Trip Overview
Book a 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Chimpanzees trekking safari in Rwanda and Uganda guided by Lets Go Tours Rwanda. The 5 Days trip takes you to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda in north western Rwanda and Kibale Forest National park. Volcanoes National Park is one of the four national parks which shelter the endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world sheltering the highest population of gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. The park is home to 10 gorilla families which guarantee availability of 80 gorilla permits each day. Each gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 for all travelers including Rwanda nationals. Rwanda is therefore a luxury gorilla safari destination compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 5 Days primates safari also entail trekking the endangered chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park located in western Uganda. Also known as the primate capital of Africa, Kibale Forest is hoke to the highest population of chimpanzees in Africa. The forest is believed to shelter over 1500 chimpanzees which make it a best destination to see these primates. In addition to chimpanzees, Kibale Forest National park is home to other 12 primates which include Vervet Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Red tailed Colobus, Black and White Colobus, Baboons, Grey Cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest monkeys and blue monkeys among others. More so, the park is home to over 370 bird species which make it a paradise for birders. The other interesting things to do in and around Kibale Forest National Park include nature/forest walking, butterfly watching, bigodi wetland walk and community visit. Mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking are ranked the best wildlife experiences in the world. The highest number of travelers to Rwanda and Uganda choose to visit the two primates as their first priorities. The 5 Days Rwanda Uganda gorillas & chimpanzee trekking safari is the best wildlife to meet man’s closest relatives with the guidance of Lets Go Tours Rwanda
Trip Summary
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’wacu Cultural Center
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 4: Chimps Tracking and Bigodi Community Visit
Day 5: Return to Kigali and Departure
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On arrival, you will be received and welcomed by our company representative before hitting the road to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze province. En route; enjoy the beautiful views of the rolling hills and green vegetation. Dinner and overnight at The Garden Place (Budget), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’wacu Cultural Center
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and assemble at the Kinigi park head offices by 7:00am for morning briefing on the trekking guidelines before taking onto your adventurous expedition. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to several hours to encounter the mountain gorillas; but once got, enjoy an hour with them before retrieving to the starting point (for Certificates of Participation) before retrieving your lodge. Later in the afternoon, head out for the Iby’wacu Cultural tour for a clearer understanding of the Rwandese Culture. Dinner and overnight at The Garden Place (Budget), Davinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Upon rising, enjoy your breakfast and get ready for your transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Uganda. This is quite a long drive but very rewarding; with wonderful views of the country side and Rwenzori ranges, en route stop over at Tooro Palace etc. Dinner and over night at Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Primates Lodge Kibale (Midrange) and Kibale Guest Camp(Budget)
Day 4: Chimps Tracking and Bigodi Community Visit
Have breakfast and assemble at Kanyanchu park offices for briefing on chimpanzee tracking exercise before embarking on this wonderful activity. Once found, you will enjoy an hour in their vicinity, observing their behavior while taking photographs and making videos for your memorable experience. Later, in the afternoon, step out for a visit to the Bigodi Sanctuary where you will be rewarded with several bird species inclusive of those endermic to the Albertine Rift. Dinner and over night at Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Primates Lodge Kibale (Midrange) and Kibale Guest Camp(Budget)
Day 5: Return to Kigali and Departure
After morning breakfast; hit the road for your return trip to Kigali and with an early arrival engage in an amazing Kigali City Tour; visiting the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site, National Museum and many other exceptional tourist centers within the city before drop off at either a hotel or airport for departure flight.
End of the safari
What is included
– Our Quotes offered in USD
– Full Board Accommodation
– Bottled Mineral water
– All meals on safari
– Gorilla Permits
– chimpanzee Permits
– 4×4 safari vehicle with driver/guide
– Park Entrance fees
– Genocide memorial site tour
What is excluded
– Visas
– International / domestic Flights
– Alcoholic beverages
– Tipping
– Laundry
Rwanda Safaris
Rwanda is one of the most rewarding spots to explore while visiting Africa mostly because of her popular sought after mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes national park. Rwanda tours
The country offers you a guarantee to come face-to-face with families of man’s closest relative sharing 98% DNA
The country is one of Africa’s fast growing economies, making bold decisions and ambitious plans to transform its self into a hotspot destination in Africa.
Apart from gorilla tours, Rwanda offers chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe National Park – one of the largest unspoiled montane rainforest in Africa, visit Kigali’s bustling markets, Gisozi genocide museum – a wealth of history, savannah wildlife viewing in Akagera national park and finally relax at the shores of lake Kivu after your gorilla trek.
Rwanda has a generally pleasant whether all year-round owing to her altitude. The country has two dry seasons between June-September and December-February are said to be the best times to travel there, but the two rainy seasons — March-May and October-November are also pleasant and green
How to Prepare for your gorilla tour
Carry plenty of water since you will be hiking on high altitudes have about 4 liters at least, snacks, bug spray like Deet 30, a light rain jacket, and go for the walking stick given at the briefing point.
Dress in long socks to tuck in your pants
Hire a porters to help carry your pack as well as a way to support the local community
Carry some shall bills and id possible some local currency (shillings) for tipping / gratitude. Carry recent dollars from 2013 and in good conditions without rips or old edges
Porters, rangers, guards and the rest of other staff are usually tipped $5 – $15 Per Person
For visitors very unfit, you have an option to be carried unto the gorillas and can negotiate the rates with the porters going to carry you. In addition, you can inform your tour operator to inform the park about your situated and they organize accordingly.
Please note, to trek gorillas successfully, you need to be fit, or an active person and not necessarily very fit.
Facts about Mountain Gorillas
As their name defines, mountain gorillas live high in the steep mountain forests. gorilla trek BwindiAs their name defines, mountain gorillas live high in the steep mountain forests. They live at elevations of up to 8,000 to 13,000 feet (1,500m- 4000m).
They live at elevations of up to 8,000 to 13,000 feet (1,500m- 4000m).
Please note that, In all 3 different national parks where gorillas are located, there are families which live on the lower elevation and those found in the middle and those located much higher.
This gives opportunity to all all types of travelers to fulfill a life long dream of trekking mount gorillas and meeting our relatives.
Mountain gorilla live in families/ groups/ tribes of 10 and above members headed by a silverback gorilla which is a oldest male gorilla in the gorilla with a silverback.
Over 950 mountain gorillas are surviving in central and East Africa gorilla trek Bwindi in Uganda – Bwindi forest and Mgahinga national parks, Rwanda – Volcanoes national park and Democratic Republic of Congo – Virunga national park
With each year, the numbers are growing thanks to the dedicated conservation team, and the tourists who fund the conservation projects through purchase of gorilla permits
Gorillas are identifies apart by their nose prints. For trackers who watch over them each day, they easily identify them and give them names.
All gorilla tours are guided by well trained professional park guides, ready to answer all your questions! All groups of 8 tourists who set out to trek for a gorilla family are escorted.
