7-Day Chimpanzee and Lowland Gorillas Congo Safari

This combined tour offers an unforgettable experience of chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and an Eastern lowland gorilla safari in Congo. You have the option to participate in a 4-day Congo gorilla safari, featuring a guided trekking tour in Kahuzi Biega National Park, the renowned home of the eastern lowland gorillas. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat within the only national park dedicated to them—Kahuzi Biega.

Route

Start & End

• Day 1 – Kigali, Rwanda
• Day 1 – Bukavu, Congo (DRC)
• Day 2-3 – Kahuzi Biega National Park (Gorillas)
• Day 4-6 – Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
• Day 7 – Kigali, Rwanda

Tour Features

Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour includes accommodations at hotels.

Private tour
Exclusively organized for you, with wildlife viewing activities shared with other guests at lodges/camps.

Can start any day
Depending on availability, this tour can begin on any date.

Can be customized
You have the flexibility to request modifications to the tour.

Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.

Minimum age of 17 years
The minimum age for this tour is 17 years.

Activities & Transportation

• Activities: Gorilla trekking & chimpanzee trekking
• Getting around: Normal 4×4 vehicle
• Airport transfer: Included both to and from the airport

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Bukavu

You will transfer from Kigali to Bukavu. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by a guide from Golden Rwanda Safari Experiences and driven to Bukavu in Congo. During the journey, you’ll pass through Rwanda’s scenic rolling hills, crossing various districts until you reach the Congo-Rwanda border at Bukavu. Final border arrangements will be completed before crossing into Congo. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Orchids Safari Club.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on a 2-hour drive in the safari jeep to Kahuzi Biega National Park, the starting point for your primate excursion. Here, you will receive a briefing about gorilla trekking dos and don’ts before setting off into the forest to track the gorillas. The experience is truly incredible, providing close encounters with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. After the trek, you will return to Orchids Safari Club for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

On the second day of gorilla trekking, you will spend 1 hour observing and photographing the Eastern lowland gorillas as they play in the wild with their young. After this memorable experience, you will return to the park headquarters where your driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park

On this day, you will wake up early and enjoy a cup of tea before boarding your safari jeep for the drive back into Rwanda. Depending on the time available, you may make stopovers at interesting sites along the way. Later, you will be dropped off at the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5-6: Nyungwe Forest National Park for Chimps

Today will be dedicated to tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest. After an early morning start, you will track chimpanzees and return to the hotel for lunch. If desired, in the afternoon, you can explore the canopy bridge trail. Following this, you will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will venture into Nyungwe Forest to track Nyungwe Colobus monkeys or explore the stunning waterfalls. A guided walk into the forest or along the natural trail, led by knowledgeable guides, will provide a unique experience in botany, ornithology, and interspecies relationships. Following this, you will return to the guesthouse for lunch and then drive back to Kigali.