5 Day Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari
5 Day Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari
Overview
This 5 Day Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari takes you deep into the lush, green landscapes of Rwanda – famously known as the Land of a Thousand Hills. You’ll explore two of the country’s top wildlife destinations: Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to chimpanzees and East Africa’s only canopy walkway, and Volcanoes National Park, a world-renowned sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas. Along the way, enjoy scenic drives, a Kigali city tour, and intimate wildlife encounters that make Rwanda a top primate trekking destination.
Safari Highlights
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Start/End: Kigali, Rwanda
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Tour Type: Private (can be customized)
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Departure: Any day of the week
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Age Limit: Minimum 15 years for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
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Solo Travelers: Welcome to join
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Accommodation: Included (Budget, Mid-range, or Luxury options)
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
- Gorilla trekking permit
Cost excludes
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
- Items of personal nature such as tips and drinks
Trip Itinerary
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be met by your professional guide for a short Kigali city tour. Highlights include visits to key historical and cultural landmarks, offering insights into Rwanda’s remarkable recovery and vibrant culture.
In the afternoon, drive southwest through Rwanda’s scenic countryside—passing rolling green hills and tea plantations—en route to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Check in at your lodge and enjoy dinner and relaxation.
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Drive Time: 4–5 hours
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Meals: Lunch & Dinner
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Accommodation Options:
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Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge
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Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
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Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
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Wake up early for a once-in-a-lifetime chimpanzee trekking experience. After a pre-trek briefing, head into the forest with expert trackers to find these playful primates. Along the way, you may spot other monkeys, birds, and butterflies in this incredibly biodiverse rainforest.
After lunch at your lodge, head out again for the famous canopy walk, a 90-meter-long suspended bridge offering breathtaking views of the treetops and a unique perspective of the forest ecosystem.
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Activities: Chimpanzee trekking, Canopy Walk
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Meals: All meals included
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Accommodation: Same as Day 1
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Drive Time: 45 minutes (to/from park headquarters)
After breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The scenic drive winds along Lake Kivu and through a patchwork of hills and valleys, offering spectacular photo opportunities. Arrive in Musanze by evening and settle into your lodge, nestled near the foothills of the Virunga Mountains.
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Drive Time: 6–7 hours
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Meals: All meals included
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Accommodation Options:
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Budget: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
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Mid-range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
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Luxury: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest
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Rise early for the highlight of your safari – gorilla trekking! After a briefing at the park headquarters, you’ll trek through bamboo-covered slopes and misty forests in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Once found, spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants – watching them eat, play, and interact just meters away. Return to your lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon reflecting on this unforgettable experience.
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Trekking Time: 2–6 hours depending on gorilla group location
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Meals: All meals included
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Accommodation: Same as Day 3
After breakfast, drive back to Kigali, arriving in time for your outbound flight or onward travel. If time allows, you may stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a moving tribute to Rwanda’s past and a better understanding of its present.
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Drive Time: 2 hours
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Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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End of Tour: Drop-off at airport or hotel in Kigali
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