This is a scheduled safari which departs twice a month every first Tuesday and third Tuesday of the month.

The tour takes visits Nyungwe, in South West of Rwanda, a huge afro-montane forest. With over 10000sq.km in size, Nyungwe is the undisputed giant in Central Africa. The natural forest is renowned for its large troops of colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, butterflies and a rich variety of orchids. Over 300 bird species have been recorded. Visit some cultural sites en route - the Museum in Butare and the palace at Nyanza.

Visit Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in the north of Rwanda where about 300 mountain gorillas live. There are five habituated gorilla families – Amahoro A, Amahoro B, “Group 13”, Sabinyo, Umubano and Susa - each of the groups allows up to 8 participants per day. You can track gorillas, climb the Visoke volcano, track the golden monkeys or visit the Karisoke Research Centre, which Dian Fossey the famous primatologist set up, or visit local villages.

ITINERARY FOR GORILLAS AND CHIMPS IN RWANDA TOUR - 7 DAYS
(Tour Code RW5). The safari starts and finishes in Kigali.

 

DAY 1: Arrival
Arrive at Kanombe (Kigali) airport. Meet and greet before transferring to Kigali City. O/N: Hotel Chez Lando or similar on Bed & Breakfast basis.

DAY 2: To Nyungwe Forest
Start for Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, make stops at places of interest including local markets, the traditional palace of Rwanda’s Former King in Nyanza. In Butare, visit the Botanical Gardens and a cultural museum. Lunch. Drive past green fields of tea scattered across the hillsides and the small wooden houses unique to the areas surrounding Nyungwe Forest. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: ORTPN Gisakura Guest House (FB)

DAY 3: Nyungwe Forest
Guided nature walk in the forest to see a variety of animals and some of the three hundred bird species found here, which include the Rwenzori turaco and black and white casqued hornbill.  Go on an escorted walk in search of large groups of colobus monkeys - sometimes as many as 400 in a group.  OR go chimp tracking.  Lunch. Return late afternoon. O/N: ORTPN Gisakura Guest House (FB)

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DAY 4: Nyungwe Forest to Parc National des Volcans
Return to Kigali or pass via Gisenyi to Ruhengeri. Drive north to Kinigi via Ruhengeri. Enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: Hotel La Palme/Virunga Hotel/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (FB)

DAY 5: Parc National des Volcans
Transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters to track gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills and swamps can be tough, arduous and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. But coming face to face with the great primates is well worth the effort.
O/N: Hotel La Palme/Virunga Hotel/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (FB)

DAY 6: Parc National des Volcans
In Parc National des Volcans: Either go gorilla tracking (on payment of US$500 gorilla permit supplement at time of booking) Track the golden monkeys or climb the awesome Visoke volcano, or trek to Karisoke Research Centre which was set up by the famous primatologist Dian Fossey, or visit local communities. Alternatively for those who are not up to it, simply relax at Camp.  Return to Kigali. O/N: Hotel Chez Lando or similar (FB)

DAY 7: Return and departure
Time permitting, go for a tour of the city (optional). This includes a visit to a genocide memorial. Traditional crafts can be bought. Transfer to airport for your flight. [Approximate driving time: 3omins]

Tour Ends.

PRICE FOR RWANDA GORILLAS TOUR Rw5 Gorillas, Chimps and Birds in Rwanda tour departs twice a month every first Tuesday and third Tuesday of the month. 7 Days Standard safari departs from Kigali, group departures 2 - 6 persons. 

Group Price EUR 1676, USD 2346, £ 1564 per person. One gorilla permit included in cost.

Single Room Supplement EUR 241, USD 338, £225

 

DEPARTURE DATES 2009

	Sept 2009	Oct 2009	Nov 2009	Dec 2009
Dates	1	6	3	1
	15	20	17	15

 

DEPARTURE DATES 2010

	Jan 2010	Feb 2010	Mar 2010	Apr 2010	May 2010	Jun 2010	Jul 2010	Aug 2010	Sept 2010	Oct 2010	Nov 2010	Dec 2010
Dates	5	2	2	6	4	1	6	03	7	5	2	7
	19	16	16	20	18	15	20	17	21	19	16	21

 

Enquire or book this tour

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More Tours to Rwanda

RWANDA TOUR RW 1: Gorillas Express (3 days)	RWANDA TOUR Rw5 Gorillas, Chimps and Birds in Rwanda tour (7 Days)
Rwanda Gorilla Tour RW2: Gorillas in Rwanda (4 days)	RWANDA TOUR Rw6 Gorillas, Chimps and Birds in Rwanda and Uganda (12 Days)
Rwanda Gorilla Tour RW3 - Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda or Congo (8 days)	RWANDA TOUR RW 7 Jewels of Rwanda (12 days)
Rwanda Chimpanzee Tour RW 4: Chimps in Rwanda (5 days)	Rwanda Gorilla Tour RW8: Gorillas and Culture in Rwanda (10 days)

Click here fore Departure Dates of other safaris

Itineraries that include a visit to the gorillas are subject to availability of permits at time of booking. Unless otherwise stated, only one gorilla permit is included in the safari cost; the other trackings require a supplement to be paid at time of booking.

Merit Safaris will advise the most appropriate airlines to use to fly to Rwanda. We could book your flights; alternatively you can contact your Africa tour operator or travel agent. Safaris start either in Kigali in Rwanda, or Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda.

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Please note: Rwanda is one hour behind Uganda.

Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted include a safari car for the itinerary stated, accommodation on a shared basis and meals (in Kampala/Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board), 1 boat/launch trip, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit.

For all categories of accommodation, ALL drinks (except bottled water) are excluded in the safari cost and clients are to pay for them directly to the hotels/Camps or Lodges. Clients could choose to fly out the following day in case there are no flights for their destination on the last day of the itinerary. A supplement for the extra night will be required.

Prices do not include airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenditure such as tips, telephone calls, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, the supplement (SRS) has to be paid. Fees for mountain climbing, fishing and other specialist activities will attract an extra charge where not stated.

Prices are quoted in US Dollars. At the time of booking, clients should confirm with us the prevailing exchange rates for Pounds and Euros, if they wish to pay in those currencies. At the time of booking, the client(s) will need to pay for all gorilla permits needed in full otherwise a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of a safari paid, whichever is higher.