This trip gives you a chance to meet the giant mountain gorillas face to face in their natural habitat in volcanoes national park and also to track the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest national park. On this safari, you visit the King’s palace in Nyanza and as well experience the remarkable canopy walk in Nyungwe forest. This activity allows you to see a variety of birds, wildlife and plants that call these prime destinations home.

Itinerary Breakdown

– Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes national park and visit the twin lakes.
– Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Ib’yiwachu cultural village
– Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park and have a boat cruise on Lake Kivu
– Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk
– Day 5: Transfer to Kigali and visit Kigali genocide memorial center

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes national park and visit the twin lakes.
After having breakfast, start the journey to northern direction of Rwanda. The journey will take you through the beautiful landscape of the rolling hills hence appreciate why Rwanda is called the land of thousand hills.
Have lunch at the lodge and in the afternoon drive to the twin lakes; Ruhondo and Bulera found on the outskirts of the park. Have a boat ride to explore the beautiful scenery. Dinner and overnight stay will be served at the lodge.
Accommodation
Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge
Mid- Range: Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Ib’yiwachu cultural village.
After having breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for briefing and by 8am you go to the starting point of the trek into the park. The park rangers give you a walking stick that shall help you with keeping your footing in certain rough terrain. It can take couple of minutes or several hours of trekking to meet the mountain gorillas. During the trek, you spot other wildlife like forest elephants, buffaloes and plenty of endemic birds. When you meet the mountain gorillas, you’re only given one hour to be with them to have pictures and also to observe them.
Return to the lodge for lunch and in the evening visit Ib’yiwachu cultural village for exceptional cultural performance. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation
Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge
Mid- Range: Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel

Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe forest national park and have a boat cruise on Lake Kivu.
Have breakfast, after transfer to Nyungwe national park, on the way have a stopover at Lake Kivu and undertake a boat cruise on one of the African great lakes. This will give you a chance to explore the different islands on this stunning Lake Kivu. Have lunch and proceed to the park. Dinner and overnight will be serve at the lodge.
Accommodation.
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Mid- Range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
Budget: Gisakura Guest House

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk.
After having breakfast, go for chimpanzee tracking in nyungwe forest. This adventure takes you deep into the forest to experience nature and also to get close to the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. You are expected to be at the briefing point as early as 6am from where you will receive information on how to behave and possible length of your trek.

Nyungwe forest hosts over 12 species of primates like L’Hoest’s monkeys, Ruwenzori colobus monkeys, and red tailed monkeys among others. Once the chimpanzees are sighted, you’re only allowed to spend an hour with them and after return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, go to uwinka visitor’s center for the 2 hours canopy walk. Retire at the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Mid- Range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
Budget: Gisakura Guest House

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali and visit Kigali genocide memorial center.
In the morning after breakfast embark on the journey to Kigali. Have a stopover at the traditional king’s palace at Nyanza where you will learn more about the history of Rwandan tradition and also at the national museum in Butare where you will have lunch from.

Visit the Kigali genocide memorial site when you reach Kigali. The visit will give you an insight of what happened during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In the evening, the driver will drop you at the hotel in Kigali or the airport to catch your outbound flight.

End of safari.

Fully Inclusive Tour

  • Gorillas / chimps permits
  • Canopy walk fees
  • 4 WD Vehicle
  • A professional English speaking Driver guide
  • Park entrance fees
  • Free Wi-Fi internet in the vehicle
  • All ground transportation and fuel
  • Accommodation and Meals
  • All activities / service as per itinerary
  • Drinking water in the vehicle

Exclusions of the safari:

  • Visas
  • International air fares
  • Activities / services not included in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic drinks / wine
  • Laundry and any service of personal nature
  • Flight tickets