6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari

Getting on this 6 days Rwanda primates safari will let you understand why Rwanda is among the most sought-after areas for primate safaris and obviously one of the most rewarding places you will ever visit. Sitting within the heart of Africa, this country rewards travellers with jaw-dropping sceneries of Virunga Volcanoes, lush natural forests and rolling hills, hence the Country’s name as ‘the land of a thousand hills’.

This 6-day Rwanda primates safari takes you to the Country’s top primate destinations; Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park where over 10 primate species will be encountered.

Volcanoes National Park in the extreme north-western part of Rwanda is the most popular safari destination and primate trekking place in the Country. In this protected area are the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys among other primate species. So far, 12 habituated gorilla groups are trekkable here and a permit goes for $1,500 per person. Get a chance to learn about the behavior of these incredible creatures in addition to trekking and learning about the frisky golden monkeys.

No primate safari is complete without Nyungwe Forest National Park, in the south-west of the Country. This is the best chimpanzee trekking safari destination of Rwanda, although 12 other primate species are sheltered here. While trekking the chimpanzees is the highlight here, there are also chances of seeing L’Hoests monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Angolan colobus monkeys, to mention but a few.

Highlights

Trek one of the 12 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.
Search for the golden monkeys in their natural habitat.
Take in the breathtaking views of Virunga Volcano peaks and heavily-forested slopes.
Drive through the beautiful countryside, marked by vast tea/banana plantations, rolling hills and stunning Lakes.
Trek the chimpanzees of Nyungwe forest.
The thrilling canopy walk.
A visit to the Gorilla Guardian’s village.

Detailed Itinerary of 6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali – Explore the beautiful City

Welcome to Rwanda! Renowned as ‘the land of a thousand hills’ and the ‘Switzerland of Africa’. Kigali Capital City is defined by its rolling hills, clean streets – which makes the City the cleanest on the African Continent, yet filled with passion.

On getting to the Airport, your private safari driver will be waiting to take you in a comfortable and private safari jeep to your booked hotel where you can unwind from the jet lag. However, make no mistake as this City will entice you. For this reason after a quick recharge, get prepared to venture into the welcoming arms of Kigali City and uncover its beauty. Get the chance to visit Nyamirambo Women’s Group, Kigali Genocide Memorial sites and stop by some of the Art and Craft Center.

Dinner will be enjoyed at the comfort of your hotel while taking in the night views of the City’s top highlights.

Overnight:

Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven Boutique Hotel
Midrange: Kigali Serena Hotel.

Meal Plan: Dinner.

Day 2: Kigali City – Nyungwe Forest National Park

After a sumptuous breakfast in Kigali City, meet your safari driver for a briefing on the journey and board the safari jeep to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the country’s best primate trekking destinations. The journey is about 5 hours with en-route stops at Butare Museum and the Royal Palace Museum in Nyanza for an insight into the country’s rich and tempting history.

On getting there, you will be welcomed by the sights of curious primates especially Olive baboons before getting transferred to your place of lodging.

Have the rest of the day to get settled in and enjoy the ambiance of the lodge. Feel free to explore the surrounding, on feet, and in the evening get treated to a mouth-watering meal as well as cozy night sleep.

Overnight:

Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House.
Midrange: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Drive time: 5 hour. 45 min Helicopter.

Day 3: Nyungwe Forest – Part of 6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari

On this day you will explore Nyungwe Forest in-depth through two unrivalled adventures; Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk. First have a hefty breakfast and meet other trekkers at Uwinka Visitor Center for registration and briefing on the activity you are about to take as well as guidelines to be followed while moving through the jungles. You will start walking through the forest while sighting different primate species, birds, trees, plants and other creatures of the forest.

You will learn more about this forest, from the experienced guide and spend one hour to view and photograph the chimpanzees once sighted. You will then take some time to enjoy your picnic lunch and continue to the Canopy walkway for the eye-catching views of the valley, primates, birds and outstanding tree species.

You will return to the lodge in the late evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight:

Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House.
Midrange: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, you’ll leave Nyungwe Forest National Park in the morning, passing through the beautiful countryside and shores of Lake Kivu before getting ushered to the stunning Volcanoes National Park with peaks of Virunga Volcanoes. The journey is over 7 hours and therefore you leave with packed lunch. Alternatively, you can opt for the 35-minute Helicopter flight with breathtaking aerial views.

Overnight:

Luxury: One & Only Gorilla Nest.
Midrange: Bishop House.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Drive time: 5 hour. 45 min Helicopter.

Day 5: Gorilla trekking adventure and visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village

You will leave your safari lodge early, after breakfast and join other gorilla trekkers for briefing at the Park headquarters in Kinigi. You will either drive or simply walk, depending on the location of the Lodge. Go through the dos and don’ts of trekking and spending time in the presence of mountain gorillas as they go about their daily routines.

Trekking for the mountain gorillas takes anywhere between one to 4 hours or more, but this comes with one hour of photography and viewing the Great Apes as they go about their activities. Lunch will be at the lodge and in the afternoon you will continue to Gorilla Guardians’ Village for a cultural tour. Here, the cultures and traditions of Rwandans are brought to light.

Close the day with an invigorating cultural performance before dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight:

Luxury: One & Only Gorilla Nest.
Midrange: Bishop House.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6: Trek the Golden monkeys and drive to Kigali City-Departure

Today, you will have another chance of getting into Volcanoes National Park, mainly to trek the golden monkeys in their natural habitat. Meet for briefing at the Park headquarters in Kinigi before being allocated to one of the troops and searching for them.

This adventure takes a shorter time because golden monkeys occupy the lower slopes of Virunga Volcanoes, but at the end of the day, one hour is provided for observing and viewing. In the afternoon, you will drive back to Kigali City and depart to your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast, and Lunch.

Drive time: 2 hr. 30min. 30 min Helicopter.