The Ultimate Rwanda Primates Safari Itinerary Guide + Map

A Detailed Rwanda Primates Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive, Kigali City

Arrival at Kigali International Airport marks the beginning of your Classic Rwanda Primates Safari. At your arrival, our knowledgeable and personable driver/guide will be there to welcome you and give you the lowdown on your forthcoming adventure. A scenic journey through Kigali, the bustling capital city, will begin from that point. You can fully immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy fascinating cultural performances.

Your journey may begin once you check into your Kigali hotel, where you can rest and rejuvenate. A fascinating Kigali city tour is another option to consider, albeit it depends on when you plan to arrive. As part of this tour, you can see the Genocide Memorial and an art and craft center, both of which will give you a glimpse into the city’s artistic culture and history.

On the other hand, you can just stay at the hotel and rest up for your jungle trip the following day if that’s more your style. No matter what you decide, our staff is committed to making sure your Classic Rwanda Primates Safari gets off to a great start.

Where to stay:
Heaven Boutique Hotel (Full Board)

Day 2: Road Trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park (5 Hours)

Hiking Through the Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda!

After waking up in Kigali to the sounds of Africa, have a hearty breakfast, and then meet your private driver for a breathtaking tour of Rwanda’s countryside. During this segment of your personalized Classic Rwanda Safari, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a 5-hour drive while immersing yourself in the serene landscapes and beautiful hues of the area.

Traveling through this region will take you to several markets, Nyanza’s traditional palace, and Butare’s Botanical Gardens and cultural museum. As you make your way through the verdant tea plantations and gentle hills of Nyungwe Forest, you may get a good look at the charming wooden homes that dot the landscape. When you get to the lodge, it’s time to check in.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, unwinding and taking in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the lodge. Spend some time relaxing in the cozy lounge, making new friends among fellow tourists, or just taking in the serene scenery of the nearby forest. Our whole staff is committed to making sure you have a relaxing and delightful stay at the lodge, no matter what you decide.

Where to stay:
Nyungwe House (Full Board)

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Have breakfast first thing in the morning before making your way to the park headquarters for the activity briefing on chimpanzee tracking. You will embark on an exciting journey through the trails of the rainforest accompanied by a park ranger and a guide. Your assigned group of chimpanzees will be easy to see, and you’ll spend the next hour closely tracking them.

As you follow the chimpanzee group around, you can hear their amusing activities, see them grooming, and listen to their loud chatting. They’ll take breaks for food and rest, and following your park guide will be a real challenge.

You can unwind and think over the day’s events when you go back to the lodge for the remainder of the evening. There are a lot of things to do and amenities to enjoy at the lodge, and our staff is here to make sure you have a good time.

Day 4: Canopy & Nature Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Hiking along well-maintained paths over the verdant valleys of the equatorial rainforest is a simple delight on this segment of our Classic Rwanda Safari, although chimps usually take center stage.

There are more than a thousand plant species, thirteen primate species, seventy-five species of other African mammals, two hundred and thirty-five species of birds, and one hundred and twenty-two species of butterflies in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park. Covering one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, this protected region has been named the continent’s top forest conservation priority. Little is known about Nyungwe outside of East Africa, despite its enormous biodiversity.

Perched 160 meters (525 feet) above the ground, the canopy walkway offers a bird’s-eye view of the Nyungwe forest. Lonely Planet recently proclaimed the canopy walkway to be the finest of its kind in the world. You will feel revitalized after letting go, yelling at the top of your lungs, and opening your arms wide.

In the middle of the forest, you will enjoy the spectacular African rainforest while setting up a picnic meal and enjoying the pleasant service. After you’ve had your fill of the resort, it’s time to check out and head north to Volcanoes National Park, where your quest for the mountain gorillas will continue in the lush jungle. Even though you should expect the trip to take around five hours, being excited about what’s to come will keep you going.

Day 5: Drive From Nyungwe Lake Kivu, Kibuye

Proceed to Kibuye Town, situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Kivu, after indulging in a hearty breakfast. Here, you will spend the following two nights in complete relaxation. Beautiful lake views and valleys filled with farmland will greet you as you wind your way through the countryside.

With its picture-perfect beaches and glistening blue seas, Kibuye is generally considered the most picturesque of Lake Kivu’s resort towns, making it an ideal location for a relaxing vacation. Lounge on the beach beside Lake Kivu and take in the stunning scenery as you unwind. To beat the heat, you can take a boat ride around the lake and see the many islands. You can even swim in the cold waters.

If you’re looking for a more active vacation, you can visit the surrounding villages, hike up and down multiple hills, and learn about the local culture. We are committed to making sure that your stay in Kibuye is comfortable and enjoyable, no matter what you decide to do.

Where to stay:
Lake Kivu Serena (Full Board)

Day 6: Cultural Encounters & Kibuye

You have the option of lounging about the lodge or going on a discovery boat excursion on Lake Kivu after a delicious breakfast. On this boat excursion, you’ll see fishing towns, local fisherman, and people from Idjwi Island in the Congo who row dugout canoes long distances to go to Rwandan marketplaces. Seize this once-in-a-lifetime chance to observe the locals going about their everyday lives and really embrace their culture.

After a while, you’ll be taken to Gisenyi for lunch. Have a hearty meal there and then head back to the lodge. Another alternative is to cross the border to Goma, which you can do if you have the time. The Nyiragongo volcano, which last erupted in 2002 and wiped out a portion of Goma, wreaked havoc on the town once again. Visiting Goma is a chance to see the incredible perseverance of the local inhabitants in the face of the natural disaster.

In order to avoid the oncoming lava flows, the majority of Goma’s people crossed into neighboring Rwanda. You can still witness the effects of the eruption and the town’s continuous recovery efforts as you wander around. It’s an eye-opening encounter that shows you the locals’ resilience and resolve in a whole new light.

Your tour to Goma will be followed by an overnight stay at the lodge. Here, you may unwind and think about all that happened throughout the day. Our whole staff is committed to making sure you have a relaxing and delightful stay at the lodge, complete with all the conveniences you could possibly need during your vacation.

Where to stay:
Lake Kivu Serena (Full Board)

Day 7: Kibuye to Volcanoes National Park

In Mugongo, you will visit Ross Carr’s Imbabazi Orphanage after enjoying a hearty breakfast. To help the children left without parents due to the genocide, the orphanage was established in late 1994 by the late Mrs. Rosamond Halsey Carr. “Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda” recounts Mrs. Carr’s moving narrative as she was a witness to every major event in Rwandan history, including the horrific 1994 genocide.

After you’ve seen the orphanage, go for a walk around the lake and see the neighboring towns. This is a chance to meet natives and get a feel for their culture.

After dining at Serena, your Classic Rwanda Safari driver will take you to Musanze, just outside of Volcanoes National Park, for a delicious lunch. Spend the following two nights in this stunning area as you continue on an exciting quest to find the elusive mountain gorilla.

Where to stay:
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park – Ultimate Bucket List Adventure

The gorilla briefing, which begins after breakfast and lasts about 45 minutes, will take place at the park headquarters. Breathe deeply, collect your thoughts and feelings, and get ready to be astounded; here is it, the pinnacle of your Classic Rwanda Primates Safari. Please come to this once in a lifetime opportunity with reasonable expectations so that you may make the most of it.

Be sure to bring a walking stick, comfy shoes, a packed lunch, and appropriate clothing before heading into the forest. You could have to wait anything from two to eight hours on gorilla tracking before you see a family of these primates. The whereabouts of each family are dependent on a number of variables, such as the weather, their eating patterns, and their daily movements as recorded by the park rangers. Remember the most crucial of the strict instructions that will be handed out during the trailhead briefing.

You will only be able to spend an hour in the company of the gorilla family each day after you encounter them. You won’t soon forget this priceless hour. Observe and record the unforgettable spectacle of the gorillas as they go about their daily lives, from playing with the younger ones to feeding and foraging for vegetation. An unforgettable safari would be incomplete without witnessing this breathtaking scene.

Head back to the resort for the night after your incredible gorilla encounter so you can rest, relax, and think about everything that happened.

Day 9: Visit Ellen Degeneres Gorilla Fund Campus

Have breakfast first thing in the morning and then make your way to Musanze, Rwanda, to the Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Fund Campus. Gorillas and their habitats are the focus of the campus’s conservation efforts, providing a rare chance to get insight into the plight of these remarkable animals and the fight to keep them from going extinct.

When you go to the campus, you may check out the displays and find out what the Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Fund is all about. Additionally, you will have the chance to meet some of the committed researchers and staff members who are always working to preserve gorilla habitats and the animals that live in them. You will gain a deeper knowledge and admiration for these incredible creatures after participating in the educational programs and exploring the interactive displays, which are perfect for guests of all ages.

Day 10: Drive to Kigali

Your fantastic Classic Rwanda Primates Safari comes to a close after a leisurely breakfast as you check out of the lodge. After that, you and your own driver will have a beautiful drive through Rwanda’s hilly countryside to the city of Kigali, the bustling capital. Ruhengeri is a must-stop on the way to Kigali; here you may enjoy a hearty lunch while taking in breathtaking views of the countryside. Beautiful scenery, including undulating hills, verdant forests, and quaint towns, will be yours to enjoy throughout the drive. On your way to Kigali, you can catch a glimpse of the city’s skyline and feel the lively atmosphere as you approach. You will have more than enough time to enjoy the scenery and sounds of this stunning country on the three-hour trip from Ruhengeri to Kigali.

Your fantastic Classic Rwanda Primates Safari comes to a close after a leisurely breakfast as you check out of the lodge. After that, you and your own driver will have a beautiful drive through Rwanda’s hilly countryside to the city of Kigali, the bustling capital.

Ruhengeri is a must-stop on the way to Kigali; here you may enjoy a hearty lunch while taking in breathtaking views of the countryside. Beautiful scenery, including undulating hills, verdant forests, and quaint towns, will be yours to enjoy throughout the drive.

On your way to Kigali, you can catch a glimpse of the city’s skyline and feel the lively atmosphere as you approach. You will have more than enough time to enjoy the scenery and sounds of this stunning country on the three-hour trip from Ruhengeri to Kigali.

We are committed to providing you with the best possible service and amenities on your last day in Rwanda so that you may relax and enjoy your travel. If you’re looking for a last-minute souvenir or just a place to grab a coffee, we’re here to help you have a smooth and pleasurable vacation.

Where to stay:
No Accommodation, but we can arrange at your request.

End of the 10 Days Rwanda Primates Safari