The 5 Days Nyungwe Chimps & Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour is an amazing short primate trekking tour that involves tracking chimpanzees within Nyungwe Forest National Park as well as trekking the outstanding Eastern lowland gorillas-largest gorilla sub-species within Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This short tour is not limited to only chimpanzee trekking and lowland gorilla trekking but also birding, the canopy walk, visit to one of Rwanda’s National Museums and many other exciting things as will be discovered during the trip.
Nyungwe Forest National Park in south-western Rwanda extends for over 1000 square kilometers and is a home to over 13 species of primates that include Chimpanzees, the Angolan Colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys among others. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a World Heritage Site within Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and one of the few places on Earth where you can track the largest gorilla sub-species in the wild.
Highlights of the 5 days Nyungwe Chimps and Congo Lowland Gorillas
- Chimpanzee tracking.
- The exhilarating canopy walk.
- Tour of the Nyanza Palace Museum.
- Lowland Gorilla Trekking.
- Visit to the Tshibati falls.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park in south-western Rwanda.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walk.
Day 3: Transfer to Bukavu within the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Day 4: Lowland gorilla trekking and visit to the Tshibati falls.
Day 5: Return to Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park in south-western Rwanda
After breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, you will be met by our guide/driver who will brief you about this safari and what you should expect. Thereafter, you will depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park which is situated in the South west of Rwanda. En-route to the Chimpanzee trekking destination, you will have stopovers to several tourist sites within Nyanza.
Visit Nyanza Palace and National Museum for cultural exploration and during your visit learn about the significance of the different symbols such as the architectural design of the huts, King’s equipment and Inyambo cows among others. Proceed and have lunch in Butare and then visit the Ethnographic Museum.
Proceed with your trip to the Park and you will arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay:
Budget: Gisakura guest House.
Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Lodge.
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Travel time: 6 hours.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Canopy walk
Wake up early for breakfast and connect to the Park Headquarters by 7:00am for registration and briefing about the guidelines you need to follow during tracking and close to man’s closest relative. You will then set out for the chimp trek within the jungles of Nyungwe, that will last 1-3 hours before the great apes are finally found.
As you go through this ancient montane forest, you are likely to encounter other primate species such as the Owl faced monkey, Angolan colobus monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, the grey-cheeked mangabeys, Silver monkeys and many others. The climax of the trek is watching chimpanzees foraging, playing, socializing, using hooting calls, mating as well as resting, and the time with them is limited to one hour.
You will then be led to the park headquarters where you our driver will pick you and transfer you to the Lodge for Lunch prior connecting to Uwinka Reception Center for briefing on the exhilarating Canopy walk. The two-hour walk offers an eagle eye view of the Forest including primates, birds, trees and many others.
Overnight stay:
Budget: Gisakura guest House.
Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Lodge.
Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Bukavu within the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Early morning breakfast, check-out of the Lodge for a transfer to Bukavu, through the Cyangugu Border. Given the few accommodation facilities in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, you will spend your night at Bukavu and upon arrival, check into your lodge for Lunch. In the evening head for a guided nature walk through the lush Mbayo tea plantation to learn about the different tea growing and processing processes. Alternatively, you can undertake a local community tour within the Town of Bukavu.
Overnight stay:
Luxury/Midrange: Orchid safari Lodge.
Budget: Hotel Horizon.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Lowland gorilla trekking and visit to the Tshibati falls
After your early morning breakfast and our guide/driver will transfer you from Bukavu to Kahuzi-Biega National Park (about 2hrs ) for the adventurous trek for the Eastern Lowland gorillas. The hike is one of the most awe-inspiring ape trekking adventures in the world.
You are advised to follow the gorilla trekking guidelines issued during briefing by the Ranger/guide and after several hours of trekking, meet the extraordinary gorillas that are popular for their massive size. Return to the Lodge for Lunch and in the afternoon head for a sightseeing visit to the Tshibati waterfalls. Return to the hotel/Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay:
Luxury/Midrange: Orchid safari Lodge.
Budget: Hotel Horizon.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Return to Kigali
Enjoy breakfast, check-out of the Hotel and embark on your return trip to Kigali. This is a scenic drive that takes you through the rolling hills and the beautiful countryside.
End of your 5 Days Nyungwe Chimps & Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour
This 5-day package includes;
- Lowland gorilla trekking permits.
- Border crossing.
- Congo tourist visa.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Chimpanzee trekking permit.
- Park entrance fees.
- Private safari vehicle.
- Fuel fees.
- 4 nights’ accommodation.
- Meals as per the itinerary.
- Fulltime English speaking guide.
- Bottled water.
The 5-day package excludes;
- Travel and medical insurance
- Shopping bills.
- Laundry fees.
- Rwandan visa fees.
- Tips to guides, waiters/waitresses and driver.