8 Days Rwanda Adventure: Chimpanzee Trekking, Canopy Walk, Gorilla Trekking & Big Five Safari

“Explore the Wild, Embrace the Wonder”

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali Destination: Kigali | Overnight: Kigali Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your representative from Kay’s Essence Safaris and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel and enjoy the views of Kigali’s beautiful hills. Your guide will brief you on the upcoming adventure, including the cultural visits, trekking activities and safari experiences. - Meals: Dinner, depending on arrival time and package. - Accommodation: Hotel in Kigali. Day 2: Kigali – King's Palace Museum – Ethnographic Museum – Nyungwe National Park Destination: Nyungwe | Overnight: Nyungwe area After an early breakfast, depart Kigali and travel south towards Nyungwe National Park, enjoying scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and countryside. King's Palace Museum: Stop in Nyanza to discover Rwanda’s royal heritage, traditional architecture and the cultural significance of the royal court. Learn about the history of the monarchy and see the traditional royal residence and, when available, the Inyambo long-horned cattle. Ethnographic Museum: Continue to Huye to explore Rwanda’s cultural heritage through exhibitions featuring traditional tools, crafts, clothing, agriculture, architecture and the country’s social history. After the museum visits, continue towards Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s remarkable montane rainforests, renowned for its biodiversity, primates and birdlife. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or evening, check in and relax in preparation for the early start the following morning. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. - Accommodation: Lodge near Nyungwe National Park. - Travel note: This is a long day on the road. An early departure is recommended, and museum opening hours should be confirmed. Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking, Canopy Walk and Zipline Adventure Destination: Nyungwe | Overnight: Nyungwe area Rise early and enjoy breakfast before heading to the designated park reception for a briefing with experienced guides and trackers. Morning: Chimpanzee trekking Venture into Nyungwe’s dense rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees. Follow your guide through the forest while listening for their calls and watching for movement among the trees. Along the way, you may encounter other primates, colourful birds and fascinating forest vegetation. The duration of the trek varies depending on the location and movement of the chimpanzees, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Afternoon: Canopy walkway After lunch and some time to rest, experience Nyungwe’s famous suspended canopy walkway. Accompanied by a guide, walk high above the forest floor and enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest canopy, surrounding hills and opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife. Late afternoon: Zipline adventure Complete the day with an exhilarating zipline experience through the forest canopy, subject to the activity schedule and availability. The zipline offers a thrilling perspective of Nyungwe’s natural surroundings. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. - Accommodation: Lodge near Nyungwe National Park. - Important: This is a very active day. The zipline should be scheduled only if the trekking and canopy activities finish early enough and the operator confirms availability. Day 4: Nyungwe National Park – Volcanoes National Park Destination: Musanze | Overnight: Volcanoes National Park area Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before beginning the journey north to Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas. Travel through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, passing rolling hills, rural communities, agricultural landscapes and scenic mountain views. Allow sufficient time for the long road transfer, with stops for refreshments and lunch along the way. Upon arrival in the Musanze area, check in at your lodge and relax. Your guide will explain the following day’s gorilla trekking arrangements, including the early departure, park briefing, appropriate hiking clothing and the importance of following the ranger’s instructions. The rest of the afternoon is reserved for relaxation and preparation for the gorilla trek. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. - Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park. - Travel note: The Nyungwe–Volcanoes transfer takes a substantial part of the day. Keep the schedule flexible. Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Ellen Campus Visit Destination: Musanze | Overnight: Volcanoes National Park area After an early breakfast, depart for the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for registration, a briefing and allocation to a gorilla family. Morning: Mountain gorilla trekking Accompanied by trained park rangers and trackers, begin your trek through the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location and the terrain. Once the gorillas are located, visitors are generally allowed a strictly regulated period of observation. Enjoy the extraordinary opportunity to watch these magnificent primates as they feed, interact, groom and care for their young. Follow all ranger instructions and maintain the required distance. Afternoon: Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund After lunch and some rest, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Discover the organisation’s work in gorilla conservation, scientific research, education and community engagement. Learn how conservationists and local communities contribute to protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. - Accommodation: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park. - Important: Gorilla trekking permits and the campus visit must be arranged in advance. The afternoon campus visit depends on the confirmed trekking finish time and visitor availability. Day 6: Transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Akagera National Park Destination: Akagera | Overnight: Akagera area After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey east towards Akagera National Park. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel from Rwanda’s mountainous northern region towards the open savannahs, lakes and wetlands of the east. You will have opportunities to observe rural life and the varied landscapes that make Rwanda known as the Land of a Thousand Hills. Stop for lunch en route and continue towards Akagera. Upon arrival, complete the park entry formalities and transfer to your lodge, subject to arrival time and the park’s access arrangements. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge and preparing for the next day’s wildlife safari. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. - Accommodation: Lodge inside or near Akagera National Park. - Travel note: This is a long transfer. A late arrival may limit wildlife viewing on this day. Day 7: Full-Day Game Drive and Sunset Boat Ride Destination: Akagera | Overnight: Akagera area Begin the day with an early breakfast before setting off on a full-day game drive across Akagera National Park. Morning game drive Explore the park’s savannah plains, woodland and lakeside habitats in a safari vehicle with an experienced guide. Search for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife. With luck, you may also spot lions, rhinos and leopards, completing the Big Five experience. Sightings are never guaranteed. Afternoon game drive Continue exploring different sections of the park, stopping for wildlife observation and photography. Enjoy a packed lunch or a planned lunch stop, depending on the route and lodge arrangements. Sunset boat ride Later in the afternoon, head to Lake Ihema for a relaxing boat excursion, scheduled around the confirmed sunset departure. Look out for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds while enjoying the beautiful scenery and changing colours of the evening sky. Boat excursions and game drives are among Akagera’s signature wildlife experiences. Return to your lodge after the boat ride for dinner and overnight. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. - Accommodation: Lodge inside or near Akagera National Park. - Important: The exact game-drive route and boat departure time depend on park conditions and the confirmed boat schedule. Day 8: Departure from Kigali End of tour Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before checking out and transferring to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight. The departure transfer should be arranged according to your flight time, allowing sufficient time for the drive from Akagera to Kigali and airport check-in. As your Rwanda adventure comes to an end, depart with lasting memories of the country’s cultural heritage, ancient rainforest, remarkable primates, mountain landscapes and savannah wildlife. - Meals: Breakfast, if time permits. - Accommodation: None; departure day. - Service: Private airport transfer.