8 Days Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari Overview

This 8 days primates and wildlife safari in Rwanda combines two (2) primate adventures (gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking) and game viewing in the savanna-dominated Akagera National Park. You will begin your expedition with Akagera National Park wildlife tour- enjoy a game drive and boat cruise; cross over to Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking and lastly, visit Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up & transfer from Kigali Airport to the hotel –Rwanda

Day 2: Kigali capital-Akagera

Day 3: Full-day wildlife expedition in Akagera NP

Day 4: Akagera NP-Nyungwe in Southern Province

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & Canopy walk

Day 6: Nyungwe-Volcanoes NP

Day 7: Gorilla trekking & Iby’Iwacu cultural tour

Day 8: Depart

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up & transfer from Kigali Airport to the hotel –Rwanda

Meet and greet your driver guide at Kigali, get a short briefing about your trip and later, you will be transferred to the hotel. This will take you 20 minutes and you will have a relaxed evening at the hotel in Kigali capital

Dinner & Overnight stay at

  • The Manor Hotel/The Retreat/Hotel des Mille Collines

Day 2: Kigali capital-Akagera

A delicious breakfast will be followed by check out of the hotel and you set off to visit Kigali/Gisozi genocide memorial. You will also visit the craft centers, Kimironko market and then continue to the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Explore Akagera National Park, 1122sq.km savanna-dominated park and home to all the big 5 game members. Get to Akagera early, settle for lunch at the hotel- relax at the lodge or set off for an afternoon game drive/boat cruise.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Dereva Hotel
  • Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
  • Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp or Rusizi Camp

Day 3: Full-day wildlife expedition in Akagera NP

Begin your wildlife expedition in Akagera N/P; enjoy a game drive in a 4×4 safari vehicle. Wildlife species to expect to encounter during the 2-3 hours game drive include elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, bushbucks, waterbucks, leopards and birds.

A boat cruise on Lake Ihema will be part of today’s wildlife tour in Akagera NP. This launch cruise takes 2-3 hours and lets you to enjoy the sight of aquatic life; hippos, crocodiles and birds.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Dereva Hotel
  • Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
  • Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp or Rusizi Camp

Day 4: Akagera NP-Nyungwe in Southern Province

After a delicious cup of tea/coffee, leave Akagera for Nyungwe NP which is lying in the Southern Province in Rwanda. Lunch break will be made in Butare/Huye and a short tour will follow. This includes visiting the National Museum, King’s Palace and other areas depending on the time and then you proceed to check in at the lodge for an overnight stay.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
  • Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
  • Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & Canopy walk

Chimpanzees share about 98.8% DNA with humans making them our closest relatives and early morning, you will embark on a chimp trek to explore these apes. This primate adventure takes 2-4 hours and it covers 1 hour of a magical encounter, photography. Nyungwe Forest NP chimpanzee treks start from Uwinka/Cyamudongo reception after briefing and after your interaction with chimpanzees, walk back to have lunch at the lodge.

After a delicious lunch, proceed to Uwinka once again to enjoy a canopy walk for 2 hours. This leads you via the suspended walkway 60m from the ground and stretches 200 meters.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
  • Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
  • Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House

Day 6: Nyungwe-Volcanoes NP

Following your early morning breakfast, check out and meet the driver guide. You will be driven to Volcanoes NP with en route exceptional views of the scenic Lake Kivu. You proceed to the lodge to relax, dine and spend a night.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Hotel Muhabura/Kinigi/Garden Place
  • Midrange: La Palme/5 Volcanoes Hotel
  • Luxury: Virunga Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge

Day 7: Gorilla trekking & Iby’Iwacu cultural tour

Today is the D-Day to meet the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. Start your adventure with briefing about gorilla trekking rules and a gorilla family will be assigned to you. Your trek takes 2-6 hours and it includes one hour of a magical encounter and taking pictures. Leave for your gorilla search with some packed lunch and bottled water.

When you get back, relax at the lodge and in the evening, you will have a great chance to interact with locals in their community. Visit Iby’Iwacu cultural village for a cultural tour and expect great dances, music performance, etc.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Hotel Muhabura/Kinigi/Garden Place
  • Midrange: La Palme/5 Volcanoes Hotel
  • Luxury: Virunga Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge

Day 8: Depart

Being the last day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and later check out. Meet the driver guide who will transfer you back to Kigali 2-3 hours’ drive –drop off at a hotel or airport for departure.

End of safari

Inclusions

  • Bottled water
  • Gorilla & chimp permits
  • Game drives
  • Launch/boat excursions
  • Park entrance fees
  • Guide services for 8 days
  • All activities except the optional ones

Exclusions

  • Expenses on airfares, visas, passport, laundry, cigarettes, beverages, insurance, shopping, telephone calls, etc.