12 Days Primate & Wildlife Adventure Safari in Rwanda & Congo is a diverse two country safari encounter starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda.
The Safari incorporates great primate encounters like Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Other amazing features of this 12 Days Primate & Wildlife Adventure safari in Rwanda & Congo include; Nyiragongo Volcano climbing, extensive wild game viewing and boat ride on Lake Ihema, adventurous Nyungwe canopy walk, Gisozi genocide tour and recreation at Lake Kivu.
Following breakfast at your place of stay in Kigali (Own arrangement), you embark on the tour to the Kigali Genocide memorial positioned at Gisozi one of the suburbs of Kigali city to explore into the dark history of destination Rwanda.
The Museum is a living testimony of the 1994 horrific ethnic driven genocide that befell Rwanda leaving over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus dead.
From the genocide site tour, you settle for lunch and then set off for the drive to Akagera National Park 135km about 2 ½ hour’s drive to the east of Rwanda enjoying the amazing Rwandan hillsides and the overlooking Tanzanian plains before arriving at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp
Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel
You set off early in the morning after a thrilling cup of coffee for an exciting game viewing experience in the Savannah stretches of Akagera National Park.
The park stands as the only Savannah protected habitat in the whole of Rwanda thus is a collection point for a range of species that thrive in such environment.
The game drive in Akagera National Park offers possible views of elephants, lions, Buffaloes, elands, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, Maasai Giraffe, leopards, Impalas, Zebras among other species.
The game drive lasts 3 – 4 hours after which you connect back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you take on a thrilling boat ride on Lake Ihema – the second largest in Rwandan gaining chances of viewing Nile crocodiles, Hippos and birds not forgetting the stretch of the largest protected wetland system in the whole of Central Africa.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp
Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel
Following breakfast, set off for the transfer to Nyungwe National Park 403km about 8 hours drive to the Rwanda’s south west.
You drive through Kigali City before proceeding to the southern province making a lunch stop in Butare after which you tour the National Museum.
The National Museum of Rwanda stands as one of the largest Museums in East Africa with over 100,000 artifacts detailing the history and heritage of Rwanda.
From the Museum, you proceed on the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Nyugwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Drive to the forest of Kyamudongo which is a section of Nyungwe Forest National Park at 5am so as to arrive in time for briefing.
Rwandan Development Board staff conducts briefing at 8am local time after which you set off to the montane forest of Nyungwe in search of Chimpanzees.
The forest is very diverse with other 12 primate species including Black and White Colobus Monkeys, birds and lush flora thus the 2 – 5 hours trek will go beyond the search for the Chimpanzees only.
You have one full hour of direct Chimpanzee viewing after which you get to the starting point and connect to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon (2pm), you gather at Uwinka visitor centre to embark on the canopy walking adventure encounter.
The two hour canopy walk offers magical views of the lush montane forest, the deep gorge, birds and primates. Retire for relaxation and overnight
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Nyugwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Following breakfast, you set off on the transfer to Democratic Republic of Congo crossing at Cyangungu in the southern shores of Lake Kivu.
You drive within Bukavu town to explore the city life of the Rwanda’s south Kivu province before connecting to the lodge to spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation
Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge
Budget: Hotel Horizon
Wake up early in the morning for breakfast after which you gather at the starting point for the low land gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
After the briefing by the park staff, you set off to the lush equatorial jungle and the Volcanoes in search of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla Sub species.
The trek through the forest lasts for about four (4) hours inclusive of one (1) magical hour with the Gorillas thriving in their natural habitats. Unlike the Mountain Gorillas, the Eastern Lowland Gorillas are larger in size with gigantic hands, short muzzle and stocky body presenting a more exciting experience.
Retreat from the activity and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the lodge. You can as well tour the Tshibati Falls after the gorilla trek.
Accommodation
Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge
Budget: Hotel Horizon
Settle for a thrilling relaxed breakfast after which you connect on the dock and transfer by boat to Gisenyi Rwanda cruising across the amazing waters of Lake Kivu – one of the Great lakes of Africa.
You enjoy the beautiful Islands as well before arriving on the landside and spend the evening relaxing by waterside
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide
You have the whole of this day at leisure allowing you to recap on the already finished adventures as you look forward to more. The optional activities that you can engage in include; wind surfing, beach sport, sun bathing, swimming or catamaran.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Midrange / Budget: Paladis Malahide
Connect to the border of Democratic Republic of Congo at Goma and transfer to Virunga National Park in particular Kibati Patrol post to catch up with briefing at 9am and eventual setting off for the Volcano climbing adventure.
Rising to 3470m above sea level, the hike to Nyiragongo Volcano is simple and yet fascinating one offering sights of the surrounding seven volcanoes and the world’s largest and most violent lava lake.
The Nyiragongo hike lasts 4 – 6 hours and night sightseeing of the red glowing lava lake is a memorable wonder that makes the mountain very exciting to explore.
Accommodation: Mountain Shelter
You wake up to enjoy the fascinating sun rise view, the morning freshness across the overlooking Mountains and the rotating clouds before settling for breakfast.
After breakfast, embark on descent back to the starting point to mark the end of the Mountain hike. Get back to the vehicle and drive back to Rwanda border from which you will proceed to Volcanoes National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
You wake up early for breakfast after which you gather at Kinigi Park Headquarters to enjoy the interesting traditional Intore dance and a soothing cup of Rwandan coffee as you await briefing at 8am.
After the gorilla family allocation, you get into your vehicle with an armed ranger guide and connect to the trail head from which start off the trek in the Mountain Gorilla forest.
Perched on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, the gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park as well includes traversing rugged terrain and dense jungle until you come across these gentle giants as they forage or socialize depending on the time you finally come across them.
The direct viewing is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation after which you retreat to the starting point and connect to the lodge to spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Following breakfast, you set off on the transfer back to Kigali 116km about 3 hours drive exploring the amazing views of Rwandan hillsides en route. A drop off at Kigali International Airport can be done as well
End of The 12 Days Primate & Wildlife Adventure Safari in Rwanda & Congo
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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