Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 5-Day Tour

Your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 5-Day Tour adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from Kigali. We begin the drive towards Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in the southwestern part of Rwanda. This picturesque drive takes you through lush countryside, with magnificent views of rolling hills, tea plantations, and vibrant green valleys. The journey will take around 5 to 6 hours, providing you with an introduction to Rwanda’s scenic beauty.

Upon arrival at Nyungwe, you’ll check into your lodge, where the tranquil environment and the surrounding forest will be your home for the night. The park itself is known for its biodiversity, with over 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and golden monkeys. Nyungwe also offers a wide range of bird species, butterflies, and orchids, making it a haven for nature lovers.

Your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 5-Day Tour ends with a relaxed evening at the lodge, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner, preparing for your chimpanzee trekking experience the following day.

Key Highlights

• Scenic drive from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Enjoying the natural beauty of Rwanda’s rolling hills and tea plantations.
• Evening at leisure in Nyungwe.

After breakfast, you’ll head out to the park early for chimpanzee tracking in the heart of Nyungwe Forest. This forest is one of the best places in Africa for chimpanzee trekking, and with your experienced Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 5-Day Tour guide, you’ll head deep into the forest. The trek typically lasts between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees.

During your trek, you’ll also have the opportunity to see other primate species, including the Black and White Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and other forest dwellers. Your guide will also provide you with insights into the forest’s ecological significance and its role in Rwanda’s conservation efforts.

In the afternoon, you’ll have time for optional activities, including a Canopy Walk. The Canopy Walk offers stunning aerial views of the forest, where you can spot more wildlife and birds. Alternatively, you may wish to visit nearby cultural sites, including local villages, where you’ll learn about the traditional ways of life in this region.

Key Highlights

• Early morning chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest.
• Encounter with other primates like colobus monkeys.
• Canopy Walk for panoramic forest views.

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Volcanoes National Park, the heart of Rwanda’s gorilla trekking experience. The drive takes about 4-5 hours, passing through scenic villages, rolling hills, and lush valleys. The area around Volcanoes National Park is famous for its unique landscape, dominated by the Virunga Mountains and lush farmland.

Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge, which offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains. You’ll have time to relax before the exciting trek the next day. If time permits, you can explore the surroundings and enjoy the beauty of the Volcanoes National Park area.

The park itself is a haven for wildlife, particularly the endangered mountain gorillas. The Virunga Massif, which spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is home to about 480 mountain gorillas, with a large portion residing in Volcanoes National Park.

Key Highlights

• Scenic drive from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park.
• Stunning views of the Virunga Mountains.
• Evening at leisure in Volcanoes National Park.

Today is the highlight of your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 5-Day Tour: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a briefing. You’ll meet your guide and trek in groups of 8, each group assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families. This experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come face-to-face with the mountain gorillas.

The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Your guide will lead you through the dense forest, sharing fascinating facts about the gorillas, their behavior, and conservation efforts. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll spend one hour observing them up close, capturing unforgettable memories.

After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. In the afternoon, you may visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you can learn about Rwanda’s rich culture and history, interact with locals, and experience traditional Rwandan dances and performances.

Key Highlights

• Early morning gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
• Opportunity to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
• Visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for cultural immersion.

On your final day, you will take part in golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Golden monkeys are an endangered species of primates, known for their striking golden fur. Tracking these playful monkeys offers a unique experience, and the trek is typically easier than the gorilla trek, often lasting 1-2 hours.

After your golden monkey trek, you will return to your lodge for a farewell lunch before heading back to Kigali. The drive takes about 2.5-3 hours, and you’ll arrive in Kigali by noon, just in time for your onward flight or to continue your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 5-Day Tour adventure.

Key Highlights

• Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park.
• Scenic drive back to Kigali, with lunch en route.
• Arrival in Kigali by noon for departure.

End of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 5-Day Tour