Detailed itinerary 6 days Rwanda primates safaris
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
On the first day, after breakfast, you will be picked up by the driver and driven to Volcanoes National Park. After a 2-hour drive, settle into our accommodation and then tour the Musanze caverns. These caverns date back more than 60 million years; you will take a tour of the caves and learn about the caves’ history, genocidal periods, and formation. Spend the rest of the day learning about the history of these caves before returning to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 2: Mountain Karisimbi hike
Today, you will start the day with a cup of tea and then transfer to the park headquarters in Kinigi, where you will be briefed on this incredible journey. Following that, the walk to the pinnacle of Mount Karisimbi will commence, accompanied by two armed rangers and conducted by a professional guide. This hike could take up to 7 hours depending on your hiking speed and the physical fitness of the slower hiker on the hiking team. You will travel through the spectacular scenery on the mountain’s slopes, encountering a variety of species such as birds and golden monkeys. You will eventually arrive at the camping spot, where you will pitch your tent and spend the night.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 3: Descent from Karisimbi
Today, after an early breakfast, you’re going to enjoy the spectacular sunrise as well as panoramas of the great lakes from the peak. In addition, you will get vistas of the other mountains that make up the Virunga Volcanoes, as well as cultivated farmlands and distant small villages. Take as many shots as you like since the sights are amazing. Later, you will return to the bottom and be met by our guide-driver, who will transport you to the lodge. Where you will spend the remainder of the day relaxing and preparing for your gorilla hike the next day. Have supper and spend the night here.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes and visit to twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera
Have an early breakfast and then travel to Kinigi’s park headquarters, in which you will be briefed and divided into groups of eight. On average, tracking gorilla groups takes 2-6 hours, with an hour of direct contact with the gorillas once found. The trek up to the favored habitat of gorillas, bamboo forest, entails steep muddy slopes, dense vegetation, slick underfoot conditions after rain, and high altitude. A general degree of fitness is advantageous. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is recognized as one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters. Return to your lodging for a delicious lunch and some well-deserved rest.
In the late afternoon, go to the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. These lakes were formed as a result of volcanic eruptions, where the largest river in Rwanda (the Nyabarongo River) used to flow northward to Ndorw, due to the eruptions that took place in the volcanic area in Northern Rwanda, specifically due to the eruption of Muhabura volcano (which is now considered a dormant volcano), in which lava flows from volcanoes blocked the Nyabarongo river’s channel, resulting in the formation of these lakes. You’ll be driven back to your lodge for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking and transfer to Lake Kivu
Following an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Volcanoes National Park offices in Kinigi for a briefing with the rangers. You will then be assigned a park guide and led deep into golden monkey habitats via dense bamboo stands interspersed with open glades. The guides will take you to the habitats of groups of ‘habituated’ golden monkeys who have grown accustomed to human presence. Depending on the location of the golden monkeys, the tour will last between 30 minutes and 4 hours. Once found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat, learning about their mannerisms, habits, and way of life while shooting and recording them.
Meal plan: All meals are included
Day 6: Boat cruise at Lake Kivu and transfer back to Kigali
Today, after breakfast, you will embark on a boat excursion to explore Lake Kivu, which has one of the most stunning, panoramic views on the entire area. Following the boat trip, you will be transferred back to Kigali and dropped off at the airport or hotel, depending on the time of your journey back home, putting Rwanda primates trekking safari to a close.
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch