

Ultimate primate experience: gorillas, chimps & monkeys
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Tour highlights
The specialist who creates your trip

What's included in your Audley booking?

Knowing we’ve taken care of everything
“We know that the small details make all the difference. It’s why we won’t stop finessing your trip until you say it’s just right. From the outset, we’ll focus on bringing the experience you want to life, down to the finest detail."
Itinerary idea
Ask us if you would also like us to arrange your international flights at our preferred rates.
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On arrival in Kigali, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center.
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You will head off to Nyungwe Forest this morning with your driver-guide and private vehicle. The route takes you through rolling hills and beautiful scenery. You'll stop in the town of Butare, Rwanda's second-largest city and the former capital, for a break at midday to visit the national museum and university before reaching Nyungwe Forest in the afternoon, ready to settle into your lodge. This is an incredible national park, teeming with primates, birdlife and flowers.
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Today, you will set off after breakfast to meet your guide and start your trek to see the chimps. You can enjoy looking for other primates, birds, and animals along the way. Your guide will teach you about tracking the chimpanzees, pointing out signs they've left as you head through the forest. Upon reaching them, you'll see them playing and interacting in their natural habitat — an incredible sight.
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This morning, you will drive from Nyungwe along the shore of Lake Kivu to Kibuye — you'll start inland and then head west, enjoying beautiful views of the lake and mountain scenery on the way. You'll then have two nights to relax at Cleo Lake Kivu.
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Today is free for relaxing or exploring Lake Kivu. You can go swimming in the hotel pool, or in the lake itself, have a tour of Kibuye town, or hire a boat to visit some of the nearby islands on the lake. You can decide on the day what you'd like to do, and your driver will help you with all of your arrangements.
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After breakfast, you will set off for Ruhengeri at the base of the Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes around an hour and a half and will begin with a steep incline up over the dramatic cliff-like hills, which then become softer and more rolling as you continue inland. You can get settled into your room at Five Volcanoes and spend the rest of the day relaxing in your room or taking a stroll around the property.
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Today you will set off early after breakfast for the park headquarters for a briefing from your guide. You will then be driven to the trailhead to start your trek. Trackers leave before the tourist groups to locate the gorilla groups, so your guide should know where to take you. Once you've found the group, you will have one hour with them to take photos and watch them interact — a truly memorable experience!
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This morning you will depart after breakfast for the park headquarters for your walk to see the golden monkeys — a completely different experience but just as rewarding. These beautiful, lively creatures are on the endangered list and are fascinating to watch as they leap through the vegetation.
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After breakfast, your driver-guide will help load all your luggage back into the car, ready to head back to Kigali for your onward flights.
Accommodation
- Kigali
- Butare
- Nyungwe Forest
- Kibuye
- Ruhengeri
- Volcanoes National Park
- Ruhengeri
- Volcanoes National Park
- Ruhengeri
The specialist who designs your trip to Rwanda will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.
When to go
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Place | Daily max temperature (°C) | Monthly rainfall (mm) |
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Kigali | ||
Nyungwe Forest | ||
Ruhengeri | ||
Volcanoes National Park |