6 Days Rwanda Chimps and Gorilla Trek Safari
Our 6 Days Rwanda Chimps and Gorilla Trek Safari offers you an opportunity to track both primates and gorillas in Rwanda. During the 6 Days Rwanda Safari, you will drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will track chimpanzees and embark on a guided hike along the canopy walkway. You will then drive to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi area where you will have an afternoon boat cruise on the lake and then enjoy a coffee tour at Kinunu Coffee Station. Finally, you will then head to Volcanoes National Park where you will track Mountain Gorillas and also visit Ibyi’wacu Village and Dian Fossey center.
Highlights for 6 Days Rwanda Chimps and Gorilla Trek Safari
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
Day 3: Transfer to Gisenyi and Afternoon Boat Cruise.
Day 4: Morning Coffee Tour
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes NP, Ibyi’wacu Village Tour and Dian Fossey Research Centre.
Day 6: Gorilla Trek and Drive Back to Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary for 6 Days Rwanda Chimps and Gorilla Trek Safari
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. (Approximately 6 hours’ drive)
In the morning, the driver will pick you up from your Kigali hotel and transport you south to Nyungwe Forest National Park. You will stop in Butare to see the Rwandan National Museum and the King’s Palace in Nyanza, with lunch on route.
Retire back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
Have breakfast and attend a briefing at the park before entering the forest to look for lively and playful companions in Nyungwe forest. Chimpanzees are easy to see as they bounce from one tree to the next, talking and laughing. Chimp tracking typically takes roughly three hours. You will then eat your packed lunch and return to the base, where you will meet your driving guide.
After your packed lunch, you will go on a guided nature walk along the famed canopy walkway bridge, which is a 50-meter-long swing bridge hung from enormous trees. You will be able to observe the spectacular rainforest from a bird’s eye view, witnessing wildlife moving about below you before returning to your hotel to relax for the evening. This hike only takes two hours.
Later transfer back to your lodge/hotel for dinner and overnight same as above.
Day 3: Transfer to Gisenyi and Afternoon Boat Cruise. (Approximately 4-5 hours drive)
After breakfast at your accommodation, you’ll meet your driver guide and go to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Arrive on time to check into your accommodation and have lunch. Later, you will go on an afternoon boat tour on Lake Kivu, where you will be able to appreciate the lake’s natural splendor while also viewing a variety of bird species.
Retire back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Morning Coffee Tour
Wake up at leisure and eat breakfast at your hotel. Your driving guide will meet you at your accommodation and then take you on a morning coffee excursion to Kinunu Washing Station. Take a tour of the facilities and learn more about how Rwandan coffee is prepared. Finish your visit with a nice cup of coffee, and help the local community by purchasing some coffee.
Later drive back to your hotel for lunch and spend the rest of your evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay same as above.
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes NP, Ibyi’wacu Village Tour and Dian Fossey Research Centre. (about 1hour drive)
After breakfast, you will drive to Volcanoes National Park and visit Ibyi’wacu village, popularly known as the ‘Gorilla Guardians hamlet.’ Take a tour of the old King’s Palace, dress in traditional Rwandan clothing, and enjoy traditional folk dance performances by the local intore dance team.
Following your trip, you will visit the Dian Fossey study Centre in Karisoke, which was formerly utilized as a study base by the late Dian Fossey and her crew. Take a tour of the facilities and see the museum, which is dedicated to showcasing all of her work and contributions to the habituation and protection of mountain gorillas.
Later return back to your lodge for lunch and spend the rest of your evening relaxing and preparing for your gorilla trek the next day. Retire back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Gorilla Trek and Drive Back to Kigali. (Approximately 3 hours drive)
Enjoy breakfast early in the morning and travel to the park headquarters at 7 a.m. for a briefing. After being informed by the lead ranger, you will enter the jungle in search of mountain gorillas, which can take anywhere from 1-6 hours or longer depending on their position. Once you’ve discovered a gorilla family, you’ll have an hour to spend with them before returning to base, where your driver guide will be waiting for you.
Head back to your lodge for lunch and freshen up before embarking on your return journey to Kigali. Upon your arrival in Kigali, you will be dropped off at the airport in time to check-in for your 11pm flight out of Kigali.
End of 6 Days Rwanda Chimps and Gorilla Trek Safari.
