3 Days Lowland Gorillas and Nyungwe Chimps is a short and well-planned primate safari that combines two special wildlife experiences in Central Africa. This tour includes Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Since this is a combined safari, it involves crossing the border between Rwanda and D.R. Congo.
This tour is ideal for travelers who want to see both lowland gorillas and chimpanzees within a short time while enjoying forest landscapes, tea plantations, and Lake Kivu views.
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Bukavu
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, begin the road trip toward Bukavu town in eastern D.R. Congo. The journey passes through the Cyangugu border. Along the way, you will visit the Butare National Museum to learn about Rwanda’s history and culture.
Continue driving through the Nyungwe area, where you will see tea plantations and forest views. You may also enjoy sights of Lake Kivu before crossing into Congo at the Cyangugu border. After completing border procedures, proceed to Bukavu town and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
After breakfast, drive to the Kahuzi-Biega National Park offices for a briefing by park rangers. You will be assigned a park guide and grouped for lowland gorilla trekking. The park has about five habituated lowland gorilla families, including Nganwa, Mugaruka, Chimanuka, Mpungwe, and Bonnani.
The trek to find Eastern lowland gorillas can take between 2 and 5 hours, depending on their location. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour observing them and taking photos. After the trek, return to the lodge, check out, and drive back to Rwanda. Continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe and Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading to Uwinka or Cyangugu reception for a chimpanzee tracking briefing. A ranger guide will explain the rules before leading you into the forest.
Nyungwe Forest is home to 13 primate species. During the trek, you may see chimpanzees, grey-cheeked mangabeys, colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, baboons, and forest birds. Once chimpanzees are located, you will spend one hour with them.
After the trek, return to the lodge, check out, and drive back to Kigali for drop-off at your hotel or the airport. End of safari.
