Ultimate Rwanda: A WFPB SOS-Free Gorilla and Chimp Experience (with Optional Safari Add-On)

The Investment: Understanding the Value

We believe in complete transparency. This expedition is an investment, designed for the traveler who demands the absolute pinnacle of comfort, access, and health without a single compromise.

Here is why this journey is worth every penny:

• Conservation in Action (The Permits): The privilege of trekking with Mountain Gorillas is strictly regulated. The Rwanda Development Board charges a non-negotiable $1,500 USD per person for the gorilla trekking permit alone. This fee is included in your trip cost and goes directly into the conservation programs that saved these species from extinction. You are not just seeing the gorillas; you are helping to save them.

• The World’s Most Exclusive Lodges: We are staying at One&Only Nyungwe House and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest for a total of 6 nights. These are not just hotels; they are world-class destinations. Public rates for these properties are significant, but they are integral to making this the “trip of a lifetime.”

• A “Zero-Wallet” Experience: Unlike many other tours, we include the “hidden” costs that usually add up. We cover all tips for every driver, guide, and tracker (which is substantial), porters to carry your gear during treks, non-premium drinks, and even a few laundry days. Once you arrive, you can truly relax.

• Privatized & Customized: We have privatized most of our meals and activities to ensure total control over the experience. This allows us to provide strictly compliant SOS-free cuisine in remote locations—a logistical feat that requires a dedicated, expert team.

• The “One Shot” Philosophy: For many, this is the African adventure they have dreamed of for decades. We have designed this itinerary with the belief that if you are going to do it, you should do it right. We chose the best rooms, the best guides, and the best routes to ensure this memory is perfect.

Yes – while we do accept solo travelers, please note that there is a hefty single supplement. We have a number of FAQ on the topic of solo travelers which you can read here.

FLIGHTS
​You are in charge of your own flights to and from Rwanda.  We ask that you try and arrive in KIGALI early on the 1st day at the very latest, so you can allow enough time to go through the immigration and baggage retrieval process and the drive to our hotel and still be able to freshen up and rest up a bit before our first meeting and welcome dinner.   We would estimate the time between landing and arriving at the hotel to be about 1.5hrs.  Our first meeting is usually in mid-afternoon.

Regardless of your arrival date, we will provide an airport pickup. 

Please note that check-ins at our hotel are not guaranteed BEFORE 3PM.  We will try and have the hotel accommodate early arrivals, but it’s possible you will be asked to wait until a room becomes available.  We are situated right downtown, so worst case it’s nice and exciting to go and explore the neighborhood!

Our trip finishes up in KIGALI so book your return or ongoing flight from there.   You may also decide to stay in Rwanda or in the region a little longer, and if that’s the case let us know if we can help with your ongoing travel (ie accommodation, transportation, ideas, suggestions, etc).  We will be providing airport transfers on our final itinerary day only, until afternoon.

VISAS
All nationalities coming to Rwanda are now eligible for getting a visa on arrival.   The visa costs is $50 USD.   This is payable upon landing at Kigali airport.  Please have cash with you. 

For the vast majority of travelers (including those arriving directly from the US, Canada, or Europe), there are no compulsory vaccinations required for entry into Rwanda.

The Yellow Fever Exception (Important): The only exception is for travelers arriving from, or who have transited through (for more than 12 hours), a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission. In this specific case, a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required by border officials.

• Common countries with Yellow Fever risk include: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.

• Note: If you are combining this trip with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania before arriving in Rwanda, you will likely need this certificate.

Standard Health Recommendations (Personal Choice) While not required by law, the CDC and WHO list the following vaccinations for travel to East Africa. We believe in informed consent and strictly recommend consulting with your personal physician or a holistic healthcare professional who knows your medical history. They can help you weigh the benefits and risks based on your personal health philosophy.

• Commonly listed vaccinations: Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B, Polio, Cholera, Rabies, and Influenza.

• Decision: Which, if any, of these you choose to receive is a decision between you and your healthcare provider.

Malaria Prevention Rwanda is a malaria zone, particularly in lower-altitude areas. Because we will be trekking in dense forests, exposure to mosquitoes is possible.

• Physical Prevention: Your first line of defense is physical. We strongly suggest wearing long sleeves and trousers during the evenings and early mornings and using an effective insect repellent.

• Medication: Many travelers choose to take prophylactic anti-malarial medication. As some of these medications can have side effects, please discuss the options (and natural alternatives, if that is your preference) with your health professional to find the best approach for you.

Medical Facilities & Preparedness Medical facilities are widely available in Rwanda, with the highest standard of care found in Kigali (King Faisal Hospital). However, specific prescription medications or specialized natural supplements may be difficult to source locally.

• Action Item: Please ensure you bring a sufficient supply of any daily medications or supplements you require for the duration of the trip.

Disclaimer: World Vegan Travel creates itineraries, not medical plans. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer specific medical advice. We accept no responsibility for medical issues, denied entry, or costs resulting from a lack of vaccination or preventive care. The final decision on medical preparations rests solely with the traveler.

All travelers must have travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation. It is also prudent to purchase insurance to cover trip cancelation, trip interruption and more. To learn more about buying insurance for a World Vegan Travel trip, read this blog post.

As we are not a travel agency or booking agents, we can’t book any flights or ongoing travel (ie hotels, transportation, etc) for you. However we can surely help with recommendations, suggestions and tips as you look into flights, or extending your holiday. It never hurts to ask, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any queries whatsoever!

Short Answer: Pleasant, lush, and changeable. Late November falls during Rwanda’s “short rainy season.” This is actually a beautiful time to visit because the country lives up to its name as the “Green Heart of Africa”—the landscapes will be vibrant, dust-free, and incredibly photogenic.

• The Temperature: Rwanda is close to the equator, so it never gets freezing, but altitude changes everything.

  • Kigali & Lake Kivu: Expect warm, tropical days with highs around 25°C–28°C (77°F–82°F) and comfortable evenings.

  • The Mountains (Nyungwe & Volcanoes): It gets significantly cooler here, especially at night and early morning. Expect highs of 15°C–20°C (59°F–68°F) and lows that can dip to 10°C (50°F). You will definitely want a fleece or sweater for the evenings!

• The Rain: Expect some rain, but usually in short, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzles. The mornings often start clear for trekking, with showers rolling in during the afternoon.

• The Mud: Because of the season, the forest trails will likely be muddy. We highly recommend bringing waterproof hiking boots and gaiters (to protect your ankles from mud and stinging nettles). A lightweight rain poncho is also essential—and don’t worry, the gorillas don’t mind the rain!

Don’t worry, we will send a comprehensive packing list in your Trip Information Document closer to departure.

For now, here are the “Non-Negotiables” to keep in mind:

• The Trekking Gear: Waterproof hiking boots (make sure they are broken in!), tall gaiters (to keep ants out), and a pair of sturdy gardening gloves (to protect your hands from stinging nettles).

• The Clothing: Think “layers.” Days can be warm, but mornings and evenings in the mountains are chilly. A warm fleece or light down jacket is essential.

• The Rain: A lightweight, breathable rain jacket or poncho.

• The Colors: For trekking, stick to neutral earth tones (khaki, green, brown). Avoid bright blue or black, which can attract tsetse flies.

Our hotels all have internet, and we will have WIFI in the vehicles.  Do note that the connection in the latter may be spotty at times.

For the most part, this is an all-inclusive trip.  We provide all accommodation, transportation, activities, meals and drinks.  You will only need cash for extra purchases such as souvenirs, spas, optional activities and extra drinks outside of what’s included.  There are ATMs in the big cities.  For us, this means Kigali and any town we hit while traveling from location to location, but not so much in the areas where we stay the night.   If you are in need of an ATM, please let your tour leader know so they can plan a stop.

Outside of Kigali, you should expect minimal chances to use your credit cards (mostly visas and MasterCard.  Best to forget about American Express).  

The tour leaders will be carrying extra cash.  If you decide to go on an optional activity at the last minute but don’t have enough money, we will be able to help you out and you can simply pay us back when we find an ATM.

During meals: we will provide non-premium drinks (soda, wine, beer, coffee, tea).   Any premium drinks on top of what’s provided will require you to pay the suppliers (ie hotel, restaurant) directly.   We will make it very clear how much is included before each meal. 

We also include tips for all our activities.  For all optional activities, you should budget tips around 5$-10$ per person.  This is the way in Africa.

Tipping hotel and restaurant staff is not necessary and entirely up to you.  If you like to tip service staff, please bring some extra US cash.

If you have any specific dietary needs or food preferences, we kindly ask you to contact Brighde at [email protected] before finalizing your booking. Please provide her with detailed information about your dietary needs or preferences, and ensure you receive a written response from Brighde before finalizing your trip booking. Your cooperation and understanding in this matter are greatly appreciated.

Please note that any additional requests made after the booking has been completed might not be able to be accommodated.

This trip does include at least 2 days of heavy hiking (gorillas and chimpanzees) so you WILL need to be physically fit enough for these undertakings.  You don’t need to be the fittest person on your block, but you should be ready to hike up and down hills in a wet and hot jungle for several hours, on two occasions.  So while you can certainly skip those two activities (or one of them), we feel your overall enjoyment will be hindered a bit as they are definitely the highlight of the trip! 

It’s important to note that for these 2 activities, we will be hiring local porters that can help you not only with carrying your bag, but hold your hand during tricky parts and generally do everything they can to get you to the chimps and gorillas. You will also have the option to use a walking stick, which everyone is always glad to have — regardless of their fitness level or hiking expertise

For gorillas: if you have an ailment or a bit of a hard time with long hikes, we can ask the National Park to assign a gorilla family that isn’t too far off into the mountain.  However, while in the past our requests have been honored, there is simply no guarantee that they will or can do so this time.  For the chimpanzees, they live deep in the bush and up trees, so there’s no way out of having to run up and down thick jungle to see/find them. 

Youth above 16 years young are welcome.    We are currently not accepting any younger children. ​

There’s no upper age limit, though do note that there is a fair amount of walking on this trip. 

Absolutely. Rwanda is widely recognized as one of the safest, cleanest, and most organized countries in Africa.

• Kigali: You will be amazed by the capital—often cited as the cleanest city on the continent—with its paved roads, manicured medians, and palpable sense of order.

• The Security: Tourism is a national treasure here. We are accompanied by expert local guides at all times, and the National Parks are heavily guarded and monitored to ensure total safety for both guests and the animals.

• The Neighborhood: While the region occasionally makes headlines due to instability in neighboring countries (such as the DRC or Burundi), it is important to note that this volatility rarely, if ever, spills over the border. Rwanda itself remains a beacon of stability and security.

English and French are both official languages, and many residents (particularly in urban areas) will speak one or the other in addition to Kinyarwanda. In practice though, English is by far more popular, with the number of french-speakers decreasing, except perhaps near the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (where French is the official language) or by DRC expats.   

Everyone in the tourist trade, as well as most young people, will speak ENGLISH while the older population may speak at least a bit of English (and a lot of French). ​

Kinyarwanda is the chief spoken language in Rwanda. It is also spoken in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the south of Uganda (Bufumbira-area). Kinyarwanda is a language of the Bantu linguistic family. It is closely related to Kirundi spoken in the neighboring country Burundi and to Giha of western Tanzania.   Still, English remains the language of business and trade, hence its popularity and fluency across the country. 

World Vegan Travel and National Health Association Trips aim to be a safe place for all LGBTQ travelers. We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any sort.

Overall, travel to Rwanda for the LGBTQ community is safe. As a visitor to Rwanda, your sexual preferences and identity are your private business, and are generally of no interest to others. Rwandans tend to be very welcoming to all tourists, regardless of their sexual orientation.

That said, openly amorous behavior, for both hetero- and homosexual couples, can cause offence, especially in rural areas, so we’d still advise all our travelers to be cautious, regardless of sexual orientation. In general, we’d suggest that you stick to a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach while travelling.

While same-sex marriage remains illegal, there are no laws against homosexual behavior (unlike neighboring Uganda).    Since debating the issue in 2009, Rwanda has pushed ahead to progress human rights for its LGBTQ citizens.  In the region, Rwanda is therefore known as something of a haven for LGBTQ citizens alienated from neighboring countries.  

In 2011, the Rwanda government signed the UN statement condemning violence against LGBT people, joining a further nine African countries in supporting LGBT rights. Then, in 2016, President Paul Kagame delivered an outspoken address stating that living as an LGBT citizen in Rwanda “…hasn’t been our problem. And we don’t intend to make it our problem”.