3 Days chimpanzee trekking safari and Kigali city tour
3 Days Nyungwe Chimp Trekking:
This 3 Days Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safari and Kigali city tour starts with an airport pickup from Kigali International Airport to Kigali city for a few hours’ tour, then to Nyungwe Forest National Park for a chimpanzee trekking safari, and finally back to Kigali for departures at the end of the Rwanda safari.
About Nyungwe Forest National Park:
Nyungwe Forest National Park is famously known as the primate paradise in Rwanda due to the existence of 13 primate species that dwell within its rainforest. These primates include chimpanzees, the major attraction of the park; golden monkeys; L’Hoest’s monkey; blue monkeys; red-tailed monkeys; crowned monkeys; owl-faced monkeys; Dent’s Mona monkeys; velvet monkeys; grey-cheeked mangabeys; olive baboons; Angola colobus monkeys; and black and white colobus monkeys. Nyungwe Forest National Park is also known as the birder’s paradise, with over 300 species of birds recorded, including water birds, migratory birds and the resident birds. Some of the birds in Nyungwe include the Ruwenzori turaco, the tinkerbird, and many more. The park also thrills with lots of hiking trails, including the famous canopy walk and many more walking trails to different attractions within the park.
Safari highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Day 3: Transfer to Kigali and departures
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Upon landing at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by an experienced safari driver from Chopper Tour and Travel who will be your driver throughout this 3 days Chimpanzee trekking safari. You will be briefed about Kigali and Rwanda in particular as you set off on your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Depending on your departure time on the last day, you may choose to have a city tour either on day one or on the last day. Let’s know how best you wish to do it, and we shall adjust this itinerary to suit your travel plan.
Well, during the city tour, you will learn more about Kigali, its history and culture. You will visit key tourist attractions in Kigali City, including the Genocide Memorial sites, the King’s Palace, Kimironko Market and many more, depending on the time. Trust me, you will be impressed by how beautiful and clean Kigali is! By the way, did you know that Kigali was ranked the cleanest city in Africa? Well, you can now affirm that.
After the Kigali city tour, have lunch and embark on a 6-hour drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park through Rwanda’s rolling hills, as Rwanda is famously known as the land of a thousand hills. Upon arrival, proceed to check in to your lodge for dinner and have an overnight sleep, anticipating the next day’s fascinating encounter with the chimpanzees in their natural habitats.
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Budget: Gisakura Guest House
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee trekking is done early in the morning, so wake up as early as 5:00 am in the morning, grab your packed lunch bag and be driven to the parking headquarters for a briefing. This is a mandatory procedure conducted before any trekking adventure, not only for chimpanzee trekking but also for those heading for nature walks. The briefing is about the dos and don’ts while in the habitat of the chimpanzees, keeping in mind that these are wild animals, so one has to be careful and vigilant at all times while in their home.
After the briefing, you will be led deep into the forest by experienced rangers and guides to ensure your safety at all times. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park lasts from 2 hours to about 6 hours, with a maximum of 1 hour in close range with them, taking photos and learning more about them from the experienced safari guides.
During chimpanzee trekking, keep on the lookout for other park dwellers, including monkeys, other small animals and lots of birds.
After the trek, meet your safari driver and return to the lodge for a relaxed evening.
Note: You may have an optional Canopy walk
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Budget: Gisakura Guest House
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali and departures
On the last day of your Rwanda safari, have breakfast, then check out of the lodge and meet your driver for about a 6-hour drive back to Kigali for your next flight. Lunch will be in Kigali before the airport drop-off.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of 3 days Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safari
Packing list for Rwanda chimpanzee trekking safari:
- Long-sleeved clothes, including stockings and hand gloves
- Good hiking shoes/boots
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- A hat
- A walking stick can be provided
- Packed lunchbox
- A refillable water bottle
- A camera and extra charged batteries
Safari inclusive;
- A Chimpanzee trekking permit at $250
- A 4×4 safari van/land cruiser
- An English-speaking safari driver/guide
- All accommodation is on a full board
- Enough drinking water
- All activities included in the itinerary
Safari exclusive;
- Visa
- Flight tickets
- Life insurance
- Optional activities
- All expenses of a personal nature, like souvenirs, alcohol,
- Tips and gratuity, etc.
