4 Days Nyungwe Forest National Park and Lake Kivu Safari
On this safari visit Nyungwe forest, one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe has a wide range of biodiversity and offers scenic views. The mountainous region is teeming with a variety of wildlife species including over 400 chimpanzee individuals as well as 12 other species of primate-like the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift, olive baboons, colobus monkeys among others. Primate tracking is a key adventure here and tops most visitors’ lists, but it’s worth lingering a little longer to relax and take in the primal atmosphere of the exciting dense rainforest. The park is blessed with a variety of flora species counting to about 1068 species of plant, also presents a better bird watching experience with over 322 bird species like the endangered Red-collared Babbler and other 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic specie and 120 Butterflies species. There are 75 recorded mammal species in Nyungwe like the mongoose, serval cat, congo clawless otter, and leopard among others. Enjoy a picturesque moment include nature walking up to the Isumo waterfall and along the Canopy Walk of the suspension bridge. Sights of the tea plantations on the edges of the park habituated troop of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys as well as the elusive forest fringe birds. Visit Lake Kivu, which is part of the great east African rift valley in the west of Rwanda and surrounded by fascinating mountains and covering a surface area of 2,700 km2. It is Rwanda’s largest lake. This safari takes you to Nyungwe forest national park and the magnificent lake Kivu, the safari is available throughout the year and starts on any day.
Tour highlights
Transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe forest national park
Transfer to Lake Kivu and boat cruise
Transfer back to Kigali
Price Includes:
- Full time fueled safari vehicle
- English/ French speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Activity permits
- Park entrance fees
- Bottled water throughout the trip
Price Excludes:
- PCR tests
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Items of personal nature like laundry, airtime, insurance, tips and porter fees
Itinary in details
- Day1Drive from Kigali to Nyungwe forest national parkRight after receiving your test results back and you are ready to start your safari, your driver-guide will be waiting to pick you up from your hotel in Kigali and provide a simple briefing. After the briefing, you will gather your belongings and head out to the south of Rwanda. You will have your first stopover at the Kigali Genocide memorial grounds for an insight on the 1994 Rwanda genocide and after connecting to the Kimironko market. You will drive further to Butare where you will have lunch and get to have another en-route visit of the Butare Museum and the Nyanza king’s palace. Drive to connect to the cold Nyungwe forest national park. You will arrive in the evening hours to check-in at your hotel and settle in. Dinner will be served and you will spend your first night in the Nyungwe forest.
- Day2Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe forest national parkAs early as 6 am, you will be expected at the starting point for the chimpanzee trekking in the Nyungwe forest. You will receive a briefing ahead of your chimpanzee trek and after set out into the Nyungwe forest. This is a tropical forest and a home to the Rwanda chimpanzees and 13 other different primate species. You will spot several chimpanzees swinging from one tree branch to another. After the trek, you will exit the forest and head back to your hotel for a late breakfast or an early lunch. After lunch, your driver-guide will be waiting to take you on your next activity that is the canopy walk experience in Nyungwe forest national park. You will walk on this canopy bridge starting from the Uwinka visitor center and get to view the forest fr
- Day3Transfer to Lake Kivu and evening boat cruiseWake up on a calm note, prepare for breakfast at your hotel and also prepare to check out of the hotel for your next destination. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head out to Kibuye. This is a 1 to 2-hour road transfer until you can check into your hotel in Kibuye. You will be welcomed and shown to your rooms for the night. Lunch will be served and you will later head out to Lake Kivu. You may take on a boat trip on Lake Kivu to enjoy the cool breeze or opt to relax at the shores reading a book or soaking your feet. You will connect back to your hotel for dinner and a night in Kibuye.
- Day4Transfer back to KigaliThis is the last day of your safari. You will wake up ready to end your trip. Have breakfast at your hotel and check out of your hotel headed for Kigali. You may take on some time to pass by the Lake Kivu for another moment in case you have time and didn’t do this on the first day. You may alternatively pass by a tea plantation for the experience of seed to cup processing of tea. Connect further to Kigali for drop-off at your hotel or at the Kigali International airport for your flight back home as you will advise your driver-guide.