Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking guide and transferred to Nyungwe National Park via Butare, a scenic drive through the heart of Rwanda’s countryside.

Along the way, enrich your journey with cultural stops:

• King’s Palace in Nyanza: Explore the traditional royal residence and learn about Rwanda’s monarchy history.
• Butare National Museum: Gain insight into Rwanda’s rich heritage, including traditional crafts, ethnography, and archaeology.

Lunch is served at the Ibis Hotel in Butare, after which you continue the 2–3 hour drive to Nyungwe National Park. On arrival, check in to One & Only Nyungwe House (Full Board – Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast), a luxury lodge surrounded by pristine rainforest. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying the lodge amenities, and preparing for the adventure ahead.

After early breakfast, transfer to the park offices for a briefing before your chimpanzee trekking experience. Guided by expert trackers, you will hike through the dense rainforest in search of playful chimpanzee troops. Observe their behaviors, including feeding, grooming, and social interactions, in their natural habitat.

After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, experience the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a 160-meter-long suspension bridge located 70 meters above the forest floor, offering spectacular views of the rainforest and an opportunity to spot birds and other wildlife from above.

Dinner and overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House (Full Board).

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, followed by a morning colobus monkey trek, targeting the elusive and strikingly colored black-and-white colobus monkeys. Learn about their social behaviors and spot other wildlife along the trail.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on a scenic 4-hour drive to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi, one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes, known for its serene environment and beautiful views of the Virunga volcanic mountains.

Check in to Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Full Board – Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast). Spend the evening relaxing by the lake, enjoying sunset views, or strolling along the lakeshore. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to Kinigi, the gateway town near Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you may stop at scenic viewpoints for photographs of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Check in to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Full Board – Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast). The lodge is set on a hilltop with panoramic views of the volcanic mountains. Spend the afternoon enjoying lodge amenities, taking a short nature walk, or preparing for the gorilla trekking adventure scheduled for the next day. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Wake up early for breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters by 6:00 AM for registration and a mandatory briefing about the gorilla trek.

With experienced trackers, embark on a gorilla trekking adventure through the dense rainforest. Depending on the location of the gorilla family, the trek may last 2–6 hours, involving steep and uneven terrain. Once the gorillas are located, spend one magical hour observing them in their natural environment, witnessing feeding, social behavior, and interactions between family members.

After the trek, return to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge for lunch. Later in the afternoon, embark on a scenic drive back to Kigali (approximately 3–4 hours), reflecting on your once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Check in to Kigali Serena Hotel (Bed & Breakfast) for your final overnight stay. Dinner is not included, allowing you to explore Kigali’s restaurants or relax at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight. Depart with unforgettable memories of Rwanda’s wildlife, culture, and stunning landscapes, including close encounters with gorillas, chimpanzees, and colobus monkeys.