Rwanda Primates Safaris

Safari Outline:

• Day 1: Kigali to Akagera National Park
• Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Launch Cruise
• Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 4: Gorilla Tracking
• Day 5: Golden Monkeys and Iby’wacu Cultural visit
• Day 6: Continue to Nyungwe National Park
• Day 7: Chimps Trekking and Canopy Walk
• Day 8: Drive to Lake Kivu
• Day 9: Nyamirundi Island and transfer to Kigali
• Day 10: Kigali City Tour and Departures

Especially created for:

• Primates lovers
• Walking enthusiasts
• Adventure travellers

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Kigali to Akagera National Park
Escape To Africa company representative will pick you up early morning from either a hotel in Kigali or Kigali International Airport to transfer to Akagera National Park; one of the largest protected wetlands in central Africa with outstanding views over the stretch of lakes and swamps with a fair share of mountainous terrain. The park harbours a variety of abundant wildlife from; Elephants, Leopards, Giraffe, Antelopes, Hyena, bush buck, Hippos and crocodiles ram the Lake to the various bird species that nourish on and around the lake.

In the afternoon, enjoy a dugout canoe ride on Lake Ihema and expect to view various aquatic wildlife species; hippopotami, crocodiles and among others.

• Travel time: 3 Hours
• Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge
• Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Launch cruise
With an early breakfast enjoy a morning morning game drive through the roaming savannah woodlands. Be on the lookout for various wildlife including; the hyenas, lions, Impalas, buffaloes, elephants and zebras etc. Later return to the lodge midmorning for some relaxation. Later in the afternoon go for aboat cruise on Lake Ihema and be on the lookout for hippopotami, crocodiles etc.

• Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
With an early breakfast transfer to Volcanoes National Park, commonly known as the gorilla haven.  On your way to the park enjoy the view of rolling hills and dense vegetation.

• Travel time: 5 Hours
• Accommodation: Virunga Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Tracking
After an early morning breakfast transfer with your vehicle to Kinigi park head offices. Gorilla briefing is done by park rangers after which rangers are assigned per trackers group. For those with heavy gadgets or need a pull and push, porters are available. Porters are from the local community and each carry a maximum of 15KGs. Only 1 hour is allowed in the company of the gentle creatures. However it takes about 30 minutes to several hours to encounter the mountain gorillas. Apart from the experience, one is rewarded a Gorilla tracking Certificates of Participation. Later refresh and relax at the Lodge

• Accommodation: Virunga Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Golden Monkeys and Iby’wacu Cultural visit
After a light breakfast with packed lunches transfer to Kinigi park offices for briefing. Golden Monkey briefing done before entering the park. This briefing starts at 7:00am and with only 1 hour of viewing for (conservation purposes). However unlike gorillas, golden monkeys exist in large families and one is 100% sighting of these beautiful creatures jumping from tree to tree, branch to branch while the young ones are seen hiding behind the mothers. You will be rewarded with lots of pictures of these playful creatures. Later refresh at the Lodge, before continuing with the Iby’wacu cultural visit for better understanding of the Rwandese Culture.

• Accommodation: Virunga Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Continue to Nyungwe National Park
After an early breakfast continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park, south east of Rwanda. This park is home to 12 other primate species including habituated chimpanzees and 400- Ruwenzori Black & White Colobus. Nyungwe is also a birder’s paradise with over 300 species, including 16 endemics and 75 different species of mammals. On the way to the park have a stopover and visit the Murambi genocide memorial site, before continuing to the Lodge for an overnight.

• Travel time: 5 Hours
• Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge / Nyungwe Top View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Chimps Trekking and Canopy Walk
After breakfast, transfer to Nyungwe Forest Park offices for Chimpanzee briefing, before entering the forest. With parked lunches, enter the forest led by park rangers and porters for one with heavy gadgets or in need a pull or push when trekking. You will only be allowed 1 hour of viewing – but one can’t estimate the time spent in the forest before spotting them, as these are very active primates. While in the forest also be on the lookout for the other primates; velvert monkeys, baboons among others. After relaxation at the lodge, in the afternoon, participate in a guided Canopy walk. The canopy walk is 50 meters above the ground and offers outstanding views of the valley and the forest. But its not for people with heights phobia.

• Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge / Nyungwe Top View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Drive to Lake Kivu
After a leisurely breakfast with your guide drive to Lake Kivu. Enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the rolling hills, dense vegetation and a glimpse of the lake. Have a stopover at the Nyanza King’s Palace and if you had missed the visit to the Murambi Genocide Memorial Site now is your chance to visit before continuing to Lake Kivu.

• Travel time: 4 Hours
• Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena hotel / Palm Gardens Resort
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Day 9: Nyamirundi Island and transfer to Kigali
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with a magnificent view of the Lake. After transfer to the lake for a morning boat ride to one of the beautiful Highlands – Nyamirundi Island – known as a coffee making island. Having packed the previous night, with your guide transfer to Kigali city for an overnight

• Travel time: 3 Hours
• Accommodation: Kigali Serena hotel / Des Mille Collines /Lemigo Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 10: Kigali City Tour and Departures
With a leisurely breakfast, emback on a city tour, visit Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site, National Museum and the local market. Later dine in the heart of Kigali before transferring to the Airport for the departure flight.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast Only

 END OF ESCAPE TO AFRICA SERVICES

Included in the above quote:

• Our Quotes offered in USD
• Full Board meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) with Accommodation as listed in the itinerary.
• Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Permit
• Drinking water in the vehicle (1 litre per person per day)
• Private 4×4 vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide, from the morning of day 1 to the evening of day
• All the excursions and activities indicated in the itinerary under the supervision of an experienced English-speaking guide
• Wi-Fi (in main areas of all Lodges and Hotel)
• Government taxes

Excluded from the above quote:

• All drinks
• Lunch & Dinner on (Day 1 & 10)
• Dinner (Day 9)
• Rwanda Entry Visa fee
• International air flights
• Any optional activity not indicated in above program
• Laundry Services
• Gratuities and Tips

Tsavo is an authentic, fascinating, endless and untouched wilderness that join the Tsavo West and East National Parks into one largest protected area in Kenya. This park offers an opportunity of viewing the Big 5 in a single day. Its famously known for its man-eating lions and humongous elephant populations to the outside world, which makes it one of the must visit parks in Kenya. Between the 2 parts, Tsavo East is much more accessible, though Tsavo West provides a unique added advantage point to get closer to hippos and crocodiles lazing around in the waters.

At nearly 22,000km2, this makes Tsavo the biggest National Park in Kenya. Both of these parks where once one single park but where later separated. Though among the two Tsavo west is considered the best park for photography, birding and game viewing.

Tsavo East is at 13,747 sq.KM and is generally flat, with dry plains across where are River flows.

And the Tsavo West covers an area of 9,065 sq.KM and is generally mountainous with swamps, a Lake and Springs. It is known for bird life and large game; elephants, leopards, hippos, black rhinos, Cape buffalos and Masai lions.

Activities in Tsavo National Park

There is so much that you can do in Tsavo National park from the primarily; game drives involving viewing of elephants, African lions, hippos, cheetahs, hartebeest and buffalo, birdwatching, hill hiking, to caving and boating.

Best Time to Visit Tsavo West

At Escape To Africa, we recommend visiting the park in the months of January and February as well as June through September. And we try as much as possible to avoid the March to May and sometimes November to December as the park roads tend to be muddy and inaccessible. For all birdwatchers, the must months of visit to see migratory birds are October to January.

Recommended Number of Days

We normally advise 2 days to enjoy Tsavo west National park and a day more for all photographers to capture as much as possible.

Accommodation in the Tsavo West

As big as the park is, it has numerous accommodation to choose from for all kinds of budgets. At Escape To Africa we offer the best from comfort to services.