Rwanda, often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” offers an unparalleled primate safari experience that will leave you mesmerized. Rwanda is home to a diverse range of primates, including the iconic mountain gorillas, playful golden monkeys, and chimpanzees. Embark on a Rwanda Primate Safari and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of this remarkable country.
Why Choose a Primate Safari in Rwanda?
Experience the Majesty of Mountain Gorillas:
Rwanda is one of the few places on Earth where you can witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Trek through the lush, mist-covered slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes and encounter these gentle giants up-close.
Encounter Playful Golden Monkeys:
These charming primates are known for their vibrant golden-orange fur and lively behavior. Tracking golden monkeys is a delightful addition to your primate safari.
A Pristine Rainforest Adventure:
Nyungwe Forest National Park is a pristine rainforest teeming with wildlife, including a significant population of chimpanzees. Traverse the forest trails and observe these intelligent primates as they swing from tree to tree.
Experience a Rwanda Primate Safari and above all create memories that will last a lifetime.
A primate safari is a wildlife tour focused on observing primates in their natural habitat. In Rwanda, this typically includes tracking mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and other monkey species in the country's lush forests and national parks.
The most popular destinations for primate safaris in Rwanda are Volcanoes National Park, known for its mountain gorillas; Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is home to chimpanzees and several other primate species; and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Gorilla trekking permits can be obtained through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or through a licensed tour operator. It is advisable to book permits well in advance due to high demand.
The best time to visit is during the dry seasons, from June to September and from December to February. During these periods, the weather is more favorable for trekking and wildlife viewing.
Gorilla trekking can be moderately to highly demanding, depending on the location of the gorilla groups. Trekkers can expect to hike through dense forests, steep terrain, and potentially muddy conditions. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
Essential items include sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a waterproof jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, gloves, a daypack, and plenty of water. A good camera with a zoom lens is also recommended for capturing wildlife.
Yes, the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years, and for chimpanzee trekking, it is 15 years too. These restrictions are in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of both the primates and the visitors.
Visitors are typically required to maintain a distance of at least 7 meters (about 23 feet) from the gorillas and chimpanzees to prevent the spread of diseases and to minimize disturbance to the animals.
Professional guides and trackers accompany all treks to ensure the safety of visitors and the primates. Briefings are provided before the trek to educate visitors on proper behavior and guidelines. Additionally, armed rangers are present to protect against any potential threats from wildlife.
Yes, photography is allowed, but the use of flash is prohibited to avoid startling the animals. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of their surroundings and respectful of the primates.
Rwanda offers a variety of other activities, including cultural tours, bird watching, hiking, visiting the Genocide Memorials, exploring Kigali city, and relaxing on the shores of Lake Kivu, Coffee experiences and Big 5 game drives.
The main entry point to Rwanda is Kigali International Airport. From Kigali, visitors can travel to the national parks by road, either by private car, tour operator transport, or domestic flights to nearby airstrips.
A driver guide will pick guests in the morning after breakfast. this tour starts with a visit to the Kigali Genocide memorial.
Rwanda's sad history is a reminder to everyone to be kind to humanity. Here you will learn more about the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Audio and video materials are provided to the visitors in different clear languages.
Pick up Time: 8:00 AM (CAT)
Estimated Visiting Time: 2Hrs
At 11:00 AM, Guests will be transferred to Musanze for Hotel check in and Lunch.
Driving Time: 2:30Hrs
Hotel Options: 5volcanoes boutique Hotel, Gorillas volcanoes hotel and wilderness Sabyinyo.
After taking a break at the hotel, our guests will be driven to the Ellen DeGeneres campus to learn more about Gorilla conservation in Rwanda and the bio diversity of Volcanoes national park.
Head back to the Hotel for night stay as you prepare for Gorilla trekking.
After an early breakfast, the Driver guide will lead to the guest to the park headquarters for briefing. Guests must be at the park by 7:00AM (CAT).
Pick up Time: 6:00AM (CAT).
The guests will then be assigned a given troop to track. They will be guided by an experienced guide who will lead them to a Gorilla troop. Once you get to the troop, you will have a chance to see the majestic giants in their natural habitant.
Here you will witness their feeding habits, mothers caring for the young and the playful baby gorillas. Visitors are allowed 1 hour with to interact with the Gorilla.
This Activity takes between 3-5hours depending on the physical fitness of an individual.
At around Mid-day head back to the for lunch. Later Visit Ibyiwacu Cultural village, experience local traditions and beliefs as the local people take you through traditional activities and dances.
Golden Monkey trekking is an early morning activity. After breakfast, a driver guide will pick the visitors from the hotel and head to The park headquarters for Briefing.
Pick up time: 6:00AM (CAT). Golden monkeys are an endangered specie. These rare monkeys are very playful and they jump from one tree to another. They live in the bamboo vegetation near the base of the volcanoes hence saving visitors long distance of trekking.
The golden Monkeys in The volcanoes Rwanda, they are habituated into 2 groups and this has helped them to over come their natural shyness to visitors.
Visitors are allowed 1 hour of close interaction with the Golden monkeys in small groups of 8 people only.
After trekking Visitors will drive back to the hotel for lunch and check out, then drive to lake Kivu.
On this day relax at shores of lake Kivu, one of the lakes that make the great lakes region.
Lake Kivu has clear waters that reflect the green scenery of the mountains and trees that surround the lake.
The Nyamyumba hot springs on lake Kivu is the perfect spot for relaxing after long hours of trekking Gorillas.
Visitors can enjoy other activities such as canoeing, boat excursions among others.
On this day, the guide will pick guests from the hotel after lunch and check out and drive to Nyungwe Forest National park for night stay.
Nyungwe forest is rich in biodiversity, beauty and a heaven for chimpanzee, monkeys and birds.
Night stay options: Marina bay Hotel, Nyungwe Forest lodge, One&Only Nyungwe house.
Distance travelled: 180 Km
Time Travelled: 4Hrs
Chimpanzee trekking starts very early in the morning as Guests are expected to be at the headquarters by 4:30 AM.
Nyungwe has over 500 Chimpanzee individuals and two troops are habituated for tracking. Guests are given ranger guides who guide them through the tracking while other trackers go a head of guests who inform about the movement of the chimpanzee.
Guests are given 1 hour to interact closely with the Chimpanzee, it is an opportunity to see how they go about with their live and you will also see human like features and behaviors.
After the Tracking, guests will head back to the hotel for lunch break and then go for the canopy walk.
This is a guided walk on a canopy on top of nyungwe forest, its a 2hour walk on a 70m high and 160m long suspension over the Nyungwe. here you will have an aerial view of the bio diversity of nyungwe national park.
The forest in is known for over 1000 tree species, over 300 species of birds, monkeys and so much more.
This tour starts in the morning from Gisakura Park entrance.
Pick up: 8:00am (CAT)
Visit Gisakura tea plantation to discover what makes the perfect cup of tea. It starts from the crop and here, the local workers will introduce to guests the art of picking tea leaves and then try it on their own.
After, guests learn the process of growing growing African tea leaves and the most exciting part is tasting a cup of black tea.
Estimated time:2-3 hours
Walk through an off-beaten track through the water fall trail in the forest. The waterfall trail takes 4-5 hours depending on how fit one is.
Hiking this trail guests will witness verdant vegetation, streams, rivers on the forest floor, different species of birds and wildlife.
Finally guests will be rewarded with the stunning sound and sights of the Isumo water falls. Isumo water falls is a massive water fall and stands 25meters in height.
At the falls, it is picturesque and has other attractions such as the caves hanging over the clips, the colobus monkeys among others.
Guests will descend to the park offices and drive back to the hotel.
In the Morning after breakfast, our driver guide will pick up the guests and drive to Kigali with a stop over at the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza.
Distance Travelled: 55.1km
Time Travelled: 1hr 40min
The King's Palace Museum in Nyanza is renowned for its meticulously reconstructed traditional royal residence, which epitomizes the architectural ingenuity of ancient Rwanda.
The palace features a large thatched hut, known as the "Ingoro," characterized by its distinctive beehive shape and intricate reed weaving.
Additionally, the museum grounds house the royal kraal, home to the Inyambo cattle, which hold significant cultural importance and are known for their impressive long horns.
In the nearby town of Huye, the ethnographic museum provides a much deeper understanding of the traditional ways of Rwandans.
Here guests will learn more about the traditional in pre colonial times such weapons, hoes. Additionally, you will have a chance to traditionally woven baskets, pottery, wood carvings, Traditional instruments, jewelry and costumes.
Continue to Kigali and this tour ends in Kigali.
Distance to Kigali: 180km
Time Travelled: 4hrs
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