11 Days Rwanda Primates and wildlife safari.

This 11 days Rwanda primates and wildlife safari provides chances for observing Rwanda’s culture, biodiversity and the beauty of the natural wilderness. Explore the vast savannah fields of Akagera National Park in search for the big five and other wild creatures, In Volcanoes National Park enjoy a thrilling moment of getting up close with the endangered primates, gorillas and golden monkeys.  Enjoy a wonderful relaxation at the shores of Rwanda’s largest lake, Kivu. Encounter with the chimpanzees, visiting the Gisakura tea estate, and amazing canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park are also part of this trip that should be highly recognized. Interacting with the local community in their homesteads, coffee and tea estates is another highlight that will make this trip a success.  Join us on this extra ordinary 11 days Rwanda primates and wildlife adventure that guarantees amazing sights and   memorable life experiences.

Trip Highlights of 11 Days Rwanda Primates and wildlife safari.

• Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Akagera National Park
• Day 2- 3: Akagera National Park
• Day 4: Akagera & Volcanoes National Park
• Day 5 Volcanoes National park
• Day 6: Volcanoes National Park & Lake Kivu
• Day 7: Lake Kivu
• Day 8: Lake Kivu & Nyungwe National Park
• Day 9-10: Nyungwe National Park
• Day 11: Kigali & Departure.

Trip Details of  11 Days Rwanda Primates and wildlife safari.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Akagera National Park

Following your arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be met by your driver guide, take you through a simple briefing about the trip, have a relaxed breakfast and later a brief city tour to Rwanda’s iconic places including the Kigali Genocide memorial site and Kimironko market.

After lunch, embark on a 2:30hours drive through the rolling land scapes and beautiful countryside to Akagera National Park, home to the big five and other wildlife; Rwanda’s only savanna park. On arrival, register at the park’s main entrance and proceed to the hotel for dinner and night stay.

Day 2- 3: Akagera National Park

Day 2 combines an adventurous game drive in park’s vast savannas, acacia woodlands, thicket and a cool boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Look out for the big five; lions, leopard, buffalo, elephants and rhinos. More other animals you expect to see, impala, zebra, reedbuck, giraffe, baboons, black faced vervet monkeys among others.  An afternoon boat cruise provides sightings of hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards and waterbirds.

Walk with the rhinos in the northern sector of the park in the Kilala plains on the third day of your trip. Join the park’s monitoring team on a guided foot rhino tracking adventure which lasts for 2-3 hours. Expect to see other wildlife that call this part of the park home. For you to participate in rhino tracking, you must have spent the previous night at Karenge bush Camp. In the afternoon, engage in a community cultural tour to the park’s neighboring community. Interact with the friendly locals, enjoy their music, dances and you can support them by buying some of their craft products.

Day 4: Akagera & Volcanoes National Park

On day 4 of the 11 days Rwanda safari, after breakfast, join your local guide to embark on the walk the line experience in the park. At the edges of the park, walk along the 7-meter perimeter fence to the top of a hill   with fascinating views of the all-park directions. you will luckily spot some small wild creatures that can’t be easily spotted on a game drive. After the 2 hours walk, check out of the accommodation and transfer to Volcanoes national park with a stop over in Kigali for lunch.

Day 5 Volcanoes National park

Enjoy: Gorilla tracking and Ibyiwacu Cultural centre visit

Day 5 of the 11 days Rwanda trip is the major highlight of your Rwanda adventure. Well equipped with the right trekking gear, meet the park guides and rangers at the park headquarters for a briefing about the safety guidelines of the gorilla tracking experience.  With the leadership of your park guide, set off into the lush jungles to search for a family of the gentle giant apes. once you locate it, spend one memorable hour with these magnificent human cousins, observe their behavior and interactions as you take flash less photos. It’s really an awe- inspiring moment.

In the afternoon Visit the Ibyiwacu cultural center where you get to learn about Rwanda’s customs, traditions and history. Interact with local artists, see traditional dance shows, and local crafts. This place is a clear reflection of Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Day 6: Volcanoes National Park & Lake Kivu

Re- enter the park jungles to search for another group of endangered primates, the golden monkeys.  hiking trails lead you through the bamboo forested zones where these playful creatures dwell. It’s always a short trek of 2-4 hours.  It’s a delightful experience as you watch them leap through the bamboo trees, feed on the shoots as they display their beautiful golden fur. An hour with them makes a memorable moment.  After lunch, set off for Lake Kivu to Gisenyi, one of the peaceful towns at the eastern shores of the lake. Relax with the beautiful sunset and chilling at the sandy beaches as you enjoy the serene beaty of the lake and the surrounding landscapes.

Day 7: Lake Kivu

Enjoy: Island hopping on lake Kivu.

Lake Kivu is known for its stunning landscapes and opportunities for leisure activities. You can enjoy optional boat rides, where you can explore the lake’s islands like the Napoleon Island, home to large colonies of fruit bats, Nyamirundi Island for coffee experiences, as you enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Alternatively, relax by the beach or take a swim, go kayaking, canoeing in the refreshing waters.  This is a peaceful day to relax after the strenuous hiking’s of day 5 and 6. Enjoy a leisurely evening at the lake shores, reflecting on the incredible experiences of your journey.

Day 8: Lake Kivu & Nyungwe National Park

Start the day with a yummy breakfast, then proceed to Kinunu Coffee washing Centre for the coffee experience. you will be taken through the process of coffee production from growing, harvesting, washing drying and processing to consumption. At the end of your visit buy some processed coffee as take home.

After lunch, travel to Nyungwe a verdant forest park that houses over 13 primate species and other wildlife. Check in on arrival, enjoy dinner as you soak into the sounds of the forest and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Day 9-10: Nyungwe National Park

Enjoy: Chimpanzee tracking, canopy walk and Gisakura tea experience.

After an early breakfast at 4:30 a.m., you drive to the Nyungwe Park Office in Gisakura, by 5 am to meet the park guides for a briefing. In the forest, you will spot them swinging on the trees along side other primates that call this park home. You will have one hour of close encounter to observe the chimpanzees interact, feed, roam and play in their natural habitat.

The canopy walk is another unique opportunity to enjoy while in Nyungwe. Have a thrilling moment of walking along a suspended bridge for over 2 hours enjoying the forest views from above. see different wildlife that spend most of their time in forest canopy and the distant hills of Congo.

Visiting the Gisakura tea plantation on the 10th day of your 11 days Rwanda safari is one way of interacting with the local community. At the plantation, you will learn how tea is processed. Discover how tea is grown, harvested/collected, stored, and later processed for consumption in both home and international markets. Conclude your tea plantation visit, by dining with the locals to share a cup of fresh Rwanda tea and buy samples  for take home.

Day 11: Kigali and departure

On the last day of your trip in Rwanda, bid farewell to the home of primates and drive to Kigali. The scenic journey through terraced hills and tea plantations takes 5-6 hours. drop off will be at the airport for your flight back home.

End of 11 Days Rwanda Primates and Wildlife safari.