Overview
The 8-day trip in Rwanda takes you on a complete gorilla and nature adventure in the country’s finest protected areas. This adventure package combines the thrilling gorilla trekking experience and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee and canopy walk in Nyungwe as well as big five game drive in the plains of Akagera National Park. This comprehensive primate and nature expedition starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali Airport
Start your adventure with arrival at the Kigali International Airport (KGL) where you will meet our company representative. From Kigali Airport, drive off to the hotel within Kigali capital. Have adequate time to relax after the long journey flying from your home country.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park – Evening Community Walk
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and after, head off to Nyungwe National Park in the Southern Province of Rwanda. This is the biggest rainforest-dominated park in Rwanda- The Land of a Thousand Hills and supports 13 primate species in one habitat. Driving time to Nyungwe takes between 6-7 hours and en-route, you have a chance to branch off to the Nyanza King’s palace and Ethnographic Museum for a short tour.
After, settle for a leisurely lunch at Butare/Huye then proceed to check in at your respective lodges at the edge or inside of the park. In the evening, your local guide will accompany you to one the local communities to enjoy authentic African experience. Interact with locals, learn about their ways of life, traditions and a lot more.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe and Canopy Walk
Today marks the start of your first primate adventure and first, you will be expected at Uwinka very early in the morning for briefing about chimpanzee tracking guidelines. This session also includes allocation of experienced park guides who will accompany you on the entire chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest NP.
Actual chimpanzee trekking adventure through Nyungwe Forest National Park begin as soon as the briefing is done. Expect to wind through the hillside of Nyungwe Forest and dense vegetation on a search for chimpanzees with a chance to also see other primates like colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, and more.
After the long hours of winding through the lush Nyungwe Forest, there is absolute one hour for you to have a face-to-face encounter with a troop of chimpanzees. This includes observing how these apes behave, taking photos and more, then you begin walking back.
Have lunch plus some refreshments at the comfort of your lodge and return to the jungles to enjoy an afternoon canopy walk adventure. This involves conquering the 200m canopy walkway set about 60m from the forest floor while spotting some of the finest primates and birds.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park for Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience
Today after you have had the best of your breakfast, drive off from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri. En-route views include the charming Lake Kivu and other surrounding areas. Arrive at the park early and proceed to your lodge to drop off your luggage then connect to Iby’Iwacu village not far from Volcanoes NP. At Iby’Iwacu Village, meet the ex-poachers now strong supporters of fauna conservation and they will entertain you with unique traditional and cultural dances. At the same time, you will get to learn Rwanda’s distinct traditions, cultures, practices and norms, etc.
Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and relax at the hotel
After breakfast, report to Kinigi where you will find the park officials to take you through guidelines to be followed on your gorilla trekking adventure. The gorilla families will also be allocated during the briefing session and at 8:00am, the park guides proceed with you on a search for these large apes. The entire trekking session may go for 2-6 hours depending on how your fitness levels are, nature of the habitat and location of gorillas.
Once these apes have been located, you have a maximum of an hour to enjoy a close encounter with them and taking photos. Get back and the rest of the evening will be dedicated for relaxation, sharing experiences of the day and more.
Day 6: Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park and transfer to Akagera NP
Following an early morning breakfast, you will gather at Kinigi once again to get briefed and today, get to know the various guidelines for golden monkey tracking. The actual trekking with golden monkeys begins at 8:00am and will go for 2-4 hours which includes an hour for up close and personal moment with these apes.
After your interaction with the golden monkeys, begin walking back and proceed to the lodge for a short relaxation and lunch. Later, continue to Akagera National Park in the Eastern Province of Rwanda for wildlife safari experience.
Day 7: Explore Akagera National Park – a sunrise game drive and sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema
Begin the day with hearty breakfast or carry it and enjoy in the wild while on a sunrise game drive through the enriching game track of Akagera National Park. The morning game drive allows you not only to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Akagera but to also catch up with early risers as they become active for the day. Today’s sightings may include African bush elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, antelopes, Maasai giraffes, zebras, birds and more.
Get back and have for yourself a delicious lunch at the lodge. Return to the wild once again and this time round, enjoy the boat cruise on Lake Ihema. The sunset boat cruise comes with incredible sights of crocodiles, hippos and myriad of water birds like kingfishers, fish eagles, heron and more. After, get back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and a night stay.
Day 8: Early morning game drive in Akagera NP –and transfer to Kigali
A special morning breakfast and after, you will embark on an early morning game drive through Akagera National Park. Navigating through the park’s lush savanna plains today allows you see more wildlife including the ones you were not able to see the previous day.
Akagera’s diverse fauna include big five game –rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and lions; zebras, Maasai giraffes, oribis, mongoose, impalas, elands, and over 525 bird species. Get back to the lodge where you be served lunch then check out. From Akagera, drive back to Kigali and today marks the end of the 8-days in Rwanda.
End of tour