5 Days Chimps, Canopy, Isumo by Helicopter is the best adventure in Nyungwe with 4 nights at One & Only Nyungwe House, set amongst the rich Tea plantations of Gisakura, In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border. Rwanda is a scene of natural beauty, the entire Nyungwe forest is home to Primates and Volcanoes National Park, home to Mountain gorillas and Golden monkeys in Rwanda. Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five animals.
Canopy Walk
Introduction
| Start | Accommodation | Destination | Basis | Duration |
| Day 1 | One & Only Nyungwe House | Nyungwe Forest National Park | FB+ | 4 Nights |
Key
B&B: Bed and Breakfast
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities
Included in 5 Days Chimps, Canopy & Isumo By Helicopter
- All airport transfers.
- All activities as highlighted in the itinerary.
- Kigali Genocide visit.
- Return helicopter flight to Nyungwe.
- 4 Night at One & Only Nyungwe House includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, minibar, non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic house beverages with meals, and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice).
- 1 Chimp trek permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 90.-).
- Canopy walk permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 60.-).
- Colobus monkey permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 60.-).
- Isumo Waterfall hike permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 50.-)
- Tea plantation visit and experience.
- Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser 4×4 with WI-FI in receptive areas.
- Services of a professional, experienced English-speaking driver guide.
- Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
- Our assistance.
Excluded in 5 Days Chimps, Canopy & Isumo By Helicopter
- International air tickets unless where indicated,
- All extra activities, visits, entrances, and extra meals/drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Entry visa fees,
- Optional extras whilst in Kigali
- Drinks throughout the trip,
- Tips and gratuities,
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.
Day 1: One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Situated in southwestern Rwanda, The Nyungwe Forest National Park is known for its exceptional biodiversity and its wide range of endemic species. The park is composed of lush tracts of rainforest set high up on fertile mountain slopes. It is one of Africa’s most ancient forests and the home of Rwanda’s sole remaining chimpanzee population, as well as 85 additional mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species, and over 1000 plant species.
Visitors can enjoy spotting Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees hiding in the trees, hiking on a well-maintained network of trails passing through lush equatorial rainforest, and catching a glimpse of a beautiful array of colorful birdlife. Don’t miss the thrilling Canopy Walk; it is one of its kind in Africa and offers impressive views of the forest.
Day Itinerary
- 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast (own arrangement).
- 0900: Transfer and visit the Kigali genocide Memorial Museum.
- 1030: Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your helicopter flight.
- 1120: Helicopter departs Kigali for Nyungwe.
- 1200: Estimated time of arriving in Nyungwe.
- 1205: Short transfer to One & Only Nyungwe House.
- 1215: Check-in at One & Only Nyungwe House.
- 1230: Lunch at Nyungwe House.
- 1500: Afternoon relaxation at the resort.
- 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe House.
Overnight: One & Only Nyungwe House
One&Only Nyungwe House is set amongst the rich Tea plantations of Gisakura, In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border. The property is set on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe National Park, which covers approximately 1020 square kilometers of rainforest, bamboo, and swamps.
The accommodations at this lodge provide a sense of tranquillity with a fireplace and picturesque private deck. All rooms include breakfast, lunch, and dinner while featuring tea and coffee facilities and an en-suite bathroom with an indoor shower, wilderness-view shower, and a stand-alone bath.
The One&Only Spa provides relaxing treatments, while the One&Only Gym allows guests space and equipment for a refreshing workout. Additionally, guests can relax in the infinity pool while having a snack and drink and enjoy a meal by the trees with a picnic or at the elegant restaurant.
Activities
| Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum |
Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum
Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The center is extremely moving, challenging, educational, and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.
The memorial hosts a tour that is transparent and educational but very somber and humbling when guests realize that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities
Day 2: One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day Itinerary
- 0500: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
- 0530: Prepare for transfers to Park headquarters for Chimpanzee trek briefing.
- 0530: Start the Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forests.
- 1230: Estimated time to return from the jungle.
- 1300: Lunch at the Lodge.
- 1500: Canopy Walk starts
- 1700: Return from Canopy Walk to your Lodge.
- 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Nyungwe Resort.
Activities
| One & Only Nyungwe House Chimpanzee Trekking |
| Canopy Walk |
One & Only Nyungwe House Chimpanzee Trekking
Offered by the One&Only Nyungwe House, Chimpanzee Trekking is an exciting activity whereby guests will dash through the flora to encounter the chimpanzees playing in the wild within the Nyungwe National Park. With a maximum of 8 people per tour, Chimpanzee trekking is a popular and challenging adventure, but due to the authentic nature of the experience, chimpanzee viewing is not a guarantee.
Canopy Walk
Suspended above the ravine amidst the lush vegetation and montane forest of the Nyungwe National Park, Canopy Walk offers participants an exhilarating perspective atop the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 160 meters long suspended bridge is accessible as a part of a guided hike along the Igishigishigi trail or those hiking the Imbaraga and Umuyove trails.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities
Day 3: One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day Itinerary
- 0800: Begin your day with breakfast.
- 0900: Isumo Water Fall Hike starts.
- 1230: Estimated time to return from the jungle.
- 1330: Lunch at the Lodge.
- 1500: Gisakura Tea experience.
- 1800: Overnight and dinner at One &Only Nyungwe Lodge.
Activities
| One & Only Nyungwe House Nyungwe Forest Isumo Waterfalls Hike |
| Gisakura Tea Estate |
One & Only Nyungwe House Nyungwe Forest Isumo Waterfalls Hike
The impressive Isumo Waterfall Trail starts off winding its way through green tea fields with grassy verges maintained by goats and is full of sun-loving wildflowers and butterflies. After this, the trail moves into the dense vegetation of Nyungwe Forest where a variety of fauna and flora can be seen. The main attraction of the hike is the Isumo Waterfall, roughly 17 metres in height. Many species of primate and birds can be seen near the waterfall. There are two main vantage points for taking in the beauty of the waterfall.
Gisakura Tea Estate
Set against the backdrop of the mountains in the Nyungwe National Park, the Gisakura Tea Estate invites tourists to explore the plantation. Informative tours are offered where visitors can learn about the processes and elements involved in the making of tea. The farmers are on hand to answer questions, share their knowledge, and demonstrate how the tea is harvested and processed to create the final product.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities
Day 4: One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day Itinerary
- 0800: Begin your day with breakfast.
- 0900: Rwanda Colobus monkey trek
- 1230: Estimated time to return from the jungle.
- 1330: Lunch at the Lodge.
- 1500: Take part in the Complimentary Lodge activities.
- 1800: Overnight and dinner at One &Only Nyungwe Lodge.
Activities
| Colobus Monkey Tracking in Rwanda |
Colobus Monkey Tracking
The Colobus monkey is easily recognized by its entirely black body with stark white whiskers, shoulders, and tip of the tail. A troop of nearly 400 of these monkeys calls Nyungwe National Park home, meaning that although sighting wild animals is never guaranteed, visitors have a good chance of finding them an hour or less into the trek. Social in nature, visitors will almost certainly experience playful interaction with the curious primates. Doing this trek will give visitors the opportunity to interact with the largest group of primates on the entire continent of Africa.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Activities
Day 5: End of Days Chimps Canopy & Isumo By Helicopter Itinerary
Day Itinerary
- 0900: At your convince, start with breakfast.
- 1100: Transfer to the Helipad for your flight.
- 1115: Helicopter flight back to Kigali
- 1200: Estimated time of arrival at Kigali Airport
- 1220: Onward flight check for your International Flight.
- 1230: End of service.
Basis
Bed and Breakfast.