4 Days Nyungwe Chimpanzees and Lake Kivu Safari

Safari Overview

Combine a guided chimpanzee tracking experience in Nyungwe rainforest with Rwanda’s scenic tea hills and a relaxing stay beside Lake Kivu. This is a private safari proposal, with your accommodation choices and activity arrangements agreed before booking. Travel times are indicative and depend on roads, weather, park arrangements and border formalities where applicable.

Suggested route: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest – Lake Kivu – Kigali.

Detailed Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali to Nyungwe via Rwanda’s rolling hills

Meet your driver-guide in Kigali and travel southwest towards Nyungwe National Park. Enjoy scenic stops where safe and suitable, with a break for lunch. Arrive near the forest, check into your accommodation and prepare for the early start required by many chimpanzee trekking schedules. Permit arrangements must be confirmed in advance.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 2: Track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest

Rise early for the drive to the assigned meeting point and a ranger briefing. Walk with authorised guides through tropical forest in search of chimpanzees. The pace, terrain and time required vary, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The afternoon can be spent at the lodge or on an optional canopy walk if operating hours and your energy allow.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 3: Scenic transfer to Lake Kivu

Travel northwest towards the shores of Lake Kivu along picturesque stretches of Rwanda’s western landscape. Stop for photographs and refreshments along the way before checking into your lakeside accommodation. Spend the afternoon at leisure, with options such as a gentle shoreline walk or a boat outing arranged through licensed operators.

Overnight: A suitable lodge or hotel in the overnight destination, chosen after your preferred comfort level and availability are confirmed.

Day 4: Lake Kivu to Kigali and departure

Enjoy breakfast by the lake before travelling to Kigali. Depending on your schedule, there may be time for a short city stop or lunch. Arrive at the airport or hotel for your agreed drop-off. We will match the departure time to road conditions and recommend an extra night where flight timing requires it.

Overnight: Safari ends after the agreed drop-off; additional accommodation can be arranged if required.

What Your Safari Quotation Can Include

• Private vehicle and professional driver-guide for the agreed route
• Accommodation in the agreed category for the confirmed nights
• Meals as specified in your final written quotation
• Park entries and pre-booked activities explicitly listed as included
• Airport, hotel or border transfers listed in the itinerary

Normally Excluded Unless Quoted Otherwise

• International flights, visa costs and personal travel insurance
• Gratuities, extra drinks and personal purchases
• Optional experiences not specified in the confirmed programme
• Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits unless clearly included in the final quotation
• Any costs arising from independent programme changes

Important Safari Planning Notes

Gorilla trekking participants must be at least 15 years old. Permit availability is limited and every trek follows the relevant park authority rules. Wild animals move freely, so sightings and trekking durations cannot be guaranteed. Accommodation and activities are proposed options until we confirm space and receive your approval. Please share your travel dates and group size for a current quotation.

Ready to enquire? Use the safari enquiry form below and mention this itinerary. We can discuss preferred lodges, routing and a realistic travel pace before finalising your booking.