Grand tour of Rwanda gorillas, chimpanzees & other primates - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

Grand tour of Rwanda gorillas, chimpanzees & other primates: Africa Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company in Moshi

Specialized in:  Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa

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Email: info@africanaturaltours.com Website: www.africanaturaltours.com

Grand tour of Rwanda gorillas, chimpanzees & other primates

Day 1 – Kigali

At the Kigali International Airport, you will be met and briefed about your upcoming safari by our driver Guide and transfer to your hotel in Kigali. Overnight: Narcisse Residence Hotel or Lemigo Hotel (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 2-Nyungwe

This morning depart to Nyungwe National Park south-west of the country with a stopover at the Nyanza/Butare Museum and thereafter have lunch before you proceed on your expedition. You will reach your hotel just on time to have dinner. Overnight: Gisakura Guest House or Nyungwe Top View Lodge. (Full Board)

Day 3 –Track Colobus Monkeys -Nyungwe

After breakfast, transfer to the park HQs for a half day forest trek in search of the Angola Colobus monkeys which can be found here in troops of several hundred; the largest, can be up to 450 individuals. This fair to moderate trek can be adapted to guests’ fitness and lasts up 6 hours. It's an absolutely amazing experience, to see so many Colobus monkeys at the same time; 50-60 at a given time. Besides their incredible numbers, Angola Colobus differ from the more common Eastern Colobus by the extent of white hair and leaner frame. Other primates likely to be seen during the trek include l'Hoest's monkey and the grey-cheeked mangabey. The birds too are spectacular, though as in most tropical forests, one has to look harder. Giant hornbills, great blue turacos and red-breasted sparrow hawks are amongst the specials, 24 of them endemic to this section of the Rift Valley. Back at the hotel for lunch then in the afternoon, a thrilling adventure awaits you on the Nyungwe Canopy walk from the park information centre; descend the 40º slant via a zigzag foot path to the first tower deep in the forest valley for the 1½ hr walk on the Canopy Walk’s suspension bridge. Besides being so high in such a picturesque location, the walk allows access to the upper parts of the forest, where one can see some unique ‘canopy’ species; apes, birds, butterflies, plants and insects, flowers, leaves and other animals that live in the roof of the forest WHICH are otherwise invisible but can now be seen at eye level, or even from above. It is an unforgettable experience.

Overnight: Gisakura Guest House or Nyungwe Top View Lodge. (Full Board)

Day 4 –Track Chimpanzees -Nyungwe

Track Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest however this is in very hilly terrain with steep slopes and deep valleys. These semi-habituated Chimpanzees move a lot, sometimes far, deep and high in the hills and valleys in dense forest. Lunch then in the afternoon, tour a nearby tea plantation; an excellent way of interacting with the local farmers, knowing them, hear their stories and challenges, and make friends.

Overnight: Gisakura Guest House or Nyungwe Top View Lodge.  (Full Board)

Day 5- Karongi

Breakfast and transfer to Kibuye in the western part of the country later to embark on a tour of that vicinity after lunch and rest

Overnight: Centre Bethany or Moriah Hill Resort Beach. (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 6-Rubavu

Enjoy more of the country by moving further to Gisenyi, Rwanda’s “sea port”.  Most of the building in this area date way back from the colonial regime. Water sports await you on Lake Kivu. Take your time as you tour the place and later in the evening have a glimpse of a volcanic glow of the great Nyiragongwe just across the borders of Rwanda

Overnight: Paradise Malahide or Gorillas Hotel. (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 7 –Track Gorillas -Musanze

0530a.m; depart with breakfast boxes and drive 1½ hrs to Musanze (former Ruhengeri)

0700hrs; registration and briefing about gorilla tracking commence. The park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. He also discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting trail. Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. However upon spotting your gorilla family, you only spend one hour watching how they feed and play in their natural habitat.  Lunch at the lodge, afternoon of rest and relaxation or visit the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, or Iby’Iwacu cultural village.

Overnight: Virunga Hotel or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.  (Full Board)

Day 8 –Kigali City Tour -Akagera

After a leisurely breakfast, return to Kigali to proceed on a city tour including the Genocide Memorial site a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent lives in 1994. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda, the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience. After lunch drive further to the east to have an overnight stay within the Akagera National Park

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge. (Half Board)

Day 9 –Akagera Game Viewing

0600AM. After an early breakfast, Game drive in the National park. Akagera is home to a variety of game, it's an exciting reserve in which to spend a few days and an interesting contrast to the more mountainous former days of the tour. There are plenty of animals around and the birdlife is quite exceptional. Mammals include a healthy population of Elephant and Buffalo, plus 11 species of antelope including Impala, Common Duiker, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Oribi, Tsessebe, Cape Eland and the rare Sable Antelope.  Hippos are present in impressive numbers in the lakes and rivers and Zebra and Giraffe still roam the more open acacia dotted plains. Afternoon, have a boat ride at an extra cost on Lake Ihema or gamer viewing

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge. (Full Board)

Day 10 –Depart

Return to Kigali to be transferred to the Airport for your departure flight

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