Kingfisher Journeys

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$4,985 pp (USD)

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*This tour does not accept children under 15.
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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Kigali City Sightseeing

Kigali City Sightseeing

Meeting you at your hotel (or another agreed location in Central Kigali), your guide will take you on an insightful tour to see some of Kigali's fascinating history, culture, art and markets.
We optionally finish at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is a very poignant and moving experience.

Stop for lunch at one of our recommended, vibrant, restaurants in the heart of Kigali that are popular with local people, but not well known to tourists. Whether we book in advance, or if your guide helps you choose on the day, you will find superb food and a fantastic Rwandan welcome!

In the afternoon, drive to Musanze where Volcanoes National Park is located. On arrival, head to the lodge where you will spend the rest of the evening. Dinner and your overnight stay are at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge.

Tiloreza is a boutique operator offering wonderful levels of comfort to visitors with a selection of cottages. There is a wonderful view of the Volcanoes from their restaurant.

Main Destination:
Kigali
Accommodation:
Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge
  • Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

On arrival, everyone will be split into groups of up to 8 people—and maybe joined by other tourists—before being allocated a ranger. You will then drive a short distance to the start of the trail, from where you will trek in the forest for around 1-3 hours or so to meet the gorillas. When you find them, the hour you spend with these incredible primates is a true lifetime experience that you will never forget. To see—and walk amongst—a family of mountain gorillas is a wildlife encounter unlike any other on Earth. You’ll be so close to the individual gorillas. Boisterous adolescents will be misbehaving whilst playful children are constantly demanding the attention of their parents as aunts and uncles wander together in an extended family group under the watchful eye of the silverback.

Once you have returned to the headquarters, head back to your hotel for a celebration lunch, followed by an afternoon transfer to Gisenyi at Lake Kivu. Your overnight stay is at Paradise Kivu.

Main Destination:
Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)
High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)
Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

Accommodation:
Paradise Kivu
  • Mid-range hotel located in or near Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Boat Ride to Cyimbili - Coffee Tour

Boat Ride to Cyimbili - Coffee Tour

On this morning, you will be taken by a motorboat on one of Africa's Great Lakes. You'll soak up the beautiful scenery that surrounds Lake Kivu and is best experienced on the water. It's a lovely way to travel! The motorboat will take you to Cyimbili for the coffee tour. This fascinating tour of a thriving, coffee washing station brings to life the entire process of harvesting, washing, roasting, grinding and preparing some of the best coffee in Rwanda—and the world.

Coffee has literally transformed the small community of Cyimbili and created a sustainable income for numerous local families. In fact, whilst it is (sometimes) possible to buy Cyimbili coffee after the tour, the beans grown here are also included in some of the best-known coffee brands in the world

Enjoy your lunch and then onward to the short hike on Munini (Napoleon) Island. Hike to the summit of Munini, popularly known as Napoleon Island (because it’s shaped like his famous hat!) Your overnight is at Cormoran Lodge.

Main Destination:
Lake Kivu
Accommodation:
Cormoran Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located at Lake Kivu
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Kayaking on Lake Kivu

Kayaking on Lake Kivu

Explore Lake Kivu on a peaceful kayaking journey along the shores of one of Africa’s great lakes. With an experienced and qualified leader in charge, you will paddle a modern sea kayak or sit-on-top to dip into inlets and across bays as you soak up the spectacular scenery, meet the fishermen, see local fish farms and optionally visit the hot springs.

You will have the chance to visit a nearby fishing village and you’ll also visit Munini, popularly known as Napoleon Island, for a hike to the summit viewpoint and the spectacle of a raucous bat colony. To finish this adventure, a rewarding swim in the warm, clean water from the kayaks is very refreshing!

Lunch is followed by the transfer to Nyungwe National Park. Nyungwe Forest is a high-altitude, montane tropical rainforest in southern Rwanda established as a forest reserve in 1933. The forest is located in the Albertine Rift.

Dinner and your overnight stay are at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.

Main Destination:
Lake Kivu
Accommodation:
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Chimpanzee Tracking and Waterfall Hike

Chimpanzee Tracking and Waterfall Hike

Early this morning, you will transfer to the forest for chimpanzee tracking.

Spend an amazing hour watching a troop of wild chimpanzees in the forest! Setting off very early at 5:00 am, you will transfer to a section of Nyungwe Forest known as Cyamudongo, where most of Rwanda’s habituated chimpanzees are located. Here you’ll meet your local ranger at a small visitor centre, and then as soon as the trackers locate the family of chimpanzees—that number about 40 individuals—you’ll be off, trekking along the paths and possibly, scaling short sections of the steep rainforest slopes immersed in the forest. Listen carefully and you may hear the chimps before you see them literally swinging from the trees or possibly running around on the ground all around you!

This is a wonderful wildlife encounter! And if you're into birds, make sure to ask your guides to point out the species that you may find on the trails, which if you're really lucky may include the rather impressive blue turaco!

Main Destination:
Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
Best Time To Visit June to September (Dry weather, best chimp trekking)
High Season June to September (Popular gorilla trekking time in Volcanoes NP)
Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Nyungwe NP

Accommodation:
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Canopy Walkway

Canopy Walkway

Accessible from the Uwinka Visitor Centre, a Forest Ranger will lead your walk through the forest. With an eye for some of the 310 bird species, butterflies, orchids, centuries-old trees and 75 mammals including 13 primates that live here, this walk is a spectacular journey in the largest surviving example of an Afro Montane ecosystem. It is also one of the oldest continuously forested locations on Earth. The walk includes a 200 m-long canopy walkway that takes you high above the forest floor providing a unique platform for observing the forest.

After the tour, drive back to Kigali and be dropped off at the airport. End of services.

Main Destination:
Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Kingfisher Journeys, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • Gorilla tracking permits are subject to availability.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Kingfisher Journeys.