7 Day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour

Experience the best of Rwanda with our 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour that takes you through lush rainforests, majestic volcanoes, serene lakes, and vibrant city life in Kigali. From thrilling encounters with primates to relaxing by the shores of Lake Kivu, this journey is a blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty of Rwanda- the Land of A Thousand Hills.

Rwanda boasts a remarkable diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, each offering unique experiences for travelers. Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in the southwestern part of the country, is a verdant expanse renowned for its ancient rainforest, home to a rich array of wildlife including chimpanzees and over 320 bird species. This pristine sanctuary offers captivating canopy walks and immersive nature trails, making it a haven for both adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

In the northwest, Volcanoes National Park stands as a beacon of conservation success, protecting the endangered mountain gorillas. This volcanic landscape is where visitors experience an unforgettable gorilla trekking expedition, offering intimate encounters with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Beyond gorilla trekking, the park’s lush scenery and diverse fauna provide ample opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and cultural encounters with local communities.

Along Rwanda’s western border is Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and a picturesque destination for relaxation and exploration. Surrounded by rolling hills and bustling towns, Lake Kivu invites visitors to unwind on its shores, indulge in water sports, or embark on boat excursions to discover its scenic islands and vibrant fishing villages. The lake’s serene waters and stunning sunsets make it a perfect complement to Rwanda’s adventurous and wildlife-focused experiences.

Highlights of the 7 Day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour

• Chimpanzee Tracking in the lush Nyungwe Forest
• Gorilla Trekking in the dense jungles of Volcanoes National Park
• Cultural Experience at Gorilla Guardians Village
• Relaxation at the serene Lake Kivu
• Sightseeing in the historic Kigali City

Join us for a 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour, where you’ll encounter Rwanda’s incredible primates and connect with the vibrant communities in the Land of a Thousand Hills.

This unforgettable tour combines thrilling wildlife experiences with sustainable travel practices. You’ll track chimpanzees, spot monkeys, baboons, and other wildlife in Nyungwe National Park, and enjoy the Canopy Walkway with its breathtaking views.

In Volcanoes National Park, trek deep into the forest with expert local rangers to search for endangered mountain gorillas. Experience the rich culture and history of Kigali, explore its colorful markets, and relax while kayaking on the pristine waters of Lake Kivu.

By choosing this 7 Day Primate and Lake Kivu tour, you support conservation efforts and local communities, ensuring that the beauty and biodiversity of Rwanda can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Tour Itinerary of 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

The 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour begins with your arrival at Kigali Airport in the morning where you will be welcomed by a company representative and transferred to your accommodation. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the bustling local markets and the Caplaki Craft Co-operative where you’ll find local craftsmen in wooden huts.

Look out for handicrafts, including jewelry, paintings, batik, fabrics, wood carvings, traditional masks, baskets, bags, scarves, and beading.

Accommodation and Meals at Mille Collines Hotel

Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park

Accommodation and Meals at Nyungwe Top View Hotel.

Day 3: Nyungwe Forest Park – Chimpanzee Trekking

Spend your morning on an extraordinary primate walk in Nyungwe Forest, where you’ll search for chimpanzees, humankind’s closest living relatives. Early morning is the prime time to encounter these fascinating creatures, and you’ll also have a heightened chance of spotting other primates and a variety of bird species in the park.

After lunch, prepare for an adventure on the Canopy Walkway—a 200-meter bridge suspended between towering trees, 50 meters above the forest floor. This walkway offers breathtaking views of the upper canopy and provides an excellent vantage point for wildlife observation. Many primates inhabit the treetops, increasing your chances of sighting them from this unique perspective. Look out for the diverse bird species and butterflies that call this forest home.

Your day concludes with comfortable accommodation and delicious meals at Nyungwe Top View Hotel.

Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park – Lake Kivu

After an early morning breakfast, we proceed to Lake Kivu, Gisenyi, the largest lake in Rwanda located amid mountains and green hills. At Lake Kivu, you can relax on the stunning palm-fringed beaches, kayak on the calm waters of the lake, or take a boat tour to the nearby islands or coffee and banana plantations.

You can also hike in the surrounding hills on this 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour  Accommodation and Meals at Kivu Lodge

Day 5: Lake Kivu – Gorilla Guardians Village- Goats for Gorillas Project

After a relaxed breakfast, you will have a picturesque drive to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze province. This is roughly a three-hour hour drive passing through breathtaking scenery. You will head out to the Gorilla Guardians Village where you will get to experience Rwandan village life.

Participate in the grinding seeds, firing bows and arrows, taking part in a traditional intore dance, and even partaking in the marriage of a king to his queen, listening to interesting cultural stories about traditional medicine from a local traditional healer and getting to know how medicinal trees, shrubs, grass are used to cure local patients.

Alternatively you might also support conservation through Goats for Gorillas Project, through this initiative, over 10.000 goats have been given to families around the park. This provides a start-up farming idea that will stir “from one goat to twenty” that will increase a household’s food and income security.  More goats per family will save a gorilla.

Accommodation and Meals at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Day 6: Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking

After breakfast, prepare for an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants of Volcanoes National Park, the Mountain Gorillas! At the national park offices, you will be allocated a gorilla family in group 8 and a gorilla tracking guide.

After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide and a gorilla group assigned to you,  as well as appropriate safety precautions, you head to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure.  The time taken can be quite unpredictable taking anything from 2 to 5 hrs or longer.

You will have a packed lunch from the lodge for this hike. Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; grooming, feeding, and moving about. Later head back to the trailhead.

Accommodation and Meals at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Day 7: Volcanoes National Park – Kigali – Departure

After breakfast, you’ll head out for an exploration of the picturesque crater lakes located just outside Volcanoes National Park. These twin lakes, Burera and Ruhondo, offer breathtaking views and stunning scenery of the surrounding Volcanoes Mountains. You’ll have the opportunity to soak in the serene beauty of these natural wonders of Rwanda.

Following this excursion, you will transfer to Kigali. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will proceed to the airport to catch your international flight, at the conclusion of your enriching 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour. This tour has provided unforgettable experiences and memories of East Africa’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.

End of the 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English-speaking Driver/guide, Activities, Batwa Trail, Nature walks, Boat cruises,  Game drives, Accommodation, Meals, all Park Entrance Fees, Statutory Taxes where applicable.

Excluded in the 7 day Primate and Lake Kivu Tour

International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Ugandan and Rwanda Entry Visa Fees USD 50 and 30 per person; Alcoholic drinks, and Beverages, Communications charges (telephone, fax, internet), Laundry, etc.; Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities unless specified as included, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.