Start/End: Kigali

Duration: 6 Days

Activity: Gorilla Trekking, Golden monkey expeditions, Primate walks, cultural encounters

Destinations: Nyungwe forest park, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park

TOUR DESCRIPTION

Our 6 days Rwanda Safari begins from Kigali city where you get to visit some of the places around like the local markets, king’s palace and museums. Then head to Nyungwe forest national Park for a guided Chimpanzee walk in the forest to see a variety of animals and some of the three hundred bird species. Nyungwe is one of the World’s most beautiful and pristine mountain rain-forests and apart from chimp walks, you can enjoy hiking and canopy walks.

This budget safari also takes you to Kibuye for the stunningly beautiful Lake Kivu, and can get to relax at the beach as you enjoy the view. Later you will head to Parc de Volcanoes for Gorilla trekking and golden monkey expeditions. Rwanda is among the three countries which are lucky to have the endangered mountain gorillas. After the trekking the safari ends in Kigali city with a drop off at the airport.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Kigali International Airport

Nyungwe forest park

Lake kivu

Volcanoes National Park (Parc De Volcanoes)

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel or place of residence and drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. It’s a 5 hours’ journey so your guide will make stops on the way at places of interest including local markets, the traditional palace of Rwanda’s Former King in Nyanza. Visit the Botanical Gardens in Butare and a cultural museum before going for Lunch. In the afternoon drive past green fields of tea scattered across the hillsides and the small wooden houses unique to the areas surrounding Nyungwe Forest.

Accommodation at Gisakura Guest House (Standard)

Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Nyungwe Forest National park

Early morning, a guided Chimpanzee walk in the forest to see a variety of animals and some of the three hundred bird species found here, which include the Rwenzori Turaco and black and white casqued hornbill. Go on an escorted walk in search of large groups of colobus monkeys – sometimes as many as 400 in a group. Return late afternoon back to your lodge.

Accommodation at Gisakura Guest House (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Nyungwe Forest to Kibuye

Today drive via Kibuye on the stunningly beautiful Lake Kivu to Gisenyi; through a beautiful countryside, crossing valleys full of agricultural produce. Kibuye which is one of the three resort towns on Lake Kivu is the most beautiful, arriving at lunch time. After Nyungwe, most participants will welcome that relaxing moments on the shores of Lake Kivu! Take a boat out on the lake to see the various islands. Swim in the refreshing, bilharzias-free waters of the Lake or stroll about in the nearby villages rambling across a number of hills. Rest of the day at leisure. Lake Kivu is unique: Its deep waters contain an enormous quantity of dissolved gas. There are, in fact, 65 billion cubic meters of methane, in other words the equivalent of 50 million tons of petrol lying at the bottom of the lake under 250m of water. If it were exploited, this energy, veritable manna from heaven, would provide Rwanda with an almost inexhaustible source of energy, freeing it from worry about energy needs linked to its development projects. There is a pilot station for the extraction of methane for energy in this place.

Accommodation at Bethanie Guest house (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Lake Kivu to Parc des Volcanoes

Return to Kigali or pass via Gisenyi to Ruhengeri. Drive north to Kinigi via Ruhengeri. Enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. (Approximate driving time: 6 hours)

Accommodation at Kinigi Guest House (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Parc National des Volcanos (Volcanoes national park)

Transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters for gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcanos. Trekking through the forest, hills and swamps can be tough, arduous and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. But coming face to face with the great primates is well worth the effort.

Accommodation at Kinigi Guest House (Standard)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner

Day 6: Parc National des Volcanos – Kigali

Track the golden monkeys thereafter your lunch, return to Kigali and later be transferred to airport for your flight. (Approximate driving time: 2hrs)