5-Day Rwanda Primate Safari Experience
5 Days – 4 Nights
5-Day Rwanda Primate Safari Experience
Overview
This 5-day Rwanda Primate Safari Experience is the perfect adventure for wildlife enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in the lush jungles of Rwanda and witness the country’s most iconic primates in their natural habitat. From trekking to see the majestic mountain gorillas and rare golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park to tracking playful chimpanzees in the pristine Nyungwe Forest, this safari offers a thrilling and unforgettable journey through Rwanda’s diverse landscapes.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy scenic drives, birdwatching opportunities, and the breathtaking beauty of Rwanda’s “land of a thousand hills.” This all-inclusive safari starts and ends in Kigali, making it a seamless and hassle-free trip for travelers.
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5 Days/ 4 Nights
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Rwanda
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Guided, Private Safari
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Airport TransfersCar hireServices of an English-speaking guideRefreshments like waterAll accommodation & MealsAll activitiesAll Taxes /VATA professional driver /guideFuelGorilla permitChimpanzee permitDrinking water
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Tips and gratuitiesAll items of personal natureInternational flightsAlcoholic drinks
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your safari begins with a warm welcome upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, where our professional guide will meet you. After a short briefing, set off on a scenic drive through Rwanda’s iconic terraced hillsides, rural farms, and volcano-studded landscapes en route to Volcanoes National Park in the north.
This beautiful journey gives you your first taste of Rwanda’s natural beauty and rich culture. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the option for a short Kigali city tour.
Accommodation Options:
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Budget: Hotel Muhabura
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Midrange: Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge
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Luxury: Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight for many—gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing from experienced rangers. You’ll be assigned a gorilla family and guided into the forested slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes.
The trek may take between 1 to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located, but the reward is worth every step. Spending an hour with these incredible, endangered creatures is a life-changing experience. After your trek, you may opt to visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for an insight into Rwandan traditions and ex-poacher transformation stories.
Accommodation Options:
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Budget: Hotel Muhabura
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Midrange: Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge
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Luxury: Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking and Later Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey tracking. These playful, colorful primates are endemic to the Virunga Mountains and live in large troops. The trek usually takes 2 to 3 hours and offers great photo opportunities.
After the golden monkey experience, embark on a scenic drive south to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically rich rainforests. You’ll enjoy lunch en route and have photo stops as you drive past rolling hills, tea plantations, and local villages.
Accommodation Options:
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Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
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Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
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Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking & Optional Nature Walk in Nyungwe Forest
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee tracking briefing. You’ll then proceed deep into the rainforest in search of Rwanda’s lively chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is home to over 500 chimps as well as other primates like black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons.
Listen for the energetic calls of the chimps before encountering them swinging through the canopy or socializing on the forest floor. After the trek, return to the lodge to relax, or choose an optional guided nature walk through Nyungwe’s lush trails.
Accommodation Options:
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Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
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Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
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Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Return to Kigali & Departure
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Kigali. If time allows before your flight, enjoy a short Kigali city tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial—a moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide.
You will then be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your departure, marking the end of your 5 Days Rwanda Primates Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
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Suggested Rwanda Safari Ideas
The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what’s possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.
