A 5-day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tour in Rwanda provides a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience. Combining visits to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking, it allows you to observe two of Rwanda’s most iconic primate species in their natural habitat.
Here’s a brief introduction to each park and what you might expect on this tour:
Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking
Located in the northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Mountains, a region that includes Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Together, these parks form the Virunga Massif, home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population.
Gorilla trekking is the park’s primary attraction. Groups of up to 8 visitors are led by guides and rangers to track habituated gorilla families, usually for an hour of observation. The park’s terrain is rugged and can be steep, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
In addition to gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park offers other activities such as golden monkey tracking, guided hikes to the Dian Fossey Tomb and Karisoke Research Center, and cultural visits to the local communities.
Accommodations around the park range from luxury lodges to more budget-friendly options.
Nyungwe Forest National Park: Chimpanzee Tracking
Located in the southwest of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the oldest and most biodiverse rainforests in Africa. It’s home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including 13 species of primates.
Chimpanzee tracking is the highlight here. Treks through the forest can take several hours, but once a group of chimpanzees is located, visitors are allowed an hour of observation.
In addition to chimpanzees, you can encounter other primates such as colobus monkeys, mangabeys, and vervet monkeys. The forest also hosts over 300 bird species.
Nyungwe Forest National Park offers other activities such as canopy walks, guided nature walks, and birdwatching.
Accommodations range from simple guesthouses to luxury lodges.
Combining both parks into a 5-day tour allows you to experience the rich biodiversity of Rwanda’s rainforests and the unique opportunity to see both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitats.
Here’s an example itinerary for a 5-day tour:
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Morning: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon: Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which provides a poignant insight into Rwanda’s history. Take a city tour and explore the local markets.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Morning: Breakfast at your hotel and embark on a scenic 2-3 hour drive to Volcanoes National Park.
Afternoon: Check-in at your lodge in Volcanoes National Park, followed by lunch.
Evening: Relax at the lodge, take a nature walk, or enjoy cultural entertainment.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge in Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Early morning: Breakfast at the lodge before heading to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing.
Late morning to afternoon: Embark on a thrilling gorilla trekking adventure, which can take anywhere from 2-6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once you locate them, you will have an hour to observe and photograph these magnificent creatures.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Optional activities in the afternoon, such as visiting the Twin Lakes or the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge in Volcanoes National Park.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Morning: Breakfast at the lodge and depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive takes about 5-6 hours.
Afternoon: Check-in at your lodge in Nyungwe Forest National Park, followed by lunch.
Late afternoon: Enjoy a canopy walk or guided nature walk in the forest.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Early morning: Breakfast at the lodge before heading out for chimpanzee tracking.
Late morning: Spend time tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat and learning about their behaviors.
Return to the lodge for lunch.
Afternoon: Departure from Nyungwe Forest National Park and drive back to Kigali.
Late evening: Arrival in Kigali, followed by transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure.
Please note that this is a sample itinerary and can be customized based on your preferences and the availability of permits.