8 Day Rwanda Birding & Primate Safari

Upon arrival, a Dav Safaris representative will greet you, provide you with a quick overview of your tour, and then transport you to the appropriate hotel in Kigali where you will spend the night and have dinner.

Following an early breakfast, we begin bird watching as we travel to the Nyungwe Forest National Park, stopping along the way to see the ancient palace of Rwanda’s former king in Nyanza. Drive by the modest wooden homes particular to the areas surrounding Nyungwe Forest and the verdant tea fields strewn across the steep slopes. It might take you six hours to complete this drive.

After breakfast, you’ll transfer for a canopy walk through the forest before engaging in an early morning birding excursion. For birders in particular, the canopy walk is useful since it allows them to see a variety of bird species in the forest. Look out for birds like the Rwenzori Turaco, black and white-casqued hornbills, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for large groups of Angora Colobus monkeys while you enjoy the canopy walk. Return to the resort for lunch before embarking on an afternoon guided tour of the areas surrounding Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Following a full breakfast at the lodge, you will depart for the chimp tracking adventure in the jungle. You will leave in the early morning hours, about 5:00, and arrive at the chimpanzee tracking point earlier. Watch the chimpanzees in leisure. while keeping an eye out for other types of primates, such as Angolan colobus monkeys, forest birds, reptiles, and butterflies.

Following breakfast at the inn, we will begin bird watching as we travel to Gishenyi, a town on the shores of Lake Kivu, through breathtaking mountains and deep valleys. We will have lunch at Hotel Bethanie along the way. Upon arrival, you have the option of unwinding at your hotel or going on a lake cruise.

Following breakfast, you will leave for Volcanoes National Park in the early morning, arriving in time for a briefing on the tracking of the Golden Monkey. After the exercise, eat lunch and then spend the afternoon at the Karisoke Research Center, which was founded by Diane Fossy, a well-known mountain gorilla conservationist. The Mountain Gorilla Research Center was developed for acclimatization and in-depth research.

Following breakfast at your lodge, you will travel to Kinigi’s park headquarters for a briefing from the RDB wardens. Following the briefing, the rest of the trackers will follow you to begin gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park. The highlight of your Rwanda safari will be your meeting with these men’s closest, most reserved friends. The interaction will be unforgettable, and your safari will be one you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

We will start the journey to Kigali city after breakfast at the resort. Upon arrival, you will go on a quick city tour where you will see the memorials to the genocide, Kigali’s traditional marketplaces, handmade shops, and other places. You will be taken to the airport later to catch your journey home.