5 DAYS CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN NYUNGWE NP & LAKE KIVU EXPLORATION
Itinerary Overview
On this great safari, you will visit one of the great national parks in Rwanda – Nyungwe national park and another leisure tour around Lake Kivu. During this 5 Days Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park and Lake Kivu, you will visit and see chimpanzees, take part in a canopy walk adventure, boat cruise and a short walk adjacent to the lake. You will also take a short city tour to visit different attractions like the genocide memorial center, local markets – Kimironko, Nyabugogo market and the presidential Palace museum and many more.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Transfer To Nyungwe National Park
The assigned driver guide will pick you from the hotel or airport on your arrival and then transfer straight away to Nyungwe National park. This is one of the greatest national parks in Africa and known home to great biodiversity including 13 primates, over 350 bird species among others.
Chimpanzee tracking is the main activity in this park followed by canopy walk. There are over 60 habituated chimpanzees and only two troops/groups are open to visitors every day. The biggest group has up to 30 individuals. Arrive and check in at the lodge for your accommodation.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
Have breakfast and then transfer to park offices where chimpanzee tracking starts and this normally begins with a briefing session. This exercise will reward you with the best time to know more about chimpanzees, Nyungwe forest and surrounding areas. During this period, you’ll get to know more about the rules and regulations while trekking; like not mimicking them, keeping a distance of at least 10m from these primates, not making noise and do not feed animals among others.
Start to track chimpanzees in the forest with the help of the armed park ranger guide. On locating them, you will spend a maximum of an hour while in their presence and then you will have to quit and head back to the lodge and have a leisure time for the rest of the evening hours.
Day 3: Canopy Walk & Transfer To Lake Kivu
Have morning breakfast and transfer to the park offices where you will receive briefing about this exciting moment of canopy walk. The park ranger will take you to start the great experience where the rope bridge is suspended in air at a height of 70m and 160m long. The walk takes about 2 hours of great adventure as you enjoy unmatched sightings of butterflies, birdlife and different primates like the Vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and red tailed monkey among others. There is a lot to spot more than this since the park is a home to different biodiversity. After the walk, you will head back to the lodge for lunch and then you will take lunch followed by a transfer to Lake Kivu.
Day 4: Full Day Of Lake Kivu Exploration
Enjoy your time while taking a full day of exploring the beautiful Lake Kivu. This will be by a short boat cruise and then a walk adjacent to the lake and have a great time chatting with fishermen in the Gisenyi area. During the boat cruise, you will spot different wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles; amazing bird life among others and this will last for 2 to 3 hours. You will after relax, swim and sunbath.
Day 5: Transfer Back To Kigali & Fly Back Home
Have breakfast and then transfer to Kigali. You will have a chance to tour the city. Here you will be able to visit the famous Rwanda genocide memorial site, presidential Palace museum, local markets among others. Lunch will follow, and then be dropped at the airport, marking the end of your 5 days chimpanzee trekking and Lake Kivu exploration tour.
