I Thought Rwanda Was Just for Gorilla Trekking. I Was So Wrong.

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when planning a trip to Rwanda is treating it like a quick gorilla trekking stop… and nothing more.

That was honestly my mindset at first, too. I went for the gorillas, but after doing chimp trekking, a safari, and spending time in Kigali, I don’t think that’s the best way to see this country.

Today, I’m breaking down what each experience was actually like, what surprised me the most, and what I would prioritize if I were planning Rwanda again.

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Quick Planning Takeaway 

If you’re trying to figure out how to plan Rwanda, here’s the short version:

• Gorilla trekking was my favorite and the most memorable.
• Chimp trekking was the most physically intense.
• The safari added a completely different side of the country and I enjoyed it more than the Mara in Kenya.
• And Kigali deserved way more time than I gave it.

And just to give you a rough idea of timing, something like 1–2 days in Kigali, a couple of days for chimp trekking, a few days near Volcanoes National Park for gorillas, and then a few days for safari is a really solid itinerary.

If you’re short on time or budget, I’d prioritize gorilla trekking first, then add either the safari or more time in Kigali.

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My Rwanda Itinerary

What I really liked is how the trip builds. We started in Kigali, then went down to Nyungwe for chimp trekking, then up to Volcanoes National Park for the gorillas, and finished with a safari in Akagera.

It never felt repetitive. Each stop had a totally different vibe.

This is a trip with a lot of driving! But I actually ended up enjoying that more than I expected. The drives were really scenic, and there were interesting stops along the way, so it didn’t just feel like hours of just getting from point A to point B.

I think seeing Rwanda by road gave me a much better feel for the country than if I had just jumped between the main highlights.

Having a driver made a huge difference in making all of this feel smooth. I definitely recommend hiring a driver for this trip. (I had booked my trip via Go2Africa.)

It’s also worth noting that this is really your only option in Rwanda. This isn’t like other African destinations where you can take a bush plane between lodges. Some people hire a helicopter, but for the rest of us, driving is our only option. 

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Gorilla vs Chimp trekking

Before going, I assumed chimp trekking and gorilla trekking would feel pretty similar.

I mean, you hike through the forest, find primates, spend time watching them, and that is that.

But boy, was I wrong.

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Gorilla experience

Gorilla trekking felt slower and a lot more immersive once you reached them. The hike can absolutely be tough with mud, stingy plants, steep sections, and uneven ground, but when you finally find them, everything is very chill.

You’re sitting there watching them eat, nap, play, interact… and you’re surprisingly close. It feels very personal.

And sometimes, they come to you.

I had a mother and her baby walk right past me, and in that moment, you just listen to your guide. Mine told me to stay completely still. It felt very controlled and safe, even when something unexpected happened. (You can see that in the video below!)

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Chimp experience

Chimp trekking felt completely different.

We were out at 6 a.m. with trackers trying to locate them as they moved, and once they found them… it was basically a rush to keep up.

I am not a fast hiker. I like to stop, take photos, and get video, but that was not happening here.

I was moving the entire time, trying to keep up with the guide. The terrain is dense, slippery, and steep in parts, and the chimps are constantly moving.

Even once we found them, we had to keep relocating because they kept moving.

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Viewing Difference + Practical Advice

The actual viewing experience is also very different.

With gorillas, you’re close and can really take it all in.

With chimps, at least in my experience, they were higher up in the trees and farther away. I spent a lot of time just trying to track where they were.

So if you’re trying to decide between the two:

I would recommend gorilla trekking for most people. It felt more personal, easier to enjoy, and honestly more worth it if you’re investing in the experience.

Chimp trekking is still really cool, but it’s more intense, faster-paced, and harder to photograph or film.

If you can do both, they complement each other really well. I’m very grateful I was able to do both. But if you’re choosing one, I’d pick gorillas.

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Golden Monkey Trekking

Another experience I want to mention is Golden Monkey Trekking, especially if you’re already staying near Volcanoes National Park.

I did that the day after gorilla trekking, and it was such a nice contrast. It’s much easier and more relaxed.

After the intensity of the gorilla trek, it was nice to do something that still gets you out into the forest but feels lighter. And I loved watching these little guys – they’re so fast and playful.

So if you have an extra day in this area, I do think that’s a great add-on that is worth doing.

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Safari (Akagera National Park)

This is where I think a lot of people get Rwanda wrong…they come for the primates and leave.

I also did a safari in Akagera National Park, and I’ve done safaris in Kenya too, which are incredible. I especially loved Samburu.

But Rwanda surprised me.

Akagera felt much more private. We only saw a handful of other vehicles the entire time.

In places like the Mara, you can have amazing sightings, but in my experience, it can also feel crowded. Here, it felt quieter and more relaxed, even if it meant spending a bit more time looking for animals.

And we still saw so much – rhinos, elephants playing in the water, hippos on the boat safari, tons of birds, even leopards. I saw THREE leopards!

If you like the idea of a safari but don’t want the crowds, this is a really nice option.

The boat safari on Lake Ihema was also a highlight. Seeing hippos and watching elephants play in the water from the boat was something I hadn’t experienced before, and it ended up being one of my favorite parts.

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Kigali

And then Kigali…

I really wish I had given this city more time.

I think a lot of people treat it as just the place you fly into before heading to the gorillas, but it felt clean, safe, organized, and interesting.

If I were planning this again, I would add at least another day here…just to explore more, go out to restaurants, and not feel rushed.

We also visited the Genocide Memorial, and as heavy as that is, I’m really glad I went.

I did not fully understand the scope of the genocide before visiting, and I think that’s probably true for a lot of people. It’s heartbreaking, but it gives you a much deeper understanding of Rwanda beyond just the travel highlights. 

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Lodging insight

One thing I would do differently is be more intentional about where I stayed. (These are easier to see in my YouTube video.)

For chimp trekking, I stayed at Munazi Lodge. It had beautiful views and some neat accommodation, and the staff was kind, but it would not be my first choice if I did that part again. It felt a little limited, like you were mainly there to sleep and do the trek.

For the gorillas, I stayed at Amakoro Songa Lodge, and that felt completely different. Better food, more atmosphere, and it actually felt like part of the trip. They had fires at night, cultural performances, and it was somewhere you wanted to spend time, not just crash after a long day.

Karenge Bush Camp in Akagera was also really cool, with great staff and food. The only thing to note is that the tents are kind of close together, so noise can be an issue depending on your neighbors.

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Planning takeaway

Now, the biggest planning takeaway…If I were planning Rwanda again, I would not rush it.

I’d still prioritize the gorillas, I’d add chimps if I had the time, I would absolutely do the safari again, and I’d give Kigali more time.

But the biggest shift for me is this:

Rwanda is not just a gorilla trekking trip.

That might be what gets people here…but it’s not the only reason to come, and I think you miss a lot if that’s all you do. 

If you’re planning Rwanda, see my gorilla trekking guide next—that’s where I break down cost, permits, and exactly what the day looks like.

I also have another article on everything I got wrong, including what I would wear differently and a few mistakes that made the day harder than it needed to be.