2 Days Nyungwe forest safari

2 Days Nyungwe forest safaritakes you on Rwanda safari to Nyungwe Forest national park inhabiting the largest forest in Rwanda, on this safari you will hike through forest on the Igishigishigi trail, have a canopy walk and track chimpanzees.

Nyungwe Forest national park is located in the Southwestern corner of Rwanda, the park is one of the oldest and largest afro-montane forest in Africa. Nyungwe Forest national park was established as a park in 2004 and it covers an area of 970 square kilometers consisting of bogs, swamps, grassland and bamboo forests.

Nyungwe Forest national park is a home to over 257 species of birds, 400 tree species, 75 mammal species, 20 reptiles and 12 species of primates. Primates in Nyungwe Forest national park include Dent’s mona monkeys, Golden monkeys, Grey cheeked mangabeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Olive baboons, Red-tailed monkeys, Silver monkeys, Angola colobus, Vervet monkeys and the Chimpanzee which is common primate.

Highlights

• City tour and stop overs at interesting cultural sites
• Hiking through the Igishigishigi trail
• A Canopy walk
• Chimpanzee trekking

Detailed itinerary of 2 days Nyungwe Forest Safari

Day 1: Pickup from Kigali –  City tour – Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Canopy Walk

To start your safari, you will be picked from your hotel in Kigali as early as 07:00 am after breakfast or upon arrival at Kigali international airport by your safari guide-driver.

Your guide will give you a briefing about the safari and what to expect then head to Kigali City for a short city tour, Kigali city is a relatively small city but one of the cleanest cities in Africa. During the city tour, you will visit the city market, the former presidential palace and the genocide memorial center.

You will have an opportunity to buy local crafts and souvenirs, then embark on a drive to Nyungwe Forest national park and along the way have a stopover at the Kamegeli Rock and the King’s Palace in Nyanza if time permits and have lunch at Huye.

Through the journey, you will enjoy the beautiful country side of Rwanda and you will know why the country is referred to as a land of a thousand hills.

Upon arriving at the park you will head to the Uwinka Visitors centers to start your trek along the Igishigishigi trail which leads to the canopy walkway, during the hike you will be able to spot several species of trees, birds and primates.

You will then step into the canopy walkway which is a 60 meters suspended metallic bridge that is above the trees, the canopy offers aerial views of the forest and creatures such as birds, colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, baboons and several species of plants. The canopy walk takes approximately 2 hours depending on the pace of the visitors, return to your lodge for lunch and dinner.

 Accommodation options

• Gisakura Guest House (budget)
• Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Midrange)
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (Luxury)

Meal plan:  lunch and dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking – Transfer back to Kigali

Wake up early, have breakfast and transfer to the park’s headquarters for briefing about chimpanzee trekking which starts as early as 5:00 am. The briefing will be carried out at the Uwinka, meet the park rangers, be divided into groups and head into the forests.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park starts either from the Uwinka Visitor center or from The Cyamudongo Area, the experiences takes approximately 4 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees that day as they walk long journeys into the forests of Nyungwe.

When you encounter the chimpanzees, you will enjoy watching them play of tree branches, take care of their young ones, pick fruits among others. You will also be able to take amazing pictures. Then return to your lodge for lunch, checkout and transfer back to Kigali. You will be dropped off either at your hotel or at the airport for your departure flight back home.

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes

• Chimpanzee permits
• Canopy Walk Permits
• City Tour
• Accommodation for one night
• All meals and bottled drinking water including lunch outside the hotel
• An experienced Guide/Driver with excellent English speaking skills
• Transportation in a Tour Van
• Airport Pickup and drop off if departure is on the last day of the safari
• Government Taxes
• Park entrance

The Tour excludes

• Air tickets and Visas
• Accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip
• Tips for the Guide
• Travel insurance, souvenirs and other expenses of a personal nature