Rwanda Primate Safari

Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Kigali. On arrival, transfer to the Park Inn by Radisson for an overnight stay. Afternoon at leisure. (N) (N)

Travel south by road* to Nyungwe National Park, stopping at Butare for lunch (payable locally) and a visit to the Ethnographic Museum. Stay 3 nights at the superb One & Only Nyungwe House. (B, D)

Rise early for a trek into the nearby forest in search of chimpanzees. Once found, you will have one hour to observe their strangely humanistic behaviour. Afternoon nature walk, including a canopy trail across rope bridges 70 metres above the ground. (B, L, D)

Morning trek searching for black-and-white colobus monkeys, which can sometimes be found in troops of several hundred individuals. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)

Drive the long and winding road north to the shores of Lake Kivu. This afternoon, join an optional boat excursion on the lake or simply relax. Overnight at the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. (B, D)

Optional morning kayaking excursion, then transfer north to the Volcanoes National Park. En route, visit the Dian Fossey Research Centre which details the life and work of the famed Gorillas in the Mist conservationist. Afternoon Gorilla Guardians cultural village tour, learning how conservation efforts continue to help mountain gorillas fight back from the brink of extinction. Stay 2 nights at the Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. (B, L, D)

Trek to one of the various nearby mountain gorilla families for a mesmerising and privileged hour in their company. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)

Join one last primate adventure with a short trek to meet the golden monkeys that roam the nearby forest canopies. Later, continue to Kigali for an afternoon city tour, which includes a stop at the thought-provoking Genocide Museum. Overnight at the Park Inn by Radisson. (B, L, D)

Transfer to Kigali Airport for your morning flight back to London. (B)