This 3-day Nyungwe National Park and Lake Kivu safari offers a rich and memorable journey through Rwanda’s Southern Province. It highlights the remarkable biodiversity of Nyungwe, famous for its chimpanzees and forest canopy walk, while connecting you to Rwanda’s cultural heritage at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza. With scenic drives, wildlife encounters, and cultural immersion, you can experience the country’s beauty from forest to lake.
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
In the morning, you will be picked up from Kigali by your driver-guide and begin your journey to Nyungwe National Park. The scenic 5-hour and 40-minute drive takes you through rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages that paint a picture of rural Rwanda. En route, you will visit the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza for insight into Rwanda’s royal history. Upon arrival at Nyungwe, check in to your lodge and spend the afternoon at leisure, taking in the peaceful forest atmosphere before dinner.
Accommodation options:
Standard: Ken Barham Guest House
Mid-Range: Maravilla Kivu Resort
Luxury: Munazi Eco Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trek and Canopy Walk
After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing by rangers before embarking on your chimpanzee trekking experience in Nyungwe National Park. Trek through the ancient rainforest to find one of the habituated chimpanzee groups. Once located, you will spend up to one hour observing them as they feed, play, and communicate in their family groups. Later, enjoy the iconic Nyungwe canopy walkway, suspended 60 metres above the forest floor. The sweeping views of the rainforest and its wildlife make this one of the park’s most unforgettable highlights. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Accommodation options:
Standard: Ken Barham Guest House
Mid-Range: Maravilla Kivu Resort
Luxury: Munazi Eco Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 3: Tea Plantation Visit and Transfer to Kigali via Lake Kivu
After breakfast, check out and visit a nearby tea plantation to learn about Rwanda’s tea-making process and meet local workers who bring this industry to life. Afterwards, begin your scenic drive back to Kigali, stopping en route at Lake Kivu for a peaceful boat trip. The lake’s calm waters and small islands provide the perfect ending to your Nyungwe National Park and Lake Kivu safari. After lunch, continue to Kigali for drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch Included
END OF OUR SERVICE
PRICE FOR THIS SAFARI INCLUDES
- All airport pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- 1 Chimpanzee trekking permit
- All activities specified in the itinerary
- Services of a professional English-speaking guide
- Enough bottled water per day
PRICE FOR THIS SAFARI EXCLUDES
- Visa fees
- All items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks and beverages at lodges or hotels