A 7-day Rwanda Flying Safari Tour

Luxury Rwanda Primate Safari!

The 7-day Rwanda flying safari tour is an adventurous Rwanda journey of discovery to the 2 primate parks. Rwanda is a relatively small country but the drive distance to the different destinations is long. The drive to Nyungwe forest is the longest taking about a 6 to 7 hour drive. It is an impressive scenic drive through the hilly countryside but some people prefer to fly to save time.

On this 7-day Rwanda flying safari tour you start with a visit to Nyungwe National Park. The park is home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees. It is Rwanda’s most important birding area and the best birding destination. From Nyungwe, you will proceed with your Rwanda Flying safari to Volcanoes National Park. This is home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and many other mammal species including forest elephants.

Below is a detailed 7-day Rwanda flying safari tour.

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to your Kigali Hotel

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you are met by your driver guide for a transfer to your Kigali Hotel. If you arrive early there is an opportunity to go on a Kigali City tour visiting the genocide memorial. There are many other places of interest you can visit in Kigali including the local market and craft shops. Later return to your Hotel for a rest.

Day 2: Fly to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast at your hotel, you are driven to the airport for your flight to Kamembe Airport in Southwestern Rwanda. Kamembe Airport is located near Nyungwe Forest National Park and from there you drive just a few minutes to your lodge. The Nyungwe National Park area has limited accommodation options but with all budget categories from standard to high-end luxury lodges.

Oneandonly Nyungwe house is the most luxurious lodge in the area. It is perfectly located in the middle of a tea plantation and overlooks Nyungwe Forest. Accommodation rates here are all-inclusive and the lodge is cozy and exclusive perfect for honeymooners. Nyungwe Top View Hotel is a deluxe option that also overlooks the forest. This and the Nyungwe House are the two main options near the main Uwinka Park Headquarters. They are the most convenient options to stay at.

Nyungwe forest has an extension in Cyamudongo towards Lake Kivu. Cyamudongo sector has habituated chimpanzee communities that are also trekked to. The most convenient accommodation options near Cyamudongo are Marina Mantis Bay and Emeraude Kivu Resort. These two overlook Lake Kivu and have opportunities for boat cruise adventures along the Lake. Depending on the accommodation option you choose, you will get there in time for an excursion to officially kick start your 7-day Rwanda flying safari tour.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Adventure

You will have breakfast at your lodge and be driven to the chimpanzee trekking briefing point. This can either be Uwinka or Cyamudongo. There you are told about the chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations. After the briefing, you are then guided into the forested Park where you hike until you meet the chimpanzees.

Chimpanzees are more mobile compared to other primates like mountain gorillas. They often jump from one tree branch to another and you have to keep up with them. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest is adventurous and remarkable as you get to see other primates and birds. You will finish your trek by mid-day and return to your lodge for a lunch break. Later go for a canopy walk adventure along East Africa’s only canopy walkway.

The canopy walk has some of the best scenic views of Nyungwe Forest and the Great Rift Valley. On it, you get to see some wildlife species that live in the top canopy layers of the forest.

Day 4: Flight to Volcanoes National Park

On this day you will have breakfast at your lodge and depart Nyungwe for Volcanoes National Park. This second leg of your 7-day Rwanda flying safari tour is the most anticipated with the gorilla trekking highlight. You will get to your lodge early enough for a rest and later can head out for an excursion along River Mukungwa (Kayaking) or visit the Ellen Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Safari tour

After breakfast at your lodge, you will be taken for a briefing at the park headquarters ahead of your gorilla trek. You will then be guided through the Virunga Mountains hiking for 1 to 4 hours until you meet the gorillas. Mountain gorillas live in families of up to 15 individuals or more. You will therefore hike to your allocated gorilla family that could have several babies, females, silverbacks, and juvenile gorillas.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is exclusive as only 8 people are allowed to trek to one gorilla family a day. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is among the few places on the entire planet with mountain gorillas. You will stay for an hour in the presence of the gorillas getting to know more about them. After this remarkable encounter, you will then be brought back to your lodge. Spend the afternoon at leisure or go for a cultural experience at the Gorilla Guardian village.

Day 6: Golden Monkey Tour

The golden monkey trek is another amazing primate trekking adventure on this 7-day Rwanda flying safari tour. Golden monkeys are covered with golden fur and are endemic to the Virunga Mountains. This means that Volcanoes National Park is among the few places where you can see them. Golden Monkeys live in the bamboo forest zones and you will therefore hike for an hour or more to see them.

The bamboo zone is light and offers a great scenic view of the Virunga Mountains. It is home to other wildlife species including birds and small insects and reptiles. You will return by mid-day and head back to your lodge for a rest. If you are more up for adventures you can go for a walk in the evening or a simple cycling adventure.

Day 7: Flight to Back to Kigali

On this last day of your 7-day Rwanda flying safari tour, you start with breakfast at your lodge. From there you are driven to the airstrip for your flight back to Kigali arriving early for check-in at your hotel or airport for departure depending on the schedule.

End of Safari.

This 7-day Rwanda Safari tour is among our several Journeys of Discovery in East Africa. The safari can further be customized to add or remove activities. You can also join our exclusive journeys to Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Contact Us to start planning your safari experience.

A Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Guide in Kibale National Park. Discovery Journeys

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A 7-day Rwanda Flying Safari Tour

A 7-day Rwanda Flying Safari Tour

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to your Kigali Hotel

Day 2: Fly to Nyungwe Forest National Park