Arrival
You’ll be collected from the airport.
Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
Board your international flight to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. Once you arrive, you will be swiftly escorted by our representative who will transfer you to your chosen accommodation. As this is your first day, you will have time to leisurely explore Rwanda’s lively city.
You’ll have an opportunity to visit the bustling local markets and the Caplaki craft co-operative where you’ll find local craftsmen in wooden huts selling handicrafts, including jewellery, paintings, batik, fabrics, wood carvings, traditional masks, baskets, bags, scarves and beading.
Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: Heaven Boutique Hotel (Mid-range hotel)
Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense, Drinks not included
Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest
After breakfast you’ll be driven through spectacular scenery to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda’s mountainous southwest. The rain forest within the park is home to chimpanzees and monkeys, plus an abundance of bird life and butterflies.
Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Best Time to Visit: Oct to Feb (Best chimp tracking, without heavy rain)
High Season: Jun to Sep (Popular gorilla tracking in Rwanda)
Best Weather: June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)
Accommodation: Nyungwe House (Luxury+ lodge)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included), Drinks not included
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking
Today you’ll join a guided hike through the dense forest of Nyungwe National Park to track chimpanzees. This is a phenomenal wildlife experience that is on par with gorilla tracking. Whilst the trek is undoubtedly exciting, it can be challenging as the chimps are very mobile and they’re always running around in the canopies, on the move from one place to another.
During your time in Nyungwe National Park, you’ll also have an opportunity to cross the Canopy Walkway – a 200 meter bridge suspended between giant trees, 50 meters above the forest. The walkway offers incredible views of the upper canopy and it is excellent for spotting wildlife (many of the primates live in trees so you’ll have better chances of locating them from the walkway), plus it is also a fantastic way to see the birds and butterflies that are found in the forest.
Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Accommodation: Nyungwe House (Luxury+ lodge)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 4: Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu
Today you’ll depart Nyungwe and head to your next accommodation which is located on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu. Here you can relax on the stunning palm fringed beaches, kayak on the calm waters of the lake, take a boat tour to the nearby islands or coffee and banana plantations, hike in the surrounding hills or visit Imbabazi Orphanage.
Main Destination: Lake Kivu
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury hotel)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included), Drinks not included
Day 5: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
After a hearty breakfast Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, you’ll be driven from Lake Kivu to Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park), which is roughly a four hour drive passing through breathtaking scenery. Upon arrival at your accommodation you’ll have a briefing about tomorrow’s gorilla trek.
Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Best Time to Visit: Jun to Sep (It is drier and trails are easier to hike)
High Season: Jun to Sep (Permits are scarce)
Best Weather: June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Mid-range hotel)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast you’ll venture out to Kinigi, at the foothills of the Virungas, in Parc National des Volcans where you’ll begin your trek. Your guide and tracker will lead you deep into the forest in search of your allocated gorilla family. Your trek could last from 30 minutes to eight hours depending on the exact location of the specific gorilla family which you’re tracking.
When you meet the gorillas you’ll have the chance to spend up to one magical hour quietly observing them. The gorillas are likely to be just a few meters away from you and they will continue to go about their daily lives – feeding and interacting with each other, under the watchful gaze of the silverback.
In the late afternoon you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation where you can spend the evening reflecting on your incredible encounter with the wild mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Mid-range hotel )
Meals & Drinks: All meals included
Day 7: International Inbound Flight
On this morning you’ll be driven back to Kigali, where you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre which is a permanent memorial to those who were killed during the 1994 genocide.
You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Main Destination: Kigali
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You’ll be dropped off at the airport.