Rwanda Primates Photography Safari: 13 Days

On arrival at the one and only airport on Rwanda, our guide will welcome you and guide you to the vehicle to transfer you to Kigali Serena Hotel. The Serena Hotel is considered the best hotel in Kigali. Meeting and surpassing the already high standards set by the luxurious Serena Hotel chain is no easy feat. The Serena Kigali manages this with its 104 rooms and suites, each individually immaculate, clean, and refined in decor. Dining is a treat, where one will never get sick of the extensive menus, created to please all guests. Staff is always available, friendly, and hospitable, offering incomparable service and care. Activities include the swimming pool, shopping, and fully equipped gym. On some nights, the hotel even has live music playing at the poolside. Balance of the day at leisure. In the evening a rep from our office will meet you and further brief you about the entire trip and the start time for the next day. A welcome dinner is served. Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel (D)

This day starts with an early English breakfast at Kigali Serena Hotel - your guide will pick you up at 7am. A private transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest is provided. We stay at One & Only Nyungwe House. The One & Only Nyungwe House’s 22 luxury rooms and suites are situated in five stunning wooden villa clusters. The staff at the One & Only Nyungwe House are experts in curating immersive tailored experiences, from gastronomic picnics to wild chimpanzee tracking and indigenous, open-air spa treatments. The awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime moments are sure to amaze you at every turn. The approximate transfer time is 6 hours and 30 minutes. The enchanting Nyungwe forest is home to countless rare primates that dash at high speeds through its thick canopy.

On the second and third days, every morning we head out into the jungle with your guide in search of one of the most coveted of them all, the chimpanzee. This lush corner of Rwanda is the only remaining place in East Africa with an intact population of these beautiful primates, and its eternally green hills contain the largest unspoiled piece of tropical forest in the region. Hike through the woods and keep your eyes peeled for the resident wildlife; an electrifying encounter may be just beyond the next bend of the trail! All the while, learn interesting facts about the fascinating creatures of Nyungwe from your guide who has an extensive experience tracking chimpanzees in this area. Once spotted, observing these intelligent mammals is bound to provide for one of the most memorable experiences of your African journey. All meals and overnight at One&Only Nyungwe House (BLD)

A private transfer from Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu is provided to break the long drive to Volcanoes but also to show you the wonders of Lake Kivu. The approximate transfer time is 3 hours and 30 minutes (may seem long but there are many exciting photography opportunities on the way that makes it seem shorter). Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Lake Kivu in the west of Rwanda is surrounded by magnificent mountains and has deep emerald green waters covering a surface area of 2,700 km2. It is Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth largest in Africa. If you are the more adventurous traveller, an exciting way to explore Lake Kivu is a kayaking tour on the lake, or mountain biking or hiking one of the 6 off-the-beaten path stages of the spectacular Congo Nile Trail. All meals and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (BL)

A private transfer from Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park is provided. The approximate transfer time is 4 hours and 30 minutes (may seem long but there are many exciting photography opportunities on the way that makes it seem shorter). Lunch along the way getting to Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in the later afternoon. We stay here for 3 nights. The Volcanoes National Park is located in the Virunga Mountains, a magnificent chain of dormant volcanoes in the north of the country. This area is home to the world’s last surviving mountain Gorilla populations, currently a mere 700 individuals.

On the second day after breakfast, you will depart the lodge and drive for approximately 1 hour to the Park Headquarters where you will meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will provide an informative session on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. After the session, the hike into the forest begins. A full day trek with your guide through the park is a reasonably strenuous activity which can last the morning or all day as you seek out the gorilla families. The guide will take you to where the gorillas were seen the night before and begin to track them from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and may involve a climb to altitudes, not in excess of 7,500 feet.

The terrain is rough and at times quite muddy. Once the gorillas are located all the aches and fatigue of the trek are forgotten, as the experience is often described as finding a hidden natural treasure in the mist. Viewing and photography time is limited to one hour, and only 8 participants are allowed per group. Visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7 meters (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Cameras and plenty of storage space are recommended. It can rain at any time in the forest, so waterproof clothing is advised for you, as well as relevant protection for your camera equipment. Please note that plastic (e.g. carrier/shopping) bags are illegal in Rwanda. Children under age 15, or people sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, are not allowed to visit the gorillas.

On the third day, spend the morning hiking through the dense rainforest of Volcanoes National Park is search of the golden monkeys. These beautiful, playful primates are a species endemic to the Albertine rift, with Rwanda being one of the only places on Earth where humans can observe them in their natural habitat. After a pre-trek briefing at the park headquarters, the guides lead you through the jungle to the area where the monkeys can be spotted. There are currently two groups of golden monkeys in this part of the country and they can usually be found at the foot of Mt. Sabyinyo. The golden monkeys are very inquisitive primates that are used to human presence and will usually act up in front of visitors, leaping from tree to tree as they feed on the bamboo shoots. Enjoy a rare treat watching these unique animals play and perform in the forest. The encounters are approximately one hour in duration. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (BLD)

In the Morning after breakfast at around 8am you will bid Volcanoes National Park farewell and return to Kigali to arrive in the afternoon. After lunch, you can do the optional visit the Bomas for an insight into the lives of the Rwanda people. Later you will return to your hotel for dinner and relax as you prepare for Akagera National Park tour the following day. Kigali Serena Hotel (BLD)

This morning after breakfast you will be transferred by road to Akagera National Park. The approximate transfer time is 3 hours. The boundless savanna landscape of Akagera is framed with verdant hills, pockets of forest and wetlands; all making it into a bio-diverse haven, perfect for the animals to thrive in the wild. As the day progresses, different bush creatures become more active and there is no shortage of game to see. Predators are on the prowl so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready. On the second day, embark on an adventurous game drive through the scenic landscape of Akagera National Park. The ongoing efforts to transform this beautiful reserve into one of the leading safari destinations in Rwanda have been paying off and the wildlife viewing here is nothing short of thrilling. With your knowledgeable guide by your side, traverse the vast savanna plains of Akagera in search of big and small bush creatures.

Here we photograph the 'Big Five' of Africa for the next 3 days. Among some of the resident species include buffalo, antelope, serval cat, giraffe, hyena and lion. This unique piece of protected land comprises of a variety of ecosystems, including grassy plains, forests, swamps and lakes, making it Central Africa’s largest protected wetland area. The vast open spaces of Akagera make it an ideal game viewing destination. Your local guide knows all the best spots in the park and provides you with a wealth of knowledge about the species you encounter. At Magashi Camp, six spacious and airy tents offer uninterrupted views over Lake Rwanyakazinga, while Magashi’s main area comprises a luxurious lounge, dining and bar area, pool, and expansive viewing deck with a convivial fire pit. The architecture and interiors pay homage to traditional Rwandan culture. All meals and overnights at Magashi Camp (BLD)

In the morning right after breakfast, you have a final game drive looking for a missed favourite. Return to the hotel for lunch and then in the afternoon drive to transfer to Kigali. A private transfer from Akagera National Park to Kigali is provided. The approximate transfer time is 3 hours. Visit the souvenir shops, before you transfer to the airport for onward flight transfer. Dayroom can be arraged at Kigali Serena Hotel (or similar) upon request and at a small fee. Time permitting, we shall hold a farewell dinner to share our experiences and issue certificates of participation (BL). Don't forget to PACK FOR A PURPOSE!

These items form the basic components of your tour / safari cost and MAY NOT be excluded / removed from the tour pacakge all-together. However, if you still like the tour without some of of the basic components, kindly request for customization of the tour. The tour cost includes;

· Free pick-up / drop-off from your Hotel / Kigali / Airport

· Accommodation in Kigali on arrival day at a Bed & Breakfast Luxury Hotel

· All transportation in a custom-built safari vehicle with window seat guarantee

· 3 meals a day / Full-Board accommodation whilst on Safari Hotels, lodges or Camps

· All parks and game reserve entry gate fees including vehicle & driver fees

· Two day Gorilla Tracking Non-Refundable Permits from Rwanda Wildlife Authority

· Services of an English - speaking and professional safari driver/guide

· Unlimited Supply of Complimentary Bottled Drinking Water on safari

· Lunch on the first and last days of safari with free bottled water

· Guaranteed Departures with a minimum of just 2 travellers!

· ALL Government taxes and levies

These items are excluded from your tour cost / package. You are therefore expected to make own arrangement for some such as your International Flight Tickets, Travel Insurance and so on. Others are available as 'add-ons' to your tour and we shall be glad to include any extras you like at a reasonable cost. The tour cost excludes;

· International Air Fares to and from Africa

· Accommodation in Kigali after the tour - can be arranged on request

· Travel Insurance Cover, Personal or Baggage (Highly Recommended)

· Cost of Tourist or Business Visa and any other associated expenses

· Optional excursions not mentioned in the inclusions and/or quoted separately

· Expenses of personal nature such as phone calls, internet, laundry etc

· All soft and hard drinks (alcoholic drinks, wines and spirits)

· Tips and gratuities to driver guides/lodge/hotel staff

· Festive days supplements such as those on Easter and Xmas dates

· All other extras not mentioned in the 'included'

When you book a tour with us, we want always want you to fee special. That is why we go the extra mile not only to make you smile but to ensure that your are taking home only the fondest of memories from our trips. Below are some of the special treatments you are unlikely to find with other tour operators;

· Special 'Welcome Package' for you upon arrival

· Free supply of UNLIMITED bottled mineral water whilst on safari

· Complimentary 'AfriChoice!® Authentic African Safari Sun Hat

· Free Membership to AMREF's Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation Programme*

· Signed & Sealed 'Participation Certificate' (adventure quests only*)

· Special 'Farewell Dinner' at the end of your trip (Time Permitting*)