Rwanda Primate Ramble

January 10, 2020 - 3 minutes read

This seven-day/six-night safari with Adventure Consults takes visitors trekking in Rwanda’s leading primate destinations, where they’ll be able to track mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, black & white colobus and golden monkeys.

Highlights:

Day 1: Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Six-hour journey from Kigalito the lodge at Nyungwe Forest with stops for photography, interaction with the local communities, lunch and a visit to the Nyanza Palace.

Day 2: Chimpanzees/Canopy Walk/Colobus Monkeys

Early morning transfer to the park headquarters in time for a challenging but rewarding chimp track. Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon canopy walk or interaction with the black and white colobus monkey.

Day 3: Nyungwe Forest to Kigali.

Morning transfer to Kigali with stops for photo opportunities. Optional city tour including a visit to the Genocide Memorial, handicraft shops and local markets. Otherwise, simply relax at the hotel or explore on your own. Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel.

Day 4: Kigali to Virunga

Morning  transfer to Parc des Volcans with views of the rainforest and massive volcanoes towering almost 15,000 feet. Meals and accommodation at the lodge.

Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in Parc des Volcans

Early morning transfer to the park headquarters and rainforest in search of the area’s famous mountain gorillas, with glimpses of the magnificent peaks through the forest canopy.

In the afternoon, safari participants have an option to relax at the lodge or visit o Iby’iwacu Cultural Village in Kinigi. The village tour includes the house of a local chief, watching an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, trying your hand at bow and arrow shooting, and traditional dancing and drumming.

Day 6: Golden Monkeys/Dian Fossey’s Grave/Optional Gorilla Trek

Options to track the rare chattering golden monkey, climb one of the famous volcanoes (Visoke or Muhabura), or trek to Dian Fossey’s grave. Alternatively, guests may go for a second gorilla trek (an additional US$1,500 per permit). After lunch, drive to Kigali and last-minute craft shopping before hotel drop off.

Day 7: Return flight

Depending on the flight schedule, you can undertake a short tour of Kigali before transferring to the airport in time for your flight home.

Accommodation is at travelers’ choice, but here are some recommendations

Luxury:

Parc des Volcans: Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Lodge, Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Kigali: Mariott Hotel Kigali, Serena Kigali, Haven Lodge

Mid Range:

Parc des Volcans: Mt Gorilla View Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Nyungwe Hill Top View

Kigali: Hotel Mille des Collins, Flame Tree, Gorilla Golf Hotel, Ubumwe Grand Hotel.

 

Tags: golden monkeys, Rwanda’s leading primate destinations, track mountain gorillas, trekking in Rwanda