Best Tour: 9 days Rwanda primates and wildlife adventure

Trip Overview

The 9 days Rwanda Primates and Wildlife adventure starts and ends in Rwanda. It covers Rwanda’s 3 national parks: Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Akagera National Park. The trip will take you to Volcanoes National Park for double gorilla trekking. While at Volcanoes, you will have fun meeting the mountain gorillas that share 99% of DNA with humans. The trip will continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking. The trip will finally take you to Akagera National Park where you will do afternoon and morning game drives.

Safari Gallery: 9 days Rwanda primates and wildlife adventure

Detailed Itinerary: 9 days Rwanda primates and wildlife adventure

Day 1: Arrival & transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and greeted by our friendly driver guide who will brief you and take you through your trip plan. He will then transfer you to Volcanoes National Park where you will check in at the lodge upon arrival.

You will have lunch and visit the Elen DeGeneres Museum by Diane Fossey for an optional tour. It’s a 20-minute drive from the hiking point to the Elen DeGeneres Museum by Diane Fossey.

Day 2: First Gorilla trekking & canoeing on the twin lakes

On this day, you will have a great time meeting with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park! After a tasty breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge. You will head for a briefing by ranger guides at 7:30 and 8:30 am with a packed lunch. You will start the trek to hunt for the gorillas and after finding them you will spend with them a maximum of 1 hour. This walk can take 4-5 hours depending on where you meet the gorillas. The park is steep, it is a real hike, and being physically fit is recommended. After lunch, you will be taken to visit these two beautiful lakes, explore their beauty, and discover the wonderful adventures on this Canoe ride trip. You will be thrilled by the unique scenery of these impressive blue lakes from their dramatic formation that occurred as a result of Volcanic eruptions, the stunning views of numerous verdant islands within the lake, beautiful highlands, and plantations in the surroundings, and volcanic mountains that stand high from the backdrop.  On your Canoe ride in Twin Lakes, there is also a chance to spot a variety of abundant bird species and learn about the real African rural life as you gently ride passing by the rural villages.

Day 3: Second Gorilla trekking & transfer back to Kigali

On this day, you will have a great time meeting with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park! After a tasty breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge. You will head for a briefing by ranger guides at 7:30 and at 8:30 am with a packed lunch. You will start the trek to hunt for the gorillas and after finding them you will spend with them a maximum of 1 hour. This walk can take 4-5 hours depending on where you meet the gorillas. The park is steep, it is a real hike, and being physically fit is recommended. After trekking, you will return to the lodge for lunch and then transfer back to Kigali.

Day 4: Fly to Nyungwe Forest National Park with a canopy walk

After breakfast, you check out of the lodge and transfer to the airport. You will then fly to Nyungwe Forest National Park with a beautiful scenery. Upon arrival, you will check in at the lodge for relaxation have lunch, and then start a canopy walk in the afternoon. The canopy walk is a guided tour starting from the Uwinka Visitors Centre in Nyungwe Forest with a 30-minute walk via the Igishigishi Trail. The trail begins with a steep slope, but the views atop the canopy make it worth it!

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking

After an early breakfast, we leave for Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest. The forest is rich in botanical diversity and home to 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, and Columbus monkeys with 300 bird species. Your tour guide will transfer you to the briefing area where you will meet your ranger guide and receive a briefing before you start your trek.

After chimp trekking, you will return to the lodge for lunch and have the afternoon at leisure.

Day 6: Fly back to Kigali

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Kigali.

Day 7: Kigali city tour & afternoon walking safari

You will visit to Gisozi genocide memorial museum where you will learn more about the history of the genocide memorial and how it went throughout the country. You will also visit the Belgium museum and learn more about Rwanda’s culture.  After the city tour, you will have lunch and set off for the walking safari. In the afternoon, with the help of your guide, you will visit the local markets.

Day 8: Transfer to Akagera National Park with an evening game drive

Have breakfast check out of the lodge and transfer to Akagera National Park where you will check in at the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you set out for an evening game drive. The game drive will take us to the northern part of the park where most of the animals prefer to inhabit. Look out for the Zebras, Giraffes, and Impalas which are usually scattered along the game tracks.

Day 9: Morning Game drive & transfer to Kigali.

Arise very early with a packed breakfast and set out for the game drive at exactly 6: am. Akagera National Park is a Savannah Park with Elephants, Hippos, Buffaloes, and Lions. After an early breakfast, we take a game drive in search of these animals, the game drive will take us to the northern part of the park where most of the animals prefer to inhabit. Look out for the Zebras, Giraffes, and Impalas, usually scattered along the game tracks.

At exactly 10, you will check out of the lodge with a packed lunch for your transfer back to Kigali for your flight back home.

End of your 9 days Rwanda primates and wildlife adventure!!!

Safari Inclusions

• Transport
• All transfers
• Flight from Kigali to Nyungwe & back
• Accommodation
• Meals
• 2 gorilla permits per person
• 1 Chimpanzee permit per person
• Canopy walk
• Canoeing on Twin Lakes
• All activities stated in the itinerary
• An English-speaking guide

Safari Exclusions

• Air tickets
• Visas
• Tips & gratuities
• Alcoholic drinks
• All items that are not mentioned above