6 Days Nyungwe & Volcanoes by Helicopter is an amazing and unforgettable experience in remarkable Rwanda. Explore Nyungwe forests to uncover a million secrets from tracking chimpanzees, and witness them dashing at high speed through the flora, hooting, and clanging – it truly is an exhilarating experience to encounter chimpanzees playing, wild and free.
Chimpanzees are most active in the morning, an early rise is required for you upon booking our 6 Days Nyungwe & Volcanoes by Helicopter. You will also take part in a Canopy walk to experience the rainforest from a dazzling new perspective – on the famous Canopy Walkway. The only walk of its kind in East Africa.
This 6 Days Nyungwe & Volcanoes by Helicopter further takes you to Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous mountain gorillas and golden monkeys Encounter a gorilla family led by a silverback. These troops also include several younger males, adult and juvenile females, and infants. In addition to providing protection to group members, silverbacks maintain order and decide all activities within their troop. All this and more illuminating adventure while on this 6 Days Nyungwe & Volcanoes by Helicopter in Rwanda.
Helicopter Flying Safaris in Rwanda
Day 1: ARRIVAL KIGALI
Arrive by flight to Kigali. Meet and greet assistance. You will hand over to and be warmly welcomed by your driver guide/representative outside the customs and immigration hall. You will be transferred to your city hotel. Tour briefing will be conducted at the lobby. Check in assistance, followed by dinner and overnight stay at The Retreat Heaven (Welcome dinner with a selection of drinks) Meal plan Dinner.
Day 2: KIGALI (CITY TOUR) – NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK (45 Minutes scenic flight)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and settle extras. Proceed on a city tour that will include the Kigali Genocide memorial and the Inema arts gallery.
Highlight; Genocide Memorial Center- Kigali: The genocide memorial is included on every city tour and is a must-see. Rwanda’s painful past has haunted the country for years; however, their impressive recovery story has turned them into an inspiration. The genocide memorial acts as a humbling reminder to those present and honors those lost. Audio visual equipment will be provided in Dutch, English or other languages spoken by clients.
Inema Art Center: Inema Arts Center spurs creativity for personal, social, and economic growth. At Inema, you will witness the use of creative expression to bring the community and country alive.Lunch will be at the Republica restaurant. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your scenic helicopter flight to Nyungwe Forest.
Landing at about 15hr00. Met and assisted with check in. Afternoon at leisure to relax or take part in one of the complimentary activities offered e.g. Boot camp spear throwing, Conservation Walk, Tea Tasting, Exploring by bicycle or Nyungwe Nocturnal walk. Dinner and overnight stay at ONE & ONLY NYUNGWE HOUSE (All Inclusive- Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast, a selection of drink)
Day 3: NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK/ CHIMPANZEE TREK & CANOPY WALK
At 05h00 you will get your packed breakfast and drive to the park headquarters for chimpanzee trek briefing and formalities and then to the evergreen forest for a great experience that starts at 06h00. You may spot a wide variety of bird life. Their playfulness and human – like characteristics make the long day worthwhile.
Luckily you may be welcomed by chimp morning calls deep in the forest upon encountering the chimps, you will be allowed to stay in their presence for one hour as you enjoy their acrobats, feeding life and their day today behaviors. Return to the lodge at around 11h00. 13h00: Lunch. The afternoon will be deicated for a Canopy walk tour. Canopy walk briefing that takes place at 15h00.
The Canopy walkway consists of three bridges and three towers and is a total length of the walkway is 200m. The walkway is embedded in a guided tour along Igishigishigi Trail. Taking this tour, a specialized Park Guide will not only show you the forest canopy but also explain why it is an integral part of the tropical rainforest ecosystem. You will learn what the major characteristics of a rainforest and its canopy are and the importance Nyungwe National Park has for Rwanda. Dinner and overnight stay at ONE & ONLY NYUNGWE HOUSE (All Inclusive- Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast, a selection of drink)
Day 4: NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK-HELICOPTER FLIGHT TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Morning helicopter flight at 0900AM to Musanze Musanze & Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is also known as the Land of a Thousand Hills because most of the country is covered by rolling, grassy hills. The Karisimbi Volcano (4,519 m high) in the Virunga Mountains, is the highest point in Rwanda. On a clear day, you will be able to see these as you near your destination. Land at One and Only Gorilla’ Nest Lodge helipad. Met and assisted with check in. In the afternoon at 14h30– You will visit the Ibyi Iwacu village.
Ibyi Iwacu is changing the traditional perception of what constitutes tourism by turning fate into fame through sharing various aspects of rural cultures and livelihoods into tourist attractions and creating income-generating activities for rural poor people that have reformed from living on bush meat and poaching for generations. Dinner and overnight stay at ONE & ONLY GORILLA’S NEST LODGE (All Inclusive- Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast, a selection of drinks)
Day 5: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK (GORILLA TREK)
After an early breakfast at the lodge, proceed to the park headquarters in time for the Gorilla Trek briefing at 07h00. We will then transfer you to the start point of your guided walk which begins at 08h00. Here, your amazing adventure begins. The largest gorilla group or family ever studied is in Rwanda and was led by Cantsbee (who died in 2017). This was the oldest known mountain gorilla in the whole world.
A gorilla family is led by a silverback. These troops also include several younger males, adult and juvenile females, and infants. In addition to protecting group members, silverbacks maintain order and decide all activities within their troop. After this memorable experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon is for leisure with optional activities. Dinner and overnight stay at ONE & ONLY GORILLA’S NEST LODGE (All-inclusive- Lunch, Dinner, Bed and breakfast, a selection of drinks)
Day 6: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK GOLDEN MONKEYS/RETURN TO KIGLAI BY HELICOPTER
Have an early breakfast transfer to the park headquarters for the Golden Monkey trekking briefing which starts at 07h00. We will then transfer you to the trailhead of your guided walk that begins at 08h00. The Tracking usually takes about 4 hrs. Once you come to the habituated families, you will spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily lives.
Trekking to see the golden monkeys is another highlight of Volcanoes National Park. The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti) is a local subspecies of the widespread Sykes Monkey, also known as the “Blue Monkey” and is endemic to the high altitude forests. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor. There are two habituated groups of Golden Monkey, one group comprises around 80 – 100 members and has its home at the foot of Mt Sabyinyo.
Return to the lodge after this experience for lunch. Fly from Musanze by helicopter back to Kigali International Airport for your outbound International flight. Meal plan B& L End of service. Wishing you an excellent safari!
INCLUSIONS of 6 Days Nyungwe & Volcanoes by Helicopter
- Meet and greet assistance on arrival
- Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day
- Accommodation at the Retreat Hotel on a Half-board basis
- All activities, visits, entrances, and extra meals/drinks mentioned in the itinerary
- One & Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, minibar, non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic house beverages with meals
- 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).
- Helicopter transfers from Kigali – Musanze + Musanze-Nyungwe + Nyungwe-Kigali (taxes included)
R 44 has a maximum of 2 seats / Maximum total weight is 200 kg
Terms and Conditions
▪The maximum weight allowed will change depending on your destination altitude, the higher the altitude the lighter the
weight
▪ We will need the precise weight of passengers beforehand and will advise the weight that is permitted for their journey
▪ There can be cancellations and change of flight times due to adverse weather conditions
• 1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 1500.-)
• 1 chimp trek permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 150.-)
• 1 Canopy walk permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 40.-)
EXCLUSIONS of 6 Days Nyungwe & Volcanoes by Helicopter
- International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated
- Entry visa fees
- Optional extras whilst in Kigali
- Tips and gratuities, Personal expenses