Kigali * Nyungwe Forest National Park * Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
This incredibly designed safari combines two of Rwanda’s most compelling regions, the ancient rainforests of Nyungwe and the slopes of Volcanoes National Park. With time in Kigali adding some extra culture and variety, this trip offers a great introduction to Rwanda. It uses both of One&Only’s properties in Rwanda: Nyungwe House and Gorilla’s Nest.
It combines some 2- & 3-night stays with two scenic road transfers so that, unlike some shorter Gorilla safaris, you really get to see the beautiful landscapes and people of Rwanda. This relaxed pace means that you can add in optional excursions and activities to suit your interests. Enjoy road transfers between destinations, including a scenic journey via Lake Kivu.
Your trip begins in Kigali, where you have time to explore the city’s cultural and historical highlights, including the Genocide Memorial. From Kigali, travel south-west to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Over the two night stay at Nyungwe House, explore one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Activities include chimpanzee trekking and forest walks, with the option of a canopy walkway suspended above the treetops.
Continuing north, enjoy a scenic drive along the shores of Lake Kivu, before reaching Volcanoes National Park. Here, you spend three nights at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, set in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes. Gorilla trekking is the centrepiece of your stay, and is always complimented by the opportunity to track golden monkeys or other guided experiences in the area. For Gorilla trekking, your day starts bright and early. You are given a full briefing, assessed and put into small groups for the gorilla trek. This can take between two and six hours depending on the movements of the gorillas and the number of rests and photo stops that you may need. After the trek you return to the lodge for lunch & overnight.
One Gorilla Trekking, one Chimpanzee Trekking permit and one Golden Monkey permit have been included. Note that these are at a lower price from November to May if we book them together.
Use the scroll button to see the full itinerary.
On arrival in Kigali, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Scenic road transfer to Nyungwe via Butare. Arriving around lunchtime.
Afternoon at leisure.
Two activities per person per day at One & Only Nyungwe House are included: archery, mountain biking, bird watching, guided nature walk, spear throwing and star gazing
Today you enjoy an early morning breakfast at the lodge followed by a hike in search of chimpanzee communities.Prepare to hear these excitable primates before you see them, as their hoots travel through the deep forest. During your hike you may also spot migratory birdlife including the Ross turaco, grey-cheeked hornbill, red-breasted sparrow hawk and the regal sunbird.
Scenic transfer by road to Volcanoes National Park via Lake Kivu (5hrs)
Your stay at Gorila’s Nest includes two activities per person per day: Choose form guided nature walks, gorilla talk at the Jack Hanna Cottage, coffee tasting, local community performances (organised weekly), mountain biking, running, drumming with the locals, exploring the chef’s garden, archery, open air yoga and meditation.
We recommend that you acclimatise by doing a Golden Monkey trekking (less strenuous) before your Gorilla trek. This is included at this stage ($100 per person) but you could opt to do TWO gorilla treks.
Golden Monkey trekking
There are two groups of golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park, each of about 50 to 60 in size. The overall experience from start to finish takes approx 3½ to 4 hours. It is wonderful to see the Golden Monkeys interacting with each other. They are very active, peeling the bamboo like a banana, to eat its insides, grooming each other and swinging from tree to tree. They’re also very pretty. Golden monkeys are also territorial and enjoy a different terrain to the mountain gorilla. The bamboo forest here is quite different to the terrain of the gorilla trekking.
In Volcanoes National Park, twelve gorilla groups are now habituated for tourism and offer one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural experiences. To be in the presence of these gentle giants at such close quarters is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
So today you’ll have the rare opportunity to observe the famous Rwandan mountain gorillas! Tracking the gorillas through the forested slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. Return to the Lodge a late for lunch followed by leisure in the afternoon.
Depending on your flight time, there may be time to do an optional excursion in the morning. (See included activities above.)
Return to Kigali in time for your onward flight.
This is a set tour using specific camps. However many tours can be adapted. Chat to us about your options. It excludes international flights but includes an estimate for all domestic or regional flights within the tour.
Accommodation as in the itinerary, (Bed & breakfast in Kigali, Fully Inclusive at One & Only Nyungwe House and One & Only Gorilla's Nest), Park fees, conservancy fees and all trekking permits, Full day Kigali City Tour, One golden monkey experience and one gorilla trekking experience at Volcanoes National Park One 30 minute welcome massage per person (subject to availability) at The Retreat
EXCLUDESAdditional meals, drinks & laundry at The Retreat, Champagne, cellar wines and premium spirits at safari lodges, Additional activities not mentioned in inclusions, Spa treatments, International flights and visa fees, Gratuities and items of a personal nature
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