The 5 days safari package is designed to explore two countries in a short period of time visiting beautiful natural physical features that attract travelers all year round. The safari will involve visiting Virungas national park to see mountain gorillas, Gisenyi to explore Lake Kivu, visiting Nyungwe forest national park for a canopy walk, and chimpanzee trekking. The 5 days safari package will start and end in Kigali-Rwanda. Therefore travelers are supposed to travel a day before the beginning of a safari.

Your first destination will be Virungas National Park the oldest park in Africa formed in 1925 to protect the mountain gorillas. The park is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site due to its stunning landscape and biological diversity, it is located along Congo’s border with Uganda and Rwanda. The main activities that attract visitors are gorilla trekking and the Nyiragongo hike.

On the other hand, Lake Kivu is one of the natural wonders of Rwanda covering an area of over 2,600 km2 with an altitude of about 1450m above sea level. It is located between Rwanda and DR Congo border. It is one of the three lakes in the world that experiences carbon dioxide eruptions from its base. It offers opportunities such as swimming, relaxing, canoeing, and island hopping. While on your safari you will visit Nyungwe forest national park located in the Southwestern corner of Rwanda covering an area of 970 square kilometers, it consists of swamps, tropical grassland, and bamboo forests.

The forest sits at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level, it consists of over 1000 plant species, and 240 species of birds that make it a birders' haven. The forest is best known for chimpanzees but other small primates can be spotted during trekking colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, and others. It’s the only forest that offers a canopy walk in Rwanda which is the best activity to spot different bird species.

Safari highlights

1. Visiting Kigali city and the ibyiwacu culture center currently known as
2. Visiting Virungas national park for gorilla trekking
3. Exploring Lake Kivu, swimming, and visiting different islands surrounding the lake
4. Visiting Nyungwe national park for chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Virungas national park

The first day of the 5-day safari to Virungas national park, Lake Kivu, and Nyungwe forest national park will start with an early breakfast and then transfer to Virungas national park driving through Rwanda Congo border where you will get a DR Congo Visa then continue to the tourism office to acquire your gorilla trekking permit. Continue driving up to the lodge for check-in and relaxation. Dinner and overnight at Tchengera island camp, Mikeno Lodge, and Bukima tented camp options.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking Activity

Have breakfast early in the morning and you will be transferred from your lodge to the Bukima patrol point for a briefing about the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking to help you when you encounter giant apes. You can hire a porter to help you carry your heavy luggage, and you will be assigned to a group that will be led by a ranger guide into the forest to search for endangered mountain gorillas.  The activity will reward you with other beautiful attractions such as small primates, animals, birds, trees, and plant species. Trekking takes about 1-5 hours to find the gorillas and spend a maximum of one hour with them while interacting with them as you take photos and videos for a memorable experience. After observing the mountain gorillas, you will exit the forest and drive back to your lodge for lunch and rest. Later you will be transferred to Gisenyi along the shores of Lake Kivu for an overnight and dinner at Lake Kivu Serena hotel,

Day 3: Visit Lake Kivu and transfer to Nyungwe forest

Have breakfast in the morning and proceed to explore the best of Lake Kivu. Situated at the border between Rwanda and Congo, Lake Kivu is one of the biggest lakes in Rwanda, it covers an area of over 2,600 km2 with a flowing altitude of 1450m above sea level. The lake once in a while experiences eruptions of carbon dioxide from its depths that is toxic to human beings and animals when respired. You should expect to see the islands, fishing villages, stunning beaches, and green vegetation. Lake Kivu offers opportunities for birding on a boat riding, and swimming since it has the best freshwaters, kayaking, and hopping on different islands. After exploring the lake, you will have lunch and then transfer to Nyungwe forest national park, to rest and prepare for chimpanzee trekking the following day. Dinner and overnight at Igishigishigi guest house, Nyungwe top view hotel options.

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and canopying in Nyungwe national park

Wake up very early for breakfast, you may pack some snacks and then be transferred for a chimpanzee trekking adventure. The driver will drive straight to the park headquarters for briefing after which the ranger guides will lead you into the forest to search for the chimpanzee, they prefer staying on top of the tree branches. During chimpanzee trekking, you will be able to see other primates, birds, animals, butterflies, and reptiles. On finding the chimpanzees, one hour will be allowed to interact with the chimpanzees. After tracking, return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will go for a canopy walk to watch plenty of primates in the forest, canopy walk in Nyungwe forest is the best canopy in the whole world, and it attracts a lot of visitors to come to Rwanda to enjoy the interesting experience. It provides a clear view of Nyungwe forest national park, primates, the volcanoes national park, and others. After the canopy walk, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Igishigishigi guest house, Nyungwe top view hotel options.

Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali and departure

Wake up in the morning and have a relaxed breakfast after check-out of the lodge, meet your driver to transfer you back to Kigali. You will have en-route lunch and proceed to Kigali city. Reaching Kigali in the afternoon, you may decide to have a tour around the city but if time is not on your side, the driver will drop you at the airport for departure or drop you at the lodge for more stay.

End of the safari.