10 days Rwanda primate and wildlife safari

The 10 Days Rwanda Primate and Wildlife Safari is one of the comprehensive safaris in Rwanda that allows you to encounter the country in detail. The safari takes you to the Akagera National Park for amazing wild game viewing and boat cruise, Nyanza for culture encounters, Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzees and canopy walk Gisenyi for beach relaxation on Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park for gorilla, Golden Monkeys, Dian Fossey site and the Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience in the surrounding community. The historical genocide site tour and the drive through the amazing scenery of the hilly landscapes combine to generate ultimate Africa safari memories.
Safari Highlight
Day 1: Explore the Gisozi genocide memorial in Kigali & drive to Akagera National Park
Day 2: Undertake morning game drive & boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon
Day 3: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south west. Make a stop in Butare to visit the Nyanza Royal Palace.
Day 4: Undertake morning chimpanzee trekking and Nyungwe Forest Canopy walk in the afternoon
Day 5: Drive to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu). Drive along the Congo Nile divide trail
Day 6: Relax on the lake and drive in the evening to Volcanoes National Park
Day 7: Undertake mountain gorilla trekking & evening relaxation at the lodge
Day 8: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience. Whole day experiential encounter of the family life in Rwanda
Day 9: Undertake golden monkey tracking and visit the Musaze Caves in the afternoon
Day 10: Undertake the hike to the Dian Fossey site and transfer back to Kigali
Detailed Safari Description
Day 1: Explore the Gisozi genocide memorial in Kigali & drive to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, embark on the visit to Gisozi genocide memorial to pay tribute to the counts of Rwandese that lost their lives in the 1994 bloody genocide. The site has a detailed interpretation of what transpired during that time. Retreat from the activity for lunch after which you embark on the transfer to Akagera National Park 135km about 3 hours’ drive arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel
Wild Camping
Day 2: Undertake morning game drive & boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon
Embark on a thrilling game drive along the rolling savannah plains of Akagera National Park along with its papyrus swamps that fringe the series of lakes and the rolling hills that are filled by counts of wildlife. The game drive offers you possibilities of viewing elephants, Buffaloes, Masaai Giraffe, Topis, Roan Antelopes, Lions, leopards, waterbucks among other wildlife. You retreat from the 3 – 4 hour activity and return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you embark on the boat cruise on Lake Ihema which is the second largest lake in Rwanda. The cruise is a thrilling on the calm waters of this lake with possible views of Nile Crocodiles and Hippos and papyrus dwelling birds. Retreat from the activity in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel
Wild Camping
Day 3: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south west. Make a stop in Butare to visit the Nyanza Royal Palace.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park to the south west of Rwanda. You make a stop in Nyanza to visit the Nyanza palace which is a home to the past traditional leaders of Rwanda. The King Musinga and is successor King Rudahigwa stayed in this palace. It has an impressive architectural hut and inyambo cows. Retreat from the activity and continue on the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park arriving it the evening for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Wild Camping
Day 4: Undertake morning chimpanzee trekking and Nyungwe Forest Canopy walk in the afternoon
Gather at the Nyugwe forest headquarters for the chimpanzee trekking experience. You attend to briefing by the park rangers at 8am after which you head to the forest in search the man’s closest relative – the chimpanzees. The trek exposes you to impressive scenic landscapes of the largest mountain forest in East Africa marked with verdant flora including the beautiful orchids. The park is also supports other 12 primate species apart from Chimpanzees which might be encountered too during the hike including the Black and White Colobus Monkeys. The eventual encounter with the chimps as they munch fruit, the young chimps rolling themselves on tree branches and playing with their mothers, the male chimpanzees doing the patrolling along with scary pant hooting calls and viewing them eye to eye lures you to the world of the unknown that you have never dreamt of. You come to accept the reality that indeed man and chimps share the common ancestor. The chimpanzee trekking activity tends to last 2 – 5 hours inclusive of one hour direct encounter with the chimps. Retreat from the activity and transfer to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you embark on the adventurous Nyungwe canopy walk which is noted as the first of its kind in East Africa and the third on the African continent. The 90m long and 40m high walkway with the views of the deep forested saddles, the lush canopy filled with primates, birds and butterflies make the activity worth undertaking while on Rwanda safari. Retreat for the two hour adventure and return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Wild Camping
Day 5: Drive to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu). Drive along the Congo Nile divide trail
Settle for a relaxed breakfast amidst the fresh humid forests of Nyungwe after which you embark on the drive to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi) 294km about 7 hours’ drive passing along the Congo Nile divide which acts as the separation of the water catchment area for two great African Rivers namely; River Congo and River Nile which is also the longest in the world. The magical sceneries of Lake Kivu are impressive to encounter en route. Arrive on Lake Kivu in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Midrange / Standard: Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu / Water Front Lake Kivu
Budget / Basic: Paladise Malahide
Resort Camping
Day 6: Relax on the lake and drive in the evening to Volcanoes National Park
You take your thrilling breakfast in the fresh water breeze of Lake Kivu after which you have a range of optional activities that you can participate in including; the boat cruise, swimming in this Bilharzia free lake, wind surfing experience, sun bathing, cycling among others. Retreat for lunch and relaxation at the lodge after which you embark in the transfer to Volcanoes National Park 110km about 2 hours’ drive arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Wild Camping
Day 7: Undertake mountain gorilla trekking & evening relaxation at the lodge
You wake up early in the morning at your lodge for breakfast and embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park Park headquarters Kinigi. At the headquarters as you wait for the briefing time, you are treated for a warm cup of coffee served courtesy of Rwanda Development Board while being entertained by the Kinyarwanda dance troupes before the park rangers set to allocate the respective gorilla families and then briefing in your respective gorilla groups at 8am. After briefing you drive to the respective gorilla family trail heads to head to the jungle in search of the critically endangered apes. The hike through the volcanic slopes marked with steep slopes and dense vegetation beautiful in nature present amazing scenic views. The eventual encounter with the mountain gorillas as they forage to feed their huge tummies, attending to the frightening welcome of the silverback, watching the baby gorillas as they roll themselves on tree branches, play with other and respective mothers among other aspects will lure you into an unforgettable amazement. The one hour is availed to you to experience what you have heard, read and thought of for long and the remarkable pictures will form a lasting memorabilia for this lifetime experience that is so far the best in Africa. The gorilla trekking activity tends to last 2 – 8 hours depending on how long the gorillas have moved. Retreat from the activity and get back to the lodge for relaxation and dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Wild Camping
Day 8: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience. Whole day experiential encounter of the family life in Rwanda
Wake up very early and connect with the family members to embark on the whole day routine of their everyday life. If you are a man, you follow your fellow men and if you are a woman, you follow the women. Rwanda features extensive coffee plantations and tea not forgetting the livestock. The women would do cleaning of the houses and the homestead, cultivating, the preparing food, making of crafts among others while men would go in or activities like Milking, Cultivating, live stock rearing, and construction among others. The experience includes enjoying local cuisine, interaction and storytelling and traditional performances before you eventually settle for another overnight.
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 9: Undertake golden monkey tracking and visit the Musaze Caves in the afternoon
After breakfast at your lodge, you gather at Kinigi Park headquarters at 7am for briefing about the golden monkey tracking experience. After the briefing, you drive to the trail head where you embark on the hike through impressive forested landscapes of Volcanoes National Park with its chain of Volcanic Mountains. The golden monkeys are given as endangered and are only found in the Virunga massif. They would definitely impress you as they leap among the Bamboo tree branches on the foot hills of Sabyinyo Mountains. You have one complete hour to maximize your experience with them the camera will have to be set in the speed shutter speed to match their fast movements in the tree branches. Retreat from the activity that tends to last for 4 hours and get back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you head to the Musaze caves to encounter the ancient caves of Musaze whose formation dates back to 65 million years ago accruing from the lava flow for the eruption of Sabyinyo and Bisoke Mountains. The caves stretch for 2km inside and have got 31 entrances with a large bat colony inside. The inside of the caves is actually frightening to walk along. However, you are always accompanied by the armed guide. The activity tends to last 2 hours after which you return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Wild Camping
Day 10: Undertake the hike to the Dian Fossey site and transfer back to Kigali
After breakfast, embark on the hike to the Dian Fossey site. The encounter gives you an opportunity to pay tribute to Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey is a famed American Primatologist who dedicated her life to the conservation of Mountain gorillas. She carried out substantive research about and advocated for their plight. Visiting her research site at Karisoke where she lays in rest alongside her most loved silverback Digit is rewarding to encounter. Retreat from this 4 hour activity and embark on the transfer to Kigali 116km about 3 hours to mark the end of safari.
End Safari