Nyungwe Chimpanzee Safari
Go chimpanzee tracking only on an exciting 4 days Nyungwe chimpanzee safari. This short Rwanda safari primate package offers a distinct chimpanzee experience. It involves you visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park to engage in chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk. It also covers a nature walk along Gisakura Tea Estates, cultural visit at Kibati cultural village/Banda community and Kigali city tour.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is nestled in the Southern Province, Rwanda 5-6 hours’ drive from Kigali capital city. It is an endowed park with a vast montane forest of 100sq.kms of land area. This protects over 500 chimpanzees plus 12 more other species of primates including red-tailed monkeys, silver monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys. There are also 310 bird species to look out for including white tailed blue flycatchers, archer’s robin chat, Great blue turacos and others.
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee tour & canopy walk
Day 3: Day walk & cultural/community visit
Day 4: Return to explore Kigali
Detailed Itinerary ~ Day By Day Itinerary
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park
You will be warmly welcomed by your Rwanda tour guide upon arrival at Kigali airport. Briefing on your 4 days Nyungwe will follow and you set off to the southern province. While on 5-6 hours’ trip, expect an en-route visit at Nyanza to explore King’s palace/museum in Butare. Later, get lunch then head to check into your lodge in Nyungwe.
Accommodation
Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Moderate: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Day 2: Chimpanzee tour & canopy walk
Wake up and be offered a delicious cup of tea/coffee. After, report to Uwinka/Cyamudongo trails for briefing on chimpanzee tracking guidelines. The park official will also assign to you a park guide who is experienced to lead you. Spend at least 2-4 hours trekking chimpanzees and once you find them, you will be allowed to have 1 hour face-to-face with them.
After, get back to have lunch and relax while sharing your experiences. Later, go for an afternoon canopy which lasts for 2 hours and this takes you through Igishigishigi trail on a suspended bridge 200m long and 60m from the ground. You will be exposed to the park’s diverse primates, birds, butterflies and a lot more.
Accommodation
Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Moderate: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Day 3: Day walk & cultural/community visit
After breakfast, connect to Gisakura Tea Estates for a day walk taking you towards Lake Kivu. Make a stopover to get entertained by local residents at Kitabi village/Banda community. Return to have lunch and relaxation throughout.
Accommodation
Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Moderate: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House/Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Day 4: Return to explore Kigali
You will have your cup of tea or coffee and after, start 5-6 hours’ drive back to Kigali to engage in city tour. This includes a visit to Gisozi genocide site, craft shops & carryout some shopping before drop off to the airport or hotel.
End of the 4 days Nyungwe chimpanzee safari
Safari Inclusions
- Chimpanzee permits
- Airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water
- Travel in 4×4 safari vehicle
- Fulltime English-speaking driver
- All relevant government taxes
- Activities in the travel plan but not the optional ones
Safari Exclusions
- International Flight fares
- Personal insurance
- Tipping
- Telephone calls
- Additional/optional activities
- Hotel fees before and after the trip
- Laundry services
- Beverages of personal interest
- Visa fees
