7 Days Primates Of Rwanda Safari

7 Days Primates Of Rwanda

Our 6 Days Rwanda Primate Safari adventure will take you to Nyungwe Forest National Park for Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk, Lake Kivu and lastly to Volcanoes National Park for the unforgettable Gorilla trekking experience.

Seated on 1019 square kilometers, Nyungwe forest National Park is the second famous national park in Rwanda for its Chimp Trek. The Park has a very rich biodiversity with 1068 plant species, 322 species of birds, 75 mammal species and 13 primate’s species including chimps and L’Hoest’s monkey. Chimp tracking starts as early as 0530 in the morning and the trek will depend on how far the chimps have moved ranging from one hour to several hours. As with Gorillas after meeting the chimps you will me allowed a maximum of one hour with them. A canopy walk is another exciting activity around Nyungwe that will give the perfect photo moments.

From Nyungwe Forest National Park, the trip takes you to Lake Kivu – Rwanda’s largest lake covering a surface area of 2700 square kilometers. Relax at the lake you can also take an optional boat ride before proceeding to Volcanoes National Park ahead of your Gorilla and Golden monkey tracking and a community walk.

Volcanoes National Park has 2 habituated Golden Monkey groups that can be tracked; on the slopes of Karisimbi and on Mount Sabinyo just like Gorilla tracking Golden Monkey also starts at 07.00am at Kinigi for briefing time spent on the trek will depend on the family visited and how far they have moved. After the trek return to your lodge for overnight stay,

The next morning, we embark on the Gorilla trek. The process starts at 07.00am local time with briefing from the park authorities at Kinigi park headquarters before the hiking starts, the time taken will depend of the family you are allocated to ranging between 30 minutes to 5 hours with altitude ranging from 2500m to 4000m, after meeting the gorillas you will be allowed to stay with them for a maximum of one hour. Hiring porters is so helpful on top of reliving you of the extra baggage on your hike it’s also another way of supporting the local community.

For a more details and ideas on what else to do and to stay, please get in touch with us.

Safari Highlights

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Canopy walk
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden Monkey tracking
Lake Kivu

Full Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Kigali International Airport

Welcome to the Land of A thousand Hills. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our experienced safari guides who will transfer you to your Hotel for the rest of the day and overnight. At check in, you will be briefed about your safari and what to expect, the safari do’s and don’ts. Overnight at your Hotel. Bed and Breakfast

Accommodation Options:

Scheba Hotel /ChezLando Hotel (Budget)
Heaven Boutique Hotel/Mille Collines Hotel/Lemigo Hotel (Midrange)
Kigali Serena/The Retreat (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 2: Kigali City tour and transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Morning breakfast at your Hotel in Kigali and set out for a half day Kigali city tour. The tour is inclusive of a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and Museum, Nyamata genocide Church, local markets and so on. Later have Lunch and then depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park which is in the southern part of Rwanda. En route, stop over at Huye which was formerly known as Butare. This is the city which hosts the ethnographic museum of Rwanda which was formerly known as the National Museum of Rwanda. You will learn more about the country’s culture and their history plus the normal day to day lives of the Rwandan people. Proceed with your journey and arrive in Nyungwe National Park in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge. Full Board

Accommodation Options:

Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange)
One & Only Nyungwe House (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk

Early morning set out for the famous Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest National Park. The activity will take you deep into this jungle forest to search for the Man’s closest friend in the world of primates the chimpanzees. Normally you are advised to park your breakfast from the Lodge as the briefing starts as early as 5:30am and then start on your experience by 6:00am. You will be briefed about how to behave as well as the Park’s do’s and don’ts. Your ranger guide will lead you to either the Uwinka trail head or The Cyamudongo sector for the start of the chimp trekking experience. The park is well endowed with rich biodiversity and is a home to more than 13 species of Primates including the Chimpanzees, LHoest’s monkeys, Rwenzori Colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys and so on. Lunch at the Lodge and afternoon set out for the famous Canopy walk experience where you will be exploring Nyungwe National Park at 40 meters high above the ground level. Dinner and overnight at your Lodge. Full Board.

Accommodation Options:

Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange)
One & Only Nyungwe House (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 4: Transfer to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

Morning breakfast and relaxed drive to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu. This is a relaxing day as you prepare for the highlight of the trip which is Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park. Afternoon take a boat trip on Lake Kivu as well as visiting the Hot springs. Dinner and overnight at your Lodge. Full Board

Accommodation Options:

Palm Beach Resort (Budget)
Paradise Kivu Resort (Midrange)
Kivu Serena Hotel (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes national park – Golden Monkey Tracking

After a relaxed day, you will set out early morning after breakfast for the transfer to Volcanoes National Park where you will arrive in time for Golden Monkey briefing. These endangered monkey species are found within the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Unlike the Gorillas, Golden monkey trekking will not take long and are easily located. Afternoon free day at your Lodge as you prepare for the next day’s memorable experience. Dinner and overnight at your Lodge. Full Board

Accommodation Options:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Davinci Lodge (Budget)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Five Volcanoes Lodge/ Ingagi Park View Lodge (Midrange)
Bisate Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest/ Bishop’s House/Virunga Lodge/Sabinyo Lodge (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Community walk

Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred from your lodge to the park headquarters for the days’ briefing about Gorilla trekking activity. Its advisable to park your lunch, drinking water and hire porters as the time taken in the jungle is unpredictable. After the briefing from the Park rangers, you will be allocated your Gorilla family and then head into the forest to search for the gentle jungle giants. Tracking the Gorillas may take a few hrs. to a full day to hike up and down the mountain as this always depend on where they were last seen the previous night. Physical Fitness is highly recommended but also those who are not fit enough, they have the chance to hire Human helicopters (Sedan chair). Upon seeing the gorillas, you will be allowed to stay with them for one hour maximum (Take videos and Photographs). Then later return back to your Lodge and evening visit the Ibwachu Cultural Village (Also known as the ex-poacher’s village) for entertainment and cultural experience. Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge. Full Board.

Accommodation Options:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Davinci Lodge (Budget)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Five Volcanoes Lodge/ Ingagi Park View Lodge (Midrange)
Bisate Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest/ Bishop’s House/Virunga Lodge/Sabinyo Lodge (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 7: Transfer to Kigali – Departure.

Morning breakfast at your Lodge and transfer back to Kigali. Depending on the time of your departure flight, have Lunch and then transfer to the Airport for your departure flight out of Kigali. Breakfast and Lunch.

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