7 day Gorilla Tour, Chimpanzee Trekking And Game safari In Rwanda

7 Day Gorilla Tour, Chimpanzee Trekking And Game safari In Rwanda

The 7 day gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and game safari in Rwanda gives you the best safari destinations on a Rwanda visit. For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, you need a gorilla permit from Rwanda Development Board. Park fees are a must pay before embarking on a game safari in Rwanda and these are paid according to the number of days to be spent in the game park

Volcanoes National Park is the home gorilla trekking in Rwanda and it locate in the North Western part of Rwanda. Nyungwe National park is the only chimpanzee trekking destination of Rwanda. Akagera National park is the only game park in Rwanda.

To book the Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits, you need to have a date or select the period when you hope to start and end this Rwanda safari. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits in Rwanda are sold per day.

Having ample time for this gorilla, chimpanzee and game safari is important so that the safari is not rushed.

How to Plan 7 Day Gorilla Tour, Chimpanzees Trekking And game safari in Rwanda

Day 1: Drive to Nyungwe National Park

Early morning, our safari guide picks you from your overnight accommodation and drive to Nyungwe National Park. The time you may cover from Kigali to Nyungwe National park is about 5 to 6 hours at a distance of about 219 kilometers.

Nyungwe National Park is a pristine forest which is home to several primates including chimpanzees, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabey, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and others. The birding list of Nyungwe forest exceeds 300 bird species inclusive of Albertine rift endemics. Another chimpanzee community lives in Cyamudondo close to Nyungwe forest.

Check into your lodge.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National park

If booked for chimpanzee experience on the morning or afternoon session, report to the Uwinka visitor center early morning for briefing. Donot forget to carry your chimpanzee trekking gears and carry some cash to hire a porter in case you need assistance with your bags.

After briefing, follow the ranger guide using the different trails created by regular tourist like the Usamo trail going past the Usamo falls, Igishigishi trail. The search for the chimpanzees may take about two hours to three hours but you need to be patient. This primeval forest hosts other interesting features that you may come across like the sparkling Usamo falls, look up to see the 160 meters wide suspension bridge although this was just set up and much more.

You get to hear the chimpanzees before tracing them because they keep murmuring at each other and giving signs like beating the tree trunks, hooting and others signs before tracing them.

Upon finding the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, only one hour is allowed with them. Enjoy there presence while observing the rules of chimpanzee trekking because although they are habituated, they still posses there natural traits.

Return to your lodge

Day 3 Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is the home of gorilla trekking in Rwanda. After meeting the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National park, embark on the journey to Volcanoes National Park. the drive time from Nyungwe National park to Volcanoes National park  is about  four to 5 hours covering a distance of about 270 kilometers. The route passes via Ruhengeri and Gisenyi.

Volcanoes National park is the only home to the Rwanda mountain gorillas currently hosting about 12 gorilla families. Some of the gorilla families of Volcanoes National park include Umubano, Amahoro, Karisimbi, Susa, Hirwa, Agashya and others. Maximum 8 gorilla permits per gorilla family are opened to public booking per day from this park.

Arrive ready to check into your lodge.

Day 4 Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National Park

You get a cold chill as you sweat while standing before the majestic mountain gorillas. Wake up for breakfast and carrying your gorilla trekking gears head to the ranger station for briefing. Do porter a porter to assist with your gorilla safari gears at this point. Wear a clean mask and carry another clean one to change into when you locate the mountain gorillas.

Listen to the different sounds in the jungle as these help with tracing the mountain gorillas that is why you also need to keep your voice low and be very observant for any clues left behind. Since the time of finding the mountain gorillas is hard to determine, look out for other interesting features in the forest like highlands, other primates, waterfalls, dense network of rivers, ancient natural trees and much more.

Upon locating the mountain gorillas, donot take photos soon but wait for the ranger guide to establish the mood in the forest. Take as may photos to keep a memories for tis gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes national Park.

Slowly get away from the gorilla family without looking suspicious and mountain gorillas re very sensitive to intruders in there vicinity. Get back to your lodge to relax.

Day 5 Drive to Akagera National park

From the gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park, head to Akagera National park for game safaris. The distance from Volcanoes National park to Akagera National Park is about 213 kilometers for drive time of about 4 hours to 5 hours.

Akagera National Park was one of the most affected parks during the Rwanda genocide and most of the animals fled for safety in the close by countries or were killed. The Park is currently recovering from this mess and wild animal reintroduction is going on.

Akagera National Park hosts animals like the rhinos, leopards, lions, giraffes, cape buffaloes, elands, impalas, waterbucks, zebras, bushbucks and others. Keen birder have so must to spot out while in Akagera National Park including the Albertine rift endemics.

Get into Akagera  National Park for the overnight at the lodge of your choice.

Day 6 Game drive and Boat Safari in Akagera National Park

Wake up early morning for a game drive in Akagera National park. The best time to see wild animals is either early morning or late afternoon when the animals emerge from night hide outs and report to there day hangouts. Late evening as the wild animals are get back home.

Look out for animals like cape buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, rhinos, lions, leopards and so much more. Keen birders have plenty to look out for in the jungle.

After lunch relaxing on the boat trip on Lake Ihema is refreshing as you look out for the amazing surrounding.

Return to your lodge to relax.

Day 7 Departure day

Having enjoy a Rwanda visit to some of its most impressing safari destinations, drive to Kigali airport to catch up with your flight back home.

When is the best time to book A Rwanda Safari?

The best safari time on Rwanda is the dry season when there is less precipitation in the wilderness. You can visit Rwanda any time but the most exciting season is when the parks are dry. The dry season collides with the peak tourism season in Rwanda which is June, July, August, September, December and January.

For gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking tours in Rwanda, during the dry season the forests receive limited rains and more sunlight penetrates through the dense canopy to the ground. The tails in the forest are quicker to navigate and the forest inhabitants are more exciting and fun to spot out.

In Akagera National Park tracks are quicker to navigate in the dry season while the grass is lower to allow better visibility of most wild animals.

The dry season is peak season too when there are more people visiting Rwanda. Expect to have no privacy at the lodge unless when in your room. Competition for most logistics that support Rwanda safaris is high and options also run low as the peak season unfolds.

For exclusive safari experience, the low season which is the peak season too in Rwanda is the most appropriate time. This is the wet season of Rwanda too that is March, April , May and November. The mountain gorillas tend to spent most of there time on the slopes so may need to hike to get them. The chimpanzees spend most of there time up the trees during the wet season plus other primates that inhabit Nyungwe forest.

Is Rwanda Safe for a safari?

Rwanda is safe for safaris as all its safari destinations are under the management of Rwanda Developments Board. The ranger guides of this body are on ground and well trained to protect the protect wild life, the habitants and visitors.

They cooperate with other Rwanda security agencies to keep law and order in and around these destinations.

For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, before allowing the public to view these primates, they are first habituated to be in front of humans. Habituation process takes some time until the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees are proved ready for the public.

Briefing before gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is a must attend for any participant and although you are doing the activity for the second time, you must attend. This is to ensure that all the rules and regulations of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are followed. Even during game drives in Akagera National park, you need to follow the guidelines of game safaris.

On a personal level, you must not walk into the safari destinations without an escorting ranger guide to avoid getting hurt while in the wilderness. Sometimes the forests have other inhabitants that may hurt you.

What is the cost of 7 day gorilla, chimpanzee and game safari in Rwanda?

The cost of the 7 day gorilla, chimpanzee and game safari in Rwanda varies with the package you choose whether High-end, midrange or basic. The costs of the gorilla and chimpanzee permits are the universal costs for all packages

• What is the cost of gorilla trekking permit of Rwanda

At the moment the cost of Rwanda gorilla permit is $ 1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for international residents and $200 for East African citizens.

• What is the cost of Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking permits?

Currently the chimpanzee permit cost for Rwanda is $150 for international nonresidents, $75 for foreign residents and $25 for East Africans

Other factors to consider when calculating the cost of Rwanda safari include number of days, number of people travelling with, additional safari activities, accommodation cost which is one of the main determinant of the safari package you travel and others.

What To Pack For Rwanda Safari?

When packing for a Rwanda safaris, you need to determine at activities you hope to engage in like gorilla and chimpanzee safaris include walking in the wilderness. Game drives in Akagera National Park require you to wear the right safari clothes.

Safari clothing in colors that are wilderness friendly like tan, khaki which donot attract stinging insects.

Safari waterproof boots

Garden gloves to protect your palms from rough surfaces in the jungle

Warmers as it gets so cold in the morning and afternoon

Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects.

A pair of stockings to tack in the clothes and prevent creepers from getting in.

Camera to keep memories

Safari large brim foldable hat for protecting your head and hair from buzzing insects

Raincoat or poncho as it falls any time without warning

Treats to keep reenergizing because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire day.

First aid kit with emergency medication

Toiletries

Extra fully charged batteries in case on runs power low.

Backpack to pack in your belongings.

Extra clothes to change into after the day’s activities

Packing bag to keep in your shoes so that they donot stain other items

Travel adapter and charger

Some hard cash in case you have to do on ground purchases like porter hiring

A torch as solar is the main source of power in most destination and when the sun doesnt shine, the batteries may run out of power.

A pair of binoculars for closer look at far ranging features.

Foldable water bottle

Flip flops

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