Rwanda's forests are full of the rare and the remarkable. Silverback gorillas beat their chests, golden monkeys shine with blue faces, chimpanzees hold out their human-like hands and mangabeys, and colobus monkeys are on display from the Congo Basin. This 6 Days Rwanda Primate Adventure safari will take you off of the main forest trails and into a realm that is mostly unseen and undocumented.
Arrive into Kigali International airport (either from Entebbe or connecting flight), meet and transfer to your Kigali Serena Hotel. The elegant Kigali Serena Hotel is perfectly situated within one of the city’s most vibrant boulevards. Here, guests are welcomed into a gleaming granite atrium, adorned with fantastic Rwandan artworks, where they are then ushered to contemporary rooms that feature air conditioning, Wi-Fi connectivity, a satellite television, and a lovely ensuite bathroom. The hotel offers a wonderful selection of dining options; from the Milima Restaurant that overlooks the sparkling swimming pool to the Sokoni Restaurant that has become a popular meeting place for both locals and travellers alike. In the evenings retreat to the hotel’s convivial lounge where two bar areas await.
After breakfast, you will set off to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a journey likely to take about 5 hours. On arrival you will check into Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel for a late lunch and rest of the day at leisure. Chimpanzee trekking will begin the following day. The Nyungwe national park is a home of various primate which are already accustomed to human presence including chimpanzees, black and white colobus, mangabey, and unique plant species including orchids. It is also home for endangered bird species making it a suitable destination for bird lovers Water falls and a canopy walk way, various hike trails and interpretation centre are also some of the key tourist pulling attractions.
Accessed from the main road from Kigali via a steep and mercifully short dirt track, the Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel lies on a small plateau with some of the most beautiful views in the Nyungwe Forest area—the largest single forest block in East Africa and Rwanda's biggest water reservoir. This is primate country, with 13 species such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus, mangabey, silver monkey and olive baboon, along with 270-plus bird species and incredible plant life (look out for orchids). Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is modern, so the facilities are clean and comfortable, the ideal base for exploratory tours.
After a very early breakfast, depart on a six hour drive to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda's prime national park and the main region where celebrated naturalist Dian Fossey carried out her research into gorillas. Upon arrival, register at the park’s headquarters. Check in at the Sabyinyo Silver Back Lodge. The beautiful Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge lies hidden amongst the foothills of the spectacular Virungas (a chain of volcanoes that lie in what is thought to be the heart of the legendary land of King Solomon’s mines). Surrounded by the tropical forests of Rwanda, guests can unwind in their choice of stone cottage or suites, each with a large sitting room, fireplace, stylish ensuite bathroom and private veranda. The stone buildings feature traditional terracotta tile roofs and polished wooden floors.
Sumptous menus can be savoured in the cosy dining room or al fresco on the outside deck, with its breath-taking views of the Virunga volcanoes. Nearby adventures include hikes into the Parc National des Volcans in search of the majestic mountain gorilla and the enchanting golden monkey, cultural excursions, bird watching and mountain biking trails and visits to a multitude of scenic destinations. Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly Rwanda’s cornerstone experience. Adventurous travelers from around the world flock to its verdant forests for the rare chance to interact with the region’s famous inhabitants: the Mountain Gorillas. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda is home to 340 of the earth’s 780 Mountain Gorillas remaining in the wild. It is also the location where researcher Dian Fossey dedicated 20 years of her life, studying and observing these giants and their primate neighbors in the their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is truly a breathtaking experience.
There are 10 habituated families of Mountain Gorillas located in the Rwandan sector of the Virunga Volcanoes specifically tracked for visitor interaction: the Susa Group, Sabyinyo Group, Amahoro Group, Group Thirteen (Agasha Group), Kwitonda, Umubano, Bwengye, Hirwa, Karinsimbi, and Ugenda. Some families have babies and teenagers, while others may not have many children or may be comprised of more females. Just like a typical human family unit, each gorilla family offers something unique and completely different, making no two gorilla treks the same.
After breakfast transfer back to Kigali. You may wish to enjoy a city tour including a visit to Gisozi genocide memorial site. The will be ready to transfer you to the airport for your departure flight to the next destination.
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