5 Days Volcanoes and Nyungwe Safari
5 Days Volcanoes and Nyungwe Safari | Rwanda Gorilla Safaris | Rwanda Tours.
This 5 Days Volcanoes and Nyungwe safari combines Rwanda’s two most iconic primate trekking destinations. During this Rwanda safari, you will embark on gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Pickup and drop-off will be in Kigali city, Rwanda’s capital.
Highlights
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Experience
Day 5: Tea Tour and Transfer Back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Pick up from the airport to your hotel in Kigali. After a brief meet-and-greet session, you will enjoy a short tour of Kigali city, where you will be visiting the Genocide Memorial Centre as well as local art galleries and craft markets. Have lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to Volcanoes National Park, which is approximately a 3-hour drive from Kigali.
Check into your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
You will start your day with an early breakfast at your lodge. You will then drive to the park headquarters, where you will be briefed before heading into the forest in search of a gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park can take between 1 and 6 hours or more, depending on their location. Once you have located a gorilla family, you will be given an hour to spend with these majestic creatures before heading back to base. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Musanze or your lodge and rest for a while.
Later in the afternoon, you can head out for a cultural experience at Ibyi’wacu Village, which is situated at the park entrance. Get a chance to learn more about Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage as you interact with the locals, visit the former king’s palace, and watch traditional dance performances from the intore dance troupe.
Head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After having breakfast at your lodge, head out to the park headquarters for a briefing. You will then be placed in a group with fellow trackers (a maximum of 8 members per group) and head out into the forest in search of golden monkeys. Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park can take about 1 to 4 hours, depending on their locations. Once you have located a group, you will get to spend an hour with these playful primates before heading back to base.
Have lunch and then embark on about a 6-hour drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, arriving in the evening. Check into your lodge and relax for the rest of your evening. Dinner will be served at your lodge.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Experience
Start your day very early in the morning and drive to your briefing point. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest starts at 5 am every morning, so you need to be up very early on this day. Trekking can take between 3 and 6 hours or more, depending on the location. Spend an hour with these majestic apes once you have located a group.
Have your packed lunch and then head back to base. You will later embark on a guided hike along the famous canopy walkway bridge. While on the canopy walkway bridge, you will have panoramic views of the forest canopy and also see some primates, like monkeys, if you are lucky. If you wish, you can combine this with a zip line experience.
Later, head back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Tea Tour and Transfer Back to Kigali
Have your breakfast before checking out of your lodge. You will set off back to Kigali with a stopover at Gisakura Tea Estate for a tour of the tea estate as you learn more about how tea in Rwanda is grown, harvested, and processed for home consumption and exportation. Later, have lunch and proceed with your drive to Kigali, where, upon your arrival, you will be dropped off at a hotel of your choice or Kigali International Airport, as you will advise. End of 5 Days Volcanoes and Nyungwe Safari!
