7 Days Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda

7 Days Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda | Big 5, Chimps & Gorillas

Buckle up for a once-in-a-lifetime tour through three of Rwanda’s natural highlights during this 7 Days Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda.

This week of primate and wildlife viewing adventure starts in Kigali and promises the best experiences that the “Land of a thousand Hills” offers.

After exploring the unmissable attractions of Kigali, hit the ground running at the Akagera National Park, one of the finest wildlife-viewing destinations in the country.

Get a close-up experience of local Rwandan culture around Volcanoes National Park for an authentic example of how the people live now compared to the past.

Continue to Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee tracking and end with a bang at the World-renowned Volcanoes National Park, where you will enjoy a face-to-face encounter with mountain gorillas.

Highlights -7 Days Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda

• Spot the rare Giant Apes- mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.
• Spend time with mankind’s closest relatives in the animal Kingdom, chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park.
• See a different side of Rwanda’s landscapes in the verdant Volcanoes, Akagera, and Nyungwe National Parks.
• Spot some or all of the Big Five Game in Akagera National Park.
• Tour Kigali, Rwanda’s dynamic Capital City.

Brief 7 Days Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, optional City Tour.

Day 2: Transfer to the beautiful Akagera National Park, afternoon boat ride along Lake Ihema)

Day 3: Half-day Akagera game viewing experience and Road transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Day 4: Rwanda gorilla tour in Volcanoes National Park, proceed to Lake Kivu.

Day 5: Continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park- relaxed afternoon.

Day 6: Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking tour- tea tour.

Day 7: Departure.

The Detailed 7 Days Rwanda Primates and Wildlife Safari.

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, optional City Tour

Welcome to the beautiful Land of a Thousand Hills! Over the next week, you will not only experience the main highlights but also relish wildlife experiences that exist in this part of the World.

The 7-Day Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda begins with your arrival in the capital, Kigali, with a pick-up from the Airport and transfer to your Hotel in the leafy suburbs of Kigali.

You will check in at the Hotel, and depending on your arrival time, be briefed on this day or tomorrow after resting. You might get a chance to visit the Kigali Genocide Museum before returning to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight accommodation at Hemingways Retreat Kigali (upmarket), Kigali Serena Hotel (midrange), or Flame Tree Village (budget).

Inclusions: Bed and Breakfast.

Exclusions: All meals and drinks.

Day 2: Transfer to the beautiful Akagera National Park, afternoon boat ride along Lake Ihema)

On this day, you are off to one of the safari destinations that only the most intrepid of travelers explore during African safaris.

Your safari guide will pick you up in the morning for the three-hour drive to Akagera National Park.

This 112200-hectare Protected Area lies on the Eastern side of the country and is known for its diverse ecosystems and magical landscapes.

You will arrive at the Lodge in time for lunch and can enjoy your lunch while taking in views of animals just beyond the terrace of the Lodge.

Later, kick off your grand adventure with an afternoon boat ride along Lake Ihema. The boat ride provides visitors with an unparalleled glimpse of the vast herds of elephants along the Banks.

By afternoon, herds of zebras and antelopes join the elephants in the water, where large pods of Hippos also gather along the shores, while lots of bird species, especially African fish eagles, fly over the Lake.

Overnight accommodation at Ruzizi Tented Camp (upmarket), Akagera Game Lodge (midrange), or Karenge Bush Camp (budget).

Inclusions: Full Board meals and drinking water during meals. Some Lodges include house drinks.

Exclusions: All premium brand drinks.

Day 3: Half-day Akagera game viewing experience and Road transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Rise and shine for a half-day of a Big Game viewing safari. The adventure starts at dawn (when animals are most active) and set off in a 4X4 Safari vehicle across the Park’s verdant terrain.

Your safari guide will lead you to sites where wildlife often gather, such as water sources.

And throughout the 3-4-hour drive you will sight most (if not all) of the Big Five Game- Cape buffaloes, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and Rhinos.

Return to the Lodge for a proper breakfast and later head out to Volcanoes National Park. Head on a 5-hour transfer to Northwestern Rwanda to one of the World’s gorilla trekking destinations.

This 16000-hectare National Park is famous for its verdant landscape with the Virunga Volcanoes and being one of the surviving homes to the Giant Apes. Stop for lunch along the way and arrive at the Lodge in the evening in time for dinner and overnight.

Overnight accommodation at The Bishop’s House (upmarket), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (midrange), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget).

Inclusions: Full Board meals and drinking water during meals. Some Lodges include house drinks.

Exclusions: All premium brand drinks.

Day 4: Rwanda gorilla tour in Volcanoes National Park, proceed to Lake Kivu

Buckle up because today, you are off on an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park, where you will get up close and personal with one of the 12 habituated gorilla families.

Volcanoes National Park is dedicated to initiatives that protect the endangered mountain gorillas and as such, it is home to the second largest gorilla Sanctuary in the whole World.

Meet your guide for a transfer to the Park Headquarters for briefing, followed by the search for the allotted gorilla family.

The 1-4-hour gorilla trek culminates with a one-hour encounter with the Giant Apes, which includes watching and taking photos of them.

You have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet mountain gorillas up close and to hear their phenomenal stories from the Rangers who look after and monitor them 24/7.

After your time with mountain gorillas, have lunch at the Lodge and transfer to Lake Kivu.

Overnight accommodation at Rwiza Village or Kivu Lodge

Inclusions: Full Board meals and drinking water during meals.

Exclusions: All other drinks except water provided during meals.

Day 5: Continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park- relaxed afternoon

After an early breakfast, enjoy a morning boat ride on Lake Kivu, then start your transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, to arrive in time for lunch.

The renowned 1000-square-kilometer Nyungwe Forest National Park needs little introduction.

Reliable rains and verdant vegetation underpin this phenomenal ecosystem and the wildlife it supports.

Over 80 mammal species and about 320 bird species call Nyungwe home. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing while taking in stunning views.

Overnight accommodation at One & Only Nyungwe House (upmarket), Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel (midrange), or Uwinka Campsites and Guesthouse (budget).

Inclusions: Full Board meals and drinking water during meals. Some Lodges include house drinks.

Exclusions: All premium brand drinks.

Day 6: Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking tour- tea tour

This 100000-hectare Protected Area is famous with travelers looking to get up close and personal with mankind’s closest relatives in the animal Kingdom.

Guided treks to meet these Great Apes are especially popular and start at 5:00 am or 5:30 am, depending on the chimpanzee community you are scheduled to visit.

Get briefed and start searching for them, and this lasts 1-4 hours, culminating in a one-hour encounter for photography and viewing.

After lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, and in the evening go for the visit to Gisakura tea estate.

Overnight accommodation at One & Only Nyungwe House (upmarket), Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel (midrange), or Uwinka Campsites and Guesthouse (budget).

Inclusions: Full Board meals and drinking water during meals. Some Lodges include house drinks.

Exclusions: All premium brand drinks.

Day 7: Departure

Time flies when you are spending time with the outstanding and endangered primates and wildlife species.

Enjoy breakfast and return overland to Kigali City in a 6-7-hour journey, to connect with your flights home or onward.

If time allows, you can squeeze in one last tour of the genocide Museum (if not done in the beginning).

Our 7-Day Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda includes.

• Gorilla trekking permit/s.
• Park entry fees.
• Chimpanzee trekking permit.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Bottled water.
• Ground transportation with a custom-built safari vehicle, plus fuel.
• Services of an experienced safari guide.
• Village/cultural tours.
• Tea plantation tours.
• 6 nights’ accommodation- 1 night in Kigali, 1 night in/around Akagera, 1 night around Lake Kivu, 2 nights in Nyungwe, and 1 night around Volcanoes National Park.
• Meals as per the itinerary.
• City tour (Genocide Museum)

Our 7-Day Primates and Wildlife in Rwanda excludes;

• Airfares (both domestic and International).
• Visa fees.
• Extra activities not included on the itinerary.
• Laundry services.
• Telephone expenses.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Souvenir shopping.