Rwanda Primates Tour

Day 1: Welcome to the land of a thousand hills, Kigali

Your Rwanda Primates Tour begins as soon as you touch down at Kigali International Airport. We will be on hand to greet you and provide a detailed briefing about your upcoming trip. From there, you'll embark on a picturesque drive through Kigali. You'll be able to witness captivating cultural displays and immerse yourself in the local way of life.

After arriving at your hotel in Kigali, you can take some time to relax before the start of your adventure. Depending on your arrival time, you may also choose to explore the city further with a captivating Kigali city tour. This tour can include visiting the Genocide Memorial site and an art and craft centre, where you can learn about the city's rich history and admire the local art scene.

Alternatively, if you prefer to unwind and recover from jet lag, you can relax at your hotel and prepare for the exciting jungle adventure that awaits you the next day. Whatever you choose, our team is dedicated to ensuring that you have a comfortable and enjoyable start to your Classic Rwanda Primates Safari.

Day 2: Thrilling road trip to Nyungwe Rainforest

Wake up to the sounds of Africa in Kigali and enjoy a delicious breakfast before meeting your private driver, who will take you on a scenic journey through Rwanda's stunning countryside. This part of your tailor-made Classic Rwanda Safari is a leisurely 5-hour drive that will allow you to take in the calming natural scenery and vibrant colours of the region. We take the winding roads down to Butare, stopping to visit lively local markets and the historic Nyanza King’s Palace.

Reaching Butare we spend some time in the Botanical Gardens and visit the Ethnographic Museum, formerly the National Museum of Rwanda. After a lunch break, we head west to Nyungwe Forest, driving through rolling hills dotted with lush tea plantations and the little wooden homes unique to the Nyungwe Forest region.

For the rest of the day, take some time to relax and soak up the natural ambience surrounding the lodge. You can unwind in the comfortable lounge and meet fellow travellers, or enjoy the tranquillity of the surrounding forest. Whatever you choose, our team is dedicated to ensuring that you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay at the lodge.

Day 3 Tracking Chimpanzees in Nyungwe

Start your day with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for the chimpanzee tracking activity briefing. Accompanied by a park ranger and guide, you'll set out on a thrilling adventure through the rainforest trails. In no time, you'll come across your designated chimpanzee troop, which you'll follow closely for the next hour.

Our search for chimpanzees takes us into the oldest montane forest in Africa, on foot. Walking through this ancient and biodiverse rainforest is an incredible chance to spot a rich array of exotic and rare animals, birds, plants and small creatures. Once we find a troop of chimpanzees we spend time watching them move between the trees noisily. Sharing 98% of the same DNA as humans, chimpanzees are our closest relatives, often behaving very similarly to humans.

Nyungwe Forest is home to about 500 chimpanzees, offering excellent opportunities to watch these social apes, along with 12 other primate species. We are likely to encounter black-faced vervet monkeys and l’Hoest’s monkeys, with grey-cheeked mangabey and Rwenzori colobus monkeys also often sighted. Along with the abundance of primates, the dense tropical forest of Nyungwe also hosts over 60 species of other mammals, a multitude of orchids, over 120 butterfly species and more than 300 species of birds. Keep an eye out for endemic Grauer’s warbler, Rwenzori Turaco and Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill in the forest canopy.

Day 4: Canopy walk and nature trail in Nyungwe

While chimpanzees tend to steal the spotlight, this part of our Classic Rwanda Safari offers the simple pleasures of hiking along well-maintained trails over the lush, green valleys of the equatorial rainforest.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda's most important area of biodiversity, boasting over 1000 plant species, 13 species of primates, 75 species of other African mammals, at least 275 species of birds, and an astounding 120 species of butterflies. It has been rated the highest priority for forest conservation in Africa, and its protected area covers one of the oldest rainforests on the continent. Despite its immense biodiversity, Nyungwe is little known outside of East Africa.

You'll experience the Nyungwe forest from a whole new perspective with a walk on the 160-meter (525 ft) high canopy walkway. As per the latest report by Lonely Planet, the canopy walkway has been named the world's best forest canopy walkway. So, let yourself go, shout at the top of your voice, spread your arms wide, and experience a sense of freedom that leaves you reinvigorated.

In the heart of the forest, you'll set up a picnic lunch and enjoy the friendly service of this beautiful African jungle. Later, return to the lodge, check out, and set off northwards to Volcanoes National Park, where you'll embark on your next jungle adventure to find the mountain gorillas. The journey will take approximately 5 hours, but anticipating what lies ahead will energize you.

Day 5: Cultural Interactions on Lake Kivu

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you'll make your way to Kibuye Town, located on the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. As you travel through the picturesque countryside, you'll be treated to stunning lake views, with valleys dotted with agricultural farms. On arrival, we can opt for a discovery boat ride at the lake. 

On this boat ride, you'll encounter local fishermen, fishing villages, and the residents of Idjwi Island in Congo, who row long distances in their dugout canoes to visit the markets in Rwanda. This is a unique opportunity to witness the daily life of the local people and immerse yourself in their culture.

Later, you'll be picked up in Gisenyi for lunch, where you can enjoy a delicious meal before retiring to the lodge. Alternatively, if time allows, you can arrange to cross the border to Goma (optional). Goma was devastated by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano, which recently erupted after the 2002 eruption and destroyed part of the town. Despite the natural catastrophe, the local population has shown remarkable resilience, and a visit to Goma is an opportunity to witness their fantastic capabilities.

Most of Goma's inhabitants escaped the advancing lava flows by crossing the border into neighbouring Rwanda. As you explore the town, you'll see the evidence of the eruption and the ongoing efforts to rebuild and recover. It's a humbling experience that offers a unique insight into the strength and determination of the local people.

After you visit Goma, you'll return to the lodge for an overnight stay, where you can relax and reflect on the day's activities. Our team is dedicated to ensuring you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay at the lodge, with all the amenities and services you need to make the most of your holiday.

Day 6: Learn Rwanda's Historical Events and drive to Volcanoes National Park

After savouring a delicious breakfast, you'll visit Ross Carr's Imbabazi Orphanage, located in Mugongo. The late Mrs Rosamond Halsey Carr founded the orphanage in late 1994 to care for the orphaned children during the genocide. Mrs. Carr witnessed all of Rwanda's historical events, including the gruesome genocide of 1994, and her inspiring story is chronicled in her book, "Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda."

After you visit the orphanage, take a stroll along the lake and explore the nearby villages. This is an opportunity to interact with the locals and learn more about their way of life.

Later, indulge in a sumptuous lunch at Serena before joining your Rwanda Primates Tour driver and heading towards Musanze, located outside the Volcanoes National Park. Here, you'll embark on a thrilling adventure to trek Africa's elusive mountain gorilla and spend the next two nights in this breathtaking region.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, you'll drive to the park headquarters to get a briefing for the gorilla trek, which will last approximately 45 minutes. This is the moment you've been waiting for, the highlight of your Classic Rwanda Primates Safari, so take a deep breath, gather your emotions and excitement, and prepare to be amazed. We want you to have realistic expectations to fully appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Before venturing into the forest, it's essential to have a packed lunch, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a walking stick. The time spent on gorilla tracking is unpredictable and can vary from 2-8 hours before encountering a gorilla family. The location of each family depends on various factors, including temperature, feeding habits, and the movement of the previous day, as tracked by the park rangers. Strict guidelines will be issued at the trailhead briefing point, and it's essential to remember the most important ones.

Once you encounter the gorilla family, you'll have one hour to spend with them (the only time allowed in their company per day). This is a precious hour that you'll never forget. Watch and capture the memorable experience as the gorillas go about their day-to-day activities, with the young ones playing around and the older ones feeding each other and eating foliage. It's an awe-inspiring sight that will undoubtedly highlight your entire safari.

After this unforgettable experience, retire to the lodge for an overnight stay, where you can reflect on the day's activities and relive the amazing encounter with the gorillas.

Day 8: End of our Rwanda Primates Tour

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, it's time to check out of your safari lodge and conclude your wonderful Rwanda Primates Tour. You'll then join your private driver for a scenic drive across the hilly countryside to Kigali, the vibrant capital city of Rwanda.

En route to Kigali, you'll stop in Ruhengeri for a delicious lunch and take some time to appreciate the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The drive will take you through picturesque landscapes, with rolling hills, lush forests, and charming villages along the way.

As you approach Kigali, you'll have the chance to see the city's skyline and get a sense of its bustling energy. The drive from Ruhengeri to Kigali City is about three hours, which will give you plenty of time to soak in the sights and sounds of this beautiful country.

Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you have a comfortable and enjoyable journey with all the amenities and services you need to make the most of your final day in Rwanda. Whether it's a last-minute souvenir or a quick stop for a coffee, we're here to make your trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible.