5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Trekking
The 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Trekking Tour takes you to Rwanda’s best primate destinations. 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
Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe
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
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
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
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
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
