Tour highlights
- 31st August arrival in Kigali
- 1st September Akagera national park
- 2nd September game drives
- 3rd September canopy in Nyungwe
- 4th September chimpanzee trekking
- 5th September transfer to volcanoes national park
- 6th September gorilla naming ceremony (Kwita Izina)
- 7th September gorilla trekking @ volcanoes
- 8th September Kigali city tour & departure
Detailed tour
Day 1: 31st August – Arrival at Kigali international airport.
Upon arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be welcomed by our staff and driver who will transfer you to your hotel for refreshing. Depending on the time of your arrival, you will might have a city tour if time allows or just relax at the hotel as you prepare for the week ahead. Accommodation option Serena Kigali (high end) and cheza lando (mid-range) meal plan D.
Day 2: 1st September – Akagera national park (game drive and boat ride)
Early in the morning, you will be picked up by your diver at 5:00am and be transferred to the eastern province where Akagera national park is located. Upon arrival at the park, you will have a short registration at the entrance and then go for a short game drive and later on connect for a 2hours boat safari on lake Ihema, for the bird lovers you will get a chance to see thousands of birds species and also the resident crocodiles and hippos. Overnight options Ruzizi tented lodge (high end) and Akagera game lodge (mid-range) meal plan is L & D
Day 3: 2nd September – Game drive and transfer to Kigali
Akagera national park is the largest park in Rwanda comprising of the acacia woodlands, savannah grassland and mountain habitant, with the recent introduction of the lions and black rhinos, it is now home to the big five i.e. (Lions, Rhinos, Elephants, Buffalos and leopard).it is the largest protected wetland in central Africa with the highest concentration of hippopotamus in Africa. Enjoy game viewing of the zebras, the different antelopes, giraffes, baboons etc. as well as bird watching. We shall drive back to Kigali in the evening. Overnight options Serena Kigali (high end) and Cheza lando (mid-range)
Day 4: 3rd September – Transfer to Nyungwe NP (Canopy)
Nyungwe national park is located in the south western province of Rwanda.
Early in the morning, you will picked up at 6:00 am after your breakfast and drive off to the south west for an experience on the canopy walkway, en-route we shall have a stopover at the ethnographic center in Butare where you shall learn about the kingship history of Rwanda and how it came to a stop due to the 1994 genocide. After this we shall then have our lunch in Butare town and proceed to Nyungwe Park at the Igishigishigi trail for the afternoon canopy walk which will be a 2 hours walk on (160 meters long and 60 meters high walkway where you will connect with nature through the thick Nyungwe forest. this forest is the oldest rain forest that has survived ice age in Africa. you will also get to see the white and black monkeys with the beautiful sounds of the different birds as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Uwinka ridge. Accommodation options Nyungwe top view hotel (high end) and Emeraude hotel (mid-range) meal plan is B, L & D.
Day 5: 4th September – Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe           Â
Early in the morning you will be picked up at 5:00am after your breakfast and be driven to the park headquarters where you will be assigned a guide who will drive with us to the starting point (Cyamudongo trail) where you will be briefed and grouped in groups of 8 then go on the trek with your guide who will keep on telling you more about the forest and the chimpanzees, this trek is unpredictable as it may take 3 to 4hours depending on the movements of the chimps and you will be assigned 1 hour with the apes.
After this activity we shall connect to Karongi one of the relaxing places in Rwanda. Overnight will be at kibuye. Cormoran lodge (high end) and Bethany hotel (mid-range) meal plan B, L &D.
Day 6: 5th September – Transfer to volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is located in the northern province of Rwanda, early in the morning before we drive to volcanoes located in Musanze district, we shall have a boat ride on lake kivu were we shall have a look at the different islands and have a chance to see the fishermen fishing and singing. Later on we shall have our lunch and then connect to Musanze district for and overnight and dinner.accomodation options mountain gorilla view lodge (high end) and La Palme hotel (mid-range) meal plan B, L &D.
Day 7: 6th September – Gorilla naming ceremony (Kwita Izina)
Early in the morning you will have your breakfast and then Depart for Kinigi, Musanze, Volcanoes National Park headquarters for the ‘Kwita Izina’ Mountain Gorilla Baby Naming Ceremony. This ceremony was launched in 2005 with the aim of creating awareness of conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorilla. Each year new born gorillas are celebrated in an exciting event at the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, you will enjoy a fun filled evening at Red rocks Community Camp enjoying beer brewing, basket weaving, music and food tasting experiences. Overnight and dinner at mountain gorilla view lodge (high end) and La Palme hotel (mid-range) meal plan B, L &D.
Day 8: 7th September – Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes NP
The most fascinating experience in Rwanda the gorilla trekking, early morning you will have your breakfast and then be transferred to the park headquarters by 6:00am for a briefing at 6:30am for the actual trekking which starts at 7:00am.you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts of the trek and the gorillas, this exercise is unpredictable as it may take 3 to 5 hours depending on the movements of the gorillas, upon reaching the gorillas you will be assigned 1 hour with them to take pictures and just stay around them with a distance of 7meters.after your remarkable experience, you will be transferred back to Kigali at your hotel. Accommodation option Serena Kigali (high end) and cheza lando (mid-range) Meal plan B, L &D.
Day 9: 8th September – Kigali city tour and departure
Early I the morning you will wake up to a beautiful breakfast at the lodge and also enjoy a city tour if you missed out on it on the first day, you will get to visit the genocide memorials and also be taken to a souvenir shop to buy some gifts before being driven to the airport depending on the time of your flight.
END OF TOUR
Inclusion in the tour
- Accommodation (FB)
- Gorilla permit @1500
- Chimpanzee permit@90
- Airport transfers and transportation in 4*4 vehicle
- Professional English speaking driver guide
- Drinking water per day.
Exclusion in the package
- Personal insurance
- Air fares/flights
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gifts and souvenir
- Laundry
What to carry
- Warm jackets
- Hiking boots
- Gloves
- Camera