Rwanda’s primate trail: 8-Day Accessible Journey

8 days · Air and road · Kigali, Nyungwe, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes

Chimpanzees in the ancient Nyungwe rainforest, a night on Lake Kivu, then the gorillas in the volcanoes as the last and finest hour of the trip. It is for active travellers who want all of Rwanda’s primates and a walk above the treetops.

Who it works for

• Physical (wheelchair users and slow walkers): With support (steep forest treks and a canopy trail with steps; sedan chairs for gorillas)
• Visual (blind and low vision): Yes (forest sound, coffee and tea by taste and smell, and guides who describe)
• Hearing (Deaf and hard of hearing): Yes (visual and well briefed)
• Hidden (autism, fatigue, chronic illness): With support (flights replace the long road days, but early starts remain)

Your days

Day 1: Kigali

Met on arrival; the Kigali Genocide Memorial at your own pace (optional), then a quiet evening.

Days 2–3: Nyungwe

Fly Kigali to Kamembe (under an hour), then about 1 hour by road to the lodge; the canopy walk in the afternoon if you wish. Day 3: early chimpanzee trek, a tea estate, then a short waterfall walk or rest.

Day 4: Lake Kivu

About 1 hour back to Kamembe and a short charter flight to Gisenyi. A coffee farm visit and a quiet afternoon by the lake.

Day 5: To the volcanoes

About 1.5 hours to Musanze; a cultural visit and an easy afternoon.

Day 6: Golden monkeys

A morning trek in the bamboo, then a rest afternoon.

Day 7: The gorillas

Early briefing at Kinigi; a trek to a gorilla family and an hour in their company.

Day 8: Home

About 2.5 hours back to Kigali by road for your flight.

Where you stay

• Kigali · Kigali Marriott · bed and breakfast
• Nyungwe · Nyungwe lodge [TO CONFIRM] · full board
• Lake Kivu · Kivu Serena · half board
• To the volcanoes · Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel · full board

As listed or similar, subject to availability and to a measured accessible room.

Best time to go

Weather: June to September and December to February. Value: March to May and October to November, quieter and greener; permits stay the same price.

Good to know

• Vehicles: partner 4×4 or van; ramp vehicle to confirm. Light aircraft (Kigali–Kamembe, Kamembe–Gisenyi charter) boarding by lift or carried transfer, arranged with the airline; soft bags, about 15 kg.
• Rooms: Kigali Marriott, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Kivu Serena, Nyungwe lodge · access profiles to complete.
• Equipment and support: sedan chair for the gorillas; wheelchair and shower chair through the partner; 24-hour WhatsApp support.
• Communication and senses: tactile coffee and tea visits; written briefs; sign language interpreter on request.
• Pace: flights to Kamembe and on to Gisenyi replace the two long road days, so no drive runs over about 2.5 hours; three nights in Musanze with a rest afternoon before the gorillas. Lake Kivu is one night; add a second on request.
• Limits and alternatives: the canopy walk is reached on a steep trail with steps; it is not for wheelchair users. Stay at the lodge or visit the tea estate instead.
• New for 2027: Flights to Kamembe and a charter on to Gisenyi are now standard.
• Route optimised for 2027: Flights replace the 6-hour Kivu–Nyungwe and Nyungwe–Kigali drives; gorillas now last. King’s Palace Museum dropped (off route). Road time: 16 h road → 7 h road + 2 flights.

On every Accessible Travel Kenya journey

• Meet-and-assist at JKIA, Wilson and Moi airports, with an adapted vehicle at the kerb
• Adapted 4×4 Land Cruisers with ramp, tie-downs and pop-up roof; accessible vans in Nairobi and Mombasa
• Wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes and more, delivered to your first hotel
• An easy pace: at most 4 hours’ driving a day, two nights per stop, a rest afternoon every three days
• A try-before-you-fly pack: photos of every step of your journey, room videos and a call with your guide
• Carer and companion rates, and health support: partner hospitals, oxygen or dialysis on request
• Sign language interpreters on request, 24-hour WhatsApp support and written briefs on every journey

Ready to plan? Every journey can be shortened, extended or combined. Contact Accessible Travel Kenya to customise this journey or message Accessible Travel Kenya on WhatsApp.

Senior-friendly and wheelchair accessible: Accessible Travel Kenya caters to everyone. As specialists in inclusive tourism, the company checks every vehicle, room and activity against your needs before the company confirms.