This 6 days Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park safari will give you the chance to participate in primate safaris in Rwanda, where you will embark on activities such as chimpanzee trekking, providing access to the chimpanzee troops. When you visit Volcanoes National Park, you will enjoy watching the endangered golden monkey troops that can be seen during golden monkey trekking in Rwanda. Continue with the detailed itinerary for a memorable, for a fun filled adventure in the park.
Highlights of your safari
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk.
Day 3: Isumo waterfalls hike and transfer to Lake Kivu
Day 4: Lake Kivu adventure
Day 5: Boat cruise and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 6: Golden Monkey trekking
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Upon your arrival, you will be picked up by the driver from your hotel in Kigali and driven southwards to Nyungwe Forest National Park. You will have a stopover in Butare, where you will visit the national museum of Rwanda, the king’s palace in Nyanza, with lunch en route. Before you make your way to the Park, you will have a stopover at the Huye women’s coffee Cooperative, which will take you on a 2-hour safari at the coffee plantation, understanding more about the coffee-making process from harvesting, sorting, cleaning, until it is processed. You will also get to watch how coffee has improved the livelihoods of the neighboring communities through women’s empowerment for an amazing safari experience. After the safari experience, make your way to the park and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Dinner and overnight at Gisakura visitor center
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk.
Enjoy breakfast and go for a briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3 hours. On finding them, spend an hour taking pictures and videos. You will then return to your hotel to freshen up, have lunch, and check out, and later in the afternoon, you will participate in a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk, a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees. You will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you, and then connect to your accommodation to spend the evening at leisure.
Day 3: Isumo waterfalls hike and transfer to Lake Kivu
After having breakfast, connect to enter the forest on a forest walk to the waterfalls, where you will encounter different birds and other primates. Reaching the waterfalls is relaxing and refreshing, with great views of the forested mountain. Return from the hike and transfer to Lake Kivu with wonderful views of the hills in Rwanda, it’s a 4 hours’ drive given the nature of the road. Upon arrival, connect to check in, relax, chill, and have dinner at Gorilla Lake Kivu Hotel for mid-range/Paradise Malahide for budget
Day 4: Lake Kivu adventure
After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, make your way to Nyamirundi Island on the lake, where you will visit ‘Ingoboka’ a coffee plantation which you will get to watch how the coffee is grown, you will also get the chance to watch how the coffee is processed from it being harvest, dried and then processed into some of the best coffee in the world. Interesting about your coffee tour, you will also get to have a cup of coffee. Later on, you will connect with your guide to participate in the boat cruise, which will offer exceptional views of the different bird species, the marine life, and many other attractions. After the safari experience, you will transfer to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Boat cruise and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Wake up early in the morning, have an amazing breakfast at your lodge, and later transfer to participate in the boat cruise on Lake Kivu. Exploring the lake will give you a breathtaking experience as you observe the neighboring hills, diverse bird species, and a number of rewarding attractions. This 1-hour safari experience will give you the utmost experience as you enjoy the boat ride along the lake, enjoying the cool breeze for a memorable safari experience. After the safari experience, you will make your way to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival in Musanze, visit the Dian Fossey museum and the Ellen DeGeneres campus. Check in at your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay at Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco lodge for mid-range option/Amikus hotel budget
Day 6: Golden Monkey trekking
After an early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing, and later enter the forest and hike while in search of the golden monkeys. Tracking the golden monkeys rewards views of other primates such as the black and white Colobus monkeys, Olive baboons, among others. After the experience, head back to Kigali city, where you will be dropped off at a location of your choice, and this will mark the end of your 6 days Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park safari.
