Akagera Safari, Chimpanzees and Gorillas

Example of a tailor-made journey, fully customisable

Country

Rwanda

Suggested duration

10 days / 8 nights

Ideal periods

January and February, June to October

Written request

01 77 37 03 10

The spirit of the journey

A comprehensive journey that will let you discover, beyond the unmissable great apes, Akagera park and its distinctly African atmosphere.
On the border with Tanzania, along the river of the same name, Akagera National Park is a marvel in terms of landscapes, panoramas and wildlife observation. A maze of wetlands and lakes, wooded expanses typical of the African savannah, where thickets of acacia with tangled branches punctuate vast grasslands.
Off the beaten track and far from the crowds of Tanzanian and Kenyan parks, Akagera is undergoing a true renaissance.
Come and discover it!

You will then head to the west of the country and the Nyungwe cloud forest to observe Angolan colobus monkeys and chimpanzees in a forest as dense as it is impenetrable.

Finally, you will reach Volcanoes National Park for unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas. Depending on your wishes, one or more treks can be arranged. You can also pay tribute to Dian Fossey by visiting her grave, or take another forest trek to observe golden monkeys.

An intense and comprehensive journey to discover Rwanda.

Day by day

Example of a tailor-made journey, fully customisable

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
After a first night in Kigali and a morning of cultural visits, you will head to Akagera National Park.

One of the most authentic places in Africa, radically different from the green, windswept hills covering most of the country. Here you will discover landscapes of African savannah, laced with a maze of wetlands and lakes.

During your 2 nights in the park, you will be able to observe herds of buffalo and elephants roaming the plains, and with a bit of luck, spot a leopard, a spotted hyena or even a lion.

You will explore the park with your private French-speaking guide aboard your private 4×4 with an open roof for better visibility. You will also experience a boat safari on Lake Ihema.

Parc Akagera, Rwanda © L. Guillot

Parc national de l'Akagera

Le parc national de l'Akagera fut créé en 1934 dans le but de protéger la faune des écosystèmes qui le composent, à savoir les plaines ondulantes couvertes d'herbes hautes et de végétation forestière, les marécages de canaux et de petits lacs bordés de papyrus et les montagnes qui caractérisent le pays.
Malgré sa superficie de 900 km² (plus modeste que celles de ses voisins d'Afrique de l'est et du sud), la variété de sa topographie ainsi que sa proximité avec Kigali (située à 3h de route) font de ce parc une destination idéale pour un safari de quelques jours au départ de la capitale.
Les plaines sont foulées par des buffles, des éléphants, des girafes, des zèbres et diverses antilopes, tandis que les eaux sont plutôt appréciées des hippopotames et des crocodiles. Le parc abrite également plus de 500 espèces d'oiseaux, qui vont des rapaces, des grues royales et des cigognes aux aigles pêcheurs, hérons et cormorans.

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NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK AND THE CHIMPANZEES
A final look at African wildlife before heading to Nyungwe park and its chimpanzees. This forest is home to 25% of all primate populations living in Africa.

Stop in Huye for lunch, where you will immerse yourself in local Rwandan life.

You will spend 2 nights in Nyungwe, the ideal length of time for a chimpanzee trek and to discover the colobus monkeys that inhabit this forest.
The large social groups of Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis), which can number over 300 individuals, move from tree to tree. These are the largest recorded primate communities of this species in the world.

During your observations, you will be accompanied by English-speaking rangers who are primate experts.

LAKE KIVU
After breakfast, you will leave Nyungwe for Lake Kivu.
You will cross vast green expanses of tea plantations before setting off to explore the shores of Lake Kivu. Here you will discover yet another facet of this surprising country.

One-night stay on the lake shore, where you can swim, take a boat trip, or simply do nothing and admire the surroundings.

Good to know: there is no risk of contracting bilharzia at Lake Kivu.

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK AND THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
Here you are, at the very heart of this journey.
A 2-night stay to experience one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters there is.
An authentic encounter, simply sitting a few metres from magnificent silverbacks, females and their young. A brief but intense and moving encounter.

After breakfast, you will head to the base camp where you will meet your guides/rangers and set off to meet our closest cousins.
A vehicle will then take you to the slopes of one of the volcanoes, where you will begin your trek.

Optional activities can be arranged on your last morning, or if you extend your stay in the region.
You will then discover the park’s many other treasures.
Observing golden monkeys, or hiking to the summit of Bisoke volcano (3,711 m), characterised by a lake formed at the heart of a crater. Or visit Dian Fossey’s grave and the former Karisoke research centre. This excursion is packed with information and the sites visited are remarkable.

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

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.