Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Safari: 4 Days at Singita Kwitonda Lodge

Safari Overview

This four-day safari is based entirely at Singita Kwitonda Lodge inside Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s premier destination for mountain gorilla trekking. The itinerary combines gorilla and golden monkey encounters with cultural and historical experiences in Kigali, all wrapped in high-end lodge accommodation.

Accommodation: Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes National Park — 3 nights, Full Board Plus (dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch, and activities)

What’s Included

• VIP meet & greet on arrival
• All activities listed in the itinerary
• 3 nights at Singita Kwitonda Lodge, meals included
• Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum visit
• 1 gorilla trekking permit per person (briefing, guide, trek — US$1,500)
• 1 golden monkey trekking permit per person (briefing, guide, trek — US$100)
• Visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Fund Museum
• Visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village
• Private 4×4 safari land cruiser with Wi-Fi (where available)
• French-speaking professional driver-guide
• Bottled water in the vehicle
• General trip assistance

What’s Excluded

• International/domestic flights
• Extra activities, entrance fees, or meals not listed
• Visa fees
• Optional Kigali extras
• Drinks throughout the trip
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses (phone calls, minibar, porterage, insurance, etc.)

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival, Kigali, Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Featured stops:

• Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum — A sobering, deeply moving site in the Gasabo district, created by the Kigali City Council and the UK’s Aegis Trust. Over 250,000 victims are buried here, and the museum offers an educational look at the causes, tragedy, and post-genocide rebuilding of the country.
• Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund — A 12-acre, sustainably designed campus bordering Volcanoes National Park, featuring conservation labs, a scientific library, and event space, all aimed at inspiring gorilla conservation.

About Volcanoes National Park: Set on the jungle slopes of the Virunga Mountains along the DRC border, the park is renowned as a sanctuary for mountain gorillas. Beyond trekking, it offers scenic hikes — notably to the crater lake atop Mount Bisoke — plus the Karisoke Research Centre and Dian Fossey’s tomb.

About Singita Kwitonda Lodge: With views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura volcanoes, the lodge sits within high-altitude forest and features eight contemporary suites plus a private four-bedroom villa (Kataza House), connected by volcanic rock pathways. Design elements emphasize local craftsmanship and materials, with communal spaces including a fire pit, interactive kitchen, bar-deli, and wine cellar.

Day 2 — Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: Guests are grouped (up to 8 people) by physical ability and matched to one of ten gorilla families in the park, accompanied by a guide and two trained scouts. Trek duration varies significantly depending on where the gorilla family is located that day — from half an hour to most of the day. A coffee is offered before setting out.

Day 3 — Golden Monkeys and Cultural Village

Golden Monkey Trekking: Groups of up to eight track golden monkeys near the base of the volcano, where the animals feed on bamboo vegetation. They’re known for being lively and comfortable around visitors.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village: A traditional rural Rwandan village experience offering insight into local life alongside the gorillas’ habitat. Visitors are welcomed as guests of the community and introduced to local traditions, beliefs, and daily life — described as a homestay-style, immersive cultural encounter.

Day 4 — Departure

Basis: Breakfast and lunch only (no dinner, as travel day)

Quick Reference: Basis Key

• B&B = Bed & Breakfast
• FB+ = Full Board Plus (Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities)