The 5 Day Nyungwe Forest Chimpanzee Safari takes you to one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Nyungwe forest is spectacularly beautiful and teeming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees and 12 other species of primates endemic to the Albertine Rift. With 15 trails and various other activities, visitors can choose to sample the delights of the forest or indulge themselves for a week or more in one of Africa’s most stunning forests.
This tailor-made Africa safari will take you into this primal African jungle for an out-of-you-world experience with the great apes of Africa. You’ll take a walk along with one of Africa’s highest forest canopy suspension, take a peaceful nature walk, tick off your birding list, track the playful chimpanzee troops and spend an hour in their presence.
This Nyungwe Nyungwe Forest Chimpanzee Safari is great for those that want a relaxed holiday in the jungles of East Africa, where you have more personal space with little or no foreigners of local populations.
Day 1: Arrival and Pick up from Kigali International Airport – Transfer to your Hotel
Arrive at Kigali International Airport. You’ll follow Rwanda’s entry guidelines. Your private 5 Day Nyungwe Forest Chimpanzee Safari guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy taking a Kigali city tour, visiting the genocide memorial site, art and craft center, or relax at your hotel and nurse that jet lag. You’ll be heading into the jungle side the next day.
Location: Kigali
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Radisson Blu Hotel
Mid-Range: Hotel Des Mille Collines
Budget: Chez Lando
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Road Trip to Nyungwe Forest National Park (5 Hours)
Wake up by the African sounds of Kigali city and have your breakfast. Your driver guide will be waiting to take you through Rwanda’s most beautiful countryside dotted with calming nature scenery and color.
This part of the tailored 5 Day Nyungwe Forest Chimpanzee Safari vacation is a 5-hour drive that will see you take stops at local markets the traditional palace in Nyanza and continue to Butare, visit the cultural museum. Pass through stunning green fields of tea scattered across the hillsides and the tiny unique wooden houses surrounding Nyungwe Forest just before you arrive at the lodge and check-in.
For the rest of the day, make yourself comfortable with nature’s own ambiance around the lodge, chill out in the lounge and meet new people.
Location: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
Mid-Range: Emeraude Kivu Resort
Budget: Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Nature Walk in Nyungwe Forest Jungle
>>>>>>>>>>While chimps tend to garner most of the spotlight here, this part of the Nyungwe forest chimpanzee safari gives you the simple pleasure of hiking along well-maintained trails over the lush, green valleys of the equatorial rainforest. It’s just what you need after the Covid pandemic forced vacation at home.
You’ll find that quite simply, Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda’s most important area of biodiversity, with no fewer than 1000 plant species, 13 species of primates, 75 species of other African mammals, at least 275 species of birds, and an astounding 120 species of butterflies. It has been rated the highest priority for forest conservation in Africa, and its protected area covers one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Despite its vast biodiversity, Nyungwe is little known outside of East Africa.
In the middle of the forest, you’ll set up a picnic lunch and take in the friendly service of this beautiful African jungle. Later return to the lodge for an afternoon tea or coffee.
Location: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
Mid-Range: Emeraude Kivu Resort
Budget: Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest
Have an early breakfast and transfer to the chimpanzee tracking activity briefing to the park headquarters. A park ranger and a guide escort the trekking party; jump onto the jungle trails to another rainforest experience. In a short while, you’ll find your designated chimpanzee troop. Which you follow and stick with for the next one hour.
The chimpanzee bands keep moving, making noise, grooming, stopping for snack or nap. And your challenge is to keep up with them with the guidance of the park guide.
After your unforgettable experience with the chimpanzees in their nature setup, you’ll take an aerial view of Nyungwe forest and beyond on the 160 meters (525 ft) high canopy walkway. According to the latest report by Lonely Planet, the canopy walkway has been named the world’s best forest canopy walkway.
Return to the lodge for the rest of the evening.
Location: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Nyungwe Top View Hill Lodge
Mid-Range: Emeraude Kivu Resort
Budget: Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Drive back to Kigali city
After breakfast, lazily checkout and drive to Kigali, taking in the vibrant views of Rwanda’s countryside. The ride can take approximately 5 hours.
Location: Kigali
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch