7 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimps Trekking Tour

Today morning after your breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and will transfer you to Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and still little-known bird-watching destinations in Africa. Dinner and overnight at your booked lodge.

After a very early morning breakfast (4:30 am), you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is 80 individuals. This is an experience you will never forget After the chimpanzee tracking in the afternoon, you can go to East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats. En route you will have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy.

After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Kivu. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat ride and visit a few islands. Your accommodation for the night is located on the shores of Lake Kivu.

Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to Musanze, close to the beautiful Volcano range.

After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for your first experience with the endangered species in Volcanoes National Park. The Golden Monkey Trek is normally an easy trek that takes 1-2 hours. You will later visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, which is a center for gorilla conservation and scientific research.

Today after breakfast, you will drive into the park about 30 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux. The head ranger will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here your guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated gorilla groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours. Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience.

Today, after a relaxed breakfast, you will be transferred by your guide back to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight, you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Center, which opened in 2004. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history, just in time to catch your flight back home. Your guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.