Day 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival (preferably a midday flight) at Kigali International Airport, met and transferred to your Kigali hotel.
Have a story-flavored lunch at Hotel Des Milles Collines.
Embark on a city tour, 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 Butare. City Tour of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial site a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent Tutsi 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. Later in the evening, you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight.
DAY 2: KIGALI - NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK.
Drive to Nyungwe National Park via Butare, the second largest city of Rwanda and regarded as the intellectual city of Rwanda. It hosts the National Museum, several academic (universities and high schools) and research institutions, visit Nyanza (currently Nyabisindu) the former Mwami's Palace (king's palace) and the seat of the feudal monarch. The palace has been reconstructed to its 19th century state and shows a traditional dome that can be compared with the Kabaka's palace of buganda. You will also visit the Butare National Museum in Huye which is one the well set-up if not the finest ethnographic museum of East Africa. a good source of information on the cultural history of Rwanda.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Butare.
Afternoon drive to the wonderful rainforest reserve of Nyungwe at an altitude range of between 1600 M-2950 M above sea level with temperatures varying between 0°C and 30° C; average day temperatures 15°C. Nyungwe receives rainfall ranging 1800-2500 mm per year. The main features and attractions in Nyungwe forest include largest montane rain forest remaining in africa, Mt. Bigugu (2925M), Kamiranzovu marsh (13 Km²). Be transferred to your lodge for overnight.
Day 2: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK– GORILLA TREKKING
Early breakfast at your lodge.
Hike into Nyungwe Forest - cyamudongo, the natural habitats for a huge population of Chimps. Chimpanzees are great apes that are closely related to humans. Nyugwe forest hosts these intelligent primates who are an endangered species.
The forest harbours more than 310 endemic and migratory bird species recorded including the Ruwenzori turaco, Ross's turaco, Grey-cheeked hornbill, Red-throated atethe, Red-breasted sparrow hawk, White-headed wood-hoopoe, Kungwe apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Blue-headed and Regal sunbirds.
Nyungwe forest has 260 species of trees and shrubs and over 100 species of orchids and giant lobelias. For those interested in botany, the floria in Nyungwe comes as an added bonus. Afteroon, an opportunity to explore the optional activities. Overhight at one of the lodges.
DAY 4: NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK - KIBUYE (LAKE KIVU)
After an early breakfast (optional) re-enter the forest, this will involve a long trek into the forest to enjoy the rainforest birds. During the morning's walk, we are also likely to encounter other troops of primates.
Set on a scenic drive that takes you over the Albertine (Western) Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley to Kibuye. Kibuye is also known as a beach city in Karongi district, and the capital of Western Province of Rwanda. A city located between Gisenyi and Cyangugu about halfway down the Eastern shore of Lake kIVU. This lake is the largest of all lakes that fill the valleys of Rwanda and is a 2650 Square Kilometer freshwater expanse. Lake Kivu has an extraordinarily beautiful inland beach, enclosed by steep, green terraced hills and the most serene environment within the Central Africa Region. The inland beach, boasts of a beach lined with swaying palms and colonial-era hotels.
DAY 5: KIBUYE (LAKE KIVU) - VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Drive North East wards to the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes to arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking. The twon tself located only 25km from Uganda boarder, is relatively a small city of about 70,000 population. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here. transfer to the lodge for the overnight.
DAY 6: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - GORILLA TREKKING
Early breakfast at your lodge.
Early morning transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs.
0700 hrs; registration where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 80 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.
Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point.
Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear; Cost, US$10 per person/per day. We advise that you utilize this service.
Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way.
Overnight at your lodge.
DAY 7: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - KIGALI
Spend the morning at leisure or choose any optional activities at the Volcanoes National Park including:
- Second Gorilla Trek - US$750 Per erson.
- Golden Monkey Trek - US$100 Per person.
- Hike to Dian Fossey Grave - US$ Per person.
- Bisoke Mountain hike - US$ 75 Per person
- (outside the Park) Visit to a cultural Village - US$35 Per person.
Lunch at the lodge,
Thereafter depart from foothills of the Viurnga Volcanoes and drive South past coffee, tea and banana plantations on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly - land of a thousand fertile green hills.
Transfer to your Kigali hotel.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Have breakfast at your hotel,
Thereafter be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.