6 Days Rwanda chimpanzee Tracking and Gorilla Trekking is a trek to view mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park and Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Rwanda

Rwanda is a East African landlocked country and for your knowledge, Kigali is its commercial capital. The country is famous for Volcanoes National Park where you can see the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

The size of the country is 26,338 sq kms and the currency you can use is Rwanda francs.

Volcanoes Mountains National Park

Ruhengeri or Musanze is northwest of Rwanda and has Volcanoes National Park. As a result, in this park, you will be able to view mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Therefore, you should know that the park consists of mount Kirisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes. On the outskirts of Musanze town, you can see caves that are filled with bats. On the East, there is Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera.

Additionally, Volcanoes National Park has the most number of mountain gorillas that you can view, living in the Virunga Conservation area.

You can reach the park in around 2 hours and 94 kms away from capital city of Kigali and Kigali International Airport.

Most importantly, you should know Volcanoes National Park is the world’s best gorilla trekking park. The park is 160 sq kms on northern Rwanda.

Initially, you could see a small area that was allocated to protect the Mountain Gorillas. Volcanoes National Park is also part of Virunga Volcano and subsequently Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.

In 1929, Volcanoes national park was extended into Rwanda and Belgian Congo and was named Albert national park. You could see the Belgian Colonial Authorities running and managing it. During the early 1960s, the park was divided as Rwanda and Congo gained their independence. And by the end of that decade, you could see the park was almost half of its original size.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Moreover, you should know that Nyungwe Forest National Park lies in the southwest of Rwanda, partly extending to the border of Burundi. Due to the huge rain forest, you can view many species of chimpanzees, colobus and owl-faced monkeys.

The Canopy Walkway as you can utilize is part of the Igishigishigi Trail. It is a high suspension bridge with views over the valley and surrounding forests. A trail runs to the Kamiranzovu Marsh, where you can see bird life, orchids and waterfall.

6 Days Rwanda chimpanzee Tracking and Gorilla Trekking is a trek in Volcanoes National Park is the world’s best gorilla trekking park and Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The park is 160 sq kms on northern Rwanda.

Overview

Itinerary

Includes

Seasonal Supplements

Day 1

Kigali International Airport to Kigali City

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, meet, greet by your driver/ guide and transfer to hotel in Kigali city.

Overnight

Day 2

Kigali City to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, Kigali City tour which includes Genocide Memorial Museum and other sights.

Later, proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park with en-route visit to Rwanda’s Historic Towns – Nyanza & Butare. The drive is around 5 hours.

Hot lunch at Butare town.

Dinner and overnight

Attractions

Nyanza: King’s Palace (traditional) & National Arts Museum

Butare: National Ethnographic Museum & Rwanda’s oldest National University.

(These two sites give you great insights into Rwanda’s cultural heritage and history – pre & post-colonial era)

Day 3

Chimpanzee Tracking

After breakfast, proceed for morning Chimp Tracking to Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimpanzee Trek permit required).

Return to the camp for hot lunch and relax at the camp.

Later, perform Canopy Adventure Hike – metal bridge 160metres long and 90 metres high, suspended across a forest gorge, giving one a bird’s eye view of the forest canopy and distant hills.

Dinner and overnight

Day 4

Nyungwe Forest National Park to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, proceed for one of the optional activities; Golden Monkey Trek or Waterfalls Hike.

Mid-morning, transfer to Lake Kivu for hot lunch. The drive is around 2 hours.

Later, proceed to Volcanoes National Park. The drive is around 3 hours.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 5

Rwanda Gorilla Trek

After breakfast, proceed for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking to Volcanoes National Park (Gorilla Trek permit required).

Later, return to the hotel for hot lunch.

Alternatively, perform Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village tour (Gorillas Guardians) – for some insights into the transformed lifestyle of these families of former gorilla poachers.

Dinner and overnight

• Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning

• The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way

• An eventually, our experienced trackers, who have spent their entire lives in or close to this forest, soon bring us up close with one of the Gorilla families

• Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical one-hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young;

• Coming face to face with a giant silver-back must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth!

• The Ultimate Experience!!

• A Walking Stick is provided at the start-point – to help steady your trekking;

• Porters are also available – to help carry your water bottle/hand luggage and/or even hold hand in slippery/steep sections. (this is at a minimal charge of US$10 per person, payable at the end)

Day 6

Volcanoes National Park to Kigali

After breakfast, proceed for one of the activities; Rwanda Gorilla Trek to Volcanoes National Park or Golden Monkeys Trek or Dian Fossey Tomb Hike and Visit of her former research station (Gorilla Trek permit required).

Later, return to the hotel for hot lunch. After lunch, head to Kigali City or Kigali International Airport with stopover at Dian Fossey Museum and Foundation in Musanze Town.