Heritage SafarisExperience the extreme beauty of the Land of a Thousand Hills on this 10-day adventure through the heart of Africa. Track chimpanzees in the Nyungwe Forest National Park; Go in search of rare golden monkeys on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains or spend a few hours with the critically endangered mountain gorilla in the dense forests of Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park).
Starting Price US$ 7,240
Nyungwe Forest and Primate tracking
Volcanoes National Park and Gorilla Trek
Virunga Mountains
Day 1 Arrival Kigali
Day 2 – 5 One & Only Nyungwe House
Day 6 -7 Volcanoes National Park – Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 8 Depart
After your arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel.
Upon arrival, you will be met and we drive south through the hilly landscape of Rwanda. On the way, we stop in at the King’s palace at Nyanza, which gives a sense of what was like when the King Ndahindurwa of Rwanda (the last king Rwanda ever had) ruled in the late 1950’s. We also visit the National museum at Butare, which house ethnographic, artistic, archeological and historical collections.
From Butare we travel east to the Nyungwe forest. As we approach the forest edge, the road winds through the park, sometimes offering glimpses across the dramatic forest canopy. Located in the Albertine Rift, Nyungwe is one of the largest mountainous forests left in Africa. The forest’s biodiversity is renowned, and it hosts the widest variety of endemic species per square kilometer of any area on the continent. It is also one of the furthest sources of both of Africa’s two mighty rivers, the Nile and the Congo.
Overnight One & Only Nyungwe House (BLD)
This morning we depart the lodge early to go chimp trekking in nearby Cyamudongo Forest (1 hrs drive). This small forest was historically connected to Nyungwe , and is rich in bird species typical of the Albertine Rift Valley system. It also has a resident habituated chimpanzee group, and with the compact size of this forest, sightings are usually better here than for those trekking chimps in Nyungwe Forest itself. Later in the afternoon, we go for a canopy walkway that soars 50 metres above the forest floor.
Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House(BLD)
After breakfast, ewe will go for hiking forest trails in Nyungwe Forest. The national park hosts a rich floral diversity, and is home to a staggering number of Albertine Rift endemic bird species, as well as 13 different types of primate. This includes chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, Golden monkeys, as well as the largest troops of Black and White Colobus found anywhere on the continent – a habituated group of up to 400 individual members are resident in the forest. In the afternoon, enjoy a nature/waterfall walk in the Nyungwe Forest.
Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House (BLD)
This morning, we drive 6 hours north to Kigali for lunch, and then drive 3 hours to Volcanoes National Park.
Located at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel provides spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the rolling hills of Ruhengeri. The Hotel offers 13 bedrooms, a restaurant, a pool, and a beautiful garden, and is an excellent base from which to track gorillas (just 15 minutes away from the entrance to Volcanoes National Park).
Overnight at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room) (BLD)
This morning, we will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park for our gorilla tracking activity to one of the 10 Gorilla families that have been habituated to the presence of humans. First gazetted in 1925, Volcanoes National Park was the first national park in Africa, intended to protect the Mountain Gorillas that were discovered on the ridges of the mountains by German explorer Captain Robert von Beringe in 1902. In 1967, American naturalist Dian Fossey arrived in the park and set up her research centre, Karisoke, a combination of the names of the two mountains between which the centre was located, Karisimbi and Visoke. What is left of Karisoke can still be visited to this day. The park offers stunning scenery on a clear day, with 9 volcanoes stretching into the horizon from east to west. Two of these, Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic Congo are still active, and Nyamuragira’s red glow can often be seen reflected off low-lying clouds above the mountain. In the afternoon, if time weather permits, visit the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo or the local markets in the Musanze town.
Overnight at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room) (BLD)
Today, we will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park for briefing before heading into the forest to track equally rare Golden Monkeys. We will then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room) (BLD)
This morning, after breakfast, we will take a scenic drive through the many hills of Rwanda to Kigali. Lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy a city tour including visit to the the Genocide Museum, followed by a transfer to the airport for your international departure flight( BL)
Flexible departures (any day)
Private Tour
Meet and Greet upon arrival
Airport transfers
1 Chimp track
1 Golden Monkey Permit
Comfortable, modern, 4X4 vehicles
Professional, experienced drivers, and guides
All accommodations and meals as stated in the itinerary
Mineral water in the vehicle
Medical Evacuation to a hospital in Nairobi
Gorilla permit: $ 1,500 per person per trek
Gratuities
International flights
Beverages (however, bottled water is included in the vehicles only)
Items of personal nature
Insurance,visa
*Price varies with season ~ Contact us with your specific travel dates
From US$ 7,240 + gorilla permit US$ 1,500 per person based on 2 guests
Year round destination
Best Seasons: January and February / June to October
