ABOUT 5-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking Experience - Rwanda
This five-day gorilla trekking tour to Rwanda offers an immersive and luxurious experience for travelers seeking to connect with the majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Set against the stunning landscapes of Rwanda, this tour combines adventure, conservation, and cultural encounters for a unique journey.
- Duration: 5 Days
- Route: Gorilla Trek
- Starts at: USD 4675
Highlights for 5-Day Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking Experience - Rwanda
Day 1: Kigali - Ruhengeri
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park - Nyungwe National Park
Day 4: Nyungwe National Park
Day 5: Nyungwe National Park - Kigali
Day 1: Kigali - Ruhengeri
>> After eating a warm breakfast at your accommodations in Kigali, you will visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site to pay tribute to the Rwandans who lost their lives during the 1994 genocide. The memorial features exhibits that serve as a somber reminder of this dark chapter in Rwanda's history, evoking deep emotions and fresh memories of what transpired.
Following this experience, you will enjoy a luxurious lunch in Kigali before continuing on to Volcanoes National Park, located approximately 116km (a three-hour drive) away. Along the way, you will be treated to the sight of Rwanda's romantic, gentle hills adorned with rolling rural farmlands, offering perfect opportunities for scenic photography.
You will arrive in Ruhengeri in the evening, where you can relax and enjoy entertainment, followed by dinner and your overnight stay.
- Time: 8-10 hours
- Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
- Accommodation:Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park
>> After an energizing breakfast at your lodge on a chilly morning, you will assemble at the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters in Kinigi at 8:00am for a pre-trek briefing. Here, park rangers will provide important rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking. During the briefing, you will listen to the soothing cultural songs of the Intore dancers, showcasing the authentic traditions and rich history of the Rwandan people.
Following the briefing, you will embark on the eagerly awaited gorilla trekking experience, venturing into the forested jungles of the Volcanoes in search of your assigned gorilla group. You will trek with a group of up to eight teammates.
After completing the trek, you will travel to Gisenyi, located on the shores of Lake Kivu, covering 110km (an approximately a two-hour drive). Upon arrival in the evening, you can relax by the gorgeous lake—the largest in Rwanda—before retiring for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Time: 8-10 hours
- Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
- Accommodation:Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park - Nyungwe National Park
>> After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast in the cool, refreshing environment provided by the morning breeze from the lake, you will set off for Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in the southwestern part of Rwanda. The journey covers approximately 294km and takes about seven-to-eight hours of driving.
This lengthy trip offers scenic views along the Nile-Congo divide trail, showcasing the stunning geography of the region. You will stop in the resort town of Kibuye for a lunch break before continuing your journey to Nyungwe via Cyangugu town. Along the way, you’ll be treated to an impressive panorama of Lake Kivu from the top. You’ll arrive in the evening in time for rest, dinner and your overnight stay.
- Time: 8-10 hours
- Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
- Accommodation:Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day 4: Nyungwe National Park
>> After breakfast, you’ll embark on a chimpanzee trekking trip in the ancient forests of Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is in the southwestern part of Rwanda. The trek begins at 8:00am with a briefing at the park headquarters before proceeding into the forest to search for the chimpanzees, our closest relatives. Trailing through the dense forest and eventually spending one hour with these shy creatures makes the trek a memorable activity.
In the afternoon, we’ll assemble at the Uwinka Visitor Center to take part in the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, the first of its kind in East Africa and the third in Africa. The canopy walkway, raised over 40 meters above the ground and spanning 90 meters across a steep valley blanketed by a thick forest, offers impressive views of the landscapes and the flora and fauna in the area.
- Time: 8-10 hours
- Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
- Accommodation:Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day 5: Nyungwe National Park - Kigali
>> After breakfast, you’ll embark on a six-hour journey covering 268km to Kigali city. The trip takes you through the magnificent countryside scenery of Rwanda, known as the land of a thousand hills. You will stop at the National Institute of Rwandan Museums in Butare to visit the renowned Butare Museum, which doubles as the National Museum of Rwanda. The museum houses a wide range of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts, holding a notable position in the East African region. The rich history and heritage preserved here will make this stop memorable. After lunch in Butare, you’ll finish your journey to Kigali, which will mark the end of your safari.
- Time: 8-10 hours
- Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinks not included
- Accommodation:No accommodation (End of tour)
Inclusions
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
- Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Exclusions
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees