7 Days Luxury Rwanda Primate Tour
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Rwanda
7 Days Classical Rwanda Primates Adventure
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Price
- From $5,490 pp
- Difficulty
- Easy
Overview
Three primates in a week, without a long drive to reach any of them.
You fly from Kigali to Kamembe rather than driving, which turns a five-hour road journey into forty minutes and puts you in Nyungwe with the afternoon intact. Nyungwe is one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa and holds thirteen primate species. Chimpanzee tracking starts before dawn, when the group is calling and easiest to find, and the canopy walkway runs 50 meters above the forest floor.
Then north to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking one day and golden monkeys the next. The gorilla trek is the hard one: steep, wet ground and anywhere from one to seven hours round trip, with an hour at the end that most people describe as the best of the trip. Golden monkeys the following morning are easier walking and a lot more animated.
The treks are active but not technical. Reasonable fitness is enough, and porters are available at every trailhead.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive Kigali – Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional representative, who will assist you through immigration formalities and provide a brief orientation about your upcoming journey. Thereafter, you will enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Kigali. En route, take in the impressive panorama of the city, including its well organized streets and the iconic Convention Centre. Upon arrival at your hotel, you will check in, enjoy dinner, and settle in for a relaxing overnight stay.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Hotel Des Mille Collines
- Luxury Accommodation
- Kigali Marriott Hotel
- High-End Accommodation
- The Retreat by Hemingways
- Meals:
- Dinner
- Day 2
Fly to Kamembe – Nyungwe National Park
Enjoy a relaxed morning and a generous buffet breakfast before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Kamembe Airport. Upon arrival, you will meet your professional guide and proceed with a scenic 45 minute transfer to Nyungwe National Park. After check in and lunch at your lodge, embark on the iconic Canopy Walkway experience from Uwinka Reception Centre. Suspended approximately 70 meters above the forest floor, this thrilling walk offers panoramic views over one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, home to 13 primate species and over 300 bird species. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Mantis Kivu Marina Bay
- Luxury Accommodation
- Munazi Eco Lodge
- High-End Accommodation
- One & Only Nyungwe House
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 3
Nyungwe National Park – Chimpanzee Trekking
Today features an immersive chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe National Park. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park reception for a detailed briefing and group allocation, limited to a maximum of eight trekkers per group. Accompanied by an expert ranger, proceed to Cyamudongo Forest in search of the chimpanzees. Observe them as they awaken, feed, and move energetically through the canopy. Sightings are frequent, though never guaranteed, making each encounter truly rewarding. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, relax or visit Gisakura Tea Estate before dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Mantis Kivu Marina Bay
- Luxury Accommodation
- Munazi Eco Lodge
- High-End Accommodation
- One & Only Nyungwe House
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 4
Nyungwe National Park – Volcanoes National Park
Your journey continues with a scenic overland transfer from Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park, traveling along the picturesque shores of Lake Kivu. This approximately four hour drive along the Kivu Belt Road reveals rolling hills, charming rural landscapes, and panoramic lake views. You may opt for a two hour boat excursion to explore the lake’s islands before enjoying lunch at a lakeside restaurant. Continue onward to Musanze, observing vibrant local life along the way, as communities go about their daily activities in Rwanda’s countryside.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Tiloreza Volcano Eco Lodge
- Luxury Accommodation
- Virunga Inn Resort and Spa
- High-End Accommodation
- One and Only Gorilla Nest
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 5
Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking Experience
Enjoy an early breakfast at the lodge before departing at 06:30 hrs for the park headquarters in Kinigi, located within Volcanoes National Park. Following registration and a comprehensive briefing, you will be assigned to a gorilla family based on fitness level and tracking conditions. With only 96 permits issued daily and a maximum of eight trekkers per group, the experience remains exclusive. The trek may last two to six hours through lush rainforest. Upon locating the gorillas, spend one unforgettable hour observing them. Return for lunch, then optionally visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund before dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Tiloreza Volcano Eco Lodge
- Luxury Accommodation
- Virunga Inn Resort and Spa
- High-End Accommodation
- One and Only Gorilla Nest
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 6
Volcanoes National Park – Golden monkey Trekking Experience
Begin your day with freshly brewed African coffee before proceeding for golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Following a 07:00 briefing, trek through the bamboo forest to encounter one of the two habituated troops, each numbering about 50 members. Less strenuous than gorilla trekking, this experience allows one hour with these energetic primates. After lunch, transfer to Kigali for a guided city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and local craft markets. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Hotel Des Mille Collines
- Luxury Accommodation
- Kigali Marriott Hotel
- High-End Accommodation
- The Retreat by Hemingways
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 7
Transfer to the Airport for departure
This morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast before checking out of your hotel. At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home. As you depart, you carry with you unforgettable memories and remarkable photographs capturing the highlights of your journey. We extend our sincere appreciation for the opportunity to host you and bid farewell to our dedicated guides and support team. This marks the conclusion of your 7 Days Classical Rwanda Primate Adventure.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
What Is Included
Included
- Pick up and drop off at the Airport.
- 1 Gorilla permit ($1500) per person
- 1 chimpanzee permit per person.
- 1 golden monkey permit per person.
- Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Services of a Senior Naturalist Driver/Guide.
- Kigali city tour and other excursions as per the itinerary.
- Transportation in a customized safari jeep.
- Complimentary bottled drinking water
- All activities specified in the itinerary including the applicable entrance fees
Not Included
- International flights.
- Visa.
- Any local and international flights tickets (airline).
- Visas and insurance.
- Laundry,
- Tips for the drive guide
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the 7 Days Classical Rwanda Primates Adventure cost?
- This safari starts from $5,490 per person. The final price depends on your travel dates, lodge tier, and group size, and every quote is itemized before you commit.
- How long is this safari?
- It runs 7 days. Because every trip is private, we can lengthen, shorten, or add a Zanzibar or gorilla extension to fit your plans.
- Can I customize this itinerary?
- Yes. This itinerary is a starting point. Swap lodges, change the pace, adjust the route, or combine countries, and your planner reshapes it with you before you book.
- When is the best time for this trip?
- June to September and December to February are the drier months, which makes the climb up to the gorilla families less demanding. Trekking runs year-round, and permits are limited daily and sell out early.
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