7 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimps Trekking Tour
Duration
Overview
Rwanda is often called the land of a thousand hills. Everywhere you look you will see the beautiful green hills. In Rwanda, you can enjoy nature, primates and the beaches of Lake Kivu. This tour has been designed to bring you all the highlights of this beautiful country with a rich history.
Highlights
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Chimpanzees tracking in Nyungwe forest
Canopy walk in Nyungwe forest
Boat ride on Lake Kivu
Visit the Twin Lakes
Included/Exclude
- 4 x 4Sasfari
- Accommodation
- Meals as per the itinerary
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Gorilla Permits
- Park Entrance fees
- Drinking bottled water
- Professional English Speaking Driver Guide
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Personal items
- Souvenirs
- Visa fees
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Tour Itinerary
Today morning after your breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and will transfer you to Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and still little-known bird-watching destinations in Africa. Dinner and overnight at your booked lodge.
After a very early morning breakfast (4:30 am), you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is 80 individuals. This is an experience you will never forget
After the chimpanzee tracking in the afternoon, you can go to East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats. En route you will have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy.
After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Kivu. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat ride and visit a few islands.
Your accommodation for the night is located on the shores of Lake Kivu.
Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to Musanze, close to the beautiful Volcano range.
After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for your first experience with the endangered species in the Volcanoes National Park. The golden monkey trek is normally an easy trek that takes 1-2 hours.
You will later visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
These Magnificent twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo and its Swamp Rugezi are excellent photogenic, serene, and scenic places for Bird watching activity.
Today after breakfast, you will drive into the park about 30 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux. The head ranger will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here your guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated Gorillas groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours.
Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience.
Today after a relaxed breakfast you shall be transferred by your guide back to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, which opened in 2004. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history in time to catch your flight back home.
Your guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.
Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 3 p.m or later. If you need another night in Kigali, we will be happy to make a booking for you.
Related Tours
