Safari Overview
The 5 Days Rwanda safari is ideal for visitors who desire the best of gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking experiences in the heart of Africa. This package offers typically national primate adventure in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe. In the scenic hillside of Volcanoes National Park, expect to engage in the guided gorilla trekking. On a visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park, you will have chimpanzee tracking & canopy walk.
The 5 Days Rwanda safari is crafted with Nyungwe being your starting primate destination, and you end with Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla trekking. It also includes a short city tour in Kigali capital, where an expert takes you to some of the exceptional landmarks, including the Kigali genocide memorial sites, local markets, and craft shops, etc.
The Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Early morning breakfast, city tour & transfer to Nyungwe
Begin your colorful day with an early morning breakfast in a hotel in Kigali. After, meet with an expert from Apex Africa for you to get briefed on the special 5 Days Rwanda safari. Today is meant for you to embark on a journey to Nyungwe National Park in the Southern Province of Rwanda.
En route to Nyungwe, there will be a stopover which involves exploring the King’s Palace (Nyanza). You will have another visit to the Ethnographic museum and later, proceed up to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Arrive early so that you can safely check in your pre-booked accommodation in or around Nyungwe.
Nyungwe sits within the rift valley area, covering an area of 970 sq. km. Its diverse habitats support a range of species, including about 13 primate species & 310 birds. The primates that reside in the lush Nyungwe Forest include owl-faced monkeys, Angola colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, olive baboons, silver monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trek with a canopy walking excursion
Today’s session mainly focuses on trekking chimpanzees in the scenic Nyungwe Forest. Drive to Cyamudongo/Uwinka reception to meet the Nyungwe park officials. The team from Nyungwe will take you through the detailed list of the chimpanzee tracking rules. Participating in the briefing session is mandatory because it will be during this period that you will get the park ranger guide to accompany you.
Expect to be at Nyungwe park offices/reception at around 5:30 am and after briefing, be prepared to start your exhilarating adventure to see chimpanzees. Once you have come across a community of these unique primates, expect to spend a maximum of 1 hour while you observe how they behave, watching their playful habits and more.
After getting the incredible facts about chimpanzees, expect to begin walking back to the reception to meet the driver guide for you to connect back to the lodge. Have lunch at the accommodation, and after, you will end the day with the memorable Nyungwe Forest canopy walking experience.
Enjoy a 2-hour journey as you traverse the 200m suspended canopy walkway. As you walk, expect to find a range of species, including lots of primates, birds, and appreciate the scenic natural forest cover. After a successful canopy walking excursion, you will return to relax at the lodge and share your adventure stories.
Day 3: Drive safely from Nyungwe to Volcanoes in Musanze
After your delicious breakfast, you will be picked up by a safari guide, and today, your journey will involve visiting Volcanoes National Park, about a 4-hour drive. Travel via one of the scenic routes, which come with stunning views of Lake Kivu in the distance and other breathtaking landscapes in the countryside. On getting to Volcanoes National Park, have a great time at the pre-booked accommodation choice.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking combined with Iby’Iwacu Village visit
Today marks a special day as it is dedicated to you to search for mountain gorillas. First, you will assemble at Kinigi and have an orientation about gorilla trekking regulations. The park officials will be present to conduct the morning briefing session, which also includes assigning visitors to the park ranger guides.
After the orientation session, you will set off for the actual search for gorillas at around 8:00 am. The trek involves navigating through the slopes of the scenic Virunga volcanoes and a lush forest. On locating the gorilla group, you will have one hour primarily dedicated to photography and observing how gorillas behave.
Day 5: Travel back to Kigali in a 4×4 Safari Vehicle
At leisure, have a hefty breakfast and check out. Meet the safari guide to have your luggage packed safely, and today, expect to bid farewell to Volcanoes National Park. Return to Kigali, a journey that will take you 2-3 hours, and once you have reached, you will be dropped at the airport or a hotel as you wait to connect to another destination.
End of safari