This 8 days Nyungwe and volcanoes national park safari will give you the chance to visit the primate hub of Rwanda where you will get to participate in chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda where you will access the endangered primate species, you will also get the opportunity to participate in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park which will lead you to the endangered mountain gorillas in the country. There are a number of different activities that you will get to participate in that will make your Rwanda safari experience quite memorable, which can be seen below;
Highlights of your 8 days Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park safari.
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk.
Day 3: Isumo waterfalls hike and a guided nature walk
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes NP
Day 5: Golden monkey trekking
Day 6: Mount Bisoke hike
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Day 8: Dian Fossey Museum visit and transfer back to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
In the morning, you will be picked by the driver from your hotel in Kigali and drive southwards to Nyungwe Forest National Park. On reaching, you will either opt to participate in a cultural tour or relax at your hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Gisakura guest house (budget)
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk.
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3 hours. On finding them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos. You will then return to your hotel to freshen up, have lunch then check out and later in the afternoon participate in After lunch, you will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk-a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees. You will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you there after connect to your accommodation to spend the evening at leisure Nyungwe top hill view hotel (mid-range accommodation) Gisakura visitor center(budget)
Day 3: Isumo waterfalls hike and a guided nature walk
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, connect to the park and participate in the Isumo waterfalls hike. The Isumo waterfalls trail is the beautiful gem that is hidden within the dense rain forest that is the Isumo waterfalls. On reaching the end of the trail, every tourist’s jaw will drop with the beauty that is hidden within the park, the waterfalls can be seen passing through a narrow gorge but the sights and sounds of the water waking its way through the gorge will make you relax and will want to see more and more of the nature thrilling views. After the hike head back to you hotel for relaxation and in the afternoon take part in the guided nature walk which will lead you to a number of hidden attractions in the wild like the different primate species, exceptional views of the tree benches, numerous bird species for an amazing safari experience.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes NP
Have breakfast and connect to have the cultural experience offered by the park, get to interact with the local community around the park and exit the park to connect to Volcanoes National Park via Kigali. You will have lunch from Kigali and continue to Ruhengeri town for the night in anticipation for the gorilla trek the following day. Dinner and overnight will be at the selected lodge of accommodation. Hotel muhabura(budget) Da Vinci hotel(mid-range)
Day 5: Golden monkey trekking
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the habituated golden monkey troop, you will see a number of primate species like dent’s monkey, vervet monkey and the black and white colobus monkeys among other monkey species swinging in the tree branches as you get to the habituated golden monkey troop, you will have the chance to see a number of rewarding aspects of the golden monkeys observing a number of features that you will find fascinating about the primates for instance their feeding patterns, the co-existence with one another among other memorable aspects. At the climax of your time with the golden monkeys, you will take pictures with and after you will transfer back to your park headquarters, where you will be transferred back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Mount Bisoke hike
Have early breakfast and set off by 7:30 am for a briefing at the Volcanoes National Park Offices, then head to the trail head by vehicle and start your hike. This is because the trailhead is situated in a distance away from the park offices, it is advisable to hire a porter to help you carry heavy backpack or camera and a walking stick is provided by the park authorities. The actual hike starts at 8:00 am and it takes approximately 4 to 6 hours to completely hike Mount Bisoke, on reaching the summit you will be welcomed by magnificent view of the Crater Lake on top of the Volcano. From the summit, you will enjoy magnificent views of other Virunga ranges of mountains, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park in DR.Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains. Once you are done taking in the amazing views, you will head back to your lodge for an afternoon of rest, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel you will make your way to participate in gorilla trekking which will give you the chance to watch a number of rewarding features of the primates in the wild which will give you an amazing safari experience exploring the primates in their natural habitat. After the safari experience, you will make your way back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay at hotel
Day 8: Dian Fossey Museum visit and transfer back to Kigali
Dian Fossey Hike & Departure: After breakfast, set out to your 2-hour drive to Kigali with an enroute Dian Fossey museum visit where you will spend about 2 hours learning about the famous gorilla lady with artifacts that belonged to her along with an impression of the Virunga ranges. This is a thrilling walk through the museum. Connect back to Kigali for lunch and if you have more time you may visit the Kimironko market to purchase some local souvenirs for the people back home and also get to interact with the community.
Drop Off: You will be dropped off at your agreed location in Kigali which will mark the end of your 8 days Nyungwe and volcanoes national park safari
Quotation Includes:
- Airport Pick up and drop off
- Gorilla tracking permit
- Golden monkey permit
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Boat cruise
- Vehicle entrance fees
- Game viewing in 4WD Safari VAN with pop up roof.
- Full time English speaking Professional Safari Guide/Driver.
- All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water while on safari.
Not included:
- International airfares.
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, email, laundry, beverages or meals not indicated in the itinerary, Portage and wait staff gratuity.
