6 Days Rwanda Primate Adventure Safari
Duration
6 Days
Destination
Rwanda
Style
All Primates
Best For
Wildlife & Adventure
Women-Led · Custom-Made Luxury Safaris · Exclusive African Wilderness Escapes
Overview
Rwanda's complete primate story in six days. Trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe's ancient rainforest, cruise Lake Kivu at sunrise, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, then spend two days in Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking. The full Rwanda primate adventure.
Trip Highlights
Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park, high above the ancient rainforest
Chimpanzee trekking: Nyungwe hosts 13 primate species
Sunrise boat ride exploring Lake Kivu's volcanic islands
Visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trekking in the bamboo forest
Iwacu cultural village experience
Kigali city tour
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Welcome to Kigali
Arrive at Kigali International Airport where our driver and representative will be waiting to welcome you. After a briefing, transfer to your hotel in Kigali for dinner and overnight.
Day 2Kigali – Nyungwe National Park (approx. 5 hrs)
After breakfast, check out and drive south through Rwanda's rolling hills to Nyungwe National Park. En route, visit the Ethnographic Museum in the Southern Province for an insight into traditional Rwandan ways of life. Arrive at Nyungwe in the afternoon and spend the early evening on the spectacular canopy walkway: suspended high above the ancient forest floor, with views over the rainforest canopy and occasional glimpses of primates below.
Day 3Chimpanzee Trekking – Drive to Gisenyi, Lake Kivu
Early breakfast before transferring to park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Nyungwe is home to 13 species of primates and one of Africa's largest chimpanzee communities. Spend one hour with the habituated chimpanzees deep in the ancient rainforest. After lunch, drive north along the dramatic Albertine Rift escarpment to Gisenyi on the shores of beautiful Lake Kivu.
Day 4Sunrise Boat Ride on Lake Kivu – Drive to Musanze (approx. 2 hrs)
Rise early for a 2-hour sunrise boat trip on Lake Kivu: gliding between volcanic islands, spotting African fish eagles and kingfishers, and visiting an island fishing community. Return for breakfast, then drive east to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Stop at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about gorilla conservation. Settle in for the gorilla trek briefing at your mountain lodge.
Day 5Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Iwacu Cultural Experience
Early morning breakfast before assembling at park headquarters for a ranger briefing. Trek into the Hagenia and bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park with your ranger guide. The trek can take 2–6 hours depending on the gorilla family's location and your group's pace. Spend one extraordinary hour with the mountain gorillas. Return to the trailhead and transfer to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon: an Iwacu cultural experience featuring traditional dance, banana wine making, craft demonstrations, and local storytelling.
Day 6Golden Monkey Trekking – Kigali City Tour – Evening Departure
After breakfast, transfer to park headquarters for golden monkey trekking. Trek into the bamboo forest to find these brilliantly coloured primates endemic to the Virunga volcanoes. Return to the lodge for lunch, then drive to Kigali (approx. 2 hrs). Time permitting, enjoy a city tour before dinner. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your outbound evening flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof throughout
- All accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person, included)
- Golden monkey trekking permit (included)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit (included)
- Canopy walk (included)
- Ethnographic Museum visit
- Ellen DeGeneres Campus visit
- Iwacu cultural village experience
- Sunrise boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Kigali city tour
- Park fees throughout
- Expert English-speaking driver/guide
- Mineral water throughout
Not Included
- International flights and any domestic or regional flights not expressly listed as included in your confirmed quote
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Rwanda visa or entry-permission fees, where required for your passport
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal items (laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs)
- Optional activities, extra excursions and upgrades not listed as included in your confirmed itinerary
- Any costs arising from flight delays or itinerary changes
- Meals outside the meal plan stated for each day of this itinerary
Good to Know
- Gorilla trekking is for ages 15 and over. Reserve gorilla permits early. Bring waterproofs and walking boots for steep, muddy trails; the time in the forest varies.
- Follow ranger instructions and report illness before trekking. Trek duration and sightings depend on the animals' movements; porters and optional treks are separate unless listed.
- Road times allow for normal conditions, but traffic, park tracks and stops can add time. Check any same-day onward flight with us before booking.
Book This Safari
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What Our Clients Say
Rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor by travellers from across the world.
An excellent trip to parts of Kenya that are not on the main tourist routes, northern Kenya. Everything went smoothly Victor and Abdi, took care of everything. The choice of accommodation provided a great range of experiences. I would recommend Saringi to anyone.
read moreGot to see lots of animals and the experience was out of this world .
read moreI had an absolutely wonderful time in Kenya, all thanks to Millcent / Saringi Travel. From the incredibly friendly and reliable communication, to the flexible and thoughtful travel planning, all the way to the outstanding care on the ground, everything was simply perfect. I always felt well taken care of and in the best hands. What impressed me most was not only their professionalism, but also the sheer beauty of the entire experience. I'm still completely in awe! Thank you Millcent and thank you Letaloi!!!
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