Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Airport pick-up
Airport pick-up
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your guide at Kigali airport who will transfer you to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s optional activities which will be at your own cost. Our guide will brief you about your journey for next day.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali
- Accommodation:
- Flame Tree Village
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Transfer to Akagera National Park
Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Akagera NP which covers 2500 km2 of savannah west of the Kagera River, in the north-east of Rwanda. The park has a variety of wildlife and is a habitat for over 500 different species of birds. Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodland to drink at the lakes, while you might stumble across a leopard, a spotted hyena or even a lion. Giraffe and zebra haunt the savannah, and more than a dozen types of antelope inhabit the park.
You will arrive at the lodge in time for lunch, and in the afternoon you will go for a long game drive in the national park.
- Main Destination:
- Akagera National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Wildlife in Akagera NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Boat Safari-Transfer to Kigali
Boat Safari-Transfer to Kigali
After an early breakfast, you will go for a boat safari on the Akagera River for the many water birds like Cormorans, Fish eagles and kingfishers. Later after the boat safari, you will head back to Kigali where you shall visit the Genocide Memorial in the city centre to learn more about the genocide.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali
- Accommodation:
- Flame Tree Village
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Today after breakfast, your guide will come to pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Nyungwe Forest. Nyungwe Forest is one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and still little known bird-watching destinations in Africa.
You will have en route lunch.
- Main Destination:
- Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Wildlife in Nyungwe NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking
After early morning breakfast, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is a healthy 80 individuals. This is an exciting up close encounter with human's closest relative which you will not soon forget.
After the chimp tracking you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide.
- Main Destination:
- Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Optional canopy walk and Waterfall Hike
Optional canopy walk and Waterfall Hike
Today after breakfast, you can choose to go for East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 11⁄2 hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats and you'll have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy.
In the afternoon you will go for the Waterfall hike. This hike takes between 3 and 6 hours round trip, depending upon how frequently you stop to sightsee and whether you choose to drive a little further or walk from the Ortpn offices. The first part of the trail is basically following the road to the vehicle park and before delving into the forest.
You will have to cross various streams before making a steep descent to the base of the small, refreshing waterfall. Monkeys are frequently seen along the way and the steep slopes provide excellent views into the canopy.
After the trail, you return back to your lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Transfer to Lake Kivu
Transfer to Lake Kivu
Early in the morning you can enjoy the nice views from your lodge. After lunch you will travel to Kibuye on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. Time allowing, you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town. In the afternoon you can you can rent a boat and visit a few islands. All activities today are at your own cost.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Kivu
- Accommodation:
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After heavy breakfast, you will be transferred to Musanze, close to the beautiful Volcano range into Volcanoes National park, home to mountain gorillas. Your lodge is located near the entrance of the national park with an amazing view overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Wildlife in Volcanoes NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Gorilla Tracking and Ibyiwacu cultural tour
Gorilla Tracking and Ibyiwacu cultural tour
After breakfast, you will drive into the park office. The head ranger of the ortpn will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here your driver/guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated Gorillas groups. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours. Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.
In the afternoon, you will go to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, a Non-Profit umbrella organisation that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Golden Monkey Tracking-Transfer to the Airport
Golden Monkey Tracking-Transfer to the Airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for golden monkey tracking, which is a completely different experience but just as rewarding. These beautiful, lively creatures are on the endangered list, and are fascinating to watch as they leap through the vegetation.
Later, you will transfer back to Kigali airport. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history.
Your driver/guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.
Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 5 p.m. or later.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
