This 7 Days Primate Tracking Safari Tour in Rwanda brings you to two of the country’s national parks for an unforgettable encounter with chimps, golden monkeys, and mountain gorillas. If you enjoy primates, this 7-day safari will leave you impressed. The journey begins with a city tour of Kigali, followed by chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk through Nyungwe Forest. From Nyungwe, you will travel to Lake Kivu for a variety of activities before proceeding to Volcanoes National Park.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
A Judith Safaris tour guide will pick you up from your hotel or airport early in the morning to begin the long trek to the Nyungwe forest in Rwanda’s south-west. Before you begin your journey, you should be briefed on what to expect and the time schedule for each activity. The drive takes roughly 5 hours and provides stunning views of the Rwandan countryside. You will realise why Rwanda is known as “A land of a thousand hills”. Once you arrive in the forest, you will proceed directly to the lodge for check-in, refreshments, and leisure.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Ken Berham.
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner).
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest – Canopy Walk Experience.
You will get up early, eat breakfast at your accommodation, and then proceed to the Nyungwe forest headquarters for the chimpanzee tracking briefing. All you have to do is follow the guides far into the forest to locate the chimps. After you’ve found the chimpanzee, take plenty of pictures and spend some time observing how the primates behave. Never forget to heed the guides’ or Rangers’ directions. The chimps in Nyungwe are still wild despite their tamed lifestyle. You cannot approach them or act in a way that might frighten them away. Being highly mobile, chimpanzees will swiftly flee if they perceive that your activities pose a threat.
Nyungwe National Park’s chimpanzee trekking is unique since it offers the chance to see 12 different types of birds, butterflies, and primates. You can also continue along the path that features stunning granite escarpments and waterfalls. You should return to your resort for lunch after your chimpanzee tracking excursion and be ready to be led on the canopy walk. One of Nyungwe National Park’s main attractions is the canopy walk. It lets you see the park from above and observe more of the birds and monkeys from a new perspective. The driver will drive you back to your lodging following the breathtaking canopy walk.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Ken Berham.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Kivu – Afternoon Boat Ride on Lake Kivu.
While you wait for the guide to come get you and begin your adventure to Lake Kivu, eat breakfast and check out of the hotel. The largest freshwater lake in Rwanda is Lake Kivu, which stretches all the way to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Lake is well-known around the world for the boiling methane gas that emerges from beneath it, as we have already mentioned. You will eat lunch with a view of the lake when you get to your new hotel. You will be taken on a boat excursion to some of the islands in the afternoon. After the boat ride is over, you should return to the hotel and get ready to swim in the lake. If swimming isn’t your thing, you may just unwind by the lake and take in the stunning surroundings and the locals going about their daily lives.
Accommodation: Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Inn On The Lake, Rwiza Village.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Day 4: Explore Lake Kivu – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
After eating breakfast and waking up at your own pace, you will get ready to be taken on a tour of the various locations surrounding Lake Kivu, including the fishing villages. This is the ideal time of year for bird watchers to see a variety of migratory and resident bird species. On the islands and lakeshores, you will also see a number of primates that reside in the forests. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to meet people as they go about their everyday lives. Following a thorough exploration of the Lake, you will depart for Musanze’s Volcanoes National Park. Before going to bed early, check into your hotel and take in the stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes.
Accommodation: Sambora Kinigi, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Experience – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village.
Get up early to have a delicious breakfast at your accommodation before going to the Kinigi Park offices for the 7:00 am briefing. You will learn how to behave around the gorillas and what to pack for the hike from the head guide and rangers. A gorilla family will then be assigned to you, and if you have any large bags, you will have the option to hire a porter. Travellers can track one of the ten habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda by going on a gorilla safari.
Although you can no longer select your gorilla group, your age, tastes, and general level of fitness will be taken into account. Although gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park might be difficult, the thrill and excitement of being up close to the gorilla family makes it worthwhile. Making your way to the gorilla family will also allow you to see a variety of other forest animals and plants. As soon as you find the gorilla family, do as your guide instructs. Comparing mountain gorillas to other large wild animals, they are incredibly quiet and serene. Humans are seldom attacked by them unless provoked to great lengths. Take as many pictures and movies as you can during your hour-long visit with the gorillas.
After seeing the mountain gorillas, return to the starting point to meet our Guide, who will transport you back to the lodge for lunch and rest. After resting, you will be escorted to the Iby’iwacu cultural hamlet, which is located close the Volcanoes National Park. The Centre, which is now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village, began as a venue for former poachers to market their art and crafts to tourists. It has now developed to become the premier destination for learning about Rwandan culture. While in the hamlet, you will be entertained by cultural dances and learn more about the local Kinyarwanda culture. Expect to participate in the acts and buy mementos.
Accommodation: Sambora Kinigi, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking – Visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Get up early and eat breakfast before going to the Volcanoes National Park offices for a golden monkey tracking briefing. Following the briefing, you should hire a porter to assist you with your backpack or other heavy equipment so that you can comfortably track the golden monkeys. The park guide will bring you through the forest, where you will eventually see monkeys feeding on the tops of trees and on the ground. Golden monkeys are a rare and endangered species of primate. They are adorable, and you should snap as many images for your collection as possible while using flash photography. Once finished, you will return to the park for lunch and rest.
Later in the evening, our guide will take you on a drive to see the stunning twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Accommodation: Sambora Kinigi, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Day 7: Return to Kigali – Departure.
After a hectic and stressful six days, you should get up at your leisure and prepare for the return journey to Kigali. If you missed the Kigali tour on your arrival day due to time and flying constraints, now is the time to go. You will go to the city market, the former presidential palace, artisan stores, and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial site. During the city tour, you will have another opportunity to purchase local artwork as gifts for family and friends back home. Following the city tour, our Guide will transport you back to the airport for your departure or to your hotel if you are staying in Kigali.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch).
End of the 7 Days Primate Tracking Safari Tour in Rwanda.
The 7 Days Primate Tracking Safari Tour in Rwanda cost includes;
- 1 Gorilla Permit per person.
- 1 Chimpanzee Permit per person.
- 1 Golden Monkey Permit per person.
- Airport Transfers.
- Transport in a 4×4 Safari Vehicle.
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
- Bottled Drinking Water in the Car.
- Services of an English-Speaking Tour Guide.
- Park Entrance Fees.
- Relevant Government Taxes.
However, the tour cost excludes; International Air Fare, Visa Fees, Items of personal nature such as laundry, souvenirs, telephone bills, alcoholic drinks and tips to local guides.