8 Days Rwanda & Congo Primates Safari
Join this epic 8 Days Rwanda-Congo primate adventure to enjoy the beauty in two countries with Africa Adventure Safaris. The ultimate primates safari features chimpanzee trekking, lowland gorilla trekking, boat cruising, golden monkeys and mountain gorilla safari in Rwanda and Congo. Enjoy guided chimpanzee treks and canopy walk located in Nyungwe Forest National Park located in south western Rwanda. The rainforest also shelters a variety of colobus monkeys, birds and other wild animals. The 8 Days safari also offer you lifetime lowland gorilla trekking experience in Kahuzi Biega National park. Meet face to face and interact with the largest gorilla specie in the world. Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Bukavu for cold breezes, fresh air and scenic views. Visit Rwanda for mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park in the north western province. The park covers Rwanda’s share of the Virunga Conservation Area bordered by Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda and Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Habituated gorillas in Rwanda live together in 10 groups each visited by 8 people. These gorilla families are Agashya, Umubano, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Titus, Hirwa, Pablo and Amahoro. You will be allowed to spend an hour with gorillas learning and appreciating their lifestyles and humanlike characters. You can also do a 3 days Rwanda double gorilla trekking tour to visit tow different gorilla groups on different days for a more extended gorilla encounter. Volcanoes National Park also offers alternate golden monkey trekking and Dian Fossey Graveyard hike. The bamboo forest park also shelters Forest Elephants, African buffalos, colobus monkeys and wild chimpanzees which you might meet on your gorilla trek. Volcanoes park is also a haven for birders sheltering over 180 bird species some of which are not found anywhere else in Rwanda. There are also two dormant volcanoes (Karisimbi and Bisoke) open for hiking for a more adventurous and memorable experience. A visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village (former Iby’iwacu cultural village), musanze caves and twin lakes are other interesting things done in Volcanoes National Park.
The 8 Days safari will start and end in Kigali Rwanda
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali airport
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest, Southern Rwanda
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking Nyungwe forest
Day 4: Cross over to Bukavu in Congo
Day 5: Lowland Gorilla trekking –
Day 6: Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 8: Golden Monkey Trek / Dian Fossey Hike
Day 9: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali airport
You will be picked up from the airport on arrival for a transfer to your hotel for a rest after the flight.You can have an optional city tour in KIgali to visit local markets, shopping malls, art galleries, museums, presidential palace and genocide memorial centres. Overnight at Lebanon Hotel (Budget)/ Five to Five Hotel (Mid-range)/ Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury)
Day 2: Kigali City tour & Transfer to Nyungwe
After breakfast at your hotel you will be taken for a Kigali city tour visiting the genocide museums, local market and then transfer to Nyungwe Forest. You will have an en route stop over at the Murambi genocide memorial. Later proceed and visit the Nyanza palace and Butare museum. You will have an en route stop over for photography and a lunch break and continue with your voyage arriving in the evening. Meals and overnight at Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget)/ Nyungwe Top view Hotel / Emeraude Kivu resort (Mid-range)/ Nyungwe One&Only House (Luxury)
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy walk
In the morning assemble at Gisakura park headquarters for briefing from the senior park ranger before undertaking a forest walk searching for man’s closest relative – the chimpanzees. You will see them in the wild and later go for a canopy walk. Overnight stay at Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget)/ Nyungwe Top view Hotel / Emeraude Kivu resort (Mid-range)/ Nyungwe One&Only House (Luxury)
Day 4: Cross over to Bukavu in Congo
This day cross over to DR Congo in preparation for the next day’s lowland gorilla trekking. It takes less than 2 hours to cross over to Bukavu town. This day you may visit the museum at Bukavu and other interesting places at Lake Kivu with a boat cruise to Idjwi Island. Overnight stay Panorama Hotel (Mid-range/ Luxury) / Lodge Coco (Mid-range)
Day 5: Lowland Gorilla trekking
Start from Tshivanga Visitor Centre for a briefing on the trek then penetrate the forested mountains of Kahuzi Biega. The trek takes 2 to 4 hours and after you meet the eastern lowland gorillas you will stay in their presence for an hour. You will also see a number of other wildlife species in the park including birds and other primates. Later return for a transfer to your lodge and can visit the Lwiro sanctuary for more primates and wildlife experiences. Meals and overnight at Panorama Hotel (Mid-range/ Luxury) / Lodge Coco (Mid-range)
Day 6: Transfer to Kibuye Rwanda
After breakfast you will be transferred to Kibuye in Rwanda enjoying scenic views of the Rwandan countryside. Arrive in time for lunch and can later go for a boat cruise along the lake. Meals and Overnight Cormoran Lodge (Mid-range) / Cleo Kivu Lodge (Luxury)
Day 7: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Nature walk
You will have breakfast and set off for Volcanoes National Park arriving early enough for a nature walk along the twin lakes of Bulera & Ruhondo. You will later proceed to your Lodge for a rest. In the evening you can go for cycling or Kayaking. Meals and overnight at Muhabura Hotel (Budget) / Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range)/ Five Volcanoes Hotel (Luxury)
Day 8: Golden monkey tracking or Visiting Dian Fossey Graveyard
On this day you may choose to trek golden monkeys or visit Dian Fossey graveyard at Karisoke. You will later go for a cultural visit at the gorilla guardian village where you will to know more about the Rwandan local culture. Meals and overnight at Muhabura Hotel (Budget) / Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range)/ Five Volcanoes Hotel (Luxury)
Day 9: Departure
Have breakfast and a relaxed drive back to Kigali for a drop off at the airport for departure or hotel depending on schedule. In case your flight is at night then you can an activity before leaving Volcanoes National Park depending on your preference.
End of Tour
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