Africa’s ultimate primate safari

Price includes:
Transfers to and from the airport in Kigali, Rwanda, on arrival and departure days. Accommodation on a full-board basis. All meals mentioned in the itinerary – starting with dinner on arrival day and ending with breakfast on departure day. Coffee/tea and an unlimited supply of mineral water during transfers. All trekking permits, park fees, museum entrance fees, and activities mentioned in the itinerary. All ground transportation in a 4×4 WD vehicle, with fuel provided, and the services of our English–speaking tour guide/driver. Driver and guide fees. 24/7 office support.

Price excludes:
International or local airfare (but we can help you to book your tickets), Visas and airport departure taxes, all drinks (beers, sodas and water from the hotels), internet services, items of a personal nature, telephone calls, laundry, travel and medical insurance, tips, excess baggage charges, gratuities to all staff, any activities not specified in the itinerary.

Distance: 129 km / 3 hours

Start your journey from your lodging or Kigali Airport, departing for Kisoro no later than 9:00 AM. Enjoy lunch at a lodge with stunning views of the Burera and Ruhondo twin lakes. Cross the border into Uganda and proceed to Kisoro to check in at Kisoro Travellers Rest. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to experience how “the keepers of the forest” live in Mgahinga’s forest clad slopes. 

Return for dinner and overnight at Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel or a similar accommodation.

Gorilla Viewing Duration: 1 hour

Begin your day with an early morning breakfast before embarking on a mountain gorilla trek in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, home to the largest and oldest gorilla family group in the world. Spend one full hour observing the gorillas, learning about their social structures, behaviour, and environmental surroundings. After the trek, return to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, drive back to Kinigi in Rwanda for dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or a similar accommodation.

Distance: 160 km / 4.5 hours

After an early breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park for a golden monkey trekking adventure. Return for lunch at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. Before departing, you may want to visit the Iby'iwacu Cultural Centre (optional extra). Later, drive to Kibuye and check in for dinner and overnight at Cormoran Lodge or a similar accommodation.

Distance: 119 km / 2.5 hours

Enjoy breakfast and check out of the lodge. Start the day with a boat trip to Bonaparte Island, where thousands of giant fruit bats roost. Thereafter, take a leisurely drive to Cyangugu, stopping en route at a coffee sorting farm and photogenic viewpoint to appreciate and enjoy Lake Kivu. Arrive in Cyangugu in good time for lunch at Emeraude Kivu Resort. Proceed to the Rwanda/Congo DRC border at Bukavu and meet your DRC Congo driver and guide.  

Once you have cleared customs, you will be transferred to the Orchids Hotel in Bukavu Town. Here you will spend the remainder of your day at your leisure. It might be fun to walk to Lake Kivu’s edge late in the afternoon and watch and listen to the fishermen returning under the setting sun with their catch.

Dinner and Overnight at Orchids Hotel.

After breakfast and a short drive to the Kahuzi-Biega National Park headquarters, you will meet the rangers and trail guides leading the day’s expedition in search of one of Africa’s rarest apes – the Grauer’s lowland gorilla. The Grauer’s gorilla is only found in eastern DRC, and it is protected in several dwindling locations.

Grauer’s gorilla is the largest of all gorilla subspecies, with males in the wild reaching weights of 250kg and heights of 2m when standing upright. Females are considerably smaller, with a maximum weight of 110kg and a height of 140cm.

You can typically expect to make your way through the dense vegetation of Kahuzi-Biega for up to two hours. During this time, there is also the possibility of coming across other primate “megas” such as the enchanting owl-faced guenon. The colourful Rwenzori turaco abounds in this area, and if Lady Luck is looking down on you, you may just find yourself stepping into the footprints of a roaming forest elephant.

However, nothing will compete with the moment when you first notice a Grauer’s gorilla’s eyes peering inquisitively at you. A quick scan will most likely reveal the rest of the group, their beady eyes staring at you from deep in the bamboo.

The next hour is spent in the company of these dignified creatures, watching them feed, play, rest, groom, teach and discover. Soon enough, you may even find yourself recognising the different facial expressions and personalities of each family member.

If you are lucky enough to track down Chimanuka’s family, you will meet the four sets of twins this troop is raising. This unique phenomenon has baffled and excited the world’s primatologists.

Once your hour-long encounter ends, you will return to the headquarters, where a picnic lunch waits. Shortly after lunch, you will be transferred to your accommodation.

This afternoon is at your leisure, with an optional visit to the Lwiro Primate Sanctuary (an additional extra).

Overnight at Orchids Safari Club.

After breakfast, you will head back to Rwanda. Upon arrival back at the Bukavu border from Congo DRC, you will meet Gaston and drive to Uwinka for a pied colobus mega-troop walk. Lunch will be at Gisakura.

Later you will take an afternoon walk to Kamiranzovu Waterfall. 

Return for dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.

Start Time: 5:00 AM

Begin your day with an early morning breakfast drive to the starting point of your chimpanzee trek in Cyamudongo Forest. After the trek, return for lunch at Gisakura Guest House. In the afternoon, you will enjoy Nyungwe’s magnificent canopy walkway and another primate walk in the Uwinka sector. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.

Drive back to Kigali, stopping en route to visit the Royal Museum in Butare. Enjoy lunch in Nyanza town before continuing to Kigali City. Time permitting, visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre before transferring to Kigali Airport for your departing flights.

End of services.