Overview.
No adventure can beat the 5 days Rwanda chimpanzees and gorilla trekking experiences. These tour experiences offer thrilling journeys to trek Rwanda’s great apes in their respective natural habitats. Go to the southwestern part of Rwanda to trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park. Then go to Rwanda’s northwest to trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Additional activities on your 5 days Rwanda chimpanzees and gorilla trekking tours include a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial site. You will also have a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest and the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour near Volcanoes National Park. You will also visit the Kimironko Market in Kigali.
This itinerary also includes transport, accommodation, meals and an experienced driver guide. The 5 days Rwanda chimpanzees and gorilla trek begins and ends in Kigali, Rwanda. Nyungwe National Park is a forested ecosystem and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site covering 1,019 square kilometers. Volcanoes on the other covers 160 square kilometers in the Virungas.
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Kigali Genocide Museum and transfer to Nyungwe National Park
From your accommodation in Kigali or after your arrival at Kigali International Airport, your driver guide will meet you. After briefing you about the 5 days Rwanda chimpanzees and gorilla trek you will start your transfer to Nyungwe National Park. But you will first start at a nice UNESCO World Heritage site called Kigali Genocide Memorial.
This is an opportunity to get a poignant exploration of the burial place for 250,000 Rwanda genocide victims. You will also learn more about the causes, negative impacts and implementation of genocides. There are details of the fallen and the testimonies of the survivors of the genocide.
You will continue to Nyungwe National Park with an enroute lunch. Arrive in Nyungwe National Park and check in in your booked lodge. Spend the rest of the evening acclimating to the cool forest conditions. You may even get a chance to see some bird species. Have dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trek and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
The first thing to do on this second day is take your early morning breakfast and go to the Uwinka Visitors Center. You will be briefed with the park ranger offering the chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations. You will then be led into the forest by an armed and ranger guide. You will locate the habituated Uwinka chimpanzee group.
Hiking on the chimpanzee trails is also an opportunity to see birds, butterflies and wild animals etc. After locating the chimp group, you will spend 1 hour observing and taking pictures of them. You will return to the starting point to meet your driver. The entire chimp trek takes between 2-4 hours. Return to the lodge and freshen up while awaiting your delicious lunch.
After your lunch, you will go for an afternoon unique experience of the canopy walk, again in Nyungwe Forest. This starts at 03:00 PM with registration at the Uwinka Visitors Center. Put your physical fitness to the test with this 2-hour experience. You will walk on a suspended walk way that is 120 meters in length and 70 meters from the forest floor.
This is a chance to see birds, primates and the forest canopy. Nyungwe Forest is blessed with numerous bird species. These include African broadbill, chinspot batis, brown-capped weaver, Grauer’s swamp warbler and grey parrot etc. You will return to your lodge where you will retire after a delicious dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Twin Lakes
On this third day, start your beautiful day with a wonderful early morning breakfast. Check out of your lodge. Your guide will take you on a scenic road trip to Volcanoes National Park. This 5-6-hour transfer will ensure that you arrive and check in at your booked lodge at lunch time. Freshen up and have a delightful lunch.
You will go for a tour of the Twin Lakes west of Volcanoes National Park. These are crater Lakes Ruhondo and Burera. You will enjoy a guided boat cruise on the tranquil crater lake. A guided nature walk is an opportunity to get a different perspective of the Islands in the area. Your driver will bring you back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Gorilla trek and Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
On this fourth day, start with an early morning breakfast. You will go the park headquarters at around 7:00 AM. A park ranger will hold a briefing to clarify on the gorilla trekking rules. With experienced ranger guide and armed rangers, you will start tracking a particular habituated gorilla family along the gorilla trails. Look out for birds, mammals, insects and flora etc.
After finding your habituated gorilla group, you will be requested to watch them for a precious 1 hour. Do not forget to photograph the gorillas, because you will need the pictures for your memories. Afterwards, hike back to the starting point. Meet your driver to take you back to your lodge. Freshen up and eat your delicious lunch.
You will then go to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. Experience the unique Rwandese cultural tapestry through local music, dances and more. There is also a rare opportunity to explore the different ways Rwandese cook their food. Use this opportunity to learn so that you can prepare some for yourself.
Explore handmade baskets, mats and carpentry items. You will also gain some much-needed skills into making some for yourself. Buy some of the items as souvenirs. You will also get deeper insight into the history of the Rwandese people. Exciting folktales can also be got from the village. You will then return to your lodge. Have dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Transfer to Kigali and departure
Wake up at leisure for a morning breakfast. You will check out of your lodge and start the journey to Kigali city. This is a 2-3 hours drive with an enroute lunch. You will reach Kigali and go to Kimironko Market. Buy some souvenirs. Continue to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. This is the end of your 5 days Rwanda chimpanzees and gorilla trek.
