9 days Luxury plus Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Safari
Day 1: Kigali
on arrival to Kigali international Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines – Click here for more info about your hotel
Meal Plan: bed and breakfast basis
Day 2: Nyungwe National Park
An early morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Nyungwe forest. On the way visit Nyanza King’s Palace, and the National Museum of Butare. Lunch en-route. Arrive at Nyungwe Forest Lodge in the evening.
Accommodation: One and only Nyungwe House – Click here for more info about your hotel
Meal Plan: Full board basis (selected drinks included)
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking
This morning we enter the lush rainforest in the search of the chimpanzee. Around 300 bird species, 24 of which are regional endemics and over 100 varieties of orchids and butterflies can be seen in this beautiful forest. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to explore the area. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to relax at the lodge or go birding in the area.
Accommodation: One and only Nyungwe House – Click here for more info about your hotel
Meal Plan: Full board basis (selected drinks included)
Day 4: Canopy walk and drive to Kivu
This morning we have the chance to view the forest from a canopy walkway. We will have a 45 minute walk into the forest and then walk above the tree tops on a suspended bridge. This gives excellent views of one of African’s largest temperate rainforests and offers the opportunity to view primates and birds at eye level. In the afternoon we drive to Kibuye on the shores of the beautiful Lake Kivu (4 hours). In the afternoon you have the opportunity to kick back and relax in and around the lodge. The lodge also has water sports equipment for hire.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Lodge – Click here for more info about your Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board basis
Day 5: Kivu to home of Gorillas
In the morning we will drive from Kibuye to Gisenyi allowing us to take in the beauty of Lake Kivu and the multiple islands. We will have lunch in Gisenyi before driving to Volcanoes National Park. The Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen, bamboo forests, open grassland, swamp and heath. Volcanoes National Park (Parc National de Volcans) is situated in north-western Rwanda. Best known for the mountain gorillas, other mammals that reside in the park are the golden monkey, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena and bush buck. There are 178 recorded bird species with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains.
Accommodation:
Option 1: Virunga Lodge Deluxe Bandas – Click here for more info about your Lodge
Option 2: One and Only Gorilla Nest – Click here for more info about your lodge
Meal Plan: Full board basis (selected drinks included)
Day 6: Gorilla tracking day
After breakfast we take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest to where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes not in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including waterproof bag for cameras and film. Please note: plastic (e.g. carrier / shopping) bags are illegal in Rwanda.
Accommodation:
Option 1: Virunga Lodge Deluxe Bandas – Click here for more info about your Lodge
Option 2: One and Only Gorilla Nest – Click here for more info about your lodge
Option 3: Bisate Lodge – Click here for more info about your lodge
Meal Plan: Full board basis (selected drinks included)
Day 7: Golden Monkeys Trekking
Wake up for early breakfast and transfer to the park head offices in Kinigi by 7.00am. Join up with the other Golden Monkeys trekkers, meet the ranger guide for a few minutes talk about the activity and the park, and by 8.00am you get into the cars and transfer to the trail head just outside the park. Enjoy great views of the mountain scenery as you start your trek into the park to find the golden monkeys. The golden monkeys live near the edge of the park in the bamboo forests where the ground is relatively flat and easy to trek. Find the monkeys and follow them as they feed, notice how they skillfully pick the young bamboo leaves from the tip of the bamboo tree. They may also move out of the park into the potato fields and how they love the potatoes!
After an amazing one hour with the golden monkeys you will return to the trail head drive back to the lodge for lunch and thereafter enjoy relaxed afternoon.
Accommodation:
Option 1: Virunga Lodge Deluxe Bandas – Click here for more info about your Lodge
Option 2: One and Only Gorilla Nest – Click here for more info about your lodge
Option 3: Bisate Lodge – Click here for more info about your lodge
Meal Plan: Full board basis (selected drinks included)
Day 8: Drive back to Kigali.
After a relaxed breakfast, drive to Kigali arriving in time for lunch, afternoon city tour, including a visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre and other cultural sites.
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines – Click here for more info about your hotel
Meal Plan: bed and breakfast basis
Day 9: Depart
After breakfast you will be transferred back to the airport based on your international flight details.
Tour includes
- Ground transport in a safari 4 x 4 Land Cruiser
- Gorilla permit fees per person – US$ 1,500
- Chimpanzee permit per person – US$ 100
- Golden Monkey trekking per person – US$ 100
- Park entrance
- Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled water in the safari vehicle
- Full board accommodation for two nights
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide
- All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
Tour excludes
- Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
- Tips to porters and driver/ guide
- Insurance
- Any item of personal nature
- Any service mentioned as optional in the itinerary or not mentioned in inclusion list