6-Day Great Apes of Rwanda Gorilla And Chimp Trekking
A 6-Day Great Apes of Rwanda Gorilla And Chimp Trekking | Volcanoes & Nyungwe. This 6-day Rwanda safari combines gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park, typically starting and ending in Kigali. Highlights include witnessing endangered mountain gorillas, tracking chimps in ancient forests, and a Kigali City Tour.
Greetings from Rwanda! This 6-Day Great Apes of Rwanda gorillas and chimpanzees covers two incredible species in a span of six days. Learn about the endangered mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park, which is named after the Virunga Massif, a sequence of dormant volcanoes. Navigate the verdant rainforest in search of these amazing animals, keeping an ear out for the melodies of the many birds and the uncommon golden monkeys.
After this, you’ll go to Nyungwe Forest to follow the chimpanzees as they forage. Once you find the chimpanzees, you’ll spend an hour immersed in their natural habitat, listening to their calls and seeing how they interact among their families.
A Detailed 6-Day Great Apes of Rwanda Gorilla And Chimp Trekking
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
Upon your arrival in Kigali, a local representative will meet you to introduce you to your guide and provide you with a travel briefing. You will be transferred to your hotel, and then you are free to spend the afternoon there.
Overnight in Four Points by Sheraton Kigali
Day 2: Kigali to Ruhengeri
The Genocide Museum will be included on your morning tour of Kigali City.
Following a meal at a nearby eatery. The journey from Kigali to Ruhengeri, the starting point for gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcans, is a beautiful drive westward. There are only around 350,000 people living in this tiny town, which is approximately 25 kilometres from the Ugandan border. Ruhengeri is a picturesque town renowned for its welcoming locals and Belgian history; it boasts breathtaking views of the neighbouring volcanoes.
Overnight in Gorilla Mountain View Lodge
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in the Parc National des Volcans
You will be transported to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for your briefing following an early morning breakfast at the resort. Safety of guests and conservation of mountain gorillas are of the highest importance, hence park staff pick daily which group of gorillas visitors will go see. There are a maximum of eight trekkers permitted to visit each group of gorillas, and there are only ninety-six permits issued each day. Each visitor will be briefed on proper behaviour to observe when interacting with the gorillas once their group has been assigned.
The amount of time spent trekking can range from two to six hours, with guides taking frequent pauses and offering photo opportunities along the way. The exact duration depends on whether the gorillas have relocated throughout the night. You will get the opportunity to view and photograph the gorillas as they interact within their family groupings once you locate them. For some, this up-close interaction with wild animals is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If time permits, you will have lunch at the resort and then, if possible, explore the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.
Overnight in Gorilla Mountain View Lodge
Day 4: Nyungwe National Park
Get some breakfast and then head out on the road to Nyungwe National Park, making a pit stop in Kibuye for lunch.
Spectacular in beauty, Nyungwe is home to a wide variety of animals and plants and is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. A tiny population of chimpanzees is among the thirteen primate species that make this area home. Although chimpanzee tracking is the major attraction, you might want to prolong your visit to fully experience the one-of-a-kind ambiance and walk around the forest on one of the fifteen paths that wind through it.
Overnight in Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trek in Nyungwe National Park
You will embark on a trek into Nyungwe Forest, a habitat to a large chimpanzee population, following an early morning meal at the resort. In Nyungwe Forest, you can see these rescued monkeys in their native environment; they are very related to people. Ruwenzori turacos, Ross’s turacos, Grey-cheeked hornbills, Regal sunbirds, Red-throated alethes, and more than 275 migratory and native bird species call the forest home.
Once you’ve finished your walk, return to the resort for some downtime and lunch. This afternoon is at your leisure. You can relax at the lodge or venture out into the jungle to see the Colobus monkeys, take a canopy walk, or see the Kamiranzovu waterfall.
Overnight in Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Day 6: Nyungwe Forest to Kigali
Your five-hour drive back to Kigali will begin after breakfast at the lodge. From there, you can connect with your next adventure. Consider extending your Rwandan adventure by staying at Lake Kivu or going on a safari in Akagera National Park. Or, for a last-minute beach getaway, visit the stunning island of Zanzibar.
End of the 6-Day Great Apes of Rwanda Gorilla And Chimp Trekking