5 Days Chimpanzee Tracking and Lake Kivu Rwanda Tour
This 5-day Chimpanzee Tracking and Lake Kivu Rwanda Tour will give you a great opportunity to visit one of Rwanda's highly visited national parks. Explore and enjoy the beautiful attractions of Nyungwe Forest National Park, including the chimpanzee trek, colobus monkeys, canopy walk, and surrounding attractions such as tea plantations and Lake Kivu. You will also visit the museum in the southern province. Engage with nature and meet local people around the beautiful countryside.
Each day of your Rwanda Tour offers unique experiences, from tracking chimpanzees through ancient forests to cruising on the tranquil waters of Lake Kivu, known locally as "Kivu Yanjye" (My Kivu). The thoughtfully crafted itinerary includes visits to historical sites, tea plantations, and local communities, providing insight into Rwanda's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
This Rwanda Tour is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers, offering the rare opportunity to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat while also enjoying the breathtaking scenery of Rwanda's western provinces. The journey showcases why Rwanda has emerged as a premier ecotourism destination, combining conservation efforts with unforgettable travel experiences in the land of a thousand hills.
Tour highlights
Welcome reception at Kigali International Airport
Cultural visit to the Royal Palace Museum and Ethnographic Museum
Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park
Thrilling canopy walk 70 meters above the forest floor
Colobus monkey tracking experience
Tour of Gisakura Tea Gardens
Night fishing experience with local fishermen at Lake Kivu
Morning boat cruise on Lake Kivu
Island exploration and bat colony viewing
Scenic drives through Rwanda's beautiful landscapes
Price Includes:
- Chimpanzee Tracking Permit
- Park fees and conservation levies
- All scheduled activities as per the itinerary
- Ground transport in a custom 4x4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water during drives and activities
- Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver allowances
- All mentioned activities (excluding optional experiences)
Price Excludes:
- Rwanda Visa (where applicable)
- International and internal flights
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional activities
- Laundry services
- Tips for staff and guides
- Travel insurance
- Beverages beyond provided water
Itinary in details
- Day1Arrival at Kigali International Airport - Transfer to Hotel
Your Rwanda Tour begins as you touch down at Kigali International Airport, where a Hermosa Life Tours and Travel guide welcomes you to the beautiful "land of a thousand hills." This first day of your Rwanda Tour includes a comfortable 15-minute drive to Hotel des Mille Collines, the famous "Hotel Rwanda" located in the heart of Kigali. During your Rwanda Tour orientation, your guide will brief you on the exciting adventures ahead while you enjoy dinner at this historic hotel with panoramic views of the city lights.
- Day2Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, your Rwanda Tour continues with a scenic 5-hour drive (230 km) southwest to Nyungwe National Park. Along this Rwanda Tour route, you'll visit the Royal Palace Museum in Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, known locally as "Ingoro y'Umwami" and "Ubumwe" respectively. The afternoon segment of your Rwanda Tour takes you through tea plantations and mountain landscapes before arriving at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, perched at the edge of this ancient forest that dates back to the ice age.
- Day3Nyungwe Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Adventures
The highlight of your Rwanda Tour awaits as you embark on an early morning chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest, known locally as "Ishyamba ry'Inyungwe." During this special Rwanda Tour experience, you'll follow expert trackers for 2-4 hours through the forest to find a chimpanzee community, spending a precious hour observing their behavior. Your Rwanda Tour continues in the afternoon with the exhilarating canopy walkway suspended 70 meters above the forest floor, offering spectacular views across this biodiversity hotspot that's home to over 1,000 plant species.
- Day4Colobus Monkey Trek and Tea Plantation Visit - Lake Kivu - Gisenyi
Today your Rwanda Tour features a morning trek to find the charismatic colobus monkeys in their highland habitat, followed by an educational visit to Gisakura Tea Gardens, known locally as "Icyayi cy'u Rwanda." This Rwanda Tour Day continues with a picturesque 2.5-hour drive (120 km) to Lake Kivu, where the afternoon Rwanda Tour activities include checking into Paradis Malahide Hotel and joining local fishermen for the traditional "Ubucuruzi bw'amafi" night fishing experience, witnessing how they attract small sambaza fish using lanterns on their traditional wooden boats.
- Day5Transfer Back to Kigali and Departure
The final day of your Rwanda Tour begins with a sunrise boat cruise on Lake Kivu, visiting Nkomo Island, known locally as "Ikirwa cy'Amaboto" (Island of Bats). This morning Rwanda Tour activity offers excellent bird watching opportunities before your 3-hour return journey (160 km) to Kigali. Your Rwanda Tour concludes with a transfer to Kigali International Airport, but not before your guide reminds you that future visits could include gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, just a 4-hour drive from Kigali compared to the 8-hour journey from Entebbe, Uganda.