6 Nights & 7 Days Gorilla and Chimps Safari

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 – Kigali

  Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, our representative will warmly meet you outside the airport arrivals section and transfer you to your hotel.

  Accommodation at Kigali Serena BB

  Kigali Serena Hotel

  Ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art.

  Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel features an Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating.

  Regarded by many as Kigali’s natural business hub, the hotel also boasts its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom.

• Day 2 – Kigali/Volcanoes National Park

  Breakfast at the hotel.

  Enjoy a City Tour of Kigali. (Cost of city tour included)

  The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare.

  Visit the Kandt museum, see old Kigali and the craft centres then visit the genocide memorial site. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience.

  Enjoy lunch in Kigali.

  Later, depart Kigali and drive to Ruhengeri which takes approximately 2.5 hrs arriving in the early evening at the Volcanoes National Park.

  Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (LDBB)

  Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

  Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is located in Kinigi in northern Rwanda and on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The lodge is located on the foothills of the Mount Karisimbi, one of the volcanic mountains that make up the Virunga Massif. The lodge is about 10 minutes’ drive to the main entrance of the Volcanoes National Park where gorilla trekking starts.

  Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is an eco-lodge with 30 spacious chalets. To ensure the least disruption of the surrounding environment, the eco-lodge was constructed with locally available material. Every chalet comes with a sitting area with a fireplace and has a tea/coffee making machine. The eco-lodge supports the surrounding rural community by purchasing farm-fresh produce that is served in the lodge’s restaurant.

• Day 3: Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkey Trekking

  Enjoy early breakfast at your lodge. 0630 hrs: transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs. After briefing depart for the golden monkey tracking returning to the lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon enjoy a visit to the Bulera and Ruhondo lakes.

  Dinner and overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback lodge (LDBB)

  Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

  Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is located close to the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans from where clients trek on foot to see the magnificent Mountain Gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible.

  The lodge, situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas, the chain of 15,000 ft volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, affords wonderful views of the volcanoes and the surrounding countryside.

  Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises five cottages, two suites and one family cottage. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster a dressing room and a sheltered veranda. Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water. The family cottage comprises two independent ensuite rooms connected by a shared verandah. The main lodge building comprises reception, sitting room with snug area, dining room, library / games room, a responsible tourism / community awareness room, shop and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmland.

  Virunga Lodge

  The magnificent Virunga Lodge is perched high on a ridge and has stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the twin lakes Bulera and Ruhonda.

  The Virunga safari lodge has been described as having ‘the best view in the world’ and as ‘one of the finest lodges in Africa’. The organic, ‘bush-chic’ design reflects the local building style and offers eco-luxury comforts to all guests. Each banda has its own terrace with breath-taking views of the Virunga volcanoes or twin lakes, while sensitive installations such as low-flush toilets and solar power ensure you enjoy luxurious comforts while maintaining a crucial sensitivity to the environment.

  The lodge has 10 Stone guest bandas with tile roofs (2 deluxe, 4 doubles and 4 twins) reflect the local building style. En-suite bathrooms with flushing toilet, double vanity, shower with hot and cold running water. Rooms have mosquito nets, 240v lighting and a private veranda. Bandas are individually named after regional African lakes. For those who still want to connect with the world while on safari, Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge building.

• Day 4 – Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trek

  Enjoy early breakfast. 0620 hrs: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs for your first day of trekking.

  0700 hrs: Briefing by your trackers then drive to the trail head for the start of your amazing Gorilla Tracking adventure.

  Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear.

  The cost is 10 USD per person/per day. We advise that you utilize this service.

  Your trek again starts in the cultivated foothills of the Virunga’s offering stirring views in all directions. When it enters the national park, trekkers will be immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the colorful bird calls, chattering golden monkeys, littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, among the highest in Africa yet easily accessible, beckon an ascent.

  Weaving through overhanging vines, moss-covered hagenia trees and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate, our experienced trackers, who have spent their entire lives in or close to this forest, soon bring us up close with one of the Gorilla Families.

  Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth! After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch. Afternoon depart to Lake Kivu arriving in time for dinner.

  Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Safari Lodge (L-DBB)

  Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

  Serenely sited on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa, and surrounded by extensive tropical gardens, the tastefully open-plan Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offers the ideal extended holiday destination in Rwanda or week-end escape.

  Within several hours drive of both the Rwandan capital, and the glorious Volcanoes National Park (home of the world famous mountain gorillas), it overlooks its own private beach and offers; 66 luxury hotel rooms, executive suites and family accommodation, a panoramic restaurant, indoor and beachside bars, a luxury swimming pool, and the ‘Maisha’ Health Centre (offering an extensive range of health and beauty regimes, boating, swimming, volley ball, tennis, fishing, hiking and trekking). Our Lake Kivu hotel also boasts a world-class fully-integrated Conference Centre, a distinguishing service offering in Rwanda.

• Day 5: – Kibuye /Nyungwe

  Enjoy breakfast at the lodge then drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge – LDBB

• Day 6: – Explore Nyungwe Forest National Park - Chimpanzee Trek+ Canopy

  Start early for early morning forest nature walk in the park tracking Chimpanzees in the Cyamudongo forest. This is the time to watch the forest’s birdlife too. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a canopy walk. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight: Nyungwe Forest Lodge – LDBB

  Nyungwe Forest Lodge

  Designed to fit harmoniously within its beautiful natural surroundings, Nyungwe Forest Lodge offers guests exceptional 5-star comfort and ensures an experience rich in local culture, fluently fused with quality service and African courtesy. The lodge is situated in Gisakura, a working tea plantation, on the edge of the Nyungwe National Park. The Nyungwe Forest is the largest mountain rainforest on the African continent with over 13 different species of primates, representing 20% of all the apes in Africa.

  Nyungwe Forest Lodge consists of 22 luxury rooms which are situated in 6 wooden villas of four rooms each. There are also two presidential suites in separate villas with one of these having a Jacuzzi. This is a luxury lodge and as such the rooms are modern fit-outs and well decorated with traditional touches. Each room is equipped with private decks which offer views overlooking the vast forest terrain.

  There are over 275 different species of birds as well as 75 different species of mammals that reside in Nyungwe National Park. The birds are particularly spectacular with giant hornbills, great blue turacos and red-breasted sparrow hawks being amongst the bird-watcher’s favorites. Twenty-four of these species are endemic to this section of the Rift Valley alone. 

• Day 7: – Nyungwe Forest National Park /Kigali/Depart

  Breakfast at the lodge, drive to Huye with a visit to the workshop of the Tin Smith of Huye.  Enjoy lunch at Ibis Hotel. Visit the National Museum in Huye. On the way to Kigali, visit the Nyanza King’s Palace. Arrive in Kigali and later evening. Transfer to Kigali international airport for your scheduled departure flight. (Cost of flight not included).  (An evening flight is recommended)

  Thank you for traveling with us!