With only 5 days to explore Rwanda, your focus will be to unearth the wonders of Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park- the country’s premier primate destinations. A safari to Nyungwe National Park includes enjoying up close and personal encounters with the chimpanzees in the wild. This is during a guided chimpanzee trekking adventure while at Volcanoes; experience the best of gorilla trekking.
Volcanoes National Park is a remarkable place to find the rare mountain gorillas in the wild. The park is situated in Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda and getting there takes 2-3 hours from Kigali. This protected area is dominated by bamboo forest and shelters more than mountain gorillas. It also harbors plenty of golden monkeys, 200 bird species and other mammal species.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Active road trip to Nyungwe after Kigali city tour
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk (full day excursion)
Day 3: Drive from Nyungwe in the morning to Volcanoes NP
Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience & tour to Iby’Iwacu Village
Day 5: Depart
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Active road trip to Nyungwe after Kigali city tour
Your primate adventure begins with breakfast and later pick up at the hotel. Set off for the city tour in the vibrant Kigali capital with a local guide. Admire and explore some of the historic sites within the city including Kigali genocide memorial, local markets –Kimironko –biggest market in Kigali and other nearby sites.
From Kigali, drive to Butare/Huye where a stopover will be made mainly to explore ethnographic museum and Nyanza King’s palace. After, make a final road trip to Nyungwe Forest Park.
Accommodation
- One&Only Nyungwe House (Luxury)
- Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange)
- Gisakura Guesthouse (Basic)
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk (full day excursion)
Begin your morning with a hefty breakfast and after, set off for a memorable chimpanzee trek through Nyungwe Forest National Park. Located in the Southern Province of Rwanda, this park prides itself of abundant primates totaling up to 13 species and also 310 species of birds.
Today’s chimp trek includes exploring habituated chimp communities in Uwinka or Cyamudongo. The active chimp trekking adventure will be done with the lead of an experienced park guide. It will last for 2-4 hours which covers an hour of up close and personal moment with Nyungwe chimpanzees.
On your chimp trek, there will be plenty of other primates to see including colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys plus some birds. After up close with chimp communities, begin getting back to the lodge for relaxation and leisurely lunch break.
In the afternoon, get the best of Nyungwe canopy walk. This is best done with an experienced guide leading you through a suspended walkway set 60m from the forest floor and the walkway extends up to 200m. The canopy walkway comes with exciting sights of primates and birds in Nyungwe Forest.
Accommodation
- One&Only Nyungwe House (Luxury)
- Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange)
- Gisakura Guesthouse (Basic)
Day 3: Drive from Nyungwe in the morning to Volcanoes NP
Pick up at the lodge and set off to Volcanoes National Park and en-route, expect to enjoy the best of Lake Kivu views. Arrive early at Ruhengeri where you will check in at the lodge for relaxation and retire for a night.
Accommodation
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest/Bisate Lodge (Luxury)
- Le Bambou/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Midrange)
- Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 4: Gorilla trekking experience & tour to Iby’Iwacu Village
After breakfast, you will have a long day gorilla trekking adventure through the bamboo forest. First, you will get briefed about the guidelines for gorilla trekking and the park official will allocate family groups to you. Each gorilla group will be visited by maximum of 8 guests and the actual adventure begins at 8:00am, lasting for 2-6 hours.
The experienced park guide from Volcanoes NP present will take you through the different behaviors of mountain gorillas and interpret their distinct body gestures. This will be best enjoyed during the one hour of up close and personal encounter. After, begin walking back to the lodge for relaxation and later, you will be accompanied to Iby’Iwacu village for a cultural visit.
Accommodation
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest/Bisate Lodge (Luxury)
- Le Bambou/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Midrange)
- Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 5: Depart
Have a hefty breakfast at the lodge and later, set off to Kigali. At Kigali, proceed to the hotel or direct to the airport for departure.
End of tour
Inclusions
- Valid chimp & gorilla permits
- Accommodation and meals
- All ground transportation costs and driver/guide fees
- All Rwanda safari activities exception those indicated as optional
- Bottled water
Exclusions
- Laundry services
- Tipping (guides, waitresses, waiters & others)
- Telephone
- Insurance
- Shopping
- Cigars etc