Hooves of Africa - Photo Safaris

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$2,497 pp (USD)

2 travelers   on   Start date
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Age at the end of the tour
*This tour does not accept children under 15.
Travelers

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Pick up and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park

Pick up and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park

Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Kigali and enjoy a road trip -journey, marvel at the ever-changing landscapes—rolling hills, terraced farmland, and vibrant local villages—as you make your way to Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Upon arrival, check into your lodge on the western edge of Nyungwe Forest, an idyllic spot that offers incredible access to the forest's rich biodiversity.

Nyungwe is home to 12 primate species, including over 500 chimpanzees, as well as elusive black-and-white colobus monkeys, playful Hamlyn’s monkeys, and rare L’hoest monkeys. The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 300 species of Afro-tropical birds, including 16 Albertine Rift endemics—a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

Settle into your lodge for a delicious dinner and unwind, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest, before heading to your room for a restful overnight stay. Optional canopy walks or Forest walk.

Main Destination:
Nyungwe 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

Accommodation:
EAR Ken Barham Guest House
  • Budget guest house less than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps, Rwanda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Volcanoes national park

Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Volcanoes national park

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be ready for an exciting day of adventure. At 7:00 AM, your guide will take you to the park center, where you'll receive a briefing from the park warden about the tracking guidelines and what to expect on your chimpanzee trek. The duration of the trek can vary, usually taking anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on where the chimps are located. The forest is full of surprises, and the trek itself is an exciting adventure in itself.

Once you locate the chimpanzees, you’ll have the rare privilege to spend 1 hour observing them in their natural habitat. In addition to the chimps, you may encounter other fascinating primates such as the L’hoest monkeys and the iconic black-and-white colobus monkeys, making for a truly memorable experience.

Later transfer to Volcanoes national park where you will overnight at the edge of the park.

Main Destination:
Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation:
Isange Paradise Resort
  • Budget hotelin Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinks not included

Day 3

Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Bwindi

Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Bwindi

After an early breakfast, we head to the visitor center for a briefing session led by park rangers, where you’ll learn about the guidelines for tracking either golden monkeys or gorillas, depending on your choice. Once briefed, we venture into the lush tropical rainforest, accompanied by experienced trackers, to begin our adventure. When the golden monkeys are located, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour observing them up close—discovering their fascinating behavior, social dynamics, and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect them.

In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Rwanda-Uganda border, continuing our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where your gorilla tracking experience awaits. Enjoy a delicious dinner and overnight stay at a lodge nestled on the edge of the forest. (Please note: your accommodation on this night will depend on the location of your gorilla permits or where you will be tracking gorillas the following day.).

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

Accommodation:
Bweza Gorilla Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge just outside Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas, Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinks not included

Day 4

Gorilla Trekking and transfer back to Kigali for your flight (optional extra night at Lake Bunyonyi)

Gorilla Trekking and transfer back to Kigali for your flight (optional extra night at Lake Bunyonyi)

After an early breakfast at 7:00 am, we’ll take a short drive to the UWA briefing center, where you’ll receive important guidelines on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. Once assigned to a gorilla family, you’ll join a small group of up to eight people and begin your adventure, led by experienced armed ranger guides through the forest in search of the gorillas. Upon locating the gorillas, you’ll be given a full hour to observe them as they go about their daily activities, maintaining a respectful distance of 7 to 10 meters. After this incredible experience, you’ll drive back to Kigali for your evening flight.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)
High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Hooves of Africa - Photo Safaris, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • Gorilla tracking permits are subject to availability.