The 8 days Rwanda safari majorly focuses on primate experiences in the country including gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking. The tour involves visits to Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking experiences, Nyungwe national park for tracking chimpanzee and other primates as well as a canopy walk.
Highlights
- Spend time tracking and spending time with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat- Volcanoes National Park.
- Search for the endangered chimpanzee in Nyungwe Forest.
- Explore Rwanda’s historical and cultural heritage in Kigali City.
- Explore the canopy walkway for forest views, birds, and lots of primate species.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali City.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, afternoon relaxation.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest and tea plantation tour.
Day 4: Colobus monkey tracking and canopy walk.
Day 5: Journey to Volcanoes National Park, optional visit to Ellen DeGeneres Campus.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, afternoon relaxation.
Day 7: Golden monkey tracking and visit to Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
Day 8: Drive to Kigali City, Departure.
Detailed itinerary – 8 Days Rwanda safari
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali City
Kickstart your Rwanda safari adventure in Kigali, Africa’s cleanest City and the country’s Capital. A safari driver will transfer you from Kigali International Airport to your Hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to explore.
Overnight accommodation at Kigali Serena Hotel (luxury) or Flame Tree Village (midrange).
Meal Plan: Dinner.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, afternoon relaxation
In the morning, transfer from Kigali City to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This Protected Area sprawls over 1000 square kilometers in the southwestern side of the country and shares a border with Burundi’s Kibira National Park. Upon arrival at the Lodge, you will be transferred to the Lodge, where you will have lunch. The rest of the day will be spent relaxing at the Lodge with views of the forest and other surrounding landscapes.
Overnight accommodation at One & Only Nyungwe House (luxury) or Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange), or Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest and tea plantation tour
Spend the day on safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This Park hosts two chimpanzee communities, one in the Uwinka area and the other in the adjacent Cyamudongo forest area. Starting from your Lodge at 4:00am or 5:00am (depending on the community you are tracking), you will start the walk through the forest with Ranger guides to find these Great Apes. Having walked for one to four hours, you will locate them and spend one hour watching and taking photos of them as they go about their daily routines.
Lunch will be at the Lodge, and this will be followed by an afternoon siesta and later a visit to Gisakura tea plantation and estate.
Overnight accommodation at One & Only Nyungwe House (luxury) or Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange), or Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Colobus monkey tracking and canopy walk
Spend another day in Nyungwe Forest National Park, this time tracking the Rwenzori Colobus monkeys. The day starts with a briefing at the visitor center, and then slowly starts the search for these nice creatures.
In the afternoon, you will be back in the forest to undertake the canopy walk, where you will enjoy views of the tree canopies, bird species, and playful primate species.
Later, return to the Lodge to enjoy dinner and a relaxed evening.
Overnight accommodation at One & Only Nyungwe House (luxury) or Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange), or Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: Journey to Volcanoes National Park, optional visit to Ellen DeGeneres Campus
Get an early start today with a transfer to Volcanoes National Park. This Protected Area is Rwanda’s third-largest Protected Area and spans 160 square kilometers in the northwestern side of the country. You will arrive at your final destination late afternoon and relax at the Lodge or visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a place dedicated to keeping Dian Fossey’s legacy towards protecting Mountain gorillas in this Park.
Overnight accommodation at: The Bishop’s House (luxury) or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, afternoon relaxation
Start your morning early with breakfast at the Lodge, then a briefing at the Park Headquarters to learn about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking adventures. There are 12 habituated gorilla families of mountain gorillas living in different locations of this Park, and you will have a chance to track one of them. Briefing starts at 7:30am, and is followed by the transfer to the trailhead and later the actual search for the Giant Apes in their natural habitat. The search will last between one hour and up to six hours, followed by one hour of viewing and photography.
The afternoon is for relaxing at the Lodge.
Overnight accommodation at: The Bishop’s House (luxury) or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 7: Golden monkey tracking and visit to Gorilla Guardian’s Village
Another incredible day in Volcanoes National Park to track the endangered golden monkeys that occupy the lower slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, hence making it less hectic to track them (compared to mountain gorilla tracking). You will track one of the two habituated troops for 1-3 hours, followed by one hour to spend with these incredible creatures.
Return to the Lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon, visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Village to learn about ancient Rwandan cultures and lifestyles.
Overnight accommodation at: The Bishop’s House (luxury) or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Drive to Kigali City, Departure
Get an early start for your final day of the safari. Transfer back to Kigali City, then to the Airport to board your flight back home.
The 8 days Rwanda safari package includes;
- Chimpanzee tracking permit/s.
- Gorilla trekking permit/s.
- Canopy walk fees.
- Bottled water.
- Tea plantation tour fees.
- Colobus monkey tracking permit/s.
- Entry fees to all Parks and other sites.
- Community fees.
- 7 nights’ accommodation.
- Meals per the itinerary.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Ground transportation with a comfortable 4X4 Safari vehicle, plus fuel fees.
- Driver allowances.
The 8 days Rwanda safari package excludes;
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Visa fees.
- Airfares.
- Laundry fees.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Other personal expenses such as cigarettes, souvenir shopping, telephone calls, and others.