The 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour & Nyungwe Chimpanzees present an opportunity to explore the two of the Big Apes namely; Chimpanzees in the largest montane forest of Nyungwe National Park to the south of Rwanda and low land gorilla in the famous Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The other activities incorporated in the safari include; canopy walk in Nyungwe, cultural and heritage tours in Nyanza and Butare along with tea estate tour in Bukavu. The tour starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
Day 1 of the 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour & Nyungwe Chimpanzees: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 2 of the 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour & Nyungwe Chimpanzees: Undertake Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park along with afternoon Canopy walk
Day 3 of the 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour & Nyungwe Chimpanzees: Drive to Bukavu in Democratic Republic of Congo via Cyangungu
Day 4 of the 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour & Nyungwe Chimpanzees: Undertake lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Day 5 of the 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour & Nyungwe Chimpanzees: Drive back to Kigali Rwanda
After breakfast at your Kigali hotel, embark on the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park to the south of the country. An en route stop will be made at the King’s palace in Nyanza – the site of the last functioning Rwandan monarchy known to have had two reigning Kings namely King Musinga and King Rudahigwa. The site features good traditional hut with remarkable ancient architecture, King’s equipment and the traditional Inyambo cows. Another stop is made in Butare for lunch after which you visit the National Museum of Rwanda with a range of over 800,000 artifacts detailing the history, culture and heritage of Rwanda. Proceed on the drive to arrive in Nyungwe National Park in the evening for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Nyugwe Forest Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Lodge, Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Chimpanzee trekking involves an early wake up at around 4am, settle for breakfast and then set off at around 5am driving to Kyamudongo forest to catch up with the chimpanzee trekking activity. Briefing is conducted by the Park rangers after which you set off to the forest in search of these great Apes. The forest also features other 12 species of primates including Black and white colobus with their largest grouping in Africa which may be luckily spotted along the trail. The moment with the chimpanzees is limited to one hour while the entire trek can last 2 – 5 hours. Retreat from the activity for lunch and relaxation after which you undertake the canopy walk departing Uwinka visitor center. The walk is an adventurous one offering a panoramic view of the dense montane forest and the wildlife including birds. The walk lasts about 2 hours. The evening is spent relaxing at the lodge and dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Nyugwe Forest Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Lodge, Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
After a relaxed breakfast, take on the drive to Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park crossing via the Cyangungu border post. You settle for lunch in Bukavu and in the afternoon, you explore the Mbayo tea plantation exploring the tea growing process and the community life around. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge, Budget: Hotel Horizon
After breakfast, embark on a historical adventure of tracking the low land gorillas thriving in Kahuzi Biega National Park. The low land gorilla trek is very interesting as it presents an opportunity to explore these species that are different from the common Mountain gorillas. The low land gorillas are remarkably larger in size and prefer to stay in bigger groups. The trek to these species lasts about 1 – 4 hours. Following the gorilla trek, a nature walk in the Park to explore the Tshibati falls with beautiful scenery or exploring Bukavu town. Retreat back to the hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Luxury / Midrange: Orchid Safari Lodge, Budget: Hotel Horizon
After breakfast, you will embark on the drive back to Kigali Rwanda to mark the end of the tour. An optional en route stop can be made at Murambi genocide memorial to explore one of the living testimonies of the 1994 horrific ethnic conflict that befell Rwanda.
End of the 5 Days Congo Lowland Gorilla Tour & Nyungwe Chimpanzees Trekking Tour Rwanda
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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