8 Nights / 9 Days Gorilla Trip to Rwanda

A 9 days Rwanda Safari starts and ends in Kigali. This safari can also be done on a private basis. It gives clients an opportunity to discover the best of Rwanda. It starts with the wildlife and birds in Akagera National Park in the east with its beautiful wetland savannah. The highlight of the safari is, of course, tracking the mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest. This safari offers an opportunity to track gorillas twice. PNV in Rwanda has five habituated gorilla families and tracking most groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave and the endangered golden monkey. You continue to Nyungwe, in southern Rwanda, a massive afro-montane forest, the largest in Central Africa. The forest has 13 primate species including chimpanzee and large groups of Colobus monkeys. Other attractions are 300 bird species and a variety of orchids and butterflies.

Clients can stay 2 nights in Akagera Lodge, 3 nights at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge and 3 nights at ORTPN Rest house on the western edge of the Nyungwe Forest.

Day 1: Arrival.

You will be met on arrival at airport and then transfer to Kigali. You will get briefed about your safari and after lunch, depart for Akagera. Go for an evening game drive and have a chance to look at some animals before they get back to their habitants. Overnight and dinner at Akagera Lodge (FB).

Day 2: Game drives.

Game drives in the park or a canoe ride on Lake Ihema to see the large number of hippo, the huge Nile crocodile and birds. Overnight and dinner at Akagera Lodge (FB).

Day 3: Travel to Kinigi

Early start for Kinigi. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that show much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. You will have late lunch on arrival at PNV. Overnight at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).

Day 4: Gorilla Tracking

Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest of the Virunga is a wonderful experience. If you are lucky you can get to see the gorillas, spend time with the gorillas (takes about I hour), and be back at the lodge in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Overnight and dinner at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).

Day 5: Golden Monkeys

Visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ross Carr’s orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey’s grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. Overnight at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).

Day 6: Drive to Nyungwe.

Early start for Nyungwe. Visit the old palace in Nyanza. Drive past green hills of tea and the vast Nyungwe Forest. Overnight at ORTPN Rest house (FB).

Day 7: Forest Walk.

Go on an escorted walk in search of the large groups of Colobus monkeys and birds including the Rwenzori turaco. Or go chimp tracking and have picnic lunch. Return late afternoon. Overnight at ORTPN Rest house (FB).

Day 8

Guided nature walk in the forest or go chimp tracking. Overnight and dinner at ORTPN Rest House (FB)

Day 9: Depart for Kigali

Leave for Kigali. If time allows go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and a genocide memorial. Transfer to the airport (HB)