6 DAYS RWANDA GORILLAS AND CHIMPANZEE SAFARI

These 6 days Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Safari will give you a chance to participate in two premium wildlife activities in Rwanda; Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking which are considered to be some of the best to engage in while on a safari in Africa. Both hikes can be challenging depending on where the chimpanzee or gorillas nested the previous night. The Chimp trekking differs from gorilla trekking because the sightings are a bit more sporadic and rushed, but worthwhile nonetheless as opposed to gorillas that stay for a while in one location.

 SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walkway

Day 4: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park

Day 5: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 6: End of 6 days of Rwanda Primates Safari

 ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport

Upon your arrival, our driver guide will be at the airport to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel after which you take on a Kigali city tour depending on your arrival time. Some of the sites to visit include the Kigali genocide memorial, Kandt Museum, and the craft market. If your arrival is in the morning or early afternoon you will start on a city tour before transfer to your hotel and if your arrival is late afternoon then you will be directly transferred to your hotel in Kigali.

Overnight stay in Kigali

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

The journey from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park will keep you awake as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Nyungwe forest is located in southern Rwanda. The tour to Nyungwe forest will start early morning after your breakfast with our first short stopover in Nyanza before proceeding to Huye to visit the ethnographic museum. In Nyanza district, there is an opportunity to visit the Kings Palace museum which is an alternative to the ethnographic museum. You can discuss with your driver guide which of the museums to stop at depending on your interests. They both share Rwanda's cultural history but the ethnographic museum has more items and wide coverage. Arrive in Nyungwe forest later in that evening and proceed to the lodge for overnight.

 Journey time: 7 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight stay  in Gisakura.

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walkway

Chimpanzee trekking is an intimate experience with the forest and its inhabitants. Your driver guide will transfer you from your lodge to the briefing area in the forest where you are expected as early as 5.00 am. Depending on how big the group is for tracking on a particular day, the ranger guide will divide the group so that one starts at the Uwinka trailhead and the other at the Cyamudongo trailhead. The ranger guide will share chimpanzee trekking tips for you while in the forest. In case you need to drive to the starting point depending on the trailhead you were located, your driver guide will be waiting to transfer you.  The forest is rich with botanical diversity and home to 13 species of primates including Ruwenzori colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, silver monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, etc., about 300 bird species with some Albertine rift-endemics, and several butterfly species.

In the afternoon, take a canopy walk or stay at the lodge to recuperate from the chimp trekking depending on your preference.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight stay in Nyungwe

Day 4: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park

Today after breakfast, we start our journey to the home of mountain gorillas in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga region. Enjoy the winding roads and scenery of a thousand hills along the way and Lake Kivu. We arrive at your hotel later that evening and rest enough ready for the gorilla experience the next day.

Journey time: 6 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight stay in Nyungwe

Day 5: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park will most certainly be your highlight on this 6-day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzees Safari. The experience of coming face to face with the gentle giants in their natural habitats will remain with you forever. After an early morning breakfast, you will carry your day pack and the driver guide will transfer you to the briefing point. Your ranger guide in communication with earlier trackers will lead you to where the gorillas are. The trek can last from an hour to several hours depending on where the gorillas nested the previous night, you need to be relatively fit to enjoy this experience.

Depending on the time the gorilla tracking lasts, you have opportunities for a cultural group performance at Gorilla Guardian village or we can take this on tomorrow before leaving for Kigali.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: End of 6-day Rwanda Primates Safari

Wake up with memories of the previous day in the jungle with mountain gorillas. After a lazy morning have a culture tour, lunch, and start your journey to Kigali for your return flight home to your hotel.

 INCLUSIONS

Chimpanzee tracking permit

Canopy walk

Gorilla tracking permit

Visit Gorilla Guardians' village

Ground transport

Bottled water

Full board accommodation for 5 nights

Service of an English-speaking driver guide

All mentioned activities except for the optional ones

 EXCLUSIONS

Extras at the accommodation i.e. drink, telephone, laundry, etc.

Tips to porters and driver/ guide

Insurance

Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Tips

Mountain gorillas live at high altitudes and this may cause difficulties for some visitors. You should pace yourself and drink plenty of water.

Rain gear because the weather can be unpredictable, you can generally expect both sun and rainfall during the day.

Carry a day pack with food and water but remember that eating, drinking, and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden, designated time and place will be communicated.

Warm clothing is advised, especially early morning or evenings, and the trekking is done at high altitude

Recommended clothing is long trousers and long-sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.

Waterproof hiking boots are essential

Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash

Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge.