Day 1: Start from Kigali, drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

We shall be starting the "BEST OF Rwanda- ALL BIG PRIMATES - Gorilla, Chimps, Monkeys Treks - 6 Days" from Kigali (either at your hotel or at the Airport if you are arriving on the first day of the tour). 

We arrange for your tour guide to meet you at 09:00 a.m., brief you on the tour itinerary, before setting off for Nyungwe Forest National Park. 

Along the way, make stops at places of interest, including local markets, the traditional palace of Rwanda’s Former King in Nyanza. Drive past green fields of tea scattered across the hillsides and the small wooden houses unique to the areas surrounding Nyungwe Forest.

[Approximate driving time is 5 hours]

Accommodation options available

Upmarket: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge 

Mid-range: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe

Lower Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking, Primates Viewing in Nyungwe National Park 

Our first of Rwanda's primates encounter is on this morning! Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park is one of Rwanda's premier wildlife activities. Visitors have a unique opportunity to observe wild chimpanzee troops in their natural habitat. Chimpanzee tracking provides an exhilarating experience for nature lovers and offers a chance to connect with one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

Only two chimp groups are habituated for tracking: the Uwinka and Cyamudongo groups. Depending on the chimps' movements and their location within the park, the tracking can take 2 to 6 hours.

There is a mandatory briefing before one goes to track the primates in Nyungwe. As for the chimps trekking, all visitors initially gather at the park headquarters for this briefing. You will also be told more about the other primates of Rwanda in this forest and how they relate to the ecosystem. 

You will then enter the thick jungles of Nyungwe forest, encountering the other 12 primate species along the way. They might include primate species such as the Black-and-white colobus monkeys (notably large troops), Golden monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Red-tailed monkey, Owl-faced monkey, Crowned monkey, Dent’s mona monkey, Velvet monkey, Olive baboon, and the Angolan Colobus monkeys.

Nyungwe is home to over 500 chimpanzees and over 350 black-and-white colobus monkeys endemic to the Albertine Rift, whose clever antics and aerial acrobatics keep visitors gazing into the canopies.

When you finally locate the chimpanzees, you will be allowed 1 hour in their presence. Enjoy observing our closest cousins as you take photographs and ask the rangers all your questions.

Nyungwe Canopy Walkway

In the afternoon, we erenter Nyungwe Forest National Park for the forest canopy walkway experience. This is the only forest canopy walkway in East Africa. The Nyungwe Canopy walkway goes for about one kilometer and is raised at about 70 meters above ground- running through the thick canopies of the forest with stunning views of the jungle.  features East Africa's first canopy walkway, stretching 1 km long and standing 70 m above the ground. This walkway provides stunning views of the forest canopy and is a popular attraction for visitors.

Your experience shall offer you encounters wuth several birds, primate and wildlife species more so those that stick to the forest canopies. This can include the red-tailed colobus,  L’Hoest’s monkeys, as well as numerous bird species.

Accommodation options available

Upmarket: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge 

Mid-range: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe

Lower Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3: Lake Kivu

Take breakfast and head to Lake Kivu. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Virunga Mountains and the green vegetation en route.

You will have lunch en route and proceed for either a boat cruise along Lake Kivu or relaxing on the shores.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Upmarket: Serena Lake Kivu Hotel

Moderate: Paradise Malahide.

Low Budget: Paradise Malahide.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4: Head to Volcanoes National Park

Have breakfast while enjoying a speedboat trip to Gisenyi and be picked up in Gisenyi for lunch. After, drive to Ruhengeri or Kinigi for an overnight. The meal plan for this day is breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your preferred accommodation.

Accommodation options in Volcanoes National Park (all on full board basis)

Luxury level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Moderate: Gorilla Solution lodge

Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Have breakfast and go to the Volcanoes National Park offices for a gorilla trek briefing. Thereafter, we set off in the forest for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Expect a highly thrilling trek to the gorillas through the refined foothills of Rwanda's portion of the Virungas with inspiring views of the Volcanoes in all directions. Then, suddenly, the trail enters the National Park, engrossing gorilla trekkers in the strange closeness of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey and besieged with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant.

Through gaps in the forest canopy, the marvelous peaks are continuously sighted, easy to get to and among the uppermost in Africa, indicating an ascent.

Gorilla trekking is quite strenuous but worthwhile for the encounter with these gentle giants - the mountain gorillas! The enthusiasm of your coming across these apes will wipe away the intricacy of the strenuous trek. Most visitors hike for between 1-3 hours before reaching the gorillas. Rangers and park guides keep clearing the paths for visitors as you make your way to the gorillas. Often, paths are just cleared on the day of your visit. Ultimately, you will find the gorillas, but after meeting several other primates along the trail. When you meet the mountain gorillas, you'll be allowed one hour in their presence. Spend time watching the gorillas, watch the adults feeding their young ones, brushing and resting as the youngsters play from vines in a pleasurably playful display.

Accommodation options in Volcanoes National Park (all on full board basis)

Luxury level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Moderate: Gorilla Solution Lodge

Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge

Meals included today: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING; TRANSFER TO KIGALI FOR DEPARTURE

This day is set out for Golden Monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park. Entering dense stands of bamboo interspersed with open glades, you will make your way deep into golden monkey territory. Guides lead visitors to the habitat of groups of „habituated‟ golden monkeys – monkeys that have become accustomed to human presence. Though viewing is kept to a maximum of one hour, travelers can get an up-close look at the golden monkey in its natural habitat.

Adult monkeys frolic in plain view, feeding on bamboo leaves and leaping from perch to perch. Females carry their young, completely comfortable among onlookers. 

Afterward, drive back to Kigali for your departure flight home. Time permitting, go for a tour of the city, including shopping. Transfer to the airport for your flight. [Approximate driving time: 3 hours].