The 6 Days Rwanda Primate Tracking Safari Tour is an exciting wildlife journey designed to take you deep into Rwanda’s remarkable primate habitats. This Rwanda safari combines chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, and opportunities to discover the country’s beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. You will travel through Rwanda’s scenic countryside, explore ancient forests and enjoy close encounters with some of Africa’s most fascinating primates. The safari also includes time in Kigali, allowing you to experience the country’s vibrant capital before or after your forest adventures. With professional guiding, comfortable accommodation and carefully planned transfers, this Rwanda primate safari offers an excellent introduction to the country’s exceptional biodiversity.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Silverback Tour representative and briefed about your 6 Days Rwanda Primate Tracking Safari Tour. You will then begin your journey towards Nyungwe National Park in the south-western part of Rwanda. The drive takes you through some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, with rolling hills, cultivated slopes, tea plantations and rural communities providing impressive scenery along the way. As you approach Nyungwe, the landscape becomes increasingly forested, signalling your arrival at one of Africa’s most important montane rainforest ecosystems. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short walk around your lodge or simply relax while preparing for your upcoming chimpanzee tracking adventure. Your guide will brief you about the following day’s activity, including what to expect when entering the forest.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe National Park
After an early breakfast, you will head to the designated briefing point for your chimpanzee tracking experience in Nyungwe National Park. Accompanied by experienced park guides and trackers, you will enter the ancient rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. The trek can take several hours as you follow trails through dense vegetation while listening for the calls and movements of primates in the forest canopy. Besides chimpanzees, Nyungwe is home to other primates, including colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and vervet monkeys, creating excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. Your guide will also introduce you to the forest’s plant species, birdlife and unique ecological systems. After the chimpanzee tracking activity, you will return to your accommodation to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Nyungwe rainforest.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Nyungwe Forest Experience and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
You will enjoy breakfast before beginning your journey from Nyungwe towards the northern part of Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park. The long drive provides another opportunity to appreciate the country’s famous scenic landscapes, with terraced hills, farms, villages and forests forming a constantly changing backdrop. Depending on your schedule, you may enjoy an additional forest experience or a cultural stop before continuing towards Musanze. As you approach Volcanoes National Park, the dramatic Virunga volcanoes begin to dominate the horizon, creating a spectacular setting for your upcoming primate adventure. On arrival, you will check into your lodge and have time to rest after the journey. Your guide will brief you about golden monkey trekking and help you prepare for the following day’s activity in the bamboo forests of the Virunga mountains.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, you will travel to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your golden monkey trekking experience in Rwanda. You will enter the forest accompanied by experienced trackers and park guides who will help you locate a habituated troop of golden monkeys. These endangered primates are particularly active and entertaining, often moving rapidly through the bamboo vegetation and lower forest canopy. The trek offers an opportunity to observe their natural behaviour while learning about the Virunga ecosystem and ongoing conservation efforts. You will spend time observing and photographing the golden monkeys from an appropriate distance before making your way back through the forest. After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, with the remainder of the afternoon available for enjoying the beautiful surroundings or taking part in an optional cultural experience.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Kigali City Tour and Rwandan Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you will leave the Volcanoes region and travel towards Kigali, enjoying scenic views of Rwanda’s countryside along the way. On arrival in Kigali, you will embark on a guided Kigali city tour, exploring some of the city’s key attractions and experiencing its clean streets, vibrant neighbourhoods and welcoming atmosphere. Depending on your interests and available time, the tour may include a local market, craft centre and important historical or cultural sites. You will also have an opportunity to interact with local artisans and learn more about Rwanda’s traditions and contemporary way of life. Your guide will share insights into Kigali’s development and Rwanda’s conservation and tourism sector. In the evening, you will enjoy your final dinner and relax at your hotel before your departure the following day.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, Hotel des Mille Collines
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and prepare for your departure from Rwanda. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to relax, purchase souvenirs or enjoy a final meal in Kigali. Your Silverback Tour representative will transfer you to Kigali International Airport in time for your scheduled flight. As you leave Rwanda, you will have experienced some of the country’s most important primate destinations, from the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe to the volcanic forests of Volcanoes National Park. Your Rwanda primate tracking safari will have provided memorable encounters with chimpanzees and golden monkeys, together with scenic and cultural experiences. This marks the end of your 6 Days Rwanda Primate Tracking Safari Tour, and Silverback Tour looks forward to welcoming you on another East African adventure.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Included in the Safari
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private 4WD safari transportation
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Nyungwe National Park entrance fees
- Volcanoes National Park entrance fees where applicable
- Kigali city tour
- Bottled drinking water during safari journeys
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights
- Rwanda visa fees where applicable
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Laundry and telephone charges
- Alcoholic and other premium beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any services not specifically listed under the inclusions.