Overview
The 3 days chimpanzee safari in Rwanda delivers a perfect combination of wildlife encounters with cultural experiences. Travel from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park in the southwest of the country to track and see the common chimpanzees. These apes are not far away as man’s closest relatives, for they contain 98% of our DNA. Along the way, explore the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza. Meanwhile, before your trip ends in Kigali, visit the Gisakura Tea Estate near Nyungwe Forest.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Nyungwe NP. King’s Palace Tour
Our guide picks you up from your Kigali hotel or Kigali International Airport. Transfer to Nyungwe National Park, with enroute lunch along the 218 kilometer road trip. Also, visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza. Explore this beautiful reconstruction of the traditional royal residence of the King’s palace. In a guided tour, learn about the history of the grounds as a site of battle and various power struggles. Arrive at your lodge situated close to Nyungwe Forest and check in. Your dinner and overnight are offered by the professional lodge staff.
Day 2: Chimp Tracking in Nyungwe Forest & Canopy Walking Tour
Wake up from comfortable sleep and take breakfast, which is amazing in the morning by the way. Then, go to the starting point of the chimpanzee trekking adventure in Nyungwe Forest, preferably Uwinka. Tips about effective and safe chimp trekking are offered by the park personnel. With guidance from a ranger, track a habituated chimpanzee troop. Find this troop and pause. For an hour watch their lives in the wild and appreciate. Return to the start of the chimp trek to end this adventure in style.
During the trek notice a variety of primates and birds while you walk along the chimp trails. Black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys and others can be seen. After lunch in your lodge, come back to the forest and register for a canopy walk at Uwinka. Walk along the Igishigishigi trail towards the 160-meter walkway. It is also 70 meters above the ground to offer a wide view of the canopy. Birds and primates can be spotted everywhere. Finish this exciting experience and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Visit Gisakura Tea Estate and Departure
After breakfast, make sure you check out of the lodge and then pay a visit to the Gisakura Tea Estate. This is situated just near the Nyungwe Forest and offers an exploration of one of the key tea estates in Rwanda. Get knowledge about tea growing, harvesting and processing. Taste the tea while still hot and served in a beautiful cup. Experience these and more while you understand the local people who work at the estate. They offer insight about their way of life, tea garden and the history of the estate.
Depart to Kigali, a distance of 218 kilometers from the Gisakura Tea Estate. This entire journey comes with lunch offered enroute. Proceed to enjoy the scenic views of the landscape, especially the hilly landscape. Arrival in Kigali implies that you get dropped off either at your accommodation or the airport. Ultimately, your 3 days chimpanzee safari in Rwanda comes to an end. We wish you good luck on your next journey.
