The 8 Days Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Rwanda Tour is an exciting primate safari designed to showcase three of Rwanda’s most remarkable wildlife experiences. This carefully planned Rwanda primate safari takes you from the vibrant capital of Kigali to the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe National Park and the mist-covered Virunga Mountains of Volcanoes National Park. You will enjoy chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe, explore the rich biodiversity of Rwanda’s forests, trek golden monkeys and experience the unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas. Along the way, you will discover Rwanda’s spectacular scenery, local communities and cultural heritage. This itinerary is ideal for you if you are searching for a Rwanda gorilla trekking tour, chimpanzee tracking safari and golden monkey trekking adventure combined into one memorable holiday.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Kigali City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Silverback Tour guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you will begin your Rwanda adventure with a guided city tour covering some of Kigali’s important attractions. You may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, craft centres and other significant landmarks while learning about Rwanda’s history and modern development. You will have an opportunity to experience the city’s clean streets, vibrant atmosphere and welcoming communities. Your guide will also brief you about the safari programme and the primate experiences awaiting you during the coming days. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at your hotel and relax in preparation for your journey towards Nyungwe National Park.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, Hotel des Mille Collines
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, you will depart Kigali and travel towards Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The journey takes you through the country’s beautiful rolling hills, terraced farmland, tea plantations and rural communities. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to Rwanda’s landscapes, agriculture and local way of life. You may stop at scenic viewpoints and other interesting locations to take photographs and appreciate the spectacular countryside. As you approach Nyungwe, the landscape becomes increasingly forested, signalling your arrival at one of Africa’s most important montane rainforests. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge, relax and receive a briefing about the following day’s chimpanzee tracking adventure.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe National Park
Today you will enjoy one of the major highlights of your Rwanda chimpanzee tracking safari as you enter Nyungwe National Park in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. After an early breakfast, you will meet your experienced guides and trackers before beginning your forest trek. You will follow established trails through dense vegetation while listening for chimpanzee calls and watching the forest canopy for movement. Nyungwe is also home to several other primate species, including colobus monkeys, mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys, giving you opportunities for additional wildlife encounters. Your guide will explain chimpanzee behaviour, forest ecology and the importance of conservation throughout the experience. After tracking, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, with the evening available to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Nyungwe rainforest.
Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Nyungwe Forest Experience and Transfer to Musanze
After breakfast, you will leave the Nyungwe region and begin your journey towards Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes you through some of Rwanda’s most spectacular scenery, including rolling hills, tea-growing areas, cultivated valleys and traditional villages. Depending on your interests and the time available, you may make a stop at a tea plantation or participate in a short nature or community experience. As you travel northwards, the dramatic Virunga volcanoes gradually appear on the horizon, creating an impressive introduction to the gorilla trekking region. Upon reaching Musanze, you will check into your accommodation and have time to relax. Your guide will brief you about the next day’s mountain gorilla trekking experience, including the necessary preparation and conservation guidelines.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the main highlight of your 8 Days Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Rwanda Tour, as you embark on an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the forest with experienced guides and trackers. The trek may take several hours depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family and the terrain you encounter. Once you locate the gorillas, you will have a rare opportunity to observe their behaviour, family relationships and interactions in their natural habitat. You will follow the park’s conservation guidelines while taking photographs and appreciating this extraordinary wildlife encounter. After the trek, you will return to your lodge to rest, enjoy your meal and reflect on one of the most remarkable experiences available on a Rwanda safari.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will return to Volcanoes National Park for another exciting primate experience, golden monkey trekking in Rwanda. Golden monkeys are endemic to the Albertine Rift and are recognised by their distinctive golden-orange colouring and energetic behaviour. Accompanied by experienced trackers, you will follow forest trails and bamboo-covered slopes while searching for golden monkey troops. You will have opportunities to observe these fascinating primates as they feed, play and move through the forest. Your guide will provide information about their habitat, behaviour and conservation while ensuring that you follow responsible wildlife-viewing practices. After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, with the remainder of the day available to enjoy the beautiful Virunga landscape.
Accommodation: Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Cultural Experience and Transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, you will enjoy a cultural experience around Musanze before beginning your journey back to Kigali. You may visit a local community and learn about traditional Rwandan music, dance, crafts, food preparation and everyday livelihoods. This experience provides an opportunity to understand the close relationship between communities and the natural environment surrounding Volcanoes National Park. After the cultural activity, you will travel towards Kigali through Rwanda’s scenic highlands, passing terraced farms, villages and rolling green hills. Depending on your schedule, you may stop at selected viewpoints or local craft centres along the route. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will check into your hotel, enjoy dinner and relax before your departure the following day.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, Hotel des Mille Collines
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: 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 or enjoy a final short activity in Kigali. Your Silverback Tour guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport in good time for your scheduled flight. As your 8 Days Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Rwanda Tour comes to an end, you will leave with unforgettable memories of chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and golden monkeys in the Virunga Mountains. You will also carry memories of Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes, warm communities and fascinating cultural heritage. Silverback Tour hopes to welcome you again for another memorable East African safari experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included in the Safari
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the programme
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Nyungwe National Park
- Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Kigali city tour
- Rwandan cultural experience
- Park entry and conservation fees specified in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during safari drives
- Fuel for the safari vehicle
- Applicable government taxes and service charges
- All activities specifically mentioned in the itinerary
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights
- Rwanda entry visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Laundry services
- Telephone and internet charges
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, trackers and lodge staff
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 8
- Personal trekking clothing and equipment
- Medical treatment and emergency evacuation expenses
- Any services not specifically listed under the included items.