Primates & Big Five Experience in Rwanda – 9 Days Adventure
This 9 Day Primates & Big Five Experience takes you through Rwanda’s top national parks. You will visit Volcanoes National Park for Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, Akagera National Park for Big Five game drives, and Nyungwe Forest National Park for Chimpanzees and other monkeys.
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali – City Tour & Transfer to Akagera National Park
A guide will pick you up from the airport or your hotel in Kigali in the morning. They will brief you on the tour. You will begin with a city tour of Kigali. During the tour, you will visit local markets and the Kigali Genocide Memorial. If there is time, you can also visit the former presidential palace, art shops, and other landmarks. After the city tour, you will drive to Akagera National Park. The journey will take about 3 to 3.5 hours. When you arrive at the park, you will go through the entrance process. Afterward, you will head to the lodge.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Night Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Wake up early and have breakfast. Then, your guide will pick you up for a morning game drive. The guide will take you to the best spots in the park. You will explore the park’s different landscapes, such as savanna plains, woodland forests, riverine forests, and wetlands. During the drive, keep an eye out for the African Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino, and buffalo. You may also spot other animals like hippos, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, crocodiles, and many birds.
After the morning drive, return to your lodge for lunch. After lunch, you can relax at the lodge, swim in the pool, or prepare for a night game drive. If you are interested in birds, Akagera is a great birding destination. The park is home to over 500 species, including the Shoebill stork and Papyrus Gonolek. The wetlands are the best place for birdwatching.
The night game drive allows you to spot nocturnal animals like leopards, lions, hyenas, and owls.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp
Day 3: Morning Cultural Experiences and Afternoon Boat Trip at Lake Ihema
On this day, you will have a relaxed morning. Visit local communities to experience their culture. Afterward, you will enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ihema in the afternoon. The boat ride offers chances to see hippos, crocodiles, and other animals that visit the lake. Keep an eye out for the rare Sitatunga (swamp antelope) and waterbucks.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp
Day 4: Brief Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will go on a short game drive. This gives you another chance to spot wildlife as you leave Akagera. Then, you will drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the western province of Rwanda. The journey will take several hours, but you may see more animals along the way.
Accommodation:
Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Isumo Trail for Birdwatching
Start early with breakfast. After that, go for a briefing about the dos and don’ts when with the chimpanzees. Once briefed, enter Nyungwe Forest in search of the active and playful chimpanzees. Compared to gorillas, chimpanzees are easier to spot. They jump from tree to tree, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually lasts 3 to 5 hours, depending on where the chimps are.
When you find them, you’ll spend one hour observing them. You can take pictures and videos during this time. In the afternoon, visit Nyungwe’s largest waterfalls on the Isumo Trail. This trail is refreshing with views of birds and primates. The walk lasts about 4 hours, going up and down the forest. Afterward, return to your hotel to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day 6: Canopy Walk, Birdwatching, and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, your guide will take you to the starting point for the canopy walk. After a safety briefing, you will walk along a trail to the canopy walk. This is a 50-meter swing bridge hanging between large trees. From the bridge, you will get a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest. You can also spot wildlife moving below.
Afterward, drive to Volcanoes National Park. You’ll stop for lunch on the way. Later, continue the drive to Volcanoes National Park. You will arrive in the evening, check-in, and enjoy dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Mid-range: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Start the day with an early breakfast. After that, head to Volcanoes Park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. A park ranger will guide you through the jungle in search of mountain gorillas. The trek requires some fitness, as you will climb hills. The experience is tiring but exciting when you find the gorillas. You will observe them as they do their daily activities, like feeding, playing, and resting.
In the afternoon, visit Iby’iwacu village. Here, you will meet villagers who once were poachers but now perform traditional dances for visitors. The dances are part of the Intore, or “Heroes,” a celebration of victory from Rwanda’s kings. You can watch the lively performances, try out traditional activities like using bows and arrows, or visit the local medicine man. The Intore dance is full of energy and tells stories of warriors returning home after battle. After an exciting afternoon, return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Accommodation Options for Dinner and Overnight:
Mid-range: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Have an early breakfast, then go to the Volcanoes Park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. On your way to see the golden monkeys, you may spot other primates and wildlife. When you meet the golden monkeys, they will jump from tree to tree. Watching them is both fun and memorable.
After the golden monkey trek, visit the Dian Fossey Ellen DeGeneres Campus, also known as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Museum. Here, you can learn more about the work of Dian Fossey in protecting gorillas. In the afternoon, return to the lodge for rest and overnight.
Accommodation:
Mid-range: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Day 9: Transfer to Kigali Airport
On the last day, enjoy a late breakfast and a relaxed morning. Depending on your flight time, you will drive back to Kigali. You will stop for a brief tour of Kigali City before heading to the airport for your flight.
Includes:
- One Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permit per person
- Meet & greet services
- Transfers to/from Rwanda
- Accommodation and meals as listed
- Boat ride in Akagera National Park
- Bottled water during the safari
- Driver/guide services
- All park entry fees for Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes National Parks
- All activities listed in the itinerary
Excludes:
- Visas
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal items (like tips, drinks, etc.)
- Charter or scheduled flights (optional)
