6-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps and Golden Monkeys Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Airport pick-up

Today, you will be picked up from Kigali Airport by a representative of Gorilla Link Tours. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to look through the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. All activities and purchases today are at your own cost.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

Flame Tree Village

• Mid-range hotel located in Kigali

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Transfer to Nyungwe Forest

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species of colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and little-known bird-watching destinations in Africa.

You will have an en route lunch. In the evening, you will settle into your private cottage at Nyungwe Forest Lodge. This luxury lodge is one of the best in Rwanda.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit June to September (Dry weather, best chimp trekking)

High Season June to September (Popular gorilla trekking time in Volcanoes NP)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Nyungwe NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

Show more

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzee tracking

After a very early breakfast, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the 2 groups is 80 individuals. This is an experience you will never forget. After the chimp tracking, you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide.

Optional activity: In the afternoon you can go for East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats. En route, you will have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy. Let us know if you would like to sign up for this activity.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Volcanoes NP

Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to Musanze, close to the beautiful Volcano range. Your lodge is located near the entrance of the national park with an amazing view overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes. From here, you will start your gorilla tracking tomorrow.

You can upgrade to the luxury Virunga Lodge which is one of the most beautiful lodges in the country. It has stunning, beautiful views overlooking the Twin Lakes and Volcanoes NP.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla tracking and Iby’iwacu cultural tour

After breakfast, you will drive to the park office. The head ranger of the Rwanda Development Board will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here, your driver-guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated gorilla groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In the afternoon, you will go to the Ibyiwacu Cultural Village, a non-profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through the provision of conservation incentives. It supports community enterprise development and livelihood-based projects.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Golden monkey tracking - airport transfer

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for golden monkey tracking which is a completely different experience, but just as rewarding. These beautiful, lively creatures are on the endangered species list, and are fascinating to watch as they leap through the vegetation.

Later, you will transfer back to Kigali Airport. Depending on your departure flight, you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history.

Your driver-guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.