Overview 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour

Rwanda is often called the land of a thousand hills. Everywhere you look you will see the beautiful green hills. In Rwanda you can enjoy nature, primates and the beaches of Lake Kivu.

This 7-Day Rwanda Gorilla trekking safaris, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour has been designed to bring you all the highlights of this beautiful country with a rich history. It includes the best highlights of Rwanda and you will depart from and return to Kigali.

Day 1: Welcome to Rwanda

On your first day of 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour, Our guide will be at Kigali Airport to pick you up from your flight.

Depending on your arrival time you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. Prepare to use your haggling skills! All activities and purchases today are at your own cost.

• Main destination: Kigali
• Accommodation: Hotel Chez Lando

Day 2: Nyungwe Forest national park

Today morning after your breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and will transfer you to Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa on your second day of 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour.

The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees.

Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and still little known bird watching destinations in Africa. Dinner and overnight at your booked lodge.

Travel time: 4.5 hrs

Hotel: EMERAUDE KIVU RESORT

Price includes: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking & Canopy walk

After a very early morning start, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is a healthy 80 individuals. This exciting up-close encounter with human’s closest relative you will not soon forget.

After the chimp tracking you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity like the canopy walk on your third day of 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour.

Optional activity ( at $60 extra not included in the tour price)

In the afternoon you can go for East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats. En route you will have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy.

Sign up for this activity with your booking.

• Main destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Hotel: EMERAUDE KIVU RESORT
• Price includes: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4: Transfer from Lake Kivu to Nyungwe forest

In the morning you can enjoy the nice views from your lodge. After lunch you will travel to Kibuye on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu.

If time allows, you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town on your forth day of 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour.

In the afternoon you can rent a boat and visit a few islands.  Your accommodation for the night is the semi luxury Cormoran Lodge located on the shores of Lake Kivu.

Hotel: Cormoran Lodge

Price includes:  Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner

Day 5: Volcanoes national park

Today you shall drive northeast to the town of Musanze close to the Virunga Volcano range. This beautiful area represents the gateway to the gorilla tracking on your fifth day of 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour.

Your lodge for tonight is located near the entrance of the national park. The spacious rooms are nicely decorated and will give you a homely feeling. You can warm yourself at the fireplace in the restaurant area. From here you will start your Gorilla tracking tomorrow.

• Main destination: Volcanoes National Park
• Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge Mid-range lodge bordering Volcanoes NP without fences
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)Drinks not included

Day 6: Gorilla tracking

Rise early! From the lodge, you drive into the park about 10 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux. The head ranger of the park will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. You will track the Gorillas of one of the habituated groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.

Prepare for an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas.

Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours! Once located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

• Main destination: Volcanoes National Park
• Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge Mid-range lodge bordering Volcanoes NP without fences
• Meals & drinks: All meals included Drinks not included

Day 7: Transfer to Kigali International Airport

Today after a relaxed breakfast you shall be transferred by your driver/guide back to Kigali on your last day of 7-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Chimps & Lake Kivu Tour.

Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Center, which opened in 2004.

Your driver/guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home. Sadly, this is where you say goodbye to Rwanda.

Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 3 p.m. or later. If you need another night in Kigali, we will be happy to make a booking for you.

• Main destination: Kigali International Airport
• Accommodation: End of tour (no accommodation)
• Meals & drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)Drinks not included

Image by deinarson from Pixabay