Rwanda: The Ultimate Primate Track

Your adventure truly begins with a scenic helicopter flight soaring southwest over Rwanda's terraced hills and tea plantations, landing near the ancient, mist-covered canopy of Nyungwe Forest National Park. This afternoon, you'll delve into the dense jungle on foot alongside expert trackers to find a habituated troop of chimpanzees. Watching these intelligent primates swing through the high branches and interact socially is an exhilarating experience. After your trek, retreat to your luxury eco-lodge to unwind and take in the sweeping views of the primal forest.

Today, we journey north by road or air toward the dramatic Virunga Massif, a chain of towering, dormant volcanoes straddling the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. As we approach Volcanoes National Park, the landscape shifts to fertile volcanic soils and lush bamboo forests. You will settle into your magnificent lodge at the foothills of the mountains. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps visiting the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Ellen DeGeneres Campus to gain deeper insights into the conservation efforts protecting the majestic creatures you will meet tomorrow.

This is the definitive Rwandan wildlife experience. Early this morning, you will head to the park headquarters to meet your guides before hiking into the thick bamboo forests to track a habituated family of mountain gorillas. The trek can be challenging, but spending a quiet, profoundly moving hour observing the silverback and his family in their natural habitat is an absolute privilege. After returning to your lodge for lunch and a quick refresh, we will transfer you back to Kigali for your outbound evening flight.