Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrive in Kigali
Arrive in Kigali
You’ll have an opportunity to visit the bustling local markets and the Caplaki Craft Co-operative where you’ll find local craftsmen in wooden huts. They'll be selling handicrafts, including jewellery, paintings, batik, fabrics, wood carvings, traditional masks, baskets, bags, scarves and beading. If you like you will be able to buy some souvenirs for yourself.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali
- Accommodation:
- Heaven Boutique Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, you’ll be driven through spectacular scenery to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda’s mountainous southwest. The rain forest within the park is home to chimpanzees and monkeys, plus an abundance of birdlife and butterflies.
Diiner and Overnight at One&Only Nyungwe HouseNyungwe.
- Main Destination:
- Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- One&Only Nyungwe House
Wildlife in Nyungwe NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking
You'll rise early for breakfast as you go off in search of Rwanda's enigmatic and endangered chimpanzee population. With only four hundred chimpanzees in the country, there's no guarantee you'll see chimps during your day's hike, but your guide will do all he can to get you a glimpse of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. In the afternoon, you'll go in search of another of the park's primate residents - the cheeky black and white colobus monkey. These playful primates are an easier hike than the chimpanzees, and you'll delight in their antics.
During your time in Nyungwe National Park, you’ll also have an opportunity to cross the Canopy Walkway, a 200-meter bridge suspended between giant trees, 50 meters above the forest. The walkway offers incredible views of the upper canopy and it is excellent for spotting wildlife. Many of the primates live in trees so you’ll have better chances of locating them from the walkway.
- Main Destination:
- Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- One&Only Nyungwe House
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Nyungwe Forest National Park to Lake Kivu
Nyungwe Forest National Park to Lake Kivu
You'll start your day with your choice of a guided waterfall walk or a walk along the Nyungwe Forest National Park's famous elevated canopy walk. Both offer a unique perspective on this beautiful park, and you'll find a new appreciation for Rwanda's natural beauty as you move through this dense forest. After your morning activity, you'll make your way to Karongi on the shores of Lake Kivu. The drive to this beautiful city takes you along one of the most scenic stretches of road you'll ever encounter - wending your way through hills and valleys along the way.
Here you can relax on the stunning palm-fringed beaches, kayak on the calm waters of the lake; take a boat tour to the nearby islands or coffee and banana plantations. You can also hike in the surrounding hills or visit Imbabazi Orphanage. Dinner and Overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Kivu
- Accommodation:
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
Depart to Ruhengeri arriving in the early afternoon. Arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes national park. The town itself, located only 25km from Uganda boarder, is relatively a small city of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable.
The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here. On arrival at your accommodation, you’ll have a briefing about tomorrow’s gorilla trek.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Wildlife in Volcanoes NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking
After an early breakfast, you’ll venture out to Kinigi, at the foothills of the Virungas, in Parc National des Volcans where you’ll begin your trek. Your guide and tracker will lead you deep into the forest in search of your allocated gorilla family. Your trek could last from 30 minutes to eight hours depending on the exact location of the specific gorilla family which you’re tracking.
When you meet the gorillas you’ll have the chance to spend up to one magical hour quietly observing them. The gorillas are likely to be just a few meters away from you and they will continue to go about their daily lives, feeding and interacting with each other, under the watchful gaze of the silverback.
Late in the afternoon, you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation where you can spend the evening reflecting on your incredible encounter with the wild mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Transfer to the Airport for your Outbound Flight
Transfer to the Airport for your Outbound Flight
Breakfast at the lodge. Depart from foothills of the Virunga volcanoes and drive south past banana plantations on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly - land of a thousand fertile green hills. You will have an opportunity to visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre which is a permanent memorial to those who were killed during the 1994 genocide.
You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
