7-Day Rwanda Primate Safari

Upon landing at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be warmly welcomed by your Hope Tours Africa guide. As you drive into the city, you’ll immediately notice why Kigali is ranked the cleanest city in Africa.

We will transfer you directly to Urban by City Blue, a chic boutique hotel located in the upscale Kiyovu district. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a sunset dinner at “The Bistro,” the hotel’s famous rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views of the city’s twinkling lights. Rest well; your adventure begins at dawn.

After an early breakfast, we begin the drive south toward Nyungwe National Park. This is not just a transfer; it is a scenic tour through the rural heart of Rwanda. We will stop at the Royal Palace in Nyanza for a glimpse into Rwanda’s monarchical past before winding through endless green tea plantations.

As we ascend into the mountains, the air cools and the vegetation thickens. You will check into Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, perched on a ridge with unmatched 360-degree views of the forest canopy and, on a clear day, Lake Kivu. Enjoy a warm dinner by the fire as you prepare for tomorrow’s trek.

Wake up early (approx. 4:00 AM) for a quick breakfast before heading to the park headquarters. Today, we track the Chimpanzees. Following the rangers into the dense, ancient forest, listen for the “pant-hoot” calls echoing through the trees. While chimps are fast and active, the thrill of seeing them groom, play, and swing through the ficus trees is unmatched.

After a hot lunch back at the lodge, we return to the park for the Canopy Walk. Suspended 60 meters above the forest floor, this suspension bridge offers a perspective of the rainforest usually reserved for birds. Look out for L’Hoest’s monkeys and blue turacos.

Today is a travel day, but it is one of the most beautiful drives in East Africa. We head north along the shores of Lake Kivu, part of the Great Rift Valley. The road winds through terraced hills, offering shimmering blue water views on your left and lush peaks on your right.

We will stop for lunch in a lakeside town (Kibuye or Rubavu) to stretch our legs and take in the fresh breeze. By late afternoon, we arrive in Musanze, the gateway to the gorillas. Check into Davinci Gorilla Lodge, a charming property nestled in the shadows of the volcanoes, featuring natural stone cottages and a cozy lounge.

This is the day you traveled thousands of miles for. After an early breakfast, we transfer to the Kinigi Park Headquarters for the 7:00 AM briefing. You will be assigned a Gorilla family and a ranger guide.

The Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, traversing bamboo forests and slippery slopes. Then, the magic happens: you find them. You have exactly one hour to observe the family the massive Silverback watching over the group, mothers nursing infants, and juveniles tumbling in the vegetation. It is a silent, spiritual, and humbling experience.

We return to the park in the morning for a lighter, more fast-paced trek: Golden Monkey Tracking. These rare primates are endemic to the Albertine Rift and are incredibly photogenic, known for their golden-orange fur and energetic leaping in the bamboo zones.

In the afternoon, we visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardians). Here, ex-poachers have become conservationists. You’ll be invited to participate in traditional activities, from grinding millet to watching the hypnotic Intore dance (Dance of Heroes). Afterward, we begin the scenic drive back to Kigali.

On your final day, enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Before your flight, we will take you on a city tour of Kigali. Crucially, we will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and necessary tribute to the victims of 1994, which provides essential context to how far this beautiful nation has come.

We will also visit the a Craft Village for last-minute souvenirs before transferring you to the airport for your outbound flight, marking the end of your 7-day Rwandan odyssey.