5 Days Rwanda Primates Safari – Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking

Arrival in Kigali ➝ Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Your adventure begins with a warm reception at Kigali International Airport, where a Otter African Safaris safari guide greets you with personalized service. After introductions, you set out on a scenic drive toward Volcanoes National Park, located in Rwanda’s northern Musanze district. The journey takes approximately two and a half hours, unfolding along winding roads that showcase Rwanda’s nickname, the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Rolling green landscapes, patchwork farmlands, and traditional villages create a captivating view, offering the first taste of the country’s beauty.

As you approach Volcanoes National Park, the scenery transforms dramatically. Towering volcanic peaks rise into misty skies, with lush rainforests cloaking their slopes. These ancient volcanoes, part of the Virunga range, are home to some of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. The air is cooler, the atmosphere serene, and anticipation builds for the experiences to come.

On arrival, you check into Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, your base for the next two nights. Nestled near the park’s foothills, the lodge offers comfortable accommodations with a rustic charm, panoramic views of the volcanoes, and warm hospitality. After settling in, you can choose to enjoy a short evening walk around the lodge or relax with a refreshing drink while soaking in the tranquil surroundings. Dinner is served with a blend of local and international cuisine, preparing you for the thrilling gorilla trek awaiting the next day.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Half Board

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park ➝ Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village Visit

This day is the highlight of the safari—a rare and life-changing encounter with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. After an early breakfast, you proceed to the Kinigi Park Headquarters, where professional rangers provide a comprehensive briefing. Here you learn about trekking procedures, safety guidelines, and the conservation importance of protecting gorillas. Groups are then allocated to specific gorilla families to ensure sustainable and intimate encounters.

The trek begins through lush bamboo forests and into dense rainforests covering volcanic slopes. Guided by expert trackers, you follow signs of gorilla presence, from broken vegetation to fresh dung and nests. The hike can last between two and six hours depending on the gorillas’ movements, but the reward is incomparable. Eventually, you come face-to-face with a gorilla family. For one unforgettable hour, you observe their behaviors: the powerful silverback’s authority, mothers nursing their young, and playful juveniles swinging through trees. Their striking resemblance to humans evokes an emotional connection that words cannot capture.

After returning to the lodge for lunch and rest, the adventure continues with an afternoon visit to the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village. This community-based initiative provides an authentic look into Rwandan traditions. You are welcomed with vibrant dances, drumming, and storytelling. Visitors may participate in activities such as preparing local meals, learning archery, or speaking with elders about the community’s history. Particularly inspiring are the stories of former poachers who now champion conservation, showing how livelihoods can transform through community empowerment.

The day ends with dinner and relaxation at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, with memories of gorillas and Rwandan hospitality fresh in mind.

• Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Volcanoes ➝ Gisenyi Stopover (Lake Kivu Boat Cruise) ➝ Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, you begin your journey toward Nyungwe Forest National Park, a drive that takes you through some of Rwanda’s most scenic landscapes. Midway, you stop at the lakeside town of Gisenyi, nestled on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. The tranquil setting offers a refreshing break, with palm-fringed beaches, rolling hills, and the sparkling blue waters of the lake.

Here, you embark on a boat cruise across Lake Kivu, experiencing the serene beauty of Rwanda’s largest lake. As the boat glides across calm waters, you may spot local fishermen in their traditional wooden canoes, observe birdlife along the shore, or simply relax and enjoy the fresh breeze. The lake is surrounded by terraced hillsides that seem to cascade into the water, offering perfect photographic moments. This stopover is not just a scenic break but also a chance to appreciate the everyday life of Rwandans living along the lake.

After the cruise, you continue your journey south to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s most biodiverse and ancient rainforests. Covering over 1,000 square kilometers, Nyungwe is a sanctuary for more than 13 primate species, 300 bird species, and countless plant varieties. On arrival, you check into Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel, situated on a ridge with sweeping views over tea plantations and the forest canopy.

In the evening, you enjoy a hearty dinner before resting, preparing for the thrilling chimpanzee tracking adventure that awaits the following morning.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day four begins at dawn with an exhilarating experience: chimpanzee tracking in the depths of Nyungwe Forest. After an early breakfast, you join park rangers for a briefing before setting out on forest trails. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees are highly energetic and vocal, often moving swiftly through treetops and dense undergrowth. As you follow their calls and signs, the forest comes alive with birdsong, rustling leaves, and shafts of morning light piercing the canopy.

When you encounter a troop of chimpanzees, the forest vibrates with their activity. You may witness them grooming, playing, or communicating with loud hoots that echo across the valleys. Observing these intelligent primates in their natural habitat highlights their strong social bonds and striking similarities to humans. The trek also offers chances to see other primates such as L’Hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, the adventure continues with the famous canopy walk. This suspended bridge, stretching 200 meters across treetops at a height of 70 meters, offers a thrilling perspective of the forest. From above, you spot monkeys leaping between branches, butterflies fluttering, and countless bird species, including Rwenzori turacos and sunbirds. The experience is both exhilarating and peaceful, allowing you to grasp the sheer scale and beauty of Nyungwe’s rainforest ecosystem.

By evening, you return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation, reflecting on a day of remarkable primate encounters and breathtaking views.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Return to Kigali ➝ Short City Tour ➝ Departure

On the final day of your primate safari, you enjoy breakfast before beginning the road transfer back to Kigali. The scenic journey once again reveals Rwanda’s rolling hills, tea plantations, and picturesque villages, providing a final opportunity to admire the country’s landscapes.

Upon arrival in Kigali, you embark on a short city tour if time allows. Highlights may include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a profound site that tells the story of Rwanda’s past while emphasizing unity and reconciliation. You may also visit local craft markets, where artisans showcase vibrant fabrics, woven baskets, and beadwork, providing excellent opportunities to purchase souvenirs. For those interested in art, Kigali’s modern galleries highlight contemporary Rwandan creativity and resilience.

The city tour provides balance to the safari, connecting Rwanda’s natural beauty with its cultural and historical journey. It is a reminder of how far the country has come, offering both reflection and inspiration.

Finally, you are transferred to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight. Though the safari spans only five days, it delivers transformative experiences: meeting gorillas and chimpanzees in their habitats, immersing in Rwandan culture, and exploring the country’s diverse landscapes. Guests depart with lasting memories of a journey that is both adventurous and deeply meaningful.

• Accommodation: None
• Meal Plan: Half Board