DAY 1:WELCOME TO KIGALI AND THE START OF YOUR ADVENTURE
TBA: Arrive at Kigali International Airport and you will be warmly welcomed by representative outside the customs and immigration hall. A transfer will take you to your city accommodation, Kigali Serena Hotel, where you can enjoy an insightful tour briefing. An assisted check-in assures a smooth experience, followed by dinner and an overnight stay with breakfast.
Room Category: Superior
DAY 2:KIGALI CITY TOUR
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will then begin an illuminating city tour with highlights including the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Genocide Memorial Centre: The Genocide Memorial is a must-see. Rwanda’s painful past has haunted the country for years, yet their impressive recovery story has turned them into an inspiration. The Genocide Memorial acts as a humbling reminder to those present and honors those who have been lost. Audio visual equipment will be provided in Dutch, English, and other languages.
Inema Arts Centre:
Located in the heart of Kigali City, Inema Art Center is one of East African’s major art galleries, housing a collection of artists from around the African Continent. Today, Inema Arts Center has become a beacon in Rwanda for cultivating creative expression. The centre provides space for 10 artists in residence to explore their creative talent by produce paintings, sculptures, and mixed media expressions.
Question Coffee Gishushu Master Class:
Located in Kigali, Question Coffee Gishushi is the leading coffee producer, roaster and exported in Rwanda. Rwanda has some of the finest specialty coffee in the world due to the high altitudes, high rainfall and volcanic soil which are the perfect conditions for growing coffee. The coffee shop hosts the Question Coffee Gishushu Master Class which is a 2-hour master class where participants will gain further insights into the coffee history of Rwanda, how to grow coffee, roasting, packaging as well as partake in a coffee tasting experience.
Lunch at Sole Luna Restaurant
Kimironko Local Market:
Situated in the Kimironko neighborhood of Kigali, Rwanda, Kimironko Market is one of the busiest markets in the town. Vendors at the market can be seen selling a variety of items from regions such as Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visitors to the market will be able to buy fruit, vegetables, clothing, and general household necessities.
Evening: Return to the hotel.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay. Room Category: Superior room
DAY 3: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK –RUZIZI TENTED LODGE
(2hrs 30 minutes)
08h00: Breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Akagera National Park. Arrive at the park offices, registration and proceed to check in at the lodge followed by lunch
Akagera National Park Evening Boat Cruise
For a stress-free nature experience, tourists can embark on the Akagera National Park Evening Boat Cruise on L. Ihema. The cruise will take visitors on an unforgettable journey as the sun sets. The lakes and surrounds offer views of wildlife such as cormorants, hippos and crocodiles. Knowledgeable guides are on hand to answer any questions and point out points of interest along the cruise.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay at Ruzizi Tented lodge
Room category: Standard Tent
DAY 4:AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK – FULL DAY GAME DRIVE
Lead by a guide, Akagera National Park Game Drive occurs early in the mornings and late in the afternoons. While driving along the park tracks in a 4WD Safari vehicle, passengers will have the chance to spot animals such as giraffes, elephants, various buffalo and lions etc.
• 07h30: Breakfast at the lodge, with packed lunch boxes, you will embark on a full day game drive both South & North
• 12h30: Lunch at one of the picnic sites
• Evening: Return to the lodge
• 19h00: Dinner and overnight stay at Ruzizi Tented lodge – Room category: Standard Tent
DAY 5:DRIVE FROM AKAGERA – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
(5 hrs. drive) Optional helicopter fees quoted separate
• 07h00: Breakfast at the lodge, check out and settle extras
• 08h00 – 10h00: En route game drive
• 10h00: Exit the park and transfer to Volcanoes Np with a lunch stopover in Kigali (Heaven Restaurant)
• 14h30: Proceed to Volcanoes National park
• 15h00: Arrive at the lodge and assisted with check in, rest of the day is at relaxation
• 19h00: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Gorillas Nest lodge
Room category: Forest Lodge King Room – inclusive of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers) with meals and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice)
DAY 6: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – CULTURAL EXPERIENCE/KARISOKE RESEARCH CENTER /RELAXATION
• 08h00: Relaxed breakfast at the lodge
• 10h00: Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village for a cultural experience
• 12h00: Return to the lodge for lunch
• 15h00: Optional Visit the Karisoke Research center (free)
• 18h00: Optional Gorillas Doctor lecture – (US$ 500.- as donation)
• 19h00 – 20h00: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Gorillas Nest lodge
Room category: Forest Lodge King Room – inclusive of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers) with meals and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice).
DAY 7: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – GORILLA TREK (+15 years only) /RELAXATION
06h30: Early breakfast precedes the day, before heading to the park headquarters for the gorilla trek briefing at 07h00. You will then transfer you to the starting point of your guided walk, ready to begin this amazing adventure at 8am.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is often described as “life changing” and with good reason. With only an estimated 880 Gorillas left in the world, to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat are a truly unique moment. Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours+ depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel after seeing the gorillas,
The largest gorilla group ever studied is in Rwanda and was led by Cantsbee. He was the oldest known mountain gorilla in the world. A gorilla family is led by a Silverback and include several younger males, adult and juvenile females, and infants. In addition to providing protection to group members, Silverbacks maintain order and decide all activities within their troop. They schedule feeding trips, resting time, and travel. They also father the majority of young in the group.
For gorilla trekking, you will be in rainforest, so it will more than likely than not, rain. Warm clothing is required as well as walking/hiking boots, a hat and lightweight parka/raincoat. Garden gloves, to avoid stinging nettles, and gaiters, are recommended.
After a most memorable experience encountering these creatures, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Gorillas Nest lodge
Room category: Forest Lodge King Room – inclusive of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers) with meals and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice).
DAY 8:DRIVE TO NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK – RELAXATION (+6 hrs. drive)
Optional helicopter quoted separate
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Situated in southwestern Rwanda, the Nyungwe Forest National Park is known for its exceptional biodiversity and its wide range of endemic species. The park is composed of lush tracts of rainforest set high up on fertile mountain slopes. It is one of Africa’s most ancient forests and the home of Rwanda’s sole remaining chimpanzee population, as well as 85 additional mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species and over 1000 plant species. Visitors can enjoy spotting colobus monkeys and chimpanzees hiding in the trees, hiking on a well-maintained network of trails passing through lush equatorial rainforest and catching a glimpse of a beautiful array of colorful birdlife. Don’t miss the thrilling Canopy Walk, it is one of its kind in Africa and offers impressive views of the forest.
• 06h30: Breakfast at the hotel, check out
• 07h30: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park (+6 hrs. drive) via Kibuye
• 14h00: Arrive at the One & Only Nyungwe House, assisted with check in followed by lunch
• Rest of the day is at relaxation
• 19h00: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Nyungwe House
Room category: Forest Lodge King Room – inclusive of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers) with meals and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice).
DAY 9:NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK – CHIMPANZEE TREK (+16 years only) OPTIONAL CANOPY WALK WAY EXPERIENCE – ($ 60. – pp)
Chimpanzee Trekking is an exciting activity whereby guests will dash through the flora to encounter the chimpanzees playing in the wild within the Nyungwe National Park. With a maximum of 8 people per tour, the Chimpanzee trekking is a popular and challenging adventure, but due to the authentic nature of the experience, chimpanzee viewing is not a guarantee.
• 05h00: Depart the lodge with packed breakfast and head to the park offices for your Chimpanzee trekking briefing
• 06h00: Transfer to start point for your Chimpanzee trekking experience
• TBA: Return to the lodge
• 12h00: Lunch
• 14h00: Optional – Transfer to Uwinka RDB offices for a canopy walk briefing
• 14h30: Canopy walk experience
• 19h00: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Nyungwe House
Room category: Forest Lodge King Room – inclusive of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (house wines and beers) with meals and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice).
DAY 11:TRANSFER TO KIGALI/ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM VISIT/DEPARTURE (+6 hours’ drive)
Optional helicopter quoted separate
Ethnographic Museum Rwanda
Located in Huye, south of Kigali, Ethnographic Museum is one of the six museums that make up the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda. This Museum was built in 1987, and now houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections. Its seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artefacts accompanied by visual aids, giving visitors a rich insight into the culture of Rwandans.
• 07h00: Breakfast, check out and settlement of any extras
• 08h00: Check out, settlement of extras and transfer to Kigali
• En route to visit the Ethnographic Museum, lunch and proceed to Kigali
• Evening: Arrive and proceed to the Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight.
End of Trip
WISHING YOU AN EXCELLENT TRIP