Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at the International Kigali Airport, you are met by our representative and transfer to your hotel in Kigali.
Overnight: Heaven Boutique Hotel. (Bed and Breakfast)
Day 2: Kigali – Akagera National Park (Approximately 2.5 hrs drive)
Have breakfast at your hotel;
Take up a city tour of Kigali including a visit to the Genocide Memorial site a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent’s lives in 1994. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience. The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in, Nyamirambo women center, Inema art and local market.
You will have lunch in Kigali;
Then drive to Akagera National Park. Once arrived you will enjoy an evening game drive.
Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge (Full Board)
Day 3: Game drive – Boat cruise
Today in the morning, depart to the park for a scenic game drive.
The Akagera National Park with Game drives; Akagera is home to a variety of game, it's an exciting reserve in which to spend a few days and an interesting contrast to the more mountainous central and western parts of Rwanda. There are plenty of animals around and the birdlife is quite exceptional. Mammals include a healthy population of Elephant and Buffalo, lions, plus 11 species of antelope including Impala, Common Duiker, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Oribi, Tsessebe, Cape Eland and the rare Sable Antelope. Zebra and Giraffe still roam the more open acacia dotted plains. After game viewing drive back to the Camp.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ihema where you can catch sight of hippos and crocodiles.
Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge (Full Board)
Day 4: Return to Kigali - Drive to the volcanoes national park (Approximately 5hrs drive)
On this day when you will check out and proceed to Kigali for lunch and later transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Dinner and overnight: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. (Full Board)
Day 5: Gorilla trekking trek – Ibyi wacu cultural village.
After an early breakfast at 6:30 am, you will head to RDB offices for briefing on your gorilla trekking that starts at 07:00am. Your guided walk.
Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range - home of the rare mountain gorilla - and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. You may spot a wide variety of bird life but the high point will be spending an hour with the remarkably peaceful gorillas despite their size and appearance as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young.
The cost, US$10 per person/per day per porter. We advise that you utilize this service.
You will be allowed an hour with these wonderful creatures. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and you will have an option of visiting.
Ibyi Iwacu is changing the traditional perception of what constitutes tourism by turning fate into fame through sharing various aspects of rural cultures and livelihoods into tourist attractions and creating income-generating activities for rural poor people that have reformed from living on bush meat and poaching for generations.
Dinner and overnight: Five volcanoes Boutique Hotel. (Full Board)
Day 6: 2024 Transfer from Volcanoes to Nyungwe National park. (Approximately 5hrs drive)
Early in the morning have a breakfast checkout out of lodge, drive Nyungwe forest.
Nyungwe National Park
Located in the South West corner of Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is an untouched natural rainforest that is filled with exciting biodiversity. Covering over 1000 square kilometres, Nyungwe is surely one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine mountain rainforests. It’s believed to be one of Africa’s oldest forests, staying green even through the Ice Age, which explains its diversity. Home to habituated chimpanzees and 12 other primates species (including a 400-strong troop of habituated Ruwenzori Black & White Colobus), it’s also a birder’s paradise with over 300 species, including 16 endemics, and is home to 75 different species of mammal.
In the afternoon at 3pm, you will go for the canopy walk as another option which offers a splendid view over the lush forest with its magnificent biodiversity. Hard wood trees dominate the upper canopy while the lower part is beautified with a large selection of orchids, flora and fauna that flourish better in the higher altitudes
Dinner and overnight: Nyungwe top view Lodge. (Full Board)
Day 7: Chimp trek – Nyungwe National Park.
Early in morning, hike into Nyungwe Forest, the natural habitats for a huge population of Chimps. Chimpanzees are great apes that are closely related to humans. Nyungwe Forest hosts these intelligent primates who are an endangered species. Later after the trek you will return to the lodge in time for lunch and the rest of afternoon at leisure.
Dinner and overnight: Nyungwe top view Lodge. (Full Board)
Day 8: Nyungwe National Park - Kigali - Departure (Approximately 6hrs drive)
Today after your breakfast you will drive from Nyungwe National Park to Kigali, upon arrival drive to the airport for your departure flight.
Included in the price:
- Ground transport per comfortable 4WD safari vehicle (using a land cruiser)
- English speaking driver/guide
- Overnight in accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary, based on a double room
- Full board except for breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 8
- Bottled mineral water throughout the safari
- Park entrance fees and ranger fees
- Activities as described in the program
Exclusions:
- International flight
- Visa
- Gorilla permit (USD $ 1,500 per person)
-Chimp permit (USD $ 150 per person)
-Canopy walk (USD $ 40 per person)
- Meals and drinks not mentioned above
- Laundry and tips
- Items of personal nature
Note:
Discount based on 4 pax- US $ 3,780 per person
Discount based on 6 pax- US $ 3,460 per person (using one car)
Please note that demand is very high and only 8 persons per day are allowed to see the gorillas. Therefore we advise you to book permits at least 4 months in advance.
If you wish to stay in luxury accommodation please notify so we can inform you about the upgrade fees. Please complete the enquiry form below for more details and tailor-made safaris in Uganda and Rwanda!
