The 6 days tour will take you to Nyungwe National park in South West of Rwanda. The natural forest is renowned for its large troops of colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, butterflies and a rich variety of orchids. It is also a habitat for over 300 bird species. You will also visit cultural sites en route – the Museum in Butare and the palace at Nyanza.
Parc National des Volcans (PNV) is in the north of Rwanda where about 360 mountain gorillas live. There are four habituated gorilla families. You can track gorillas, climb the Visoke volcano, track the golden monkeys or visit the local villages, or the Karisoke Research Centre, which Dian Fossey; the famous primatologist set up. The tour starts and ends in Kigali.
DAY 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
Upon arrival at Kigali airport, you will meet your tour guide, and depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park. Enroute, make stops at places of interest including local markets and the traditional palace of Rwanda’s Former King in Nyanza. Dinner and Overnight at Gisakura Guest House / Nyungwe forest lodge.
DAY 2: Nyungwe National Park (Birding /Nature walk)
After early break fast, take a guided nature walk (with packed lunch and water) to see some of the 300 bird species in Nyungwe forest; the birders paradise, which include the Rwenzori turaco and black and white casqued hornbill, the great blue Turaco and, paradise flycatcher, long-tailed blue, orange and white bird, and the forest hornbills. Proceed with an escorted forest walk in search of primates such as the chimpanzees, the handsome L’Hoest’s monkey, the endangered golden monkeys, strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola Colobus, vervet monkeys, Silver Monkey, Hamlyn’s Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Olive Baboon, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and so on. Return late afternoon for dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House / Nyungwe forest Lodge.
DAY 3: Nyungwe Forest N.P – Kigali – PNV
Drive back to Kigali after breakfast; stop over in Butare town; visit the Botanical Gardens and cultural museum. Arrive in Kigali City by lunch time. Afterwards drive northwards to Kinigi via Ruhengeri. Enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. Dinner and overnight Mountain Gorilla’s Nest / Kinigi guest house.
DAY 4: A Day for life changing event (Gorilla tracking)
Wake up early for breakfast and prepare for this incredible experience. After the briefing from the authorities of the park at Kinigi, you will set off for the trekking into the tropical rain forest with packed lunch and water, searching for the habituated gorilla family. Gorilla tracking 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 and apes is well worth the effort.
In the course of searching for the Mountain Gorillas, you will be exposed to excellent birding and primates such as the Golden Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black and White colobus monkey, and giant forest hogs among others. You will stay with mountain gorillas for one hour for observation and photography.
Picnic return to the lodge for a rest, dinner and overnight
DAY 5: Parc National des Volcans
After early breakfast, you can choose what to do from the following activities; go for a gorilla tracking (on payment of gorilla permit supplement at time of booking) or trek to Karisoke Research Centre which Dian Fossey; the famous primatologist set up, or climb the awesome Visoke volcano, or track the golden monkeys or visit local communities.
All meals at Mountain Gorilla’s Nest / Kinigi guest house.
DAY 6: Departure
Picnic drive back to Kigali for your flight back home.
END OF THE TOUR
The tour quotation Includes:
– Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking permits
– Ground transport in a comfortable 4WD safari van equipped for game viewing, photography and touring
– Full board accommodation
– All park entrance fees to include government taxes
– Full time English speaking professional driver/guide
– All tour activities as detailed in the itinerary
– Bottled water while on safari
– Airport transfers
The tour quotation excludes:
– Laundry services
– International flights
– Items of a personal nature
-Optional activities and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary