Rwanda safari, gorillas and chimpanzees

Sample tailor-made journey, fully customisable

Country

Rwanda

Suggested duration

8 days / 6 nights

Ideal periods

January and February, June to September

Written request

01 77 37 03 10

The spirit of the journey

This journey to Rwanda will introduce you to aspects of Rwandan culture and tradition, but above all let you approach and photograph mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

After observing the chimpanzees of Nyungwe, admire the imposing silverback and his tousled young, tumbling about and clowning around.
Brief but intense, moving encounters await you.

Day by day

Sample tailor-made journey, fully customisable

NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
After a first night in Kigali and a morning of cultural visits, you will head to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts.
The rugged, steep terrain sits at a relatively high altitude.
Along the way, you will stop at Uwinka in Nyungwe Forest National Park, where your driver-guide will check the latest sighting reports for the semi-habituated primate clans you will observe the following day (chimpanzees).
This stop will allow you to best prepare for the next two days’ activities.
During your stay, your driver-guide will adapt the activity schedule to your preferences and interests.

With more than 200 different tree species and over 100 orchid species, it is a unique habitat for 13 primate species, including the olive baboon, L’Hoest’s monkey and the grey-cheeked mangabey. A network of well-maintained forest trails leads to various waterfalls and a large high-altitude marsh, a unique biotope.
On foot beneath the dense tropical canopy, you will go in search of colobus monkeys and chimpanzees feeding on wild figs.

Your chimpanzee trek:
You will start the day with a morning briefing at the Uwinka tourist information centre, right after breakfast.
During your chimpanzee trek, you may come face to face with numerous primate and bird species that usually stay hidden in the treetops, making for a genuinely rare experience.

Of particular interest are the large social groups of Angolan colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis), which can exceed 300 individuals. These are the largest recorded primate communities of this species in the world.
This forest is home to 25% of all primate populations living in Africa.
Expect to put in some fairly demanding physical effort.
Good physical condition is required for this hike.

In the afternoon, you can continue your exploration.
There are several excellent circuit options, and the superb Gisakura falls are probably the most compelling destination.
This hike lasts 2 to 3 hours, is very pleasant and accessible to all.
Nyungwe Forest is the only place where it is possible to observe clans of Angolan colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis) of more than 300 individuals moving from tree to tree.

Truly spectacular.

Bird enthusiasts will certainly be interested to know that Nyungwe Forest is also home to bird species endemic to the Albertine Rift, found nowhere else.
Birdwatching along one of the specially designed trails can prove extremely rewarding. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars.

In addition, Nyungwe Forest holds more than 100 different orchid species.

Forêt de Nyungwe, Rwanda

Parc national de Nyungwe

La forêt tropicale de Nyungwe figure parmi les plus anciennes d'Afrique, connue pour ses chutes d'eau (qui alimentent le Nil et le Congo), sa végétation et sa faune abondante, ainsi que ses points d'observation aux vues splendides.
Fondé en 2004, le parc abrite 75 espèces de mammifères et 310 espèces d'oiseaux, qui vivent au sein des 200 espèces d'arbres et de la centaine d'orchidées qui y poussent, perchés sur les montagnes caractéristiques du Rwanda.
Il est surtout connu pour abriter 13 espèces de primates, dont la plus grande tribu de colobes d'Afrique, ainsi que plusieurs centaines de chimpanzés, des singes dorés, des ascagnes, ou des babouins olives (pour ne citer que les plus connus).
Une richesse arboricole difficilement égalable, qui vit de branche en branche dans cette canopée montagnarde de 40 mètres de haut, la plus haute d'Afrique de l'Est.

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VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Here you are, at the very heart of this journey, ready to experience one of the finest wildlife encounters there is.
An authentic encounter, simply seated a few metres from magnificent silverbacks, females and their young. A brief but intense and moving encounter.

It is in Volcanoes National Park that you will observe mountain gorillas.
The park covers a striking volcanic range that separates Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You will see its landscapes of wetlands, moorland and bamboo forest.
After breakfast, you will head to the base camp of the Rwanda Development Board / national parks office, where your driver-guide will complete the formalities for your trek.

You will meet your ranger guide(s) and receive the necessary briefing.
A vehicle will then take you to the slopes of one of the volcanoes, where your trek will begin.
After the hike, weather permitting, an excursion to explore the region’s lakes (Lake Bulera and Lake Ruhondo) may be offered.

Depending on weather conditions, you may enjoy a splendid view over the Virunga volcanic range.
We stress that gorilla treks require good physical fitness, as they involve walking for several hours in a tiring and at times demanding environment.

Optional activities can be arranged (or a second gorilla trek) the following day, or on the last morning before returning to Kigali (budget to be adjusted according to your choice):

– An excursion to the summit of Mount Bisoke (3,711 m), notable for a lake formed within its crater. A magnificent surrounding panorama, slopes covered in lush forest, shaded bamboo groves and an exhilarating climb.

– An excursion to Dian Fossey’s grave and a visit to the former Karisoke Research Center. This excursion offers a wealth of information, and the sites visited are remarkable.

– A golden monkey tracking excursion.

The golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) is little known and among the threatened species. This is the only site in Africa where it is possible to observe clans of around 40 golden monkeys recently habituated to human presence.

The Kabatwa clan lives close to the park’s base camp, while the Musanga clan, much further away, resides near Mount Karisimbi.

Trek gorilles au Parc des volcans

Les premières lueurs de l’aube déchirent les pans de brume accrochés aux sommets des Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyniyo, Gahinga et Muhabura. Vous êtes dans le Parc national des volcans. Avec l’aide d’un guide et de pisteurs, vous partirez à la recherche des gorilles des montagnes. Le trek vous mènera à travers les exploitations agricoles situées au pied des volcans, puis à travers les denses forêts de bambous, les orties et la végétation humide. Bien souvent, vous quittez les sentiers battus pour vous aventurer dans la forêt vierge, escaladant des troncs d'arbres morts.
Végétariens, aimant les forêts humides, les familles de 8 à 20 individus comprennent un mâle dominant, des femelles adultes et plusieurs adolescents. Le mâle au dos argenté ("silverback") peut atteindre un poids de 250 kg et une taille de 1,70 m. Débonnaires et pacifiques, les anthropoïdes vous observent tout en se nourrissant dans leur univers végétal, en se prélassant sur les tapis de feuillages et de bambous. Les jeunes jouent à chat pendant que les bébés tètent au sein de leur mère.
Le face-à-face avec une famille de gorilles des montagnes, moment intense, moment unique. D'une durée légale d'une heure, le temps passé avec les plus grands primates de la planète passe très rapidement. Mais, en contrepartie, vous redescendrez avec des souvenirs qui resteront gravés dans votre mémoire.