5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla and Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking safari
Safari overview
5 days Congo Lowland Gorilla and Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking safari is a combined safari package taking tourists to Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda and Rwanda, this safari offers safari experiences such as lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park and chimpanzee racking in Nyungwe forest national park.
Highlights of the safari
- Day 1: transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
- Day 2: chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
- Day 3: transfer to Bukavu in Democratic republic of Congo
- Day 4: lowland gorilla trekking experience
- Day 5: drive back o Kigali/ Rwanda
Detailed itinerary of the safari
Day 1: transfer to Nyungwe forest national park
On the first day of the safari you be picked from the airport upon arrival by a representative of Focus East Africa Tours who is also your safari driver, from the airport you will set off for south Rwanda heading to Nyungwe forest national park. On your way you will make en-route visit to Butare Museum and Nyanza King’s palace, you will also have lunch and head to the park. Upon your arrival you will check into your lodge and have an afternoon of resting, in the evening you will have dinner and stay overnight.
Accommodation is got from
Luxury: Nyungwe forest lodge
Midrange: Nyungwe top view hotel
Budget: Gisakura guest house
Meal plan: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 2: chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
On the second day of the safari you will have early morning breakfast and transfer to the park’s briefing point, at the Uwinka a ranger will brief you about the rules and regulations to be followed while chimpanzee tracking and by 5:00 am you will hike into the forests in search for chimpanzees using either Cyamudongo or Uwinka trail. The trekking takes approximately 4-5 hours and as you trek through the forests you have an opportunity of enjoys views of the beautiful green plants, birds and primates like olive baboons, patas, olive baboons, mangabeys and many more. When you find the chimpanzees you will are allowed to be in their presence for one hour, take memorable pictures and trek back to the park headquarters then head back to your lodge. After lunch you will head back to the park for an afternoon canopy walk, canopy walk is a great opportunity for birders and as you walk on a raised canopy you get to spot many forest birds. You will also spot primates such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and beautiful sceneries, in the evening you drive back to your lodge, have dinner and stay overnight.
Meal plan: full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 3: transfer to Bukavu in Democratic republic of Congo
On the third day of safari you will have morning breakfast, checkout of your lodge and set off for Bukavu in Democratic Republic of Congo. From Rwanda you will cross over to Democratic Republic of Congo using Cyangugu border, upon arriving in Congo you will check into the immigration offices for registration then connect to Bukavu and check into your lodge for lunch. After lunch you can decide either to have an afternoon of relaxing or go for a village visit. in the evening you will have dinner and stay overnight
Accommodation is got from
Luxury: L’Orchids safari club
Midrange: Coco lodge
Budget: Lake side Hotel Bukavu
Meal plan: full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 4: lowland gorilla trekking experience
On the fourth day of the safari you will have early morning breakfast and as early 6:00 am you will drive to the park’s headquarters for briefing, in the briefing a ranger will read you rules and regulations to follow while trekking for lowland gorillas. You will hire a porter to assist you o the experience then trek into the forests of Kahuzi Biega searching for low land gorillas, when you find the gorillas you are allowed to be in presence of these gorillas for one hour of taking pictures and viewing these huge beautiful primates picking fruits and taking care of their young ones. Lowland gorilla trekking experience takes approximately 3-6 hours and as you go into the forests you go with your packed lunch, this experience is very tiresome but very rewarding. After an hour you will trek back to the headquarters and drive back to your lodge, in the evening you will have dinner and stay overnight.
Meal plan: full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 5: drive back o Kigali/ Rwanda
On the 5th day of the safari you will have breakfast, checkout of your lodge and set off for Kigali in Rwanda using Cyangugu border and when you get in Kigali you will be dropped off at the hotel or at Kigali international airport for your departure flight.
Meal plan: half board (lunch and dinner)
End of the safari
Safari inclusions
- full time private safari vehicle
- full time safari guide/driver
- gorilla trekking permit
- chimpanzee tracking
- bottled drinking water
- pickup and drop-off
Safari exclusions
- international flights
- visas
- personal expenses on tips, beverages and many more
- personal insurance
