6 Days Nyungwe and Volcanoes Helicopter safari

From chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park to gorilla treks and cultural tours in Volcanoes National Park, this 6-day Nyungwe and Volcanoes helicopter safari is the perfect getaway vacation. This is because it provides an opportunity to discover the outstanding primates found in Rwanda’s relatively untouched jungles.

This trip is unlike other safaris because Scenic Luxury Vacations thought it wise to spice up your jungle experience with a scenic helicopter flight through ‘the land of a thousand hills’. You will be taking in views of rolling hills, bustling city of Kigali, pristine lake and rivers, sweeping savannah plains and Virunga Volcanoe ranges/slopes.

Get the chance to explore Rwanda’s rich history through Kigali city excursion and meet face to face with some of the world’s most sought-after Giant Apes. You will also discover the culture of Rwandans by visiting the Gorilla Guardians’ Village, among other sites.

Highlights of Nyungwe and Volcanoes Helicopter safari

Experience the City’s out-of-this-World hospitality.
Discover the country’s rich history with visit to Kigali Genocide memorial center.
Experience Rwanda’s diverse traditional culture and customs with a visit to Gorilla Guardian Village.
Exercise your bargaining skills at the vibrant Kamironko Market.
Meet face to face with our closest cousins in the animal Kingdom (chimpanzees).
Meet the calm and peaceful Giant Apes (mountain gorillas) in their natural habitat.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali: Arrival in Rwanda.
Day 2: Scenic helicopter ride from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Mountain gorilla trek within Volcanoes National Park and visit to Gorilla Guardian Village.
Day 4: Drive back to Kigali, scenic helicopter flight to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trek and canopy walk within Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 6: Drive back to Kigali City, connecting flight.

Detailed Itinerary of 6 Days Nyungwe and Volcanoes Helicopter Safari

Day 1: Kigali: Arrival in Rwanda

Welcome to the beautiful Kigali City, the Capital of Rwanda. You will arrive at Kigali International Airport, meet and greet a Scenic Luxury Vacations Airport representative who will offer assistance with immigrations and customs. Afterwards, transfer to the exquisite hotel, just a few minutes’ away from the airport. Depending on arrival time, the rest of the time is for settling in, unwinding and possibly discovering the beauty of Kigali.

Overnight at:

Upmarket: The Retreat or Kigali Serena Hotel.
Moderate: Hotel des Mille Collines or the Manor Hotel.

Meal Plan: Dinner.

Day 2: Scenic helicopter ride from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you will meet your private guide at the hotel lounge, then begin your journey of exploring the City through a half-day tour. Time permitting, you will check-out the Kigali Genocide memorial center, the Presidential Palace Museum and possible the Nyandungu Wetland Eco-Park, for the refreshing nature and birds. You will later, have lunch and then be transferred to the airport for a private helicopter flight to Volcanoes National Park.

It will be a 30-minute flight but filled with aerial views of the bustling city, rolling hills and Virunga mountain ranges before landing at the One&Only Gorilla’s Nest helipad. The private driver will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge, and if booked to stay at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest) you will receive a warm welcome from lodge staff.

Accommodation:

Upmarket: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest or Singita Kwitonda Lodge.
Moderate: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Flight time: 30 minutes.

Day 3: Mountain gorilla trek and visit to Gorilla Guardians’ Village

Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for briefing before embarking on the amazing gorilla tracking tour in Rwanda. Given the endangered status of mountain gorillas, trekking rules and regulation were set to govern the activity and you will discover them during the briefing.

You will meet the Park rangers who will then take you through the guidelines, allocate you to any of the 12 habituated gorilla groups that live across the 160-square kilometer landscape of Volcanoes National Park. Worry not, the activity takes anywhere between one and four hours before the Giant Apes are finally spotted.

You are permitted to spend only one hour with the gorilla family, watching and photographing while observing the gorilla trekking rules and guidelines. Get back for lunch at the lodge and prepare for another thrilling experience in the afternoon.

Continue to the Gorilla Guardians’ Village at the borders of Volcanoes National Park, to learn about the rich cultures and traditions of the people. This shall be through visits to traditional medicine men, drumming lessons and dances, and banana beer brewing to learn why this beer never misses at any function.

Overnight:

Upmarket: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest or Singita Kwitonda Lodge.
Moderate: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Drive back to Kigali, ending the Nyungwe and Volcanoes Helicopter safari

After a delicious breakfast, you will head out for a journey back to Kigali, by road. This is journey is only two and a half hours and comes with lots of views. You will get dropped at the Airport where you will take another scenic helicopter flight to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Landing is at One & Only Nyungwe House helipad.

Overnight:

Upmarket: One & Only Nyungwe House.
Moderate: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Flight time: 45 minutes.

Day 5: Chimpanzee trek and canopy walk within Nyungwe Forest National Park

This day is another early morning departure from the lodge for briefing at the visitors’ center for briefing on chimpanzee trekking guidelines. However, most of these guidelines are similar to gorilla trekking.

You will later begin walking through tea plantations at the boundary of the Park then slowly enter the deeper jungles. Spend about 1-4 hours searching for the chimpanzees and then, with communication from the ranger see or hear these Great Apes on tree branches or on the ground. You will then also spend close to one hour and get back to the lodge for Lunch.

In the afternoon, you will take a leisurely walk to the Uwinka Visitor Center for briefing before starting the canopy walk. Take in views of deep gorges, thick canopies, primates and lots of birds than you can ever capture. From here, you will return for dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Overnight:

Upmarket: One & Only Nyungwe House.
Moderate: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6: Drive back to Kigali City for a connecting flight

After breakfast, you will check-out of the lodge and take a ride back to Kigali City. Depending on your connecting flight, you will either relax at one of the hotels in Kigali or straight away get dropped at the airport.