Overview
To be happier than ever you need a 4 days Rwanda chimps and gorilla tour in Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Parks. This is a tour that offers encounters with 2 of the most sought-after ape species in the wild. You track and watch a habituated group of each species separately. Meanwhile, your experience includes the Nyanza King’s Palace Museum and tea estate tours. Start from Kigali, to Nyungwe National Park via Nyanza King’s Palace Museum before a journey to Volcanoes National Park. From Volcanoes, return to Kigali to end your tour in Rwanda.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & Transfer to Nyungwe National Park Via Nyanza King’s Palace Museum
We find you at your point of convenience in Kigali and pick you up. You start the 4 days Rwanda chimps and gorilla tour with a transfer to Nyungwe National Park. Enjoy the scenic 177 km drive to the beautiful southwest. This trip comes with enroute lunch in the best place around. Branch to the Nyanza King’s Palace Museum for a guided tour at the traditional royal residence of Rwanda’s last king, Ndahindurwa. In fact, this is a reconstruction of the real palace, with sort of a bee-hive shape.
Listen to a variety of stories especially from the past, that include power struggles, battles and love for the Inyambo cattle. Get some entertainment from the traditionally dressed dancers and singers. They also play traditional drums with high energy. Since your destination is Nyungwe National Park, situated 92.7 km away continue your journey. Arrive at Nyungwe and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk Experience
After breakfast, a chance to do chimpanzee trekking is next. So go to the start and wait for a short briefing session held by the park authorities. Receive some tips of safe approaches to do a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest. Follow the ranger guide to track and see a habituated community of chimpanzees inside the forest. With a full hour offered for you to spend in the presence of chimpanzees, every moment feels special. You could photograph these moments as well. Have lunch at your lodge before you do another activity in the forest.
At around 2:00 p.m., ensure to be back at the forest already. Start a guided hike along the Igishigishigi trail before you reach the 160-meter-long suspended bridge. The walk offers views of the forest canopy along with the wildlife that live there. After a day of what seem like heavy physical exercises, return to your lodge and relax. Go for massage or swimming to relax your muscles. Dinner and overnight is at your lodge again.
Day 3: Tea Plantation Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On this third day of your 4 days Rwanda chimps and gorilla tour you transfer to Volcanoes National Park. This is a trip of 239 km to the northeast of Nyungwe National Park. Before you head straight there, first take your breakfast, check out and head to a tea plantation near Nyungwe Forest. An opportunity to explore a farm offers the chance to see how tea is grown, harvested and processed. Take some of the tea and compare its taste to that of others. It tastes nice and much superior, doesn’t it? Now continue to Volcanoes National Park, with your lunch offered on the way there. Check in at your lodge in Kinigi for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes & Return to Kigali
After breakfast, just know that the best time of your life is next. Check out and head to the forest headquarters. First receive a briefing held by the park authorities. Ensure you listen and learn a few tips on how to do and not to do a gorilla trek in the forest. Afterwards, you have the greenlight to search for a habituated gorilla group. The experienced trackers from the park guide you throughout your adventure. Time spent to view the gorillas once seen is limited to a generous 1 hour.
Return to the park headquarters, where the driver guide meets you. Drive to Kigali on a 115 km scenic drive with your lunch enroute. Drop off is at Kigali International Airport where you prepare for your departure flight home. The 4 days Rwanda chimps and gorilla tour comes to an end.