5-Days Rwanda Gorilla & Chimpanzee trekking Safari
Overview
The 5-day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari will begin from Kigali with a pickup from the Airport to Rwanda’s spectacular Natural beauty and wonder that will give you a glimpse of Rwanda’s incredible primates.
Wandering in the captivating Bamboo Forest in the Volcanoes National Park “home of the mountain gorillas” is a very exhilarating moment to meet the awe-inspiring primates roaming freely in their natural habitat, a life-changing experience. Volcanoes Park is also a haven for the endangered golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, forest elephants, and colorful bird species. You will have vistas of the unique and fascinating golden monkeys jumping from one tree to another.
The pleasant and memorable safari takes you to Nyungwe National Park, a paradise for Chimpanzees that offers a truly remarkable experience. You will have a visit to the iconic forest to encounter the charismatic primates as they interact with one another. The forest offers a mesmerizing canopy walk that gives aerial views of the countryside.
This safari will let you witness the beauty of nature’s most nurturing bonds with the world’s endangered primates.
Summary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Nyungwe Forest NP (5-6hrs drive)
Day 2: Chimp tracking and afternoon canopy walk
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Tracking and afternoon nature/cultural walk.
Day 5: Golden monkey tracking and transfer back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
You will be picked up from your hotel/Airport in Kigali and then drive southwards to Nyungwe National Park through beautiful landscapes, and rolling hills en route stop over at the King’s Palace Nyanza and another at the Butare National Museum which will refresh your journey. The Nyanza king’s palace is a replica of the ancient palace of the King of Rwanda kingdom, and you will be taken through the experience of how a king used to live and go about his daily activities.
Then check in at the lodge, relax, have dinner, and overnight stay.
Accommodations
Gisakuru guest House (budget)
Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range)
Day 2: Chimp tracking and afternoon canopy walk.
Enjoy breakfast in the morning and then gather at Uwinka Reception for a briefing about chimpanzee tracking rules. After the briefing, you will meet the park ranger and guides who will take you on a trek for 1- 4 hours in the forest to meet chimpanzees which are normally spotted as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. On finding the awe-inspiring primates, you spend one hour while taking pictures and videos of a life-changing experience.
In the afternoon, you will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk- a swinging bridge 50m in length that is suspended from large trees. You will be able to see the captivating rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you.
Then return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodations
Gisakuru guest House (budget)
Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range)
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
After having breakfast, you will meet your guide and drive northwards to Volcanoes National Park, with en route stops for sightseeing of outstanding landscapes. Then check in at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Bisate lodge
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Tracking and afternoon nature/cultural walk.
After an early morning breakfast, you will transfer to park headquarters at Kinigi for a briefing about mountain gorilla trekking from the park warden and rangers. Along with your trekking gear, drinking water, and packed lunch, you will embark on the captivating gorilla trekking in the jungle forests of the Volcanoes National Park which may take 1- 7 hours to search for awesome primates depending on their movement. On encountering the giant primates, you will have a rewarding and exciting magical hour to learn and watch the charming gorillas as they interact, play, mate, feed, build nests, and groom each other.
Meeting the closest relatives of human beings is an adrenaline-pumping activity that offers a once-in-lifetime experience while on your African wild safari.
In the evening, you will immerse yourself into the customs, traditions, and cultures of the surrounding community at Iby’Iwacu cultural village around Volcanoes National Park as you get an insight into interacting with local people with their authentic cultures, and behavioral patterns such as the traditional cattle milking, art and crafts, local beer brewing, and honey harvesting. You will enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies, and guided community walks. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Accommodation
Bisate lodge
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
Day 5: Golden monkey tracking and transfer back to Kigali.
After an early morning breakfast, you will transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing from the park warden about the endangered golden monkey tracking. After you will connect tracking trails leading into the Bamboo Forest searching for the rare golden monkeys which will take you 1-4 hours, looking left and right, east and west, you will have ecstatic views of other primates like the red-tailed monkey, Vervet monkeys, Black & white monkeys as well as colorful birds among others. On meeting the endangered golden monkeys, you will have one charming hour to watch and study these monkeys as they interact, play, feed, and groom each other.
End of the Safari
Thanks for choosing Friendly Gorillas Safaris.
Included in this tour package
- Gorilla Permit
- Park Ranger Fees
Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
Accommodation
English-speaking Driver/Guide
Ground Transportation
Airport transfer
Exclusions of the safari
- Airfares
Visa Fees for Rwanda
Personal Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes
