The 5 days’ Rwanda Primate safari is mainly known for the big primate game viewing. You will tour the highly visited Rwandan national parks. The safari takes you to the Nyungwe National Game park for the Chimps tracking and a Canopy walk. You will also take a Gorilla Trek to the Volcanoes National Game Park in the North part of Rwanda in the Musanze Province. Every individual will need a Gorilla trekking permit which goes for about $1,500 per person.
Whilst on your Rwanda Primate safari, you will also have a chance for a Cultural community walk in the evenings. You will track both the Golden and Colombus Monkeys in the two National parks. Later towards the end of the safari days, you will be taken around Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where you will visit various sites like the Gisozi Genocide Memorial site, the Rwanda National Museums, the well-developed local markets, where you will get yourselves souvenirs, then head back to the airport for departure.
Itinerary summarized.
Arrival in Rwanda and Pick up – Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee tracking/ Canopy walk
Transferred to Volcanoes National Game park
Gorilla Tracking and Cultural Walk
Transfer to Kigali and Departure
Itinerary.
Day one: Arrival at Kigali – Transfer to Nyungwe National Game Park.
Arrival at the Kigali International Airport and picked up by your Tour Driver/ guide to and from the hotel and transferred to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a 4 -5 hours’ drive from Kigali and lying in the South –west of Rwanda. The forest is among the most pristine and beautiful mountain rainforests still in existence.In Rwanda, Nyungwe is the best Destination for a primate safari. The park is a home to Chimpanzees and over 12 other primate species, like the Black and White colobus monkeys, over 300 bird species and 75 different mammal species.
On your route to Nyungwe Forest, you may visit the Butare Museum, Nyanza palace, Murambi Genocide center, which makes you reach this olden, yet still evergreen Rainforest of Nyungwe. Have dinner and stay overnight at the Lodge of your choice.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Top View Lodge
Mid-range: Hilltop Safari Lodge.
Budget: Gisakura Guest House.
Day Two: Chimpanzee tracking – a Canopy walk /Colobus Monkey tracking.
Have morning breakfast, then embark on the Chimpanzee trekking adventure in the historic forests of Nyungwe. You will be picked up by your driver tour guide from your hotel in the morning and proceed to the park’s Headquarters for briefing from the Park ranger or warden on the rules and regulations governing the Primate walk and tracking. The trek starts at 8am in search for mankind’s “closest cousin”, the chimpanzees. You will only be guaranteed one (1) hour direct encounter with the chimpanzees if found. This is indeed forever a memorable experience. These species thrive in their green and natural habitats, are a marvel to admire as they feed, play, mate, roll up and down the trees.
You may also get an opportunity to see the Black and White colobus monkeys in their close families. These yet adventurous little species are unique for they do not have thumbs. They live in groups of 8 -15. The activity lasts between 2-5 hours after which you return to your hotel for lunch, followed by a short relaxation. You then embark on the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk. This is a unique trek for it is a kind in East Africa, raised to about 40m from the ground and over 80m long above a steep and deep valley. Here, you will have a beautiful scenic view of the Flora and Fauna of the Rainforest. Later evening, return to the lodge for dinner.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest top View Lodge
Mid-range: Hill top Safari Lodge
Budget: Gisakura Guest House
Day Three: Drive to the Volcanoes National Game Park.
Wake up to a new day and get ready for a drive to the Volcanoes National Game Park, with stopovers for lunch and photoshoots before reaching the park in the later evening. This is approximately 294km between the two parks, which is about 7-8 hours’ drive from Nyungwe. The Volcanoes National Game Park is located in the North part of Rwanda in the Musanze province. You will have views of the rural farmlands which are great scenic grounds for photography. You will have a stopover at Gisenyi (Lake Kivu, largest lake in Rwanda) almost half way the journey. Here, you will relax on the shores briefly, for moments of photography and lunch, then continue on the journey. You will arrive in Ruhengeri in the late evening to relax, have Dinner and stay overnight.
Accommodation
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Volcano Gorilla Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Da Vinci Lodge, Le Bambou Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Lodge, Kinigi Guest House
Day Four: Gorilla Tracking and Nature Cultural Walk.
Wake up to a sumptuous breakfast at prepared at your hotel; after, you will be picked up by your tour driver guide, who will take you to the headquarters of the park for a briefing about rules and regulations governing Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. This trek is such an amazing and thrilling experience for you will have clear views of the Forest Gentle Giants, watching them play and relate with each other. This breath-taking moment will surely spark off imaginations of the godliness in these peaceful beings as they feed themselves, massage and have a tip-tap moment, among other things. Their behavior is mesmerizing, with the Silverback controlling the group. The duration for the gorilla tracking falls between 2-8 hours. Various bird species also find this park a very peaceful home.
Later after your trek, you will be guided back to the Lodge for lunch. Thereafter, take a community walk, visiting at Ibyiwacu cultural Center. Here, you’ll be showcased with the different Rwandese culture with entertainment by the traditional troop dancers or choose to stay at the lodge. (FB)
Accommodation.
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Safari Lodge, Volcano Gorilla Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Da Vinci Lodge, Le Bambou Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge
Budget: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, % Volcano Gorilla Safari Lodge
Day Five: Kigali city tour and Departure.
Get up to a morning breakfast, check out of the park and proceed to Kigali. You will have a city tour again around Kigali and its suburbs, visiting places like handicraft shops, Markets to buy souvenirs, pottery projects, the National Museum, and many more. Later, have lunch in the city and drive for departure at the airport.
END OF RWANDA PRIMATE SAFARI.
