5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Trekking

Discover and relish the company of Rwanda’s primates on this 5-day Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee safari with Silverback Gorilla Tour. Enjoy a close meeting with man’s close relatives in their natural habitats and you embrace nature’s beauty. The 5-day Rwanda Gorilla & chimpanzee safari takes you to two of Rwanda’s top tourism destinations on the same trip. Visit Volcanoes National Park home to the endangered mountain gorillas and Nyungwe Forest National Park home to the chimpanzees.

Trek deep into the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park  home to the endangered mountain gorillas and Nyungwe Forest park home to the endangered chimpanzees. The two primates  are the most visited wild animals which bring the highest number of travelers to Rwanda.

An encounter with gorillas and chimpanzees has over the years been rated as the best wildlife experience in the world. The primates share over 98% of human genes making them man’s close relatives.  The adult males vividly guard their family members, adult females nurse and take care of the infants while the juveniles keep their respective families lively and entertained

 

Nyungwe Forest National Park is with no doubt Rwanda’s leading chimpanzee tracking destination, hosting up to 13 primate species which include 500 chimpanzees. The Park sits on 1000sq.km of land in the Southern side of Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills about 6 hours’ drive starting from Kigali Capital. Volcanoes National Park is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area bordered by Virunga National park in Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda

Perched in northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park shelters the most mountain gorillas worldwide. The Bamboo Forest Park shelters over 400 mountain gorillas which is the highest number in the Virunga Conservation Area. The park shares borders with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Volcanoes National Park is therefore the leading gorilla safari destination in the Virunga Massif. A single gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 and it’s the highest compared to Uganda and Congo. Volcanoes National Park is therefore a luxury gorilla safari destination. Still in Volcanoes Park, the 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas safari involves visiting the Gorilla Guardian Village for a cultural experience.

Talking of Nyungwe Forest National Park, It’s the largest Afromontane Forest in East and Central Africa. Located in southwestern Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest is home to a high population of chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. It’s the main destination for the chimpanzee trekking experience.

In addition to the chimpanzees, The 5 days Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee safari offers you an experimental canopy walk for magical aerial views of the Forest, Virunga Volcanoes, and the whole of Rwanda.
The 5 Days Rwanda gorillas & Chimpanzee Safari starts with a

Highlights: Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking

• Day 1: 5 days Rwanda gorilla tour trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking, colobus monkey tracking, or canopy walk
• Day 3: Nyungwe Forest-Volcanoes National Park
• Day 4: Gorilla trekking, cultural visit Ruhengeri/Musanze
• Day 5 of the 5 days: Golden monkey tracking, departure

Detailed itinerary: Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking

Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

The driver guide from Silverback gorilla Tour will pick you from either Kigali Airport or your hotel. After meet and greet, start the drive south westwards  headed to Nyungwe Forest National Park  home to the chimpanzees.  The  6 hours’ drive to in the south rewards you with spectacular views of beautiful rolling hills and the Virunga Volcanoes . You will be visiting remarkable sites en-route including Butare Museum, Nyanza Palace, Murambi memorial, and settled for lunch, then get to check into your lodge for an overnight stay.

Accommodations: Nyungwe Forest Lodge-luxury option, Nyungwe Top View Lodge-moderate/mid-range, Gisakura Guesthouse-Basic/Budget options

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking, colobus monkey tracking, or canopy walk

You will have breakfast early and transfer to Nyungwe offices for a briefing about the dos and don’ts for chimpanzee tracking. At 8:00am, start up a hike into the forest searching for the allocated chimpanzee community. You will encounter several primates such colobus monkey during your trek for the endangered chimpanzees.

The allowed time with chimpanzees is strictly an hour counted from the moment you meet them.  For to the lodge for refreshment and  in the afternoon join the team for a canopy walk experience.  The experience entail walking on a bridge 60 meters above the main Nyungwe Forest. The walk rewards you great aerial views of the entire park and the neighboring communities.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge-luxury option, Nyungwe Top View Lodge-moderate/mid-range, Gisakura Guesthouse-Basic/Budget options

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Following a heavy breakfast, check out and embark on   drive to Volcanoes National park. You will have several stopovers for lunch, refreshment and photography.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Fiver Volcanoes Lodge-luxury options, La Palme Hotel/Le Bambou-midrange/moderate, Muhabura Hotel-basic/budget

Day 4: Gorilla trekking, cultural visit Ruhengeri/Musanze

Breakfast early morning and after drive to Kinigi  park head quarters for registration and briefing on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. Together with seven other travers, you will be allocated on of the 10 gorilla families  to trek. The adventure to meet gorillas begin at 8:00am lasting for between 30 minutes to over 6 hours. However, you are assured of seeing gorillas at the end of the trek.

After meeting gorillas, you are reminded to keep distance, hold you cameras tight and speak with low tone to avoid any inconveniences to the gorillas.  You will spend a maximum of one hour in the presence of the endangered species.  In the for an  evening, go for a cultural to Iby’iwacu cultural village  for an in-depth cultural experience of the Rwandese, their traditions, and great entertainment.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Fiver Volcanoes Lodge-luxury options, La Palme Hotel/Le Bambou-midrange/moderate, Muhabura Hotel-basic/budget

Day 5 : Golden monkey tracking, departure

Early morning hefty breakfast, after, settle at Kinigi to be briefed before hitting the jungles to look for golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Trek through the forest search for golden monkeys, other primates, birds, and floral species for 2-4 hours and settle with golden monkeys upon finding for one hour.

Return afterward to check out of the accommodation, drive back to Kigali for shopping early, and depart from Kigali International Airport.

This marks the end of the 5 days Rwanda gorilla tour in Nyungwe & Volcanoes National Parks.

End of the 5 Days Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking

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Inclusions

• Valid Rwanda gorilla permits
• Golden monkey permits
• Chimp permits
• Canopy walk/colobus monkey tracking
• Cultural visit
• Accommodation 4nights, meals
• Travel in 4WD during the 5 days tour in Rwanda
• Experienced English speaking guide in Rwanda

Exclusions

• Tipping
• Laundry
• Visas
• Shopping
• Beverages
• Cigars
• Insurance

What to carry

• Valid gorilla permit
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Sweater
• Rain jacket
• Gardening gloves
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries
• Daypack
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Snacks
• Bottled water

When is the best  time  to do 5 days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee  Safari

The best time to trek mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the dry/peak season between June  to September and December to February.  The dry season  is best for trekking through the jungle forests searching for the endangered primates.  Forest grounds are normally slippery and muddy during rainy season which make it difficult to trek through

What the age limit for 5 days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee safari

15 years is the minimum age for trekking chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. Travelers are asked for their passports to confirm that they are or the right age.  children aged below 15 years are not allowed to take part in this adventure experience.

What are the addons to primate trekking

In addition to chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, travelers to Rwanda can visit Akagera National Park for game viewing and boat cruising at Lake Ihema. other experiences in Rwanda include golden monkey trekking Dian Fossey graveyard hike, visiting Musanze caves, Bird watching, community tours and walking safaris among others

How to Book the 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Safari

You  can book this 5 Days Rwanda primates safari directly with Rwanda Development Board. Alternatively, you can book through any trusted licensed travel agent offering primate safaris in Rwanda. Silverback Gorilla Tour under Maranatha tours and Travel is one of the reliable travel agencies in Rwanda

What’s the cost of the 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee safari

The cost of the 5 days Rwanda gorillas and chimpanzee safari is not conclusive. However, it includes $1500 for the gorilla permit and $150 for the chimpanzee permit. The other inclusive costs are accommodation, transport, meals, driver guide, government taxes, bottled drinking water among others as mentioned in the itinerary