6 Days Akagera & Nyungwe Safari
6 Days Akagera & Nyungwe Safari.
6 Days Akagera & Nyungwe Safari ( Rwanda chimpazee and wildlife safari : This incredible 6-day adventure in Rwanda offers you the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife and primate encounter. You will get to track chimpanzees, spot monkeys, baboons and other wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This 6 days Rwanda safari will also give you the chance to view savannah wildlife in Akagera National Park; and if you are lucky, you might spot all the Big Five animals during your game drive in the Park. This trip starts and ends in Kigali city.
Highlights for the 6 Days Akagera & Nyungwe Safari.
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Akagera National Park.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise.
Day 3: Transfer Back to Kigali and City Tour.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe.
Day 6: Canopy Walkway and Transfer Back to Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary for the 6 Days Akagera & Nyungwe Safari.
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Akagera National Park.
Arrival & Transfer to Akagera: On Day 1 of your 2 Days Akagera Safari, you will be picked up by your guide from Kigali International Airport or your designated hotel in Kigali city. You will be taken on a short trip within Kigali City where you will visit interesting sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. Later have lunch in Kigali and proceed with your transfer to Akagera national park which is situated just 2⅟₂ hours from the city center.
Evening Game Drive: Upon your arrival in the park, you will embark on an evening game drive. This will give you an opportunity to view wildlife as they retire to their dens for the evening. Among some of the wildlife that you are likely to spot during your game drive include; antelopes, Sitatunga, impala, duikers, zebra, lions and so many more.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise.
Morning Game Drive: Have your breakfast early in the morning and head out for a morning game drive. Get to explore the beautiful savanna and landscape in the park. You will also have the opportunity to see wildlife animals in the park like; elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, and waterbucks to mention but a few.
Afternoon Boat Cruise: You will return back to your lodge for lunch, rest for a short while and later embark on an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. While on your boat cruise, you will get to see the splendid wildlife at the park like; Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and some water birds like; the marabou stork, herons and the African fish eagle. The boat cruise usually lasts about 2 hours, after which you can either return back to your lodge for the rest of the evening or you can opt to go on a guided nature walk and explore the marvelous flora and fauna species that Akagera National Park has to offer.
Return back to your lodge for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 3: Transfer Back to Kigali and City Tour.
Transfer back to Kigali & City tour: Wake up in the morning and have a relaxed breakfast. You will then drive back to Kigali City where you will embark on a full day tour of the city. You will have more time to explore other tourists sites that you hadn’t visit at the start of your trip. Some of the ideal places that you can visit in Kigali City include; Camp Kigali, Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Kimironko market, and Caplaki craft village to mention but a few.
Later retire to your hotel with dinner and accommodation at City Blue Hotel/Kigali Serena Hotel.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Pickup & Transfer to Nyungwe: You will be picked up by your guide from Explore Rwanda Tours upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. After a brief meet and greet session with your guide, you will then proceed with your transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwestern part of Rwanda. Nyungwe national park covers a total surface area of 1020 square kilometers of tropical rainforest. The national park is also part of the famous Nyungwe rainforest which is the largest tropical rainforest in both Central and East Africa. The forest is also the largest water catchment area in Rwanda, holding approximately two thirds of the country’s water supply. You will have lunch enroute to the national park.
Upon your arrival in Nyungwe national park, check into your lodge for dinner and accommodation at Gisakura Guesthouse/ Nyungwe One & Only.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe.
Chimpanzee Trekking: This day marks one of the highlights of your 9 day Rwanda Honeymoon Safari. Have an early breakfast and then head to the Park’s headquarters in Uwinka where you will be briefed by the park’s head ranger and placed in trekking groups of 8 members per group. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park begins at exactly 8am, so endeavor to keep time and make sure you are at the Uwinka center by 7am.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to approximately 80 habituated chimpanzees. While tracking chimps in the forest, you might as well spot other primate species such as; the black and white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, golden monkey and other monkey species. You will have your packed lunch after your chimp trekking activity or return to your hotel for lunch and good rest.
Community Cultural Tour (optional): Later in the evening, you can opt to go on a cultural encounter to one of the nearby villages. While there, you will get to learn more about the Rwandan culture; interact with the local people, get to see their daily lifestyles and even enjoy performances from the local dance groups.
Later return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 6: Canopy Walkway and Transfer Back to Kigali.
Canopy walkway: Upon your arrival in Nyungwe forest national park, you will head to the park’s headquarters at Uwinka. Here you will be welcomed by the head guide at the park, and be briefed before embarking on a hiking expedition to and along the canopy walkway. The Nyungwe canopy walkway is 160 meters long and 60 meters above the forest floor. The canopy walkway is not for the faint of heart, and makes a great adventure experience if you are not afraid of heights. While hiking to the Canopy, the trails can be slippery and tedious hence it calls for one to be physically fit, patient and persistent as well. Do make it a point to wear the right hiking boats when going for the forest canopy walk.
The Canopy walk way comprises a bridge which is adjourned between huge trees in the forest and stands 60 meters above the forest floor. While on the bridge, you will get to see different butterfly and bird species as well as spot the mischievous and yet curious monkeys such as; the blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and the l’Hoest monkeys. The hike to and from the canopy walkway takes about 2 hours, offering you stunning views of the forest’s natural beauty from above.
Later head back to the park’s headquarters where you will reconnect with your guide and drive back to Kigali city where your guide will drop you off at your preferred hotel or at the airport. End of Tour.
