Here is how your 3-day Nyungwe and Lake Kivu tour unfolds.
Overview
This Nyungwe and Lake Kivu tour combines Rwanda’s best rainforest adventure with relaxing time by the water. You will walk the famous canopy walkway, track wild chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park and visit a tea plantation to see how Rwanda’s prized tea is grown and processed. Then you will continue to the shores of Lake Kivu at Kibuye for sunset views and a boat trip around its green islands, with time for a swim. It is a well-balanced short break mixing adventure, culture and relaxation in Rwanda’s beautiful southwest.
Safari Highlights
- Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe
- Tea plantation visit and tasting
- Lake Kivu boat trip and island swim
Day 01 :
Kigali - Nyungwe Forest National Park (Canopy Walk)
After pick-up from your Kigali hotel or the airport, you will begin your Nyungwe and Lake Kivu tour by setting off to Nyungwe Forest National Park, approximately 5 to 6 hours away, passing tea estates and terraced hills with a lunch stop en route. In the afternoon, head to the Uwinka area for the canopy walk, a suspended bridge high above the forest that gives you incredible views of the rainforest canopy, tree ferns and birdlife. Check in at your lodge for a relaxing evening surrounded by forest sounds. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel | Gisakura Guest House
Day 02 :
Chimpanzee Trekking - Tea Plantation - Lake Kivu (Kibuye)
Rise before dawn with a packed breakfast and set out on your chimpanzee trek, following your ranger guide through the forest to find a habituated community. Spend one hour watching the chimps feed, call and move through the trees. Afterwards, visit a local tea plantation to learn how tea is picked and processed, and enjoy a tasting of fresh Rwandan tea. In the afternoon, drive north to Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu, approximately 3 hours, arriving in time for sunset over the lake. Dinner and overnight at Cormoran Lodge | Rwiza Village
Day 03 :
Lake Kivu Boat Trip - Kigali
After breakfast, board a boat for a morning cruise along Lake Kivu's shoreline, visiting islands such as Napoleon Island, home to a large colony of fruit bats, and Amahoro Island, a lovely spot for a swim. Return to the shore for lunch and then drive back to Kigali, approximately 3 hours, for drop-off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport. Marking the end of your Nyungwe and Lake Kivu tour in Rwanda
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Meet and greet and safari briefing
- Transport in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari jeep
- 2 nights' accommodation as per the itinerary
- Nyungwe park entry fees
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Canopy walk fees
- Tea plantation visit
- Lake Kivu boat trip
- Meals on full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- English-speaking professional driver guide
- Unlimited drinking water
Cost Excludes
- International flights, visa and travel insurance
- Porter fees (optional)
- Tipping and gratuities, recommended $10 per person per day, not mandatory
- Items of a personal nature i.e., telephones, mosquito repellents etc.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages
How far is Lake Kivu from Nyungwe?
Kibuye on Lake Kivu is about 3 hours’ drive north of Nyungwe Forest National Park along the scenic Congo-Nile road.
Can you swim in Lake Kivu?
Yes. Lake Kivu is free of bilharzia and crocodiles, so swimming is safe at hotel beaches and islands such as Amahoro Island.
What is Napoleon Island on Lake Kivu?
Napoleon Island is a small island near Kibuye named for its hat-like shape. It is home to thousands of fruit bats and offers a short hike with lake views.
When is the best time for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe?
The dry seasons from June to September and December to February offer the easiest trails, but chimp trekking runs all year.
