Trip overview
7 Days Rwanda primates safari offer you lifetime gorilla trekking in Volcanoes, Chimpanzee watching in Nyungwe Forest and golden monkey trekking experiences!. The 7 Days Rwanda primates safari take you to explore 2 top National parks in Rwanda . Visit Volcanoes National park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas & golden monkeys located in North western Rwanda. The park is home to over 450 mountain gorillas which is the highest number of gorillas in the Virunga Massif shared by Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Virunga National Park. Gorilla trekking is the most done travel activity which attract a high number of travelers to Volcanoes National park. Travelers visiting gorillas in Volcanoes Park are required to have valid permits each bought at $1500 to allow you spend an hour with the gorillas. Still in Volcanoes National park, enjoy guided treks to see the lively golden monkeys which call this jungle forest home. Volcanoes National park is the only place to see golden monkeys in Rwanda while the other population live in Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda.Rwanda Development Board has habituated two golden monkey communities to ease trekking experience in Volcanoes National park. The other tourist activities done in Volcanoes National park include bird watching (180 bird species), nature walking, volcano climbing (Karisimbi & Bisoke), cultural tours, Musanze caves, Dian Fossey graveyard hike and visiting the twin lakes. The 7 Days primates safari also takes you to Nyungwe Forest National park, home to the endangered chimpanzees located in south western Rwanda. Enjoy a trek to meet up with chimpanzees which share over 98% of human genes making them man;s close relatives. Spend an hour with chimpanzees in their communities, enjoy their human like characters and have fun. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest is complemented by canopy walk which offers you great aerial views of the forest and the neighboring attractions. Other things to do in Nyungwe Forest include bird watching (300 bird species), nature walks, waterfall hiking and colobus monkey trekking. Volcanoes National Park is roughly 3 hours drive from Kigali International Airport while Nyungwe Forest is roughly 5 hours drive from kigali. The packing list for both experiences include hiking boots/shoes, rain jackets, gardening gloves, hats, scarfs, log pants, long sleeved shirts, bottled drinking water, first aid kit, toiletries, and walking stick among others. Relax on the sandy beaches of Lake Kivu at Nyamirundi island to make this whole package more fun The 7 Days Rwanda primates safari starts and ends in Kigali guided by Lets Go Tours Rwanda.
Trip Summary
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 2: Chimps Tracking and Canopy Walk
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’wacu Cultural Center
Day 5: Golden Monkeys and Visit to Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 7: Nyamirundi Island and Departure
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
On your arrival at Kigali International Airport, our company tour guide will welcome you and transfer you to Nyungwe forest NP; driving south east, en route, visit the Murambi genocide memorial site, Nyanza King’s palace. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Lodge (Midrange) and Gisakura Hotel (Budget).
Day 2: Chimps Tracking and Canopy Walk
After breakfast, you will assemble at the Nyungwe Forest Park offices to be briefed on the chimpanzee tracking expedition. Expect to view other wildlife species like velvert monkeys, baboons, among others during this search; enjoy an hour with the chimpanzees observing their behavior before retrieving to the starting point for your return to the lodge. In the afternoon, engage in a guided Canopy walk (and it’s not for the light hearted). Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Lodge (Midrange) and Gisakura Hotel (Budget).
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Have breakfast and proceed with a road trip to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze province. En route; enjoy the beautiful views of the rolling hills and green vegetation. Dinner and overnight at The Garden Place (Budget), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’wacu Cultural Center
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and assemble at the Kinigi park head offices by 7:00am for morning briefing on the trekking guidelines before taking onto your adventurous expedition. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to several hours to encounter the mountain gorillas; but once got, enjoy an hour with them before retrieving to the starting point (for Certificates of Participation) before retrieving your lodge. Later in the afternoon, head out for the Iby’wacu Cultural tour for a clearer understanding of the Rwandese Culture. Dinner and overnight at The Garden Place (Budget), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 5: Golden Monkeys and Visit to Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
Have an early morning breakfast and retrieve the Kinigi park offices by 7:00am for morning briefing on the golden monkey tracking code of conduct. Unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys exist in large families and can be seen jumping from one tree branch to another; playing and looking for food. You are granted an hour with the playful creatures before returning to your lodge, have lunch and in the afternoon, take a walk to the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Dinner and overnight at The Garden Place (Budget), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Enjoy your morning coffee and get ready for a road trip to Lake Kivu; driving south east of Rwanda, you will take in the beautiful views of the rolling hills of the country side in thick green vegetation, en route stop over at the Nyanza King’s Palace and Murambi Genocide Memorial Site among others, bringing you to Lake Kivu shores in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena hotel (Luxury), Palm gardens resort (Midrange), Paradise Marahide (Budget)
Day 7: Nyamirundi Island and Departure
Have breakfast and embark on a morning boat ride to Nyamirundi Island – a coffee making island and later return to your lodge and set off for Kigali for drop off at either a hotel or airport for departure flight.
End of the 7 Days Rwanda primates tour
What is included
– Our Quotes offered in USD
– Full Board Accommodation
– Bottled Mineral water
– All meals on safari
– Chimpanzee permit
– Canopy walk
– Gorilla Permits
– Boat Ride along Lake Kivu
– 4×4 safari vehicle with driver/guide
– Park Entrance fees
– Genocide memorial site tour
What is excluded
– Visas
– International / domestic Flights
– Alcoholic beverages
– Tipping
– Laundry
About Rwanda Gorilla & Primates Safari
Rwanda is one of the most rewarding spots to explore while visiting Africa mostly because of her popular sought after mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes national park. Rwanda tours
The country offers you a guarantee to come face-to-face with families of man’s closest relative sharing 98% DNA
The country is one of Africa’s fast growing economies, making bold decisions and ambitious plans to transform its self into a hotspot destination in Africa.
Apart from gorilla tours, Rwanda offers chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park – one of the largest unspoiled montane rainforest in Africa, visit Kigali’s bustling markets, Gisozi genocide museum – a wealth of history, savannah wildlife viewing in Akagera national park and finally relax at the shores of lake Kivu after your gorilla trek.
Rwanda has a generally pleasant whether all year-round owing to her altitude. The country has two dry seasons between June-September and December-February are said to be the best times to travel there, but the two rainy seasons — March-May and October-November are also pleasant and green
How to Prepare for your gorilla tour
Carry plenty of water since you will be hiking on high altitudes have about 4 liters at least, snacks, bug spray like Deet 30, a light rain jacket, and go for the walking stick given at the briefing point.
Dress in long socks to tuck in your pants
Hire a porters to help carry your pack as well as a way to support the local community
Carry some shall bills and id possible some local currency (shillings) for tipping / gratitude. Carry recent dollars from 2013 and in good conditions without rips or old edges
Porters, rangers, guards and the rest of other staff are usually tipped $5 – $15 Per Person
For visitors very unfit, you have an option to be carried unto the gorillas and can negotiate the rates with the porters going to carry you. In addition, you can inform your tour operator to inform the park about your situated and they organize accordingly.
Please note, to trek gorillas successfully, you need to be fit, or an active person and not necessarily very fit.
Facts about Mountain Gorillas
As their name defines, mountain gorillas live high in the steep mountain forests. gorilla trek BwindiAs their name defines, mountain gorillas live high in the steep mountain forests. They live at elevations of up to 8,000 to 13,000 feet (1,500m- 4000m).
They live at elevations of up to 8,000 to 13,000 feet (1,500m- 4000m).
Please note that, In all 3 different national parks where gorillas are located, there are families which live on the lower elevation and those found in the middle and those located much higher.
This gives opportunity to all all types of travelers to fulfill a life long dream of trekking mount gorillas and meeting our relatives.
Mountain gorilla live in families/ groups/ tribes of 10 and above members headed by a silverback gorilla which is a oldest male gorilla in the gorilla with a silverback.
Over 1006 mountain gorillas are surviving in central and East Africa gorilla trek Bwindi in Uganda – Bwindi forest and Mgahinga national parks, Rwanda – Volcanoes national park and Democratic Republic of Congo – Virunga national park
With each year, the numbers are growing thanks to the dedicated conservation team, and the tourists who fund the conservation projects through purchase of gorilla permits
Gorillas are identifies apart by their nose prints. For trackers who watch over them each day, they easily identify them and give them names.
All gorilla tours are guided by well trained professional park guides, ready to answer all your questions! All groups of 8 tourists who set out to trek for a gorilla family are escorted.