6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari
6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari : Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Golden Monkeys & Canopy Walk. This 6 Days Rwanda Safari gives you a chance to participate in two of the most incredible wildlife experiences in Rwanda, that is Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking. This 6 Days Rwanda Primate Safari is tailored for travelers after gorilla trekking and beyond. It blends primate encounters with immersive forest experiences and scenic relaxation across Rwanda’s most biodiverse regions.
From tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park to coming up close with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, this Rwanda safari itinerary delivers a layered story-driven safari. Other primates to encounter include black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and golden monkeys among others.
Safari Highlights of 6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari Itinerary
- Kigali City Tour
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Canopy Walk above the rainforest
- Colobus monkey tracking
- Gorilla tracking
- Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
- Gorilla Guardians village
- Optional – Dian Fossey grave Or Visit to the Caves
Detailed 6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, meet our Rwanda safari guide at the arrivals section with a placard of your name. After a short brief, proceed to transfer to your hotel of stay in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time you will go for a Kigali City Tour visiting several sites including Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kandt Museum and the Craft Market, as well as Inema Art Center.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Safari Lodge for Luxury, Des Mille Collins Hotel for Mid-range, Yambi Hotel for Budget.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast you will embark on a journey from Kigali City to Nyungwe Forest National Park, along the way you will enjoy various scenery. Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in Southern Rwanda en route to Burundi and Congo.
Along the way, have a stopover in Nyanza and another in Huye to tour the ethnographic museum in Nyanza District where you will visit the Kings Palace Museum. Depending on your interest, you can talk to your safari driver guide, these museums show case Rwanda’s Cultural and history, but the ethnographic Museum has more items and wide coverage. Arrive in the evening and proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Nyungwe TopHill View for Lower-Luxury, Emeraude Kivu Resort for Mid-range, Gisakura Visitor’s Centre for Budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
Wake up early and drive to Nyungwe Forest Park headquarters for briefing about chimpanzee trekking and the right way to behave while in the presence of the chimpanzees. You are expected to be there as early as 5:00 am, you will either be at the Uwinka Trail Head of Cyamudongo Trail Head.
Head into the forest searching for chimpanzees, the trek takes approximately 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the chimpanzees and where they spent their previous night. You will spend one hour watching the chimpanzees play, feed and groom each other. Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, go for a canopy walk trail from the Uwinka Trail Head, enjoy magnificent views of the forest and sight of several primates including black and colobus monkeys among others.
Accommodation: As above.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Colobus Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, return to Nyungwe Forest for colobus monkey tracking. Just like chimpanzee trekking, you will have a briefing from the community guide and later visit the forest. You are allowed one hour of watching the colobus monkeys as the feed, play and groom each other.
After this experience, leave for Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Region. Enjoy the amazing view of the winding roads and scenery of “a thousand hills” driving along Lake Kivu. Arrive at your lodge late in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel for Lower-Luxury, Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge for Mid-range, Muhabura Hotel for Budget.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Have early breakfast and head to the park headquarters in Kinigi for briefing about chimpanzee trekking, this is the highlight of 6 Days Rwanda Primate Safari. Coming face to face with the gentle giants in their natural habitat, the trek lasts from one hours to six hours or more depending on the movement of the gorillas. Spend one hour with the gorillas watching them go with their life in the forest, play, pick fruits and groom each other.
After the gorilla tracking experience, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Gorilla Guardian’s Village (Ib’Iwacu Village) where you will learn about the Rwanda Culture and engage in some of the activities.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Departure
Wake up filled with memories of the previous day in the jungle with mountain gorillas, return to the park for another exciting primate experience. You will have an encounter with golden monkeys for one hour in the misty forests of Volcanoes, just like gorillas, you are allowed one hour watching the playful golden monkeys. They are more active than gorillas but will give you a fulfilling experience.
After the experience, return to the lodge to freshen up, have lunch and then leave for Kigali for your return flight home to your hotel.
End of 6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari
What Makes This Safari Different?
This crafted Rwanda primates safaris unlike the standard Rwanda itineraries stands out because of the the below:
- Starts with low-altitude primates before the high-altitude gorilla trekking. This is great for acclimatization.
- Includes a canopy walk experience, a great way to see much further from above.
- Uses the south-to-north route to avoid backtracking while on transfers
- Offers other primate encounters apart from gorillas and chimpanzees
Best Time for This 6 Days Rwanda Primates Safari
- June to September, best for trekking experiences
- December to February for clear skies and photography
Who is This Safari Perfect For?
- Travelers looking for more than just gorillas
- Travelers after unique experiences
- Birders and primate enthusiasts
- Honeymooners looking for scenic and intimate experiences
Ready for deeper more meaningful Rwanda safari experience? Contact Rowin Africa Safaris to customize your 6 Days Days Rwanda Primate Safari today!
