7 Days Classical Rwanda Primates Adventure
From $5,490 pp View →
Rwanda
8 Days Rwanda Primate Adventure Safari
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Price
- From $5,598 pp
- Group size
- Max 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
Overview
This is a primate trip rather than a game-drive one. Eight days, two forests, three species, and Lake Kivu in the middle to break the driving.
Nyungwe comes first: one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa, holding thirteen primate species. You track chimpanzees at dawn, when they are noisiest and easiest to locate, and walk the canopy bridge suspended roughly 50 meters above the forest floor. This is genuine rainforest, so expect rain in any month.
The road north runs along Lake Kivu, and we break the journey there for a night on the water before continuing to Musanze. In Volcanoes National Park you trek gorillas one day and golden monkeys the next. The golden monkey trek is the easier walk and the more playful hour, and most people are glad they did both. Gorilla permits are limited, dated and expensive, and they are the reason to book this trip early rather than late.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1
Airport Transfer to Hotel
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will proceed through customs and immigration formalities before being warmly welcomed by our professional company driver guide. After a brief introduction and short orientation about your upcoming journey, you will begin your experience in the Land of a Thousand Hills, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and hospitality. You will then be transferred to your pre booked hotel accommodation for check in, dinner, and a relaxing overnight stay in preparation for the days ahead.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Hotel Des Mille Collines
- Luxury Accommodation
- Kigali Marriott Hotel
- High-End Accommodation
- The Retreat by Hemingways
- Meals:
- Dinner
- Day 2
Transfer to Nyungwe National Park (Travel Time +5 hrs)
Early morning enjoy your buffer breakfast and checkout of the hotel and drive heading to the western province, on your way visit the Royal Palace Museum and Ethnographic Museum in Southern Province, this will give you a great history of traditional ways of living among Rwandans and their past way of leadership of Kingship with an enroute lunch. You will reach in the afternoon at Nyungwe national park and spend the afternoon at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge
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
Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy
Today, after your early morning cap of African coffee, you will leave your hotel to experience the natural forest of Nyungwe well known for having 13 species of primates, and transferred to the park for briefing and chimpanzee trekking. You will be entitled to one hour on finding the chimpanzees. After doing the chimpanzee trek, head for lunch before heading for a canopy walk. This 70 meters suspended metallic bridge will give you a great overview of Nyungwe forest and on a luck day spot one or two more primates in the forest as you take a walk on this bridge and later return in the afternoon for dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
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
Transfer to Lake Kivu
After a relaxed breakfast at your lodge, you will embark on a scenic transfer to Lake Kivu, enjoying the picturesque countryside landscapes and breathtaking views along the way. Upon arrival, you will proceed for a delightful boat excursion on the lake, visiting several charming islands and taking in the tranquil beauty of this remarkable destination. Following the boat trip, you will return to your lodge where the remainder of the day is at leisure. This is an ideal opportunity to unwind, enjoy the serene lakeside atmosphere, and take in the refreshing breeze. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Cormoran Lodge
- High-End Accommodation
- Cleo Lake Kivu
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 5
Transfer to Volcanoes National park
After an early morning breakfast, you will set out to witness the beautiful sunrise over Lake Kivu, a truly refreshing and inspiring start to the day. Thereafter, you will proceed with a scenic drive to Musanze, approximately two hours away. Musanze is a key tourism hub located near Volcanoes National Park and serves as the gateway to many of the region’s iconic experiences. Upon arrival, you will visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an exceptional conservation and research center dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas and community engagement initiatives. Following this insightful visit, you will enjoy lunch at a selected restaurant. In the afternoon, you will head to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo for a rewarding birding experience, while also taking in the spectacular volcanic scenery surrounding the lakes. Later, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Tiloreza Volcano Eco Lodge
- Luxury Accommodation
- Virunga Inn Resort and Spa
- High-End Accommodation
- Wilderness Bisate Lodge
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 6
Gorilla Trekking & Cultural Visit
Early morning cup of coffee, then prepare for the gorilla trekking briefing from the park headquarters and thereafter, you will enter the jungle with your packed lunch to search the shy mountain gorillas and enjoy their life style in their real home. After meeting the gorillas, you can sit around these great apes for a whole hour watching their social life as you take pictures. On a gorilla safari, a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as walking shoes, packed food and mineral water, insect repellent, sun screen and hut. The gorilla tracking experience takes half or whole day depending on the movements of these primates. After this gorilla tracking experience you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, ready for a village foot safari, to explore the indigenous local life with a taste of the traditional performance at Iby Iwacu cultural center. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation Options
- Midrange Accommodation
- Tiloreza Volcano Eco Lodge
- Luxury Accommodation
- Virunga Inn Resort and Spa
- High-End Accommodation
- Wilderness Bisate Lodge
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Day 7
Golden Monkey & Transfer to Kigali (Travel Time +2 hrs)
Today after you warm early morning breakfast, you will be picked by our safari driver guide who will transfer you to the park headquarters for briefing and start off you day golden monkey trekking. Just like the gorilla trekking experience, the same applies to golden monkey trekking though no so hectic like gorilla trekking. You will later return to the lodge for lunch and later transfer to Kigali, if time permits, do a Kigali city tour with a visit to Kigali genocide memorial ground and Kimironko local market for shopping. Dinner and overnight at the 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 8
Transfer to the Airport
After enjoying a relaxed morning breakfast at your hotel, you will proceed with check out and be transferred comfortably to the airport for your onward flight. Our team will ensure that the transfer is well coordinated in line with your departure schedule, allowing ample time for check in and security procedures. As you bid farewell to Rwanda, we trust you depart with unforgettable memories and exceptional experiences. This marks the end of our services. Meals: Breakfast
- Meals:
- Breakfast
What Is Included
Included
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- 1 Gorilla permits ($1500), per person to be paid in advance
- 1 Chimpanzee permit, per person
- 1 Golden Monkey permit, per person
- En-route lunches
- Kigali city tour
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Park entrance fee
- Canopy walk
- Services of English speaking driver/guide
- 1 liter bottle of mineral water per day per person during safari.
Not Included
- The package excludes expenses of personal nature like: Air fare
- Visa
- drinks
- laundry
- tips to local guides
- telephone
- porter fee while trekking
- personal insurance
- personal shopping bills and cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the 8 Days Rwanda Primate Adventure Safari cost?
- This safari starts from $5,598 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 8 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?
- Year-round. Kigali sits at altitude and is mild in every month; the long rains fall from March to May.
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