This trip will take you around Rwanda while leaving nothing out. From the Nyungwe rainforest, Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Lake Kivu to the beautiful and scenic capital of Kigali. All these destinations have specific attractions and as such you do not have to worry about the possibility of monotony or boredom. The Nyungwe rainforest has an unbelievable population of chimpanzees; Parc National Des Volcans is famous for the marvelous mountain gorillas while the Akagera has a large population of birds. Lake Kivu is also another attraction with several activities taking place like fishing, and bird watching. Kigali, the capital city of the country is a very beautiful city with well-organized streets that are easy to explore at any time of the day.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
The point of arrival would preferably be Kigali international airport. The airport is a standard world-class airport with well-organized attendants and security. Another added advantage is that the airport is not overcrowded and as such you will not spend a lot of time in the queue.
Upon your arrival at the airport, you shall be welcomed and received by our representative who will be at your service and will answer any questions you may have concerning your trip and general comfort.
Our representative will give you detailed information concerning your safari from the itinerary to accommodation to transportation. Depending on whether you are jetlagged a tour of the city of Kigali will be provided. You will be taken to several of the city’s hotspots from the market where you see masses of Rwandans going about their day-to-day business to the several craft shops equipped with lovely works of art which are good gifts from Africa. Other hotspots are the Belgium Memorial, the Kigali Historical Museum, and the genocide museum which are good places to learn about the history of Rwanda.
You will be taken to your hotel after a long day of moving around town. There are a number of options when it comes to accommodation and it is therefore upon you to decide which one you prefer and that is exactly where you will be taken unless otherwise. A few of these options are Stipp Hotel, Chez Lando Hotel, and Okapi Hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe forest
You are to wake up early enough and have the most important meal during any safari, breakfast.
After breakfast, you will drive to the Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will do the chimpanzee tracking. However, this is not a short journey so it’s best to use the time and take in a few of the beautiful scenes on the road to the park. These scenes are the reconstructed King’s Palace at Nyanza, Butare Museums, and Murambi Memorial. You will stop over for lunch at Butare and thereafter proceed to Nyungwe National Park and spend the night at Gisakura Guest House.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking Nyungwe
You will be provided breakfast to start your day at speed. After breakfast, you will drive to the Nyungwe forest at around 6 am to start your search for the chimpanzees. Although not as interesting as the mountain gorillas, these chimps as they are most frequently called are good game since they display rare and unusual characteristics which will get you very intrigued. Since these are not the only primates in the park, you will also track the colobus monkeys which are there in plenty. Another interesting thing about a forest is the possibility of having a glimpse at the numerous animals in the park like birds, reptiles, and butterflies. You will then drive back to Gisakura Guest House for a good night’s sleep.
Day 4: Nature Walks in Nyungwe National Park
The rainforest is rich in flora and fauna and as such avails one the opportunity of looking at all these features of the forest in 3-D. Yes, 3-D because you get to see monkeys hanging from the trees a chimp passes you by, and other animals not to mention the different interesting plants in the park. You will visit the Kamiranzovu Water Falls which are a spectacle in themselves. Depending on how quickly you trek through the forest you will then go back to the hotel for a nice healthy lunch. After lunch, the afternoon is all yours and you can therefore use it as you please by either going for an evening in the park or a tour of the area to see the surrounding all by yourself after which you will return to the hotel for the night.
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu For a Picnic
You will have an early morning breakfast and afterward drive to Kibuye passing through breathtaking mountains, deep valleys, and the typical Rwandan topography. I assure you, you have never seen such scenery anywhere in the world. You will see one mountain folding into one another and it will seem like an artistic impression but it’s not. Since this is not a short trip, you have a lunch break at the Hotel Bethanie. After lunch, the trip continues and then you head to the lake from where you may choose to relax by the lakeshore or take a ride on a boat. The lake is an exciting attraction with numerous activities like fishing not to mention the chemistry of this lake which is rare since it has large methane deposits. You will then head to the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 6: Transfer to Ruhengeri
After an early breakfast, you will head to Volcanoes National Park and carry out the golden monkey tracking activity. The golden monkeys are one of the most endangered primates in the Volcanoes and are an interesting feat during this trip and as such you will have all morning to study them and their multiple characteristics. After lunch, you will visit Dian Fossey’s after grave and this is a very big deal because she played a very important in the eventual conservation of the mountain gorillas. In other words, she is respected, remembered, and appreciated in this industry for her contributions so it would be kind to pay your respects. You will later head to the Kinigi Guest House/La Palme Hotel/Gorilla Nest Lodge for the night depending on what you choose.
Day 7: Gorilla tracking Volcanoes National Park
You will have an early morning breakfast and drive to the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park where you will be briefed by the ranger guides about the activity of the day. This briefing is a very important part of the activity as you will be told some facts and precautions to put into consideration during the tracking activity. You will commence the gorilla tracking through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga Mountain. Hiking and tracking gorillas are very interesting activities and as such could take up to 8 hours. You will see and stay with the gorillas for an entire hour thus fulfilling the phrase up close and personal with the mountain gorillas; nature’s wonder. After this, you will head back to the base camp for lunch. You may have an optional Ibyiwacu community walk OR a relaxation at the lodge. Overnight at Gorilla Nest Lodge/La Palme Hotel/Kinigi Guest House
Day 8: Departure
After a long and interesting trip, you will depart from the hotel and head to Kigali. The roads are mostly well maintained and a smooth drive through the country is guaranteed to the airport. You will be transferred to the airport where you will find your flight and at this point, we bid you farewell and wish you a pleasant trip back home.