Day One: Arrival in Kigali

Upon arrival at Kigali Airport, you will be met by your Vacanza Adventure Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time you may have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Kigali and join a guided tour of the Genocide Museum. Later visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer.

Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel

Meals: Bed and Breakfast

Day Two: Nyungwe Forest national park

Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This drive takes about 5 hours with some stops at local markets, the traditional palace in Nyanza. Continue to Butare to visit the Botanical Gardens and the cultural museum. You will drive through green fields of tea scattered across the hillsides and the small unique wooden houses surrounding Nyungwe Forest. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift. Arrive at the lodge to check for an overnight

Overnight: Nyungwe Forest lodge

Meal: Full Board

Day Three: Chimpanzee Tracking

Report to the park headquarters for a briefing. Hike into Nyungwe Forest – Cymudongo, the natural habitats for a huge population of Chimps. Chimpanzees are great apes that are closely related to humans. Nyungwe Forest hosts these intelligent primates who are an endangered species. The forest harbors more than 275 endemic and migratory bird species recorded Including the Ruwenzori turaco, Ross’s turaco, Grey –cheeked hornbill, Red-throated alethe, Red-breasted sparrow hawk, White-headed wood-hoopoe, Kungwe apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Blue-headed and Regal sunbirds.
Afternoon, either enjoy the Canopy walk or the waterfall trail walk in the forest before exiting it. A combination of all these activities or any one of these activities is a reward and a wonderful experience. Later return to the lodge for an overnight

Overnight: Nyungwe Forest lodge / Top view Hotel

Meal: Full Board

Day Four: Nature walk- Volcanoes National park

Enjoy nature walk in Nyungwe Forest. This will be conducted in the company of a park ranger. On this nature walk search for the largest groups of colobus – enjoy viewing many monkeys in large groups and different bird species including; the Rwenzori Turaco. After the walk take a break and relax with a picnic lunch in the middle of the forest. Later start your drive north to Kinigi via Gisenyi. Enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. This drive is about 6 hours.

Overnight: Sabinyo Lodge/ Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Meal: Full Board

Day Five: Gorilla Tracking

Your guide will transfer you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing. After a briefing, you’ll drive to the trailhead for the start of your gorilla tracking adventure. You will have an option of hiring a porter to carry your backpack and gear during the gorilla trek for 10 USD per person, which we recommended. The trek to the Mountain gorillas starts in the foothills of the Virungas before entering the mysterious tunnels of the rainforest, alive with bird calls and chattering golden monkeys. You will trek and climb through the shady bamboo forests on the lush forested slopes that are home to seven habituated mountain gorilla groups. As you glimpse looming peaks through the foliage, the experienced trackers take you up close with one of the gorilla families. You’ll stay with the gorillas for a magical hour as they go about their daily life; feeding, playing, resting, and raising their young. Later retire for an overnight at the lodge.

Overnight: Sabinyo Lodge/ Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Meal: Full Board

Day Six: Departure

Today marks the final day of your primate safari. After a breakfast, you will take a scenic drive back to Kigali. The two and a half hour trip will take you through Rwanda’s dazzling green hills, giving you one last taste of this beautiful country before you arrive at the airport for your departure flight.