5-Day Rwanda Gorilla Helicopter Tour

This special 5-day Volcanoes and Nyungwe helicopter tour gives you a chance to see both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. The adventure takes you to Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking and to Volcanoes National Park for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.

During the trip, you will also enjoy amazing aerial views of Rwanda’s scenic countryside. The helicopter flight from Kigali gives you a new perspective of the country’s hills, lakes, and forests before landing in Nyungwe.

5-Day Rwanda Helicopter Tour Highlights

Start and end the safari in Kigali, Rwanda.
Enjoy scenic helicopter flights between Kigali, Nyungwe Forest, and Volcanoes National Park.
Get aerial views of Rwanda’s beautiful hills, forests, and lakes.
Trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to over 500 chimps and 13 primate species.
Experience a guided canopy walk above Nyungwe’s forest canopy with great views and bird-watching.
Take a helicopter transfer from Nyungwe to Musanze Airstrip near Volcanoes National Park.
Enjoy gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and spend one hour observing a gorilla family.
Visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwandan traditions, dances, and local life.
Stay in luxury lodges surrounded by forests and mountain scenery.
Experience Rwanda’s top primate destinations and culture in just five unforgettable days.

Brief 5-Day Rwanda Helicopter Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Helicopter flight to Nyungwe (about 1.5 hours)
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk
Day 3: Helicopter flight from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park (Musanze airstrip)
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and cultural visit at Iby’Iwacu Village
Day 5: Helicopter flight from Musanze to Kigali Airport

Detailed 5-Day Rwanda Helicopter Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Helicopter flight to Nyungwe (about 1.5 hours)

After breakfast, take your helicopter flight to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The flight takes about one and a half hours and offers beautiful views of the Southern Province from above. Nyungwe is Rwanda’s main chimpanzee trekking destination, home to over 500 chimpanzees and 13 other primate species.

Upon landing at either One & Only Nyungwe House helipad or Kamembe Airport, you will be driven to your lodge for check-in and relaxation. Spend the evening at leisure, enjoying the calm atmosphere of the forest surroundings.

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk

Start your day with breakfast, then head to the park office for briefing. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe is done either in the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sectors. The Uwinka area has the largest chimpanzee community and is more challenging to hike, while Cyamudongo has fewer chimps and easier terrain.

With the guidance of a park ranger, you will trek through the forest in search of the chimpanzees. The trek may take 2 to 5 hours, depending on where the chimps are. Once found, spend one hour watching them as they feed, play, and interact. You may also spot other primates such as blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, mangabeys, olive baboons, and l’hoest monkeys.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided canopy walk through the forest. The walkway, suspended about 200 meters long, offers great views of the treetops and a chance to see birds and other wildlife. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Helicopter flight from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park (Musanze airstrip)

After breakfast, take your helicopter flight from Nyungwe to Musanze Airstrip near Volcanoes National Park. The flight offers clear views of the landscape below, including lakes and hills. Upon landing, your driver will transfer you to your lodge where you can relax and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking experience.

Day 4: Gorilla trekking and cultural visit at Iby’Iwacu Village

After breakfast, head to Kinigi for briefing by the park rangers. Volcanoes National Park is home to about 13 habituated gorilla families, and each group of eight visitors is assigned one family to trek.

Follow your ranger into the forest to find the gorillas. Once you encounter them, spend one hour observing their behavior and taking photos as they feed, groom, and play. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for an introduction to Rwandan culture. Here, you will learn about local traditions, music, dance, and daily life. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Helicopter flight from Musanze to Kigali Airport

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and transfer to Musanze Airstrip for your helicopter flight back to Kigali International Airport. Enjoy the scenic aerial views one last time before arrival.

End of 5-day Volcanoes and Nyungwe helicopter tour.

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