10 Day Wildlife and Primate Tour

Let us take you on a 10-day Wildlife and Primate Tour in Rwanda. The safari offers the opportunity for once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. You’ll drive through Akagera National Park tracking the famous African BIG 5 game, track chimpanzees, and spot monkeys, baboons, and other wildlife in Nyungwe National Park. Trekking deep into the forests of Volcanoes National Park, you’ll search for endangered mountain gorillas with expert local gorilla rangers. You’ll also have an opportunity to explore Kigali and its colorful markets, cross Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, and kayak on Lake Kivu.

 

Safari Highlights of the Tour

• Kigali City Tour,  colorful markets, reconciliation village
• Rwanda Wildlife Day Game Drives,
• Boat ride on Lake Ihema
• Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Twin Lakes – Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo
• History and Culture in Akagera National Park,
• Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National,
• Waterfall Hike or Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest

DAY 1: Arrival in Kigali – Reconciliation Village

This Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Tour starts here after you arrive at Kigali International Airport. Upon arrival, you are met with a safari driver guide and transferred to the Serena Kigali Hotel. This afternoon you will visit the Reconciliation Village in Bugesera a government initiative where survivors of the genocide live side by side with the repentant former perpetrators of the genocide. Listen to their story about forgiveness and moving forward as a community.

Accommodation and Meals at Hotel Des Mille Collines‎

DAY 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park

Morning drive to Akagera National Park in the east of Rwanda, a dramatic landscape of rolling hills, savannah, and woodland interspersed with a series of lakes. You may see giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, Zebra, Crocodiles, and other wildlife.

Accommodation and Meals at Ruzizi Tented Camp

DAY 3: Game drive and Lake Ihema Boat cruise

On this day, you will head out for a morning game drive that starts with a spectacular sunrise. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscape through the northern part of the park, where most of the animals prefer to inhabit.  After lunch, head out for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, look out for hippos, and crocodiles, as well as a variety of bird species.

Accommodation and Meals at Ruzizi Tented Camp

DAY 4:  Transfer back to Kigali – Volcanoes National Park

Early morning, you will exit the park and proceed back to Kigali arriving in time for lunch and thereafter heading to Volcanoes National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation. Accommodation and Meals at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

DAY 5:  Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants!  Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in group 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving around, playing, and grooming– it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience! Thereafter head back to the lodge for relaxation. Accommodation and Meals at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

DAY 6:  Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo later transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, visit Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo located at the base of Mt Muhabura and close to the border with Uganda. They are surrounded by steep hills and large waterfalls with a backdrop of the Virunga volcanic mountains. Later proceed to Lake Kivu arriving in time for lunch and evening for relaxation at the Lake Shores. Accommodation and Meals at Kivu Lodge

DAY 7: Lake Kivu – Nyungwe Forest – Waterfall Hike

Set off for Nyungwe Forest arriving in time for lunch and in the evening, you will embark on the 3- 5 hour Waterfall trail.  The guided waterfall hike takes you through the tea estates taking in views of Lake Kivu and Congo before descending into the rainforest.

DAY 8:  Chimp trekking and Canopy walk

The day starts with a Chimpanzee trekking session through Nyungwe Forest. The forest is rich in botanical diversity and home to 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, and Columbus monkeys with 300 bird species.

Take a 3-hour round-trip canopy walk along a 160m-long and 70m-high canopy walkway. Take in the scenery rewarding you with an entire forest covered with a few primate species. Get to view butterflies, birds, and blue monkeys that dwell in the upper levels of the forest.

Later you will head back to the trailhead and thereafter head back to the hotel. Accommodation and Meals at Nyungwe Top View Hotel.

DAY 9: Nyungwe Forest – Kigali

You will have a relaxed breakfast and thereafter head back to Kigali arriving in time for late lunch and relaxation. You may have a city tour if you prefer, visit the Kigali Genocide Center and Craft Centers.

Accommodation and Meals at Hotel Des Mille Collines‎

DAY 10: Departure

Relaxed breakfast and then transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight back home.

Included in the 10 days  Wildlife and Primate Tour

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land cruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English speaking Driver/guide, Accommodation,  Meals,  all Park Entrance Fees, *Gorilla Tracking USD 1500 pp, Chimpanzee Permits, Golden Monkey Hike, Canopy Walk, Birdwatching excursion, All historical and cultural activities, Boat rides where applicable, Statutory Taxes.

Excluded in the 10 days  Wildlife and Primate Tour

International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Rwanda Entry Visa Fees USD 30 per person, Room service, Beverages, Communications charges (telephone, fax, internet), Laundry, etc.; Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.