This 3 days Rwanda Chimpanzee and Wildlife safari is ideal for tourists with limited time yet wish to visit Rwanda’s Chimpanzees and savannah wildlife species found in Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks respectively. This trip will require you to spare only three days off your busy week to experience paradise.
Nyungwe Forest National Park, situated in the south-western side of Rwanda is a 1000 square kilometer Forest National Park that offers shelter to a myriad of primate species including the black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys and the Chimpanzees which you will visit during this 3 days Rwanda Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari.
Akagera National Park found in the north-eastern side of Rwanda is the country’s only savannah National Park with large populations of elephants, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, hippos, waterbucks, Topis, bushbucks, Rothschild giraffes, warthogs and kobs as well as the rare Rhinos, leopards and lions.
What to expect during the 3 days Rwanda Chimpanzee and wildlife safari
- Trekking the chimpanzees for 1-4 hours in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- One hour encounter with the Chimpanzees.
- A chance to see the big five animals, antelopes and other savannah wildlife species.
- A recreational boat cruise in Lake Ihema.
- Transport by our customized 4 WD Vehicle.
- Bottled water throughout the journey.
- One night accommodation in Akagera National Park and another night in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
- Meals.
Itinerary highlights of the 3 days Rwanda Chimpanzee and wildlife safari
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park and afternoon boat cruise.
Day 2: Morning game drive and transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Kigali.
Detailed itinerary of the 3 days Rwanda Chimpanzee and wildlife safari
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park and afternoon boat cruise.
After a nice breakfast at your place of residence in Kigali City, you will be picked by the company driver/guide for a city tour (to the Genocide site, the Ivuka Arts Studios and local markets) then start the two and a half journey to Akagera National Park. On arrival at the Park, you will check-in at the Safari lodge then have lunch.
The afternoon will be dedicated for a recreational boat cruise in Lake Ihema where you will be able to see the aquatic wildlife species such as Nile crocodiles and Hippos as well as birds especially the malachite and pied Kingfishers, African fish eagles, pelicans and many others. Since the boat cruise will be conducted in the afternoon, you will also find the elephants and antelopes trying to cool themselves at the banks. Return to the Lodge to freshen-up, dinner and overnight.
Travel time: 2.5-3 hours.
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation options
- Budget: Campsites
- Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
- Up-market: Magashi Camp or Ruzizi Tented Camp.
Day 2: Morning game drive and transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Wake up early for a morning game drive through the spectacular savannah plains of Akagera National Park where you will encounter the elusive leopards and lions returning from hunting, Rothschild giraffes browsing, zebras buffaloes, elephants, Kobs, Topis and bushbucks randomly grazing.
This game drive will also allow you to spot some of the different bird species in the sky which the Park ranger will identify by their sounds. Return to the Lodge for breakfast and check-out of the Lodge before heading to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse.
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
- Up-market: Nyungwe Forest Lodge.
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Kigali.
Enjoy breakfast and converge at the briefing point by 6:00am and will be guided on the do’s and don’ts of the activity. Move or be driven to the trailhead then start tracking for the Chimpanzees and this usually lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours and once spotted , you will be expected to spend only one hour with the chimpanzee community.
The best thing about chimpanzee trekking is that you will encounter other wildlife especially primates like olive baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and the black and white colobus monkeys as well as the duikers, elephants, buffaloes and a number of forest bird species. Head back to the Lodge for your lunch and after check-out of the Lodge for a 5 hour return trip to Kigali and arrive in the evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
Travel time: 5 hours.
End of Your 3 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari
The 3 days Rwanda Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari package includes;
- Chimpanzee permit.
- Park entrance fees.
- Boat cruise fees.
- Bottled water.
- Transport by our comfortable customized 4 WD Vehicle.
- Full-time English speaking guide.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Kigali City tour.
- Meals including en-route (if any).
- Two night accommodation.
The 3 days Rwanda Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari package excludes;
- Rwandan visa.
- Airfares.
- Accommodation in Kigali.
- Personal expenses such as insurance, tips, laundry services, beverages and telephone expenses.
- Optional activities not added on the itinerary.
Dos and don’ts of chimpanzee tracking
- Maintain a distance of 8 meters when viewing the chimpanzees.
- The minimum age for chimpanzee tracking is 15 years.
- Flash photography is not allowed.
- Visitors with cold or flu are not allowed to trek the chimpanzees and if the tour was already booked, it can be postponed or your money refunded.
- Smoking and eating in the presence of the chimpanzees is not allowed.
What to Pack for the 3 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari
- Long sleeved shirts/blouses.
- Safari pants.
- Strong waterproof hiking boots.
- Waterproof backpack.
- Gardening gloves.
- Energy giving snacks.
- Water bottle.
- Poncho.
- First aid kit.
- Toiletries (especially lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, comb, hair gel, face wipes, hand wipes, sanitary towels, sunscreen and deodorants among others).
- Drinking water (can be got from the Park).
- Camera with enough batteries and memory space.
- Pair of binoculars.
- Safari hat.
- Sunglasses.
- Pair of shorts.
- Swimsuit.
- Pajamas.