Safari Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

On the first day of your Rwanda Gorillas & Primates Safari, our experienced driver/ guide will collect you at the airport and after a short stopover in Kigali, you are already off on your safari, driving through scenic and panoramic landscapes to the Parc National des Volcans.

Accommodation:
Mid-range lodge – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)

Day 2:
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today, the Rwanda gorillas day – you have the once in a lifetime opportunity to venture on an exhilarating visit to the Mountain Gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo thickets with sensational views of lush green tropical rainforests, alive with the calls of tropical birds. Nothing however can prepare you for the experience of encountering a mountain gorilla close up, twice the size of an average man, yet remarkably gentle and tolerant of human visitors.

Accommodation:
Mid-range lodge – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 3:
Golden Monkey Tracking in
Volcanoes National Park and transfer to Lake Kivu

Volcanoes National Park is known as a haven for the rare and endangered mountain gorillas and is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo peaks) which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was also the base for world renowned zoologist Dian Fossey. Today you venture into the forests of Volcanoes National Park to track the rare Golden Monkeys.

You can also venture on the optional at extra cost activity – Dian Fossey Trekking: for those interested in the scientific work of Dian Fossey, a trek to her former Karisoke base in the saddle area between Mount Visoke and Mount Karisimbi is not just a must-do, but adds a relevant historic dimension to your gorilla tracking adventure.

Thereafter, your journey continues to Lake Kivu.

Accommodation:
Mid-range – Hotel Paradis Malahide
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 4:
Lake Kivu transfer to
Nyungwe Forest National Park

Your journey continues through scenic landscapes of green fields of tea and coffee plantations to Gisenyi on the shorelines of Lake Kivu – which is situated at 1.461 m above sea level and therefore Africa’s highest lake – where you can enjoy your day on beaches lined with tropical gardens. Lake Kivu is the ideal location for all those interested in water activities such as sailing, wind surfing and sport fishing. There is also the local cuisine to explore as well as dance, drum performances and other cultural activities that represent local communities.

Later that day, your journey continues to the Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Accommodation:
Mid-range lodge – Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 5:
Chimpanzee Tracking in
Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a vast tropical rainforest with a high, dense canopy and a spectacular biodiversity. At the heart of Nyungwe is a dense tropical forest straight from a fairy tale, with tall old mahogany and ebony trees adorned with giant ferns towering above you and orchids, lichens and ferns clinging to every branch. Tropical birds flit about and butterflies are everywhere and you may even encounter larger forest primates such as chimpanzees. Nyungwe also features East Africa’s highest canopy walk with bridges suspended 50 meters above the forest floor.

Accommodation:
Mid-range hotel – Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 6:
Chimpanzee Tracking in
Nyungwe Forest National Park and Transfer to Kigali

Your adventure in the Nyungwe Forest reserve continues today with the following activities which are included in the price for this itinerary:

Chimpanzee Tracking: Here, you have the opportunity to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat and relish sensational views of lush green rainforests, alive with the calls of tropical birds. In addition to chimps, there are also black and white as well as red Colobus monkeys as well as hundreds of tropical bird species.

Nature Walk: Thereafter you venture on one of the longer nature trails in the Nyungwe forest such as the Umuyove, Imbaraga, or Uwinka Trails. And the opportunity to encounter any one of more than 270 species recorded, makes Nyungwe the perfect bird watcher’s paradise.

Canopy Walk: One of the highlights of your visit is the highest forest canopy walk in East Africa with walkways built as high as 50 meters above ground level and the opportunity of close encounters with many rare bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco.

Accommodation:
Luxury hotel – Hotel Des Mille Collines
Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 7:
Kigali City Tour and Departure

Enjoy a city tour of Kigali before your departure with a visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre and the renowned Hotel De Mille Collines is an option for all those interested in historic narrative.

Time to say goodbye to the Land of the Thousand Hills as you transfer to the airport.

Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included