6 Days Rwanda Safari with Primates Experience

Safari Overview

Summary

An unrivaled wildlife encounter in Rwanda. Hike Rwanda’s lush Volcanoes National Park for some of the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking in Central-East Africa. For one precious hour, enter the lives of these remarkable creatures. Infants playing, just as you’d expect a toddler to, adults foraging, completely unconcerned. If you’re lucky, an encounter with a mighty silverback, heart-racing and never-to-be-forgotten.

You can simply spend a night in Kigali, be driven to your lodge in about three hours, and start trekking in the lush rainforest. This amazing gorilla safari in Rwanda allows you to wrap up your once-in-a-lifetime experience in just six days.

Why go gorilla trekking? Well, hiking into their native forests is the only way to see these critically endangered gorillas, as they cannot survive in captivity. This affordable gorilla safari in Rwanda gives you the rare privilege of observing the everyday interactions of these vulnerable primates – arguably one of Africa’s most profound wildlife encounters

Accommodation Options

• Kigali – 1 Night: Kigali Marriott Hotel/ Hotel des Mille Collines
• Nyungwe – 1 Night: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay/ Nyungwe Top View Hotel
• Lake Kivu – 1 Night: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel/ Paradise Kivu Resort
• Musanze – 2 Night: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Ingagi Park View Lodge

Activities: Game viewing, photography, nature walks, sightseeing, birding, gorilla trekking, and cultural visits.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to the land of a thousand hills

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, our driver and representative will be waiting to welcome you and provide a short briefing before transferring you to your Hotel in Kigali.

Overnight: Kigali Marriott Hotel/ Hotel des Mille Collines

Meal Plan: Bed and breakfast

Day 2: Canopy Walk at Nyungwe National Park

Have breakfast at the hotel, check out, and head to Nyungwe National Park. On your way, visit the Ethnographic Museum in Southern Province, this will give you a great history of traditional ways of living among Rwandans with an en-route lunch. Arrive at Nyungwe National Park and spend the afternoon on a canopy walk. On a lucky day spot one or two more primates in the forest as you take a walk on this bridge and later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay/ Nyungwe Top View Hotel

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Transfer to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing and chimp tracking. Nyungwe is well known for having 13 species of primates. You will be entitled to one hour of finding the chimpanzees. After doing the chimpanzee trek, head for lunch before driving to Gisenyi to arrive early in the afternoon.

Overnight: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel/ Paradise Kivu Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: Sunrise Boat ride & learn about conservation

Have an early breakfast and head to Lake Kivu, for a 2-hour sunrise boat trip. Explore this beautiful lake and its numerous islands, spot several birds as well, and visit one of the Islands. You will later return to the lodge and later drive to Musanze, a two-hour drive away. Musanze is a touristy area near Volcanoes National Park. Have lunch en route and visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of Dian Fossey to learn more about gorilla conservation.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Ingagi Park View Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking & Cultural Experience

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters. Meet with your ranger who will brief you about the code of conduct while with the gorillas. The gorilla trekking may take 2 – 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas in the jungle and your group speed as well. Meet and stay with the gorillas for a maximum of one hour.

After a great experience, you will walk back to the starting point, meet your guide waiting for you, and be transferred to your lodge for lunch. After lunch, head for an Iwacu cultural experience to get an insight into Rwandan culture or have a massage at an extra cost to relax.

Overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Ingagi Park View Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: End your safari with a Golden Monkey Trek

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for briefing and start your day golden monkey trekking. Just like the gorilla trekking experience, the same applies to golden monkey trekking though not so hectic as gorilla trekking. You will later return to the lodge for lunch. Later, transfer to Kigali, time permitting, and have a Kigali city tour before transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch

Notes

• Accommodation is subject to availability

Inclusive of;

• Transportation in Tour Van
• English speaking driver guide
• Accommodation and meals as stated
• Gorilla/Chimpanzee Tracking Fees
• Boat ride fees
• All Park Guide fees
• All park fees and government taxes
• Mineral water while on safari

Exclusive of;

• International flights
• Visas, Travel Insurances and Airport tax (pay direct)
• Driver guide or local escort gratuities
• All drinks (beers, sodas and water from the Hotels), dining rooms tips, porterage, laundry and any items of a personal nature.