Rwanda's Primates
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Fast Facts
Travelling to:
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park
duration:
8 Days - 7 Nights
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This itinerary is perfect for those wishing to include some Primate trekking with traditional safaris in East Africa or before relaxing on one of the tropical beach locations along the African coastline.
This comprehensive tour takes in 2 major National Parks - home to Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees as well as a number of other species. A night in Kigali refreshes you before driving to the Volcanoes National Park for a 2 night stay. Trekking through stunning scenery to spend time with a family of Mountain Gorillas is a truly unforgetable experience.
There is time to enjoy a 2nd trek which is highly recommended as it encourages you to put down your camera and observe. Then you drive to the south west of this small landlocked country to one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe National Park is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful and hosts a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift - part of Africa's Western Rift Valley.
Highlights
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Kigali
Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda. It sprawls across numerous hills, ridges and valleys, and has a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene.
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Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is a national park in north-western Rwanda. Although the park itself only 62 sq miles, it contains five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo
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Nyungwe Forest National Park
Located 4 to 5 hours to the southwest of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a vast untouched tropical rainforest and montane forest with a high dense canopy. Nyungwe became a National Park in 2004 and has in some of the finest biodiversity.
Outline Itinerary
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Day 1 - Overnight Travel
Board your overnight flight from London Heathrow to Kigali International Airport
Day 2 - Kigali
Staying at: Flame Tree Village
Arrive Kigali Airport After completion of customs and immigration formalities you will be met at the airport by a representative, briefing on your trip and introduction to your safari driver-guide. Thereafter transfer to your hotel and overnight.
Day 3 - Volcanoes National Park
Staying at: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
After breakfast, depart on a scenic drive west wards to Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself, located only 25km from the Uganda border, is relatively small with about 350,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French speaking), many people speak English here.
Day 4 - Volcanoes National Park
Staying at: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Early breakfast at your lodge. Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters for registration where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit.
There is a total of 96 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.
Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point.
Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. Have lunch at the lodge;
Afternoon time/weather permitting, visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
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Day 5 - Nyungwe Forest National Park
Staying at: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
After breakfast, you drive to Nyungwe National Park; a rainforest reserve at an altitude range of between 1600-2950 metres above sea level with temperatures varying between 0°C and 30° C; average day temperature is 15°C. Nyungwe receives rainfall ranging from 1800-2500 mm per year. Rainy season is September to May, Dry season June to August with some dry weeks in December and January. The main features and attractions in Nyungwe Forest include the largest montane rain forest remaining in Africa, Mt. Bigugu (2925M), Kamiranzovu Marsh (13 Km²). Nyungwe Forest has 260 species of trees, shrubs and over 100 species of orchids and giant lobelias. For those interested in botany, the flora in Nyungwe is an added bonus!
Have lunch in Kibuye and then continue to Nyungwe Forest.
Day 6 - Nyungwe Forest National Park
Staying at: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Hike into Nyungwe Forest, 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 harbours 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. After the trek, have lunch at the lodge. Afternoon at leisure or re-enter the forest to visit Colobus Monkeys, do the canopy walk, visit the Kamiranzovu waterfall or other optional activities.
Overnight at your lodge on a full board basis
Day 7 - Departure
Have breakfast at your lodge. Drive back to Kigali in time for your onward flight connections