8-Day Rwanda Primate Tracking Safari

Breakfast at the Hotel followed by City Tour and the Genocide Memorial Museum ; enjoy Lunch at a Local Restaurant in Kigali. Thereafter depart on a scenic drive to the Volcanoes National park. The journey north passes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape and gradually climbs to the base of the Virunga Volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible.

Today you will have the rare opportunity to observe the famous Rwandan mountain gorillas (subject to gorilla permits being available). Tracking the gorillas through the forested slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch. Some gorilla families, however, are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Return to the Lodge for Lunch followed by Leisure in the afternoon.

After morning breakfast, you will depart for Golden Monkeys Trekking to observe the famous Rwandan mountain. Enjoy Lunch at The Lodge before you depart from foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes and drive to the ‘beach city’ of Kibuye, the capital of the Western Province of Rwanda, home to rocky beaches, peaceful islands.

After early morning breakfast you will check out from your Lodge and drive to Nyungwe National Park. At an altitude of 1600-2950m above sea level, this mountainous rain forest reserve is rich in flora and fauna, with over 260 species of trees and shrubs, and over 100 types of orchid and giant lobelia alone. As well as incredible biodiversity, the park also has breathtaking views. Arrive at the Lodge for Lunch followed by optional Canopy Walk in the Afternoon.

Have morning breakfast at your lodge and then embark to a thrilling hike in search of chimpanzee communities. The Rwandan chimpanzee population is thought to consist of approx. 400-500 individuals, confined to the Nyungwe National Park, including a small community in the Cyamudongo Forest. Prepare to hear these excitable primates before you see them, as their pant-hoots travel through the deep forest. During your hike you may also spot migratory birdlife including the Ross’ turaco, grey-cheeked hornbill, red-breasted sparrow hawk and regal sunbird. After lunch, spend the afternoon at leisure making use of lodge facilities, or explore the surrounding area.

After an early morning breakfast at your lodge before embarking on a thrilling hike in search of Colobus Monkeys communities. During your hike you may also spot migratory birdlife including the Ross’ turaco, grey-cheeked hornbill, red-breasted sparrow hawk and regal sunbird. After lunch, spend the afternoon at leisure making use of lodge facilities, or explore the surrounding area.

After breakfast, drive to Butare, the cultural heart of Rwanda and home to the former Mwami Palace (King’s Palace), as well as several universities. Also visit the Butare National Museum – a fascinating ethnographic museum containing items of traditional clothing, maps, photographs and historical artefacts. After lunch at a local restaurant in Butare, continue on to Kigali where on arrival you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport.