6-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Golden Monkeys Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Airport pick-up

A Amakula African Safaris ltd agent will take you up today from Kigali Airport. You might be able to browse the ceramics, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather goods, and fabrics at some of Kigali's craft fairs, depending on when you arrive. You bear the entire cost of today's activities and purchases.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

Flame Tree Village

• Mid-range hotel located in Kigali

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Nyungwe Forest

Following breakfast, one of the biggest woods in East and Central Africa, Nyungwe Forest, will be the destination of your guide's transfer from the hotel. The jungle is full of all kinds of plants and animals, such as mangabeys, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and, of course, our close relatives, chimpanzees. For birdwatchers, Nyungwe Forest is a well-known destination. Approximately 310 bird species have been documented, 26 of which are endemic, making this one of Africa's most significant and little-known birdwatching locations.

You'll stop for lunch along the way. You will check into your own cottage at Nyungwe Forest Lodge in the evening. One of the greatest lodges in Rwanda is this opulent one.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit June to September (Dry weather, best chimp trekking)

High Season June to September (Popular gorilla trekking time in Volcanoes NP)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Nyungwe NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

Show more

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzee tracking

After a very early breakfast, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the 2 groups is 80 individuals. This is an experience you will never forget. After the chimp tracking, you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide.

Optional activity: In the afternoon you can go for East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats. En route, you will have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy. Let us know if you would like to sign up for this activity.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Volcanoes NP

Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to Musanze, close to the beautiful Volcano range. Your lodge is located near the entrance of the national park with an amazing view overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes. From here, you will start your gorilla tracking tomorrow.

You can upgrade to the luxury Virunga Lodge which is one of the most beautiful lodges in the country. It has stunning, beautiful views overlooking the Twin Lakes and Volcanoes NP.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla trekking and Ibyiwacu

After breakfast, you will drive to the park office. The head ranger of the Rwanda Development Board will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here, your driver-guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated gorilla groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In the afternoon, you will go to the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village, a non-profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through the provision of conservation incentives. It supports community enterprise development and livelihood-based projects.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Golden monkey tracking - airport transfer

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for golden monkey tracking which is a completely different experience, but just as rewarding. These beautiful, lively creatures are on the endangered species list, and are fascinating to watch as they leap through the vegetation.

Later, you will transfer back to Kigali Airport. Depending on your departure flight, you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history.

Your driver-guide will take you to the airport as we end the trip.

Main Destination:

Kigali International Airport (Kigali)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.