5 Days Encounter with the Rwanda Primates.

This 5 days trip to Rwanda provides an opportune moment to encounter the different primate species in this beautiful country. Rwanda parks are home to different primates including the mountain gorillas commonly known as “The great apes”, golden monkeys, chimpanzees and different monkey species.

Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda are found in the popular Volcanoes national park which lies in the northwestern part of the country sharing borders with Uganda and DR Congo.  This pristine park is home to over a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla species. Volcanoes National Park Comprises fie of the eight Virunga volcanoes namely Mount Bisoke, mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Mount Mhabura and mount Sabinyo.  The park supports various vegetation zones ranging from 2300m to 4000m, including hagenia – hypericum woodlands, sub alpine heather, afro alpine and the dense bamboo forests where golden monkeys are always spotted. Chimpanzees and other 12 primate species are found in Nyungwe forest park, one of the ancient equatorial rain forests in the southern part of Rwanda. Over 500 chimps call this park home. They are found in Nyungwe forest and Cyamudongo forest which comprise this park. Tracking starts at Uwinka or Cyamudongo or Kitabi park centres.

Other primate species in tis park include blue monkeys, mona monkeys, silver monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, the Dent’s monkey, black faced vervet monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, baboons, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Rwenzori colobus, black and white colobus monkeys.

As a nature lover and adventurer, get a perfect experience with a close and personal encoder with Rwanda’s primates in this 5 days safari. The trip starts and ends in Kigali.

Trip highlights

• – Chimpanzee tracking
• – Canopy Walk
• – Gisakura Tea experience
• – Golden monkey tracking

Brief Itinerary of the 5 days encounter with Rwanda’s primates.

• Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park – Canopy walk
• Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Gisakura tea plantation experience
• Day 3: Transfer to volcanoes National Park
• Day 4: Gorilla tracking and Ibyiwacu cultural centre
• Day 5: Golden monkey tracking and return to Kigali.

Trip details of the 5 days encounter with Rwanda’s primates.

Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park – Canopy walk

On arrival, pick up from the airport, drive to a simple restaurant in Kigali for breakfast then proceed to Nyungwe National Park. A brief stop over can be made at Nyanza to have an insight into Rwanda’s monarchical and kingship culture.  On arrival in Nyungwe, check in for lunch, refresh and later go for the canopy walk. Enjoy 2 hours walk on a suspended bridge that provides scenic aerial views of the forest canopy and the distant features like lake Kivu and some parts of Congo. Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Gisakura tea plantation experience

Very early in the morning, set off with your guide to Cyamudongo or Uwinka park centre for briefing and then proceed for the chimpanzee tracking adventure, it’s an activity that may take 3-4 hours as chimps usually move deep into the forest. As you trek, you will luckily spot different monkey species. On encounter, you are allowed to stay in their presence for only one hour. Later drive back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon visit Gisakura tea plantation to learn about tea growing, harvesting and processing for consumptions (farm- to -cup tea experience). Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

On day 3 of the 5 days trip to encounter Rwanda’s primates, transfer to Volcanoes National Park with scenic stop overs for lunch and photography   in areas around Lake Kivu. Arrival will be in the evening hours. Check in, relax, have dinner and night stay.

Day 4: Gorilla tracking and Ibyiwacu cultural centre

Arise for an early morning breakfast. With your packed lunch/snacks, drive to Kinigi Park headquarters for briefing about the day’s primate encounter (gorilla tracking). with the leadership if park guides and rangers, the activity, takes 2-5 hours depending on the location of the gorillas.  One hour is allowed in presence of the gorillas and later return to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Ibyiwacu cultural centre to know more about Rwanda’s culture and tradition. this will be through traditional folklore, songs, dances, craft work and other cultural exhibitions. Dinner and over night at the accommodation.

Day 5: Golden monkey tracking and return to Kigali.

on the last day of you 5 days Rwanda primates encounter safari, wake up to an early morning breakfast, head back to Kinigi park centre for briefing about golden monkeys. These monkeys are always spotted in the bamboo forested zones. After tracking, return to the lodge for lunch, check out and return to Kigali. drop off will be either at your desired hotel in Kigali or at the airport.

End of the 5 days encounter with Rwanda primates.

Safari inclusions

• Gorilla Trekking permit
  • Chimpanzee Trekking permit
  • Canopy Walk
  • Relevant Government Taxes
  • Full Board Accommodation
  • Full-time English-speaking Driver/Guide
  • Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari vehicle and fuel
• Gisakura Tea plantation Visit
• Enroute meals
• Airport transfers (pick up and drop off) if your flight is on the last day of the safari.

Exclusions:
• Airfares, Visa Fees, Personal Insurance
• Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.