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6 Days Great Apes of Rwanda

Rwanda
Not Rated
Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

English, French

Overview

This 6-Day Great Apes of Rwanda tour is designed to fit travellers who are enthusiastic about Primates. It offers an opportunity to trek the Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park as well as the Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, literally the three major primates found in Rwanda in a single trip. The 6-Day Great Apes of Rwanda safari starts and ends from Kigali.

Highlights

  • Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Rainforest
  • Lifetime encounter with Mountain Gorillas
  • Trekking the Golden Monkeys the ‘Little Primates’ of Virunga

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our designated meet-and-greet lounge host, who will help you with Immigration procedures and luggage collection. Please look for a white signboard with your name. Thereafter, you will be handed over to our waiting driver guide, who will transfer you to your hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight. Lodging: The Retreat (Luxury), Hotel Des Milles Collines (Midrange) or Chez Lando (Budget) Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park via the King’s Palace Museum

After an early morning breakfast, take in Rwanda’s beautiful countryside on the drive to Nyungwe National Park, located in the South-western site of Rwanda. En-route, you’ll stop by the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, where you will meet ‘Inyambo’; the famed Royal long-horned cows. Enjoy lunch in the town of Huye before continuing your journey through green tea fields scattered on the hillsides and past small wooden houses unique to the areas surrounding Nyungwe Forest. Upon Arrival at Uwinka Park Reception Centre, registration and later head out for the hike of the canopy walk- a high suspension bridge 70 metres above the rainforest floor. Visitors get up and close with nature and are rewarded with spectacular views over the forest canopy and distant glimpse of the evergreen mountains and Lake Kivu’s glimmering waters in the distance, amazing birdlife and butterflies. After the hike, head straight to your lodge for check-in, dinner and overnight stay. Lodging: One & Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hill (Midrange) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Lake Kivu

As early as 5:00 am, join your park guide for a memorable Chimpanzee trekking experience in Cyamudongo Forest. Learn about these unique primates- the closest relative to humans with 96 % of our DNA. When the trekking is finished, return to your base for a refreshment lunch ahead of an early afternoon scenic road transfer to Rubavu Resort town in the North West, driving about 5 hours on the splendid Kivu Belt Road. The journey will take you through the remotest villages of Rwanda, as you observe local communities on their daily routine along the Congo-Nile trail. The beauty and meandering road along Lake Kivu corridor are just amazing! Upon arrival, check-in as you spend the remainder of your day at leisure in and around the lake. Dinner and overnight stay. Lodging: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Midrange) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Boat Cruise on Lake Kivu and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Relaxed breakfast from the hotel. Then, enjoy a guided boat cruise on Lake Kivu, exploring different islands and eventually enjoying the ‘local foot massage’ when you stop by the Nyamyumba hot springs. Lunch and afternoon embark on a short journey to Kinigi; in the vicinity of the iconic Volcanoes National Park, 1.5hours drive from Lake Kivu. The road to the park offers stunning scenery of the hills and valleys of this green which portrays the beauty of Rwanda as a ‘Land of Thousands Hills’. Upon arrival at your lodge, positioned at the base of excellent views of all volcanoes, check-in, dinner and overnight stay Lodging: Singita Kwitonda Lodge (Luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Mid-range) or Ingagi Park View Lodge (Budget) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Mountain Gorillas Trekking and Local Culture Immersion

The highlight of your journey awaits on this day-Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After breakfast at 06:30 am, head to the headquarters and meet with excellent and well-informed local park guides, who will share with you the etiquette of Mountain Gorillas tracking, based on their experience with Gorillas and after that, board your safari vehicle and drive to the trailhead. Hike into the forest to where the Gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point with the communication of the advance group of trackers. The trek can take from 1 to 8 hours and climb to an altitude not in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthy. Once the Gorillas are located, all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as ‘one of the most thrilling and meaningful wildlife encounters on earth’. When your one-hour time with the Gorillas group ends, return to the starting point where your driver guide will be waiting for you. He will take you back to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village Kinigi to engage in the local cultures and lifestyles; lifestyles; where you’ll meet former park poachers now turned into conservationists and experience first-hand local traditions. Dinner and overnight stay. Lodging: Singita Kwitonda Lodge (Luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Mid-range) or Ingagi Park View Lodge (Budget) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Golden Monkeys Trekking, Transfer to Kigali and International Departure

Breakfast and then spend this morning searching the Golden Monkeys in the lush vegetation at the foot of Mt.Sabyinyo for a beautiful little creature found only in the high-altitude forests of Virunga Mountains Chain. You’ll track the Golden Monkeys with a guide and you will spend an hour with them as soon as you have located the monkeys (a troop of 50 or more members). You will often need to follow them as they are often on the move, jumping from tree to tree with their long tails which is really entertaining but a little difficult to photograph! We recommend setting your camera to a fast shutter-speed to allow for low light in the dense undergrowth and to better your chances of capturing the Golden Monkeys on film. After this experience, you’ll take lunch before bidding farewell to Volcanoes as you set off for a 2.5hours drive to Kigali and onwards to Kigali Airport. Drop-off and departure. END OF THE TOUR!

Included/Excluded

  • All airport transfers
  • 5 nights’ lodging in Luxury, Mid Range or Budget properties as indicated in the itinerary
  • All Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • All Canopy walk trail trekking permits and Park entrance fees
  • All Chimpanzee trekking permits and Park entrance fees
  • All Gorilla trekking permits and Park entrance fees
  • All Golden Monkeys trekking permits and Park entrance fees
  • All other tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Ground transport in a 4x4 Land cruiser vehicle
  • English-speaking driver guide
  • Free mineral drinking water in the vehicle
  • Local taxes and handling charges
  • Items of Personal Nature
  • All Tips to Hotels/Lodges/Camps staff and Safari Guide
  • Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are not accompanying meals
  • All International flights and departure taxes
  • Visa fees and Travel Insurance

Tour Length

Multi day

Tour's Location

Rwanda
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Organized by

Ikaze Rwanda Tours

Member Since 2023