8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari (Primate Safaris In Rwanda)

8 Days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari or 8 Days Rwanda Primates Safari  offers Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park & Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.  This 8 days Rwanda gorilla Safari includes Kigali City tour, mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, twin lakes visit, Lake Kivu boat ride.

8-Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari Overview

The 8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari, also known as the 8 Days Rwanda Primates Safari, includes Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.  This 8-day Rwanda gorilla safari features a Kigali city tour, mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, a visit to the twin lakes, and a boat ride on Lake Kivu.

Detailed 8 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Tour of Kigali City

After breakfast, proceed with a tour of Kigali city, which will include visits to the Gisozi genocide memorial site, the historic Nyamirambo town, the new handicraft village, the Batwa pottery and dance center, and the Kimironko fruit market. Next, you will be driven to your booked hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Kigali.

Day 2: Proceed to Butare for a cultural tour, followed by an exploration of Nyungwe Forest.

 

Enjoy breakfast before proceeding to Butare, an esteemed city in Rwanda known for its intellectual heritage and recognized as the second largest city after Kigali. Explore the Butare National Museum, recognized as the top museum in East Africa, which serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the cultural history of both the country and the region.

While traveling to Butare, take the opportunity to visit the Nyanza palace, currently known as Nyabisindu, which served as the residence of the former Mwami and the center of the feudal kingdom. Following that, you will experience an exhilarating performance featuring the national ballet alongside the Intore dancers.  The performance is regarded by numerous individuals as a standout feature of your safari experience. Enjoy lunch in Butare, followed by a visit to the Murambi genocide memorial museums. Subsequently, we will travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park, where dinner and overnight accommodations will be provided at Gisakura Guest House, Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, or One & Only Nyungwe House.

Day 3: Comprehensive Primates Exploration in Nyungwe Forest

 

Breakfast will be served, followed by a visit at the Uwinka tourist information center for a briefing prior to your hike in the Nyungwe forest. The hike will provide an opportunity to observe prevalent species, including massive communal groups of Angolan Colobus, which can exceed 300 individuals, as well as a variety of bird species. The walk may be demanding, yet guides enhance the experience by providing valuable insights into the flora and fauna encountered along the way.

Enjoy a picnic lunch as the exploration progresses along various beautiful trails. The encounter with the stunning waterfall trail of Gisakura is likely the most exhilarating experience of the day. The afternoon trek is expected to last between 2 to 3 hours, providing an opportunity to observe a variety of bird species and primates, including the Angola Colobus Monkeys and the endangered Golden Monkeys.  Please return to your Lodge for dinner and to spend the night.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Breakfast followed by a briefing on appropriate conduct in the presence of chimpanzees. Join a team of ranger guides as you venture into the forest to seek out these remarkable creatures. Enjoy the view for a duration of up to one hour and capture memorable photographs. A trek into Nyungwe Forest offers an opportunity to encounter chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and blue monkeys around Uwinka following a moderately challenging hike. The route will lead you to the Bigugu Mountain trail, culminating at the highest peak in Nyungwe Forest, standing at 3000 meters above sea level. During the trek, bird enthusiasts will find themselves delighted, as Nyungwe is home to numerous Albertine Rift endemics that can be observed on the journey to Bigugu Mountain. Please return to your Lodge for dinner and to spend the night.

Day 5: Proceed to Kibuye

Following breakfast, proceed to Kibuye, traversing the lush tea plantation fields before exploring the shorelines of Lake Kivu. Kibuye stands out as the most exquisite vacation spot among the three towns situated on Lake Kivu. After trekking in Nyungwe, you may choose to spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, enjoying sunbathing and swimming while engaging with the local residents.

Day 6: Boat cruise from Gisenyi to Kinigi

 

Following breakfast, we will embark on a speedboat excursion to Gisenyi.

Visitors will have the chance to explore the fishing villages of Lake Kivu and engage with the residents of Idjwi Island, which is regarded as the largest inland island in Africa and the eighth largest globally. Idjwi is situated approximately midway between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. There is also the option to cross the border into Goma, Congo. The eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano had a catastrophic impact on Goma.  The Nyiragongo Volcano, standing at 3,470 meters above sea level, erupted on January 17, 2002, causing significant damage to parts of Goma town.  The eruption devastated the residences of more than 120,000 individuals and resulted in over 100 casualties. Your visit to this site will showcase the remarkable abilities of the local population to overcome this natural challenge. We will travel to Kinigi in Volcanoes National Park for dinner and an overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, or Muhabura Hotel.

Day 7: Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Begin your day with breakfast, followed by a transfer to the briefing point where you will receive a packed lunch. Meet your ranger guide for an briefing session about the unforgettable experience of tracking the last remaining Mountain gorillas in the world. This unique opportunity also touches on the historical context surrounding the tragic events involving American Zoologist Dianne Fossey, who dedicated her life to studying and protecting these magnificent creatures from poachers.

Engage with the gentle giants, spending up to one hour in their presence while capturing photographs. Should tracking conclude at an appropriate time, you will embark on a brief excursion to explore the stunning lakes of Lake Bulera and Ruhondo. This location offers an impressive view of the Virunga chain of Volcanoes.  Return for dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 8: Transfer to Kigali – Departure

Following breakfast, you will proceed to Kigali for lunch and final shopping. Subsequently, you will transfer to the airport to board your flight home.