The Chimpanzees and Gorillas of Rwanda

You will be met on arrival in Kigali International Airport and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, we an arrange an activity or an excursion for you to do. These include city tours and museums, and visits to local artisan galleries or workshops. We can also arrange unique experiences that reflect Rwandan culture and traditions, such as banana wine “Urwagwa” making, or coffee-making and production workshops. There is plenty to do in this warm and welcoming city.

• Preferred Hotel Kigali Serena Hotel

This morning after breakfast you will drive to the beautiful forest of Nyungwe. Nyungwe Forest National Park protects the largest single tract of Montagne forest remaining in Africa. It is a remarkably-rich center of biodiversity, with 86 mammal species, 280 birds, and over 100 varieties of orchid. After checking in to your luxury lodge – the One & Only Nyungwe – you will enjoy a delicious lunch before heading for a canopy walk through the forest. This walk not only gives you an opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the park, but it is also a great option for those interested in birding as your local guide will spot a variety of bird species with in the forest. Look out for birds like the Rwenzori Turacco, black and the white casqued hornbill. Of course along the way, you will definitely see large troops of colobus monkeys and other species of primates. Enjoy a night at the lodge, with an all-inclusive dinner and drinks menu. 

Enjoy an early morning breakfast in the lodge before heading out for your chimpanzee trek! This morning you will head out into the Montagne forest in search o these treasured primates. These are man’s closest living relative and time with them in the forest allows you to watch the interaction between one another. The forest is also home to a variety of other primates so your guide will also point out the delightful L’Hoest’s monkey and numerous fun-loving troops of Black and White Colobus. Head back to the One & Only Lodge to relax after your exciting day. 

After breakfast, you will enjoy a scenic drive through to the Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is known for its incredible rich and green landscapes. Whether it is the dense forest or the expansive mountain ranges, the country stands out as being one of the most vibrant in Africa. Enjoy driving through these landscapes, as well as the smaller towns on route. When you arrive at Volcanoes National Park, you will check into Bisate Lodge where you will stay for the next three nights. Bisate – as part of the Wilderness Collection – is a stunning lodge and has won many awards on its design and overall quality of accommodation. Here you will be on an all-inclusive basis which includes all meals and house drinks. 

Fill your stomachs with a delicious breakfast, setting you up for the day! Today is the day you will go mountain gorilla tracking. From Bisate, you will be transferred to the park headquarters where you will have your safety briefing and be split into smaller groups. You will be led by an experienced ranger / guide who will lead the way through the forest. We would advise hiring a porter for the hike. These are local people who will assist in carrying your bags or camera equipment, and help you walk through any difficulty terrain. The small amount that you pay goes a long way for them and their community. Once you are with the habituated mountain gorilla family, you are able to spend one hour with them. Take in every minute – it flies by! After your exhilarating and humbling experience with the gorillas, enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the lodge. Put your feet up and take in the views!

You will spend another day in the paradise lodge of Bisate in the Volcanoes National Park. Today you will hike through the forest again but this time, in search of the golden monkey – another highlight of this iconic national park. The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti) is a local subspecies of the widespread Sykes Monkey, also known as the “Blue Monkey” and is endemic to the high altitude forests of the Volcanoes National Park area. The Golden monkeys are rare species listed as endangered. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor towards the base of the volcanoes and have overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists. After your time with the golden monkeys, head back to Bisate to relax and enjoy your last evening in this beautiful park. 

Today, you will drive back to Kigali – approximately a 2-3-hour drive. Depending on what time you arrive back in Kigali, we can arrange private tours such as city tours, museum or art tours. Alternatively, your guide can drop you at Kigali National Park with plenty of time to check in and fly home, taking nothing but unforgettable memories of Rwanda with you.