Trekking Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Golden Monkey

Trekking Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Golden Monkey

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KIGALI

Arrive at Kigali airport where you're met by our representative and transferred to your hotel overnight. Briefing on your safari.

Meal Plan: Half Board – Breakfast Lunch

DAY 2: DEPART FOR NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you will be picked up and depart for Nyungwe National Park which is about 6 hrs drive via Butare. En-route visit the famous National Museum at Butare and the ancient King's Palace at Nyanza. Ethnographic objects are grouped together according to the theme giving premium information on daily life. Traditional ceramics and basketry are still manufactured and are some of the finest handicrafts of the region. The National Museum remained surprisingly untouched during the civil war in 1994. Have lunch in Butare and thereafter continue to Nyungwe National Park arriving for dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 3: CHIMPANZEE TREK, NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK + CANOPY WALK

Take an early morning breakfast then drive to the park for the starting point of your chimpanzee trek, with a packed lunch. Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of Montana forest in East and Central Africa and it is an incredibly rich area of biodiversity. Later depart for your nature walk visiting Kamiranzovu waterfall. The forest comprises amongst many things at least 200 tree species over 280 bird species and more than 100 different types of colorful butterfly which make it a true feast of the senses for the nature lover. Head for the afternoon canopy walk. Another exciting way to see the Nyungwe forest in the eyes of the birds. Later return for dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 4: DEPART FOR LAKE KIVU (GISENYI)

After breakfast drive alongside Lake Kivu to the northern resort town of Rubavu. The road offers panoramic views of the lake and hilly Rwanda countryside. Have lunch at Karongi before proceeding to Rubavu for overnight. The afternoon is spent at leisure enjoying the sandy beaches.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 5: DEPART FOR VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast head out for an optional boat ride to explore the nearby islands and if time permits undertake a city tour of Gisenyi, thereafter drive to Musanze. Arrive at Red rocks Intercultural Exchange center for lunch then join the local brew makers to understand the chemistry of the process of brewing a local beer from bananas fruits. If you find the activity interesting enough you can join the women in squeezing the juice out of the bananas and drink a glass of juice (Optional). Understand how long juice takes to turn into alcohol after adding in sorghum floor. Enjoy the big glass of our local brew. Among other activities, they also do basket weaving and with your visit, this local community will be proud of this activity, and families supported financially. Later drive to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Driving distance: 2 hours

Activities: Boat ride

Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 6: MOUNTAIN GORILLA TRACKING, VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast, you will proceed to the National Park headquarters at Kinigi to meet your guides for the day. After completing park formalities, you embark on a once in a lifetime experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long-lost cousin, an hour you will never forget. Return to your hotel for lunch, later in the afternoon visit the beautiful twin lakes Bulera & Ruhondo.

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 7: GOLDEN MONKEY TREK, VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast drive to RDB park headquarters, then enter the forest to trek the golden monkey, and associated species of the blue monkey only found within the Virunga area. The trek will take you until midday, have lunch, and in the afternoon drive back to Kigali airport to catch your outbound flight.