BEST OF Rwanda- ALL BIG PRIMATES - Gorilla, Chimps, Monkeys Treks - 6 Days

Best of Rwanda Primates Tour – Gorillas, Chimps and Monkeys tour – 6 Days

In the best of Rwanda Tour, we will be tracking gorillas in Volcanoes NP, chimps in Nyungwe NP, golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. We drive along the shoreline of Lake Kivu and spend a night at one of the beautiful spots by the lake.

The tour takes visits to Nyungwe, in the south-west of Rwanda, a huge afro-montane forest. With over 10,000sq.km in size, Nyungwe is the undisputed giant in Central Africa. The natural forest is renowned for its large troops of colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, butterflies and a rich variety of orchids. Over 300 bird species have been recorded.

We spend 3 days in Volcanoes National Park in the north of Rwanda which is part of the Great Virunga Massif where about 40% of the rear mountain gorillas live. The Virunga subpopulation ranges across the Virunga Massif, which is a 440km² network of protected areas across the borders of Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), Uganda (Mgahinga National Park) and the DRC (Virunga National Park).

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

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest and other primates

Day 3: Lake Kivu

Day 4: Drive to Volcanoes National Park, beautiful sightseeing along the way

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 6: Golden monkeys tracking, Departure from Kigali.

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

Arrive at Kanombe (Kigali) airport. Meet, greet and start for Nyungwe Forest National Park. Alternatively, if arriving in the night, we pick you from your hotel in Kigali.

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: 6 hours]

Accommodation options available

Upmarket: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge or request an upgrade to One & Only Nyungwe House

Mid-range: Chimpanzee lodge Nyungwe

Lower Budget: Chimpanzee lodge Nyungwe

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest

Today we shall be doing chimps trekking in Nyungwe National Park. Breakfast will be served early morning and after you will proceed to the park headquarters for briefing at 6:00 a.m. Unlike other countries like Uganda where chimpanzee tracking activity starts at 8:00 a.m., here in Nyungwe Forest National Park the activity starts at 6:0.0 am.

You will enter into the forest when it’s dark, but you will be able to see primate species such as colobus monkeys, and forest birds, and later, you will be able to see the chimpanzees when it’s already daytime.

Return to your lodge after the tracking for lunch and in the afternoon, you will set out for the guided forest walk within the forest.

Accommodation options available

Upmarket: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge or request an upgrade to One & Only Nyungwe House

Mid-range: Chimpanzee lodge Nyungwe

Lower Budget: Chimpanzee lodge Nyungwe

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Lake Kivu

Take breakfast and head to Lake Kivu. Enjoy a 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)

Upper Luxury: Virunga Lodge | Silverback Sabinyo Lodge | Bishop's House Rwanda

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 ORTPN offices for briefing after that set off in the forest for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

A thrilling trek through the refined foothills of the Virungas provides inspiring views in all directions. Then, suddenly, the trail enters the national park, engrossing 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 sighted, easily easy to get to and among the uppermost in Africa, indicating an ascent. Gorilla trekking is quite strenuous but worthwhile on the encounter of these gentle giants. The enthusiasm of your coming across these apes will wipe away your intricacy of the strenuous trek.

Spend time watching 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)

Upper Luxury: Virunga Lodge | Bishop's House Rwanda

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].