5-day Rwanda wildlife and Primate Safari
per person
This 5-day Rwanda wildlife and Primate Safari offers exciting activities, focusing on gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park. The tour includes chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park. Participants will also experience golden monkey trekking, a cultural visit, and a tour of Kigali city. While the tour does not cover Akagera National Park, visitors can add it for a longer safari and standard game drive if they wish.
Nyungwe National Park is known as the primate capital of Rwanda, home to 13 primate species, including golden monkeys and chimpanzees. It features one of the largest afro-montane forests, with key activities like chimpanzee trekking and a forest canopy walk. Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most popular tourist destination, famous for its connection to Dian Fossey, who researched and helped protect mountain gorillas in the 1960s. Visitors can see about 350 mountain gorillas each year, and activities include gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, visiting Fossey’s tomb, exploring the Musanze caves, hiking the Virunga Volcanoes, and visiting a cultural center.
At the end of this 5-day Rwanda wildlife and Primate Safari, travelers will see Rwanda’s main national parks, explore Kigali, and visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre. The tour begins and ends in Kigali.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Pick up from Kigali – Transfer to Nyungwe forest
- Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking – Canopy Walk in Nyungwe forest
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Visit the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking – Tour the Iby’iwacu cultural village
- Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking – Departure
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali – Transfer to Nyungwe forest
Our company guide will pick you up at the airport or your hotel in the morning to start the safari. After a quick briefing, the driver will take you on a 2-hour tour of Kigali, a well-organized city in Africa. You will visit the Genocide Memorial Centre, the former president’s palace, the main city market, and artisan shops. After the city tour, you will travel to Nyungwe Forest, which takes about 5 hours by road. The driver will stop at important places along the way, including the former king’s palace, and lunch will be at a hotel or restaurant during the trip.
Accommodation: One and Only Nyungwe / Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range), and Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Meal Plan: Lunch and Breakfast
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking – Canopy Walk in Nyungwe forest
Wake up early and have breakfast before heading to the Nyungwe forest offices for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. The briefing includes information about the forest’s history, wildlife, what to expect, and how to prepare. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda lasts between 2 and 6 hours, guided by experienced Rangers. While looking for chimps, you may also see 12 other species of primates, although golden monkeys are difficult to spot. Park Guides will provide details about the forest and wildlife. After tracking, return to your lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, enjoy the forest canopy walk, one of East Africa’s first, offering aerial views of the park and chances to see butterflies, birds, and trees. Expect to end the day tired but happy from your wildlife experiences. Be sure to ask many questions during your time with park officials.
Accommodation: One and Only Nyungwe / Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Mid-range), and Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Meal Plan: Lunch and Breakfast
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Visit the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
Wake up at your time of convenience, have breakfast, and check out. The driver will pick you up for a journey to the Volcanoes National Park, passing by beautiful Lake Kivu. Take many photos of the lake along the way. Enjoy the lovely Rwandan countryside and have lunch during the trip. After reaching the park, check in and rest before visiting the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. If there’s time, consider taking a boat to visit the islands or watch birds.
Accommodation: Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), and Hotel Muhabura (Budget).
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla trekking – Tour the Iby’iwacu cultural village
Briefing for gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park starts at 7:00 am. Wake up early, have breakfast, and go to the park headquarters in Musanze. Ask your hotel to pack lunch and drinking water for you. During the briefing, you will learn about the rules of gorilla trekking, what to expect, and information about the animals in the park. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda, and you will be assigned to one based on your fitness and age. Tracking gorillas can take between 2 to 6 hours. Follow your guide’s instructions, stay calm, and take photos during your one hour with the gorillas.
After observing the primates for one hour, return to the starting point where the company guide will be waiting. Have lunch at the hotel and rest. In the evening, visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village, now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village. Originally a marketplace for former poachers to sell their crafts, it now showcases cultural performances. Enjoy traditional dances and explore the facility to learn about the diverse cultures of the different tribes in Rwanda.
Accommodation: Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), and Hotel Muhabura (Budget).
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking – Departure
Wake up early, have breakfast, and go to the park offices in Kinigi. Meet other travelers for the briefing on the golden monkey trekking. After the briefing, park guides will lead you to search for the monkeys in the bamboo forests. This activity takes about 4 hours, shorter than gorilla trekking. Golden monkeys are cute but endangered, found only in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. They are playful and comfortable with flash cameras. After visiting the monkeys, return to find your driver waiting to take you back to the hotel for checkout and then to Kigali. The journey to Kigali takes 2 to 3 hours, ending at the airport or your hotel.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch
5-day Rwanda wildlife and Primate Safari Includes and Excludes
Inclusions:
- All Airport transfers, including pick-ups and drop-offs
- All ground transport in a 4×4 safari van
- A Private company English-speaking guide
- Fuel for your entire trip
- 1 Golden monkey trekking permit per person
- 1 Chimpanzee trekking permit per person
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person
- All park Entrance fees
- Visiting the Gorilla Guardians village
- Drinking water and en route lunch
- Full Board accommodation for 4 nights
- Kigali city tour
Exclusions
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Visa Ticket
- Air Ticket
- Extra activities and not mentioned in the itinerary
- Alcoholic and soft drinks such as soda, wine, juice etc.
- Extra meals
- Personal expenses such as laundry services, tips, souvenirs, phone charges, etc.