7 Days Rwanda and Congo lowland primates’ safari
7 Days Rwanda and Congo lowland primates’ safari
Safari overview
This 7 Days Rwanda primates and Congo lowland gorilla safari takes you to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s home for the endangered mountain gorillas. The park is located in Virunga Mountains shared with Uganda and Congo. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is different from other parks because it is quite easier to find the gorillas even with the steep hills of the Virunga Mountains. There are about 10 habituated gorilla families for visitors to see. Apart from gorilla trekking. Nyungwe National Park is the best destination for primates’ tours especially the Chimpanzees in Rwanda and is one of the largest remaining montane forests in Africa and has been in existence since the Ice Age period.
It covers an area of about 970 square kilometers and is located in south southwestern part of Rwanda in a town called Cyangungu near Lake Kivu and the border of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nyungwe Forest National Park canopy walk is the best experience in East Africa, it is the only national park where nature lovers can go for a true canopy walk. The canopy walk starts at the Uwinka Visitors Center and goes through a hanging platform that is about 45 meters above the ground. From these heights, visitors get spectacular views of the rainforest, animals, and birds.
Kahuzi Biega National Park
The safari also features visits to Kahuzi Biega National Park where we find some of the remaining Eastern lowland gorillas while the rest can be in Maiko National Park however those in Kahuzi Beiga are the only ones accessible for visitors. Kahuzi Biega National Park has 2 dormant volcanoes within it including; mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biega (2,790 m) with 2 sectors; Highland (Open for visits) and the lowland (closed for visits) and has only 3 gorilla groups habituated for visit by the tourists. The park doesn’t only have lowland gorillas but several other animals like the Forest Hog, the forest Elephant, Antelopes, and the bush duikers. Book with us this trip for a lifelong remember.
Safari highlights
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking – community tour
Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee tracking and Isumo waterfall walk
Canopy walk and transfer to Bukavu – Congo
Lowland gorilla trekking
Drive back to Kigali – Departure
Detailed safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Depending on your location in Kigali, you will meet your safari driver who will be your guide throughout the trip, meet and greet, and pack your luggage in the safari vehicle and Volcanoes National Park. It’s a 2-3 hours drive from Kigali to Musanze where we find the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Arrive in Musanze at a good time for lunch after checking in your booked accommodation. Connect to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
5 Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge/Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/Hotel Muhabura/Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 2: Gorilla trekking experience – Community tour
After early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the Kinigi Park headquarters with your trekking gear for a briefing about the endangered mountain gorillas. You have been allocated a gorilla family to trek, connect to the starting point, and start trekking along with the guidance of the armed ranger guides together with ranger guides. This activity may take between 2-8 hours searching for the gorillas depending on their movement. However, meeting them is so rewarding and you will spend maximally 1 hour with them as you take time studying them and taking pictures and videos. After spending your time with the fascinating mountain gorillas, return to the base and meet your driver to connect to your lodge for lunch and refresh.
Iby’wacu Cultural Village
Later afternoon, visit the Iby’wacu Cultural Village Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through the provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood-based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will move around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies, and a guided community walk. Dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 3: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
On the 3rd day of your 7 Days Rwanda and Congo lowland primates’ safari, after breakfast, meet up by your safari driver and transferred to Nyungwe Forest National Park. It’s a 6-7 hours drive from Volcanoes National Park with en-route lunch. Proceed to the park and connect to your booked accommodation for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Forest Lodge/Nyungwe Top View Hotel/Gisakura Guest House
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and Isumo trail waterfalls walk
Enjoy breakfast and go for a briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in the Nyungwe forest. The Chimpanzees are not quite easy to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3-5 hours. To find them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos.
Connect to visit Nyungwe’s biggest waterfalls on the Isumo trail. This is one of the most refreshing experiences with sights of different birds and some primates. The walk is approximately 4 hours walking up and down the Nyungwe forest. Thereafter, return to your hotel for relaxation and good memories. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 5: Canopy walk trail and transfer to Bukavu – Congo
After breakfast, you will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk. You will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving about below you. Thereafter, embark on your scenic journey to cross to Bukavu in Congo which is a 2 hours drive from Nyungwe forest. It has wonderful views of the hills in Rwanda through the tropical forest of Nyungwe National Park and a clear view of Lake Kivu. Cross to Congo and proceed to your booked accommodation for relaxation.
Dinner, and overnight stay at Hotel Elizabeth/Orchid Hotel/Panorama Hotel
Day 6: Lowland Gorilla tracking tour in Kahuzi Biega – DR Congo
In the morning, you will head for the memorable adventure of tracking the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Tracking lowland Gorillas is very amazing, lowland Gorillas differ from mountain gorillas. It usually takes 1-4 hours to track the lowland Gorillas. The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas. You will not regret the safari effort once you meet the amazing Gorillas! Later in the afternoon drive back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at a hotel as above
Day 7: Return to Kigali – Rwanda
After breakfast, meet your driver again and cross back to Rwanda. You will meet your Rwanda guide to transfer back to Rwanda. At the border, you will meet your driver guide and proceed back to Kigali. It’s a 7-8 hours drive with en-route lunch, you will have a stopover in Butare. Visit the National Museum of Rwanda and the king’s palace in Nyanza. Proceed to Kigali and you will be dropped off at a location you advise.
Tour includes
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Park entrance fee
- An English-speaking driver guide
- Accommodation
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
Tour excludes
- Alcoholic drinks
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Life insurance
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, hiring a porter, and tips among others.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for Ugandan natives. We specialize in life-changing experiences, sustainable tours, and holidays for all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are making booking your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari easy. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
