8 Days Primates Adventure
This is an 8 days primates adventure to Rwanda, and it’s one of the best adventures for those who are interested in Primate watching in Rwanda. It takes you for gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park. This adventure comes with added activities like a hike to Dian Fossey’s Tomb in Volcanoes National Park, a Rwanda cultural tour at Iby’iwacu cultural village, a canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park, and a visit to Lake Kivu for a boat cruise and a coffee tour.
Adventure highlights
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali airport and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and hike to Dian Fossey Tomb
Day 4: Visit to Iby’iwacu cultural village and transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu for an afternoon boat cruise
Day 7: Coffee tour at Lake Kivu
Day 8: Transfer back to Kigali airport
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali airport and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On the 1st day of the adventure, you will connect with a representative guide from Chopper Tour and Travel. He will transfer you to Kigali city, where you will visit the Kigali genocide memorial and Kandt house museum. After the visit to these places, you will first have lunch and then you will head to Volcanoes National Park.
You will have dinner at the lodge in Volcanoes National Park, and thereafter, you will head for your night’s rest
Accommodations at Volcanoes National Park
Luxury: One and only gorilla’s nest
Midrange: Le Bambou gorilla lodge
Budget: Hotel Muhabura
Day 2: Gorilla trekking
On the 2nd day of the adventure, you will have breakfast and then get a packed lunch and meal from the lodge. You will head for a briefing at the park headquarters, and then you will go for gorilla trekking that will take you about 30 minutes to 7 hours searching for the gorillas, depending on their location.
You will stay with them for 1 hour in their habitat, and then you will get back to the lodge after taking photos and videos of them. You will have some time to monitor how they behave. You will relax at the lodge after being transferred there. In the evening, you will have dinner, and then you will retire to bed.
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and hike to Dian Fossey Tomb
On the 3rd day of the adventure, you will have a golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park after having breakfast. You will have the company of an armed ranger guide, and after taking about 30 minutes to 4 hours of searching, you will spend one hour with the golden monkeys after spotting them. You will then return to the lodge.
You will have lunch at the lodge and then, in the afternoon, head for a hike to Dian Fossey’s Tomb. You will come across several attractions as you hike to Dian Fossey’s Tomb. You will come across birds, plant species, primates and many more. You will be able to see the Tomb of Dian Fossey and also learn about the gorillas. The guide will take you back to the lodge; you will freshen up, and then you will have dinner. You will after having your night’s rest.
Day 4: Visit to Iby’iwacu cultural village and transfer to Nyungwe National Park
On the 4th day of the adventure, you will have breakfast and then check out of the lodge. You will head to Iby’iwacu cultural village, where you will learn about the culture of Rwanda and the traditions of the Rwandese people. You will learn from the locals how they prepare their local meals, and then after, visit their projects. You will then set off to Nyungwe National Park
You will have an enroute lunch and then arrive at Nyungwe National Park. You will relax at the lodge in Nyungwe National Park, and then you will have dinner in the evening. You will then retire to bed.
Accommodations at Nyungwe National Park
Luxury: One and only Nyungwe house
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Budget: Gisakura guest hours.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk
On the 5th day of the adventure, you will have breakfast early in the morning and then go for a briefing at the park headquarters. You will then head to Nyungwe forest for chimpanzee trekking with an armed ranger guide. You will take approximately 30 minutes to 4 hours to find the chimpanzees. You will spend one hour with the chimpanzees and then capture photos of them in their habitats after noticing their behaviours. You will be taken back to the lodge, have lunch and then relax.
You will have an afternoon canopy walk that will take about 2 hours to complete. It will be conducted on the suspended bridge that is about 70m high and 160m long. You will observe the Nyungwe forest from the bridge and the wildlife. You will then get back to the lodge. You will have dinner and then retire to bed.
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu for an afternoon boat cruise
On the 6th day of the adventure, you will have breakfast, and you will check out of the lodge. The guide will transfer you to Lake Kivu, where you will first check into a hotel, have lunch and then be transferred to the lake.
You will conduct an afternoon boat cruise at Lake Kivu, and you get to explore some of the islands on Lake Kivu. You will have views of a variety of bird species, and then after, you will return to the hotel, freshen up, have dinner and retire to bed.
Accommodations at Lake Kivu
Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Midrange: Hotel Paradis Malahide
Budget: Inzu lodge
Day 7: Coffee tour at Lake Kivu
On the 7th day of the adventure, you will have breakfast at the lodge, and then, after a briefing, you will set off to Nyamirundi Island by boat. You will conduct the coffee tour at Nyamirundi Island, which is one of the islands on Lake Kivu. During the coffee tour on a Rwanda safari, you will learn the coffee-making process and you will learn how it is processed from the locals that you will find on the island.
After the coffee tour and learning about coffee, you will be returned to the lodge, and you will have lunch. You will relax at the lodge, and then, after, you will share your experience of the adventure with the guides. You will be served dinner, and then you will retire to bed.
Day 8: Transfer back to Kigali airport
You will have an early morning breakfast on the last day, and the guide will transfer you back to Kigali airport for your flight.
End of the 8 Days Primates Adventure Trip.
Adventure includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Pick up and drop off
- Park entrance fees
- Meals
- Accommodation
- Mineral-bottled water
- 4WD safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver guide
Adventure excludes
- Visa fees and air ticket fees
- Personal insurance
- Tips
- Personal expenses
