In this primate safari you will first visit Nyungwe National Park, well known for its primates and bird wildlife. Leaving Nyungwe, you will move on to Volcanoes National Park, home of the Virunga Conservation Area, the five Virunga volcanoes and well known for its large gorilla population.

Nyungwe’s primates are just one reward for a walk through the forest with its waterfalls and birds. There are 13 species of primates including the chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s monkey and Angola colobus.
In this brief excursion, you will overnight in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital on the first night followed by an approximately three hour drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park the next day. This park is an Albertine rift Montane rainforest. The Albertine rift forms the epicentre of Africa’s Montane rainforest circle. Bird enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see the great blue turaco, as well as almost 300 other bird species found in the park.

The Parc National des Volcans is part of the Virunga Conservation Area and covers more than 125 square kilometres. Parc National des Volcans is home of five Virunga volcanoes; Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Bisoke, Muhabura, and the highest, Karisimbi, and the area is well known for its gorilla population.
The Virunga ecosystem is composed of 4 major vegetation zones: bamboo at the lowest altitude, Hagenia and Hypericum forest around the bottom of the volcanoes, Sub-alpine in the higher altitudes, and Afro-alpine at the highest altitudes. The mountain gorillas spend most of their time in the hagenia woodlands and bamboo forests. During the rainy season when new bamboo shoots are growing, the gorillas spend more time foraging in the bamboo forests. The climb to the natural habitat of bamboo forest and Hagenia woodlands offers fantastic views.

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3, 4, and 5 star hotels.
Our 3 star option in Kigali is Hotel Chez Lando, with 82 quaint rooms each with their own individual patios, which face the expansive gardens. Enjoy the serenity and privacy of your quarters, tucked away in a remote area of the Chez Lando gardens, or step into the social life of our popular dining and dance areas.

Our 4 star option in Kigali is the Hotel des Milles Collines, a four star hotel with a fine setting and personalized service situated in a large exotic garden in downtown Kigali. It became famous as the building was a refuge for over a thousand people during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, and it was used as the basis of the film Hotel Rwanda. The hotel features 112 rooms, a restaurant overlooking the city, swimming pool, tennis court, two bars and a health club.

Our 5 star option in Kigali is the Serena Kigali Hotel, ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, this hotel is built around a polished granite atrium which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centers on the Executive Lounge & Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool.

Our 4 star option in Nyungwe Forest is Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, idyllically situated on top of one of the hills of Nyungwe forest area. Nyungwe forest is the largest single forest block in East Africa and the biggest water reservoir for Rwanda. Nyungwe Top View Hotel offers perhaps the most beautiful and tranquil accommodation with spectacular views from every angle. All rooms have an attached bathroom, a drawing room with a fire place, and a balcony with stunning views.

Our 5 star option in Nyungwe National Forest is Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge, built to blend in with the surrounding environment, this lodge is situated on a tea plantation on the edge of the Nyungwe rainforest. The lodge has a bistro with an outdoor heated swimming pool and a boma area for outdoor dining and drinks. All of the rooms face the forest and have a fire place, air conditioning, a private deck, en-suite bathroom and indoor shower.

Our 3 star option in Parc National des Volcans is the Gorilla View Lodge, with 20 individual cottages constructed out of brick and tile, with plain plastered walls on the inside. These cottages are simple but comfortably furnished, each with their own en-suite bathroom and shower. Because the lodge is at a higher altitude, it often gets colder, so each cottage is equipped with a fireplace with wood or charcoal provided at request. The views from the lodge are spectacular, the volcanoes standing tall in the distance. It should be noted that electricity and hot water are supplied by a generator which does not run all day.

Our 4 star option in Parc National des Volcans is the Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, a comfortable eco-lodge located on a hillside overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. The breathtaking 360 views around the lodge make it one of the top lodge destinations in Africa. Eight bandas with private verandas offer their own views over the lakes and volcanoes. Open fireplaces in the lounge and dining room are a warm welcome after a day of tracking the mountain gorillas. This lodge uses solar lighting and bush showers.

Our 5 star option in Parc National des Volcans is the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, with its own stunning views of the folding hills and rolling landscape that defines this part of Rwanda. It is considered one of the most luxurious lodges is the area, and sits so close to the start of the gorilla trek trail, its is perfect for a high end gorilla safari. It is a great base to explore this beautiful and unique corner of Africa. The lodge itself is elegant and homely with a contemporary Rwandan ambiance, and the hillside location provides a great opportunity to walk around and explore some of the local villages and farms.

This tour includes airfare allowance from London (UK), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via London; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

• Days of Week the Trip can Start:
  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Visited Cities:
  Kigali, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park