6-Day Rwanda Primates & Lake Kivu Safari
Duration
6 Days
Destination
Rwanda
Style
Tailor-Made
Best For
Wildlife & Adventure
Women-Led · Custom-Made Luxury Safaris · Exclusive African Wilderness Escapes
Overview
Meet Rwanda's primates in two very different forests: chimpanzees in ancient Nyungwe, then golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in the Virunga volcanoes. A night on Lake Kivu gives you a lakeside break between park visits.
Trip Highlights
Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee trekking: one of Africa's most thrilling primate encounters
Sunrise boat ride on Lake Kivu
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus visit
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP
Cultural experience with the Iwacu community
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Kigali
Arrive at Kigali International Airport. Our driver and representative welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kigali. Rest and evening briefing.
Day 2Kigali – Nyungwe National Park (approx. 5–6 hrs)
After breakfast, check out and drive south to Nyungwe National Park, passing through Rwanda's southern highlands and visiting the Ethnographic Museum en route for a fascinating introduction to traditional Rwandan culture. Arrive at the park in the afternoon and spend an hour on the spectacular canopy walkway: suspended 70 metres above the forest floor. Dinner and overnight near the park.
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 over 500 bird species. Spend one hour tracking the habituated chimpanzee community in the ancient rainforest. After a picnic lunch, drive north along the dramatic western ridge road to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu.
Day 4Sunrise Boat Ride on Lake Kivu – Drive to Musanze (approx. 2 hrs)
Wake early for a 2-hour sunrise boat trip on Lake Kivu: exploring the lake's numerous islands, spotting African fish eagles and kingfishers, and visiting a traditional fishing island community. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Drive east to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes NP. Stop at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about gorilla conservation. Settle into your lodge for the gorilla trek briefing.
Day 5Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Cultural Experience
Have an early breakfast and attend the park briefing before entering Volcanoes National Park's dense Hagenia and bamboo forest. Trek with a ranger guide through the volcanic slopes to find your assigned gorilla family. Spend one hour with the mountain gorillas, then return to the trailhead for lunch. In the afternoon, choose an Iwacu cultural village experience with traditional dance, banana wine making and craft demonstrations, or a relaxing massage.
Day 6Musanze – Kigali – Departure
Leisurely morning at the lodge. Drive back to Kigali (approx. 2 hrs), arriving for a farewell lunch and souvenir shopping in the capital. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person, included)
- Chimpanzee tracking permit (included)
- Canopy walk permit (included)
- Airport transfers
- Full Board meals as specified
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
Your route covers Kigali, Nyungwe, Lake Kivu & Volcanoes NP. The arrival arrangements on Day 1 and the final-day transfer form part of this itinerary; share your flight times with us before booking so we can check the connections.
Entry documents: check the passport, visa and entry-permission requirements for Rwanda before travel. Requirements depend on your passport and can change. We confirm the planned crossings and arrival points with your itinerary.
Allow time for the road journeys shown in the daily plan. Driving times are estimates, with stops, road conditions affecting the day. Tell us about mobility needs or a preference for shorter travel days while we plan the route.
Trekking is planned on Day 3 and Day 5. Confirm the required permits before fixing your travel dates. Forest conditions and walking times vary; bring broken-in boots and rain protection, and tell us about any fitness or mobility concerns.
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!!!
read moreI booked my birthday trip to Diani with Saringi Tours, and it was an unforgettable experience for my friends and me. From start to finish, Saringi Tours impressed us with their professionalism and warmth.
read more8 days of fun and fantastic experiences. The whole trip was amazing. Mike was an excellent driver and guide with great knowledge of the area. Highly recommend Saringi Tours.
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