From Two Countries

If the appeal of a Congo and Rwanda combination was trekking gorillas in two countries, the best alternative today is combining Rwanda with Uganda. Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits on the same Virunga volcanoes, right where Uganda, Rwanda and Congo meet, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects close to half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

Mgahinga: about 3 hours from Kigali, with a USD 800 permit, gorillas, golden monkeys and volcano hikes
Bwindi: about 4 to 5 hours from Kigali to the southern sectors, with a USD 800 permit and the Gorilla Habituation Experience

A Rwanda and Uganda combination gives you two gorilla treks in two countries, plus the option to add chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and Lake Bunyonyi. See our guides to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda Rwanda connecting safaris and combining Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking and culture, and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ guide on how to combine Rwanda and Uganda on one safari.

Sample Itinerary: 5-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Big Five

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali; city tour and drive to Akagera National Park.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema.
Day 3: Drive from Akagera to Musanze, near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Day 5: Golden monkey tracking or the Twin Lakes, then return to Kigali.

See our 5-Day Volcanoes Gorillas and Akagera Wildlife Safari and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 5 Days Rwanda Wildlife and Gorillas.

Sample Itinerary: 7-Day Rwanda Primates and Lake Kivu

Day 1: Kigali city tour, then drive to Nyungwe Forest.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and the canopy walkway.
Day 3: Drive along Lake Kivu to Karongi.
Day 4: Boat trip and relaxation on Lake Kivu, then continue to Musanze.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Day 6: Golden monkeys, Dian Fossey hike or Mount Bisoke.
Day 7: Return to Kigali.

This itinerary follows much of the old Congo and Rwanda route along Lake Kivu, but stays entirely within Rwanda. Pick and Transfer Safaris offers a similar 7-day Rwanda gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safari itinerary.

Sample Itinerary: 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Virunga Circuit

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali; city tour.
Day 2: Drive to Akagera for an afternoon game drive.
Day 3: Morning game drive, then drive to Musanze.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Day 5: Golden monkeys, then cross into Uganda to Mgahinga or Kisoro.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga or Bwindi’s Rushaga sector.
Day 7: Relax at Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 8: Return to Rwanda and drive to Nyungwe Forest.
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk.
Day 10: Return to Kigali for your flight.

This grand circuit delivers gorillas in two countries, chimpanzees, the Big Five and beautiful lakes. Pick and Transfer Safaris offers a 10 Days Rwanda wildlife and gorilla tour, and explains combining Akagera and Bwindi.

Kigali: The Starting and Ending Point

Almost every Rwanda combined safari begins and ends in Kigali. The city has a modern international airport with good regional and long-haul connections, and it is one of the cleanest and safest capitals in Africa. Spending a day here at the start or end of your safari adds depth to the trip.

Highlights include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which explains Rwanda’s history and remarkable recovery; Kimironko Market, full of fabrics, crafts and fresh produce; contemporary art galleries; community-led walking tours in the Nyamirambo neighbourhood; and excellent cafés serving Rwanda’s renowned speciality coffee. Kigali’s central location also means that Volcanoes, Akagera and even Uganda’s Mgahinga are all within a few hours’ drive.

Golden Monkeys and Volcano Hikes

For many travellers, the Nyiragongo volcano hike was a highlight of the Congo side of a combined safari. While Nyiragongo is currently off-limits, the Rwandan and Ugandan Virungas offer excellent alternatives:

Mount Bisoke (Rwanda): a steep day hike to a beautiful crater lake on the summit.
Mount Karisimbi (Rwanda): the highest of the Virunga volcanoes, a challenging two-day climb for experienced hikers.
Dian Fossey’s grave (Rwanda): a forest hike to the former Karisoke Research Centre.
Mount Muhavura and Mount Sabyinyo (Uganda): climbs with views across three countries, with Sabyinyo’s summit touching Rwanda, Uganda and Congo.

Golden monkey tracking, available in both Volcanoes and Mgahinga, is another favourite: a relaxed, joyful trek to watch these rare, orange-gold primates leap through the bamboo forest.

Cultural Experiences in Rwanda

Rwanda’s culture is a highlight of any combined safari:

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village: near Volcanoes National Park, where communities share traditional dances, crafts, food and history.
King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza: a reconstruction of a traditional royal palace, famous for its long-horned Inyambo cattle.
Coffee and tea tours: visit plantations around Lake Kivu and Nyungwe to see how Rwanda’s famous crops are grown and processed.
Community tourism projects: many villages near the parks welcome visitors for farming, cooking and craft experiences that support local families.

Who Are Rwanda Combined Safaris Best For?

First-time visitors who want gorillas, chimpanzees and big game in one easy trip
Travellers who had planned a Congo and Rwanda trip and need a safe alternative
Families with teenagers, thanks to short drives and a variety of activities
Honeymooners who want adventure and luxury lodges
Photographers and birders looking for varied landscapes and species

Common Mistakes When Planning a Combined Safari

1. Relying on older itineraries. Some older websites still show Congo and Rwanda combinations as if they were operating normally. Always check current advice.

2. Trying to fit too much in. Rwanda is compact, but mountain roads are slow. Allow enough time for each park.

3. Leaving permits until the end. Book gorilla permits first, then build the rest of the itinerary around them.

4. Forgetting that Nyungwe and Akagera are at opposite ends of the country. Plan your route in a logical loop to avoid backtracking.

5. Missing Uganda’s savings. Adding a gorilla trek in Uganda can save USD 700 per person while adding a second country to your trip.

For a shorter primate-focused option, Pick and Transfer Safaris offers a 5 Days Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee safari.

How Many Days Do You Need?

3 to 4 days: gorillas in Volcanoes, plus golden monkeys or the Twin Lakes.
5 to 6 days: gorillas and Akagera’s Big Five, or gorillas and Nyungwe chimps.
7 to 8 days: a full Rwanda circuit with gorillas, chimps and Lake Kivu.
10 days or more: Rwanda and Uganda combined, with gorillas in two countries, chimps, the Big Five and lakes.

Gorilla and Park Permits

Rwanda gorilla permit (Volcanoes): USD 1,500 per person for foreign non-residents
Uganda gorilla permit (Mgahinga and Bwindi): USD 800 per person; USD 700 for foreign residents of East Africa
Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk: charged per person
Akagera park entry and activities: charged per person

Book gorilla permits first, as they sell out months ahead in peak season. Always confirm current prices at the time of booking.

Visas for Rwanda and Uganda Combined Safaris

The East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100) covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya for 90 days with multiple entries, making it ideal for combined safaris. Rwanda-only trips can use a Rwanda visa, available online or on arrival for many nationalities. A Yellow Fever certificate is required for Uganda. For Congo’s requirements, for future reference, see our guide Do I need a visa to travel to Congo?.

Best Time for a Rwanda Combined Safari

Dry seasons (June to September and December to February): the best time for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and game drives in Akagera.
Wet seasons (March to May and October to November): lush landscapes, fewer visitors and excellent birding, with muddier trails.

How Much Does a Combined Safari Cost?

Costs depend on trip length, permits, accommodation and group size. The main items are gorilla permits, park fees, private transport with a driver-guide, accommodation and meals. Adding Uganda can reduce permit costs, since Uganda’s gorilla permits are USD 700 cheaper than Rwanda’s. For a tailored quote, see how our Uganda safari bookings work.

What to Pack

Waterproof hiking boots and rain gear for gorilla and chimp treks
Long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and gardening gloves
Warm layers for cool mornings in the volcanoes and Nyungwe
Light, neutral clothes for game drives in Akagera
Swimwear for Lake Kivu
Insect repellent, sunscreen and a sun hat
Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries
Passport, visa, Yellow Fever certificate and permit confirmations

When Might Congo and Rwanda Combined Safaris Return?

Combined safaris including eastern Congo will only return when security improves around Goma and Bukavu and park authorities officially reopen tourism. When that happens, Rwanda-based operators will likely restart cross-border trips carefully. Until then, follow your government’s travel advice and official park announcements, and enjoy the outstanding combined safaris available in Rwanda and Uganda today.

Why Plan Your Combined Safari With Kenlink Tours?

Safety first: we only operate in areas considered safe for tourism
Multi-country expertise across Rwanda and Uganda
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits secured on your behalf
Experienced driver-guides who handle border crossings
Tailor-made itineraries from three days to three weeks
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
24/7 support throughout your trip

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine Congo and Rwanda on a safari right now?

At the time of writing, we do not recommend including eastern Congo. Goma and Bukavu have been under M23 control since early 2025, Virunga’s tourism is suspended and many governments advise against travel to eastern DRC.

What is the best alternative to a Congo and Rwanda combined safari?

A full Rwanda safari with gorillas, chimpanzees and Akagera’s Big Five, or a Rwanda and Uganda combination with gorillas in two countries.

Can I see the Big Five in Rwanda?

Yes, in Akagera National Park, where lions and rhinos have been successfully reintroduced.

Where can I see chimpanzees in Rwanda?

In Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda.

Can I trek gorillas in two countries on one trip?

Yes. Trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and then in Uganda’s Mgahinga or Bwindi, both easily reached from Kigali.

How many days do I need for a Rwanda combined safari?

Seven to eight days for a full Rwanda circuit, or ten days or more to include Uganda.

Plan Your Combined Safari Today

The Congo and Rwanda combined safari was once one of Africa’s great adventures, and we hope it will safely return. Until then, Rwanda offers gorillas, chimpanzees, the Big Five and Lake Kivu in one compact, welcoming country, and combining it with Uganda lets you experience the Virunga volcanoes from two sides.

Ready to plan your journey? Contact Kenlink Tours with your travel dates and interests, and we will design a safe, unforgettable combined safari for you.