This 6 Days Rwanda Safari without Gorilla trekking is well designed with mixed activities ranging from Primate viewing safaris, wildlife viewing safaris, hiking safaris, boat cruise safaris and many more. 10 Days Rwanda safari starts and ends in Kigali – Rwanda.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City tour
- Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park – Canopy walkway
- Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Isumo waterfalls trail
- Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking – Community tour
- Day 6: Return to Kigali – Kigali city tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City tour
Upon arrival in Kigali airport, you will be welcomed by our company representative who will also be your safari guide. Connect for a Kigali city tour and visit the Kigali genocide memorial, Rwanda Art Museum and the presidential palace museum where you will learn more about the history of Rwanda depending on the time available. Enjoy en-route lunch, dinner and overnight stay at Des Mille Collins Hotel – Mid-range option/Step Town Motel for budget option
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park – Canopy walkway
After your early breakfast, embark on your journey to Nyungwe forest national park which is a 6-7 hours’ drive from Kigali with en-route early lunch. Proceed to the park and connect for the 2 pm canopy walk experience. You will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk-a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees; you will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving below you. Proceed to check-in your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel for mid-range option, Gisakura Visitors’ Centre for budget option
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Isumo waterfalls trail
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest with your backpack. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3-5 hours depending on their location. On finding them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos. Connect to visit Nyungwe’s biggest waterfalls on Isumo trail. This is one of the most refreshing experience with sights of different birds and some primates. The walk is approximately 4 hours walking up and down the Nyungwe forest. Thereafter, return to your hotel for relaxation and good memories. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
After breakfast, follow the same procedure as of chimpanzee tracking, receive a briefing then enter the forest to search for the colobus monkey. These primates are quite different to spot as they keep jumping from tree to tree however, the park rangers will do their best to help you get the best view of the primates. This will take 2-5 hours and on finding them, you will be allowed to spend an hour in their presence.
Thereafter, embark on your journey the Volcanoes national park. It’s a 6-7 hours’ drive with great sights of the Lake Kivu and Virunga Mountains and the forest. You can stop to take pictures keeping in mind the time. Upon arrival in Musanze, proceed to check-in your lodge, dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Muhabura for budget option/Le Bambou Gorilla lodge for mid-range option
Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking – Community tour
After early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for briefing from the park warden about the endangered golden monkeys. After connect to the tracking starting point and enter the forest to search for the rare golden monkey. This activity can take about 1-5 hours and is done at closer view of the other primates in the park like the red tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys among other. After viewing the rare golden monkeys for an hour while taking pictures and studying their behaviours. After golden monkey tracking, return to the lodge for lunch.
Later afternoon/evening, connect to visit Iby’wacu Cultural Village-a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies and a guided community walk. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 6: Return to Kigali – Kigali city tour
After breakfast, meet your driver again and cross back to Rwanda where you will meet your Rwanda guide to transfer back to Rwanda. At the border, your will meet your driver guide in Rwanda. Thereafter connect to back to Kigali city and connect for a Kigali city tour visiting the Kigali genocide memorial site, Kiromonko market and other optional places as advised. Connect to Kigali airport for your onward flight back home. Marking end of the safari.