7 Days Nyungwe National Park Tour

Serene Life Adventures > 7 Days Nyungwe National Park Tour

Highlights of the Tour:

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

Day 3: Guided Nature Walk & Canopy Walk

Day 4: Primates Trekking

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking

Day 6: Waterfall Trail

Day 7: Kigali City Tour & Departure

Introduction

Rwanda is an oft-missed destination that every human should visit. Not only will you learn about the devastating events that took place here, but you’ll also witness a beautiful country that’s continuously striving to move forward. Since you have chosen to Visit Nyungwe National Park, be prepared because you’ve got a trip that can sometimes be physically and emotionally challenging, but which will be talked about for the rest of your life.

Day 1: Arrival- Kanombe International Airport

Welcome to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda since it gained independence in 1962. Most associate Rwanda with the horrific genocide that took place in 1994, but this is a country that has been striving to rebuild its economy for years and offers so much to international tourists. 

And though the past won’t, and shouldn’t, be forgotten, the future of Rwanda’s tourism is looking bright thanks to its welcoming people, an abundance of lakes, beautiful mountainous views, famous mountain gorillas, flora, and fauna. Your adventure begins by meeting your experienced tour guide who will accompany you to your hotel for a relaxing evening before you start your adventure in the land of thousand hills.

Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which was opened in 2004, where you will learn more about the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. It serves as both a museum, detailing the history and consequences of Rwanda’s genocide, and a place for people to grieve for lost friends and family. 

From here you’ll start your journey to Nyungwe National park, through the south corridor, which is considered a cultural heritage. You will get a chance to learn about the old Catholic church cathedral where Rwanda was dedicated to Christ the King by Mutara III Ridahigwa in 1942. You will be able to visit AZIZI LIFE, the place which gathers craftsmen in the Muhanga district, and learns they wave baskets, and more of their artwork. Here, you can buy good crafts for your memory. 

You will take a visit to Nyanza King’s Palace Museum where you will learn more about the Rwandan Kingdom in the pre-colonial period and Rwandan lifestyle and rituals back in the days. After your tour in King’s Place Museum, you take a tour in the National Art Gallery, which exhibits mesmerizing crafts of all sorts. 

You will extend your Rwandan discovery by visiting the Huye Ethnographic museum which is rich in historic, geographic, and instrumental proofs of rich Rwandan culture and history. You learn more about Rwandan leadership from the kingdom, colonial and post-colonial periods to date. After this long but exciting visit, you will continue your journey to Nyungwe National park, where you will spend a night before your adventure begins.

Day 3: Guided nature walk & Canopy Walk

The Nyungwe National Park lies within the Albertine Rift Eco-region, is claimed for its biodiversity, and for being one of the most endemic species-rich areas in all of Africa. It’s one of Africa’s most important conservation sites. The park covers 1020 kilometers square and within this area, boasts a diverse ecosystem from the rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bog habitats. 

Early in the morning, you take your break. Your guide takes you to the forest where you spend the whole morning exploring the beauty of nature. On your walk, you are likely to meet different species of primates. There are more than 240 tree species, 140 orchids, and 1,068 plant types, such as the giant Lobelia.  Nyungwe is home to 310 species of birds with 27 Albertine Rift endemics to be found; the highest concentration found in any single park in Africa. There are 75 different mammals, such as Cervical cats, Golden cats, Wild cats, Mongoose, Genet, Duiker, and more. Some of the other species within the park comprise hundreds of butterflies, including 40 endemics to Nyungwe forest, a small number of snake species but several colorful lizards, and five species of chameleon. This trail is an ideal opportunity to experience the magnificent forest views and learn about the diversity of birds, plants, and animal life found here. 

After lunch, it’s a good time to take on the IGISHIGISHIGI trail which takes you to the Canopy. It’s 1Km from Uwinka Visitor Center. It leads to a 200 m trail suspended between giant trees, offering a magnificent view of the upper canopy, and is also a very good bird-watching area. In the evening, you will enjoy your rest, breathing fresh air in the midst of the forest.

Day 4: Primates trekking

With 13 primate species recorded here, Nyungwe has one of the highest diversity of primate species in a single location. Unfortunately, several of these species are endangered. Some species to be seen are The blue monkey, the velvet monkey, grey-checked mangabey, Dent’s Monkey, L’Hoest’s Monkey Red-tailed monkey. With your guide, depending on your physical fitness, you take different routes within the park to maximize your chance of spotting different species of primates.  Later in the afternoon, you may prefer to take a walk in the forest and relax.

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking

This day after taking your breakfast, Your driver-guide takes you to Cyamudongo forest which is an isolated area annexed to Nyungwe national park. Cyamudongo covers an area of 4 kilometers square and is situated between Gisakura and Rusizi. 

Several primates inhabit the forest including Dent’s Mona Monkey and a troop of more than 25 chimpanzees lives in the patch of montane forest. Here you can spot more species of orchids that are not found in Nyungwe, such as a new purple orchid, which was discovered in 2008.

Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking

After your early breakfast, your driver guide takes you to Gisakura Guesthouse, where you start your journey. The trail covers 10,6 Km within 4-6 hours depending on health conditions, routes through tea plantation into the forest, and eventually to a small but pretty waterfall with good views of the forest canopy. Many monkeys and birds can be seen such as the Rwenzori turaco and yellow-eyed black flycatcher. It is a breathtaking round trip you cannot afford to miss because it leaves a lifetime memory in your life. Due to fatigue, you will spend a night in the park to recover your energy before an early drive back to Kigali.

Day 7: Departure

This day, you leave your hotel early in the morning to take on a 5 hours drive from Nyungwe national park to Kigali, where you take your flight back home. If you get to Kigali with extra hours before your flight, you may take time to tour the city, visit some craft shops, art exhibition galleries, markets, and many more depending on your availability. 

When it is time, your driver-guide will accompany you to the airport and bid you farewells.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Accommodation

If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators that are turned off during the night. Hotel (4 night)/ Luxury, mid-range, budget- depending on your wish. 

Driver Guide

This is an ‘independent trip. You will have an assigned local driver-guide who is knowledgeable and versatile in handling long period tours. He will be in charge of your tour from day one until your departure. You will have 24/7 support from your guide and our local office. 

We promise you to have a memorable time on your tour when you reach Rwanda.

Meals

4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, water & Snacks

Transport

Private vehicle, 4WD with air conditioner. 

WHAT’S EXCLUDED?

  • Visa fees
  • Flight tickets
  • Alcoholic drinks 
  • Insurance & Medical expenses
  • Extra cost not mentioned in the package