Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport – Akagera National Park
Upon arrival with your morning flight, after completion of customs and immigration formalities you will be met by LIFETIME AFRICA EXPEDITIONS REPRESENTATIVE, you will be given a detailed briefing on your upcoming safari. Thereafter drive to the Akagera National Park, upon arrival have lunch at the lodge and thereafter you can choose to take up an afternoon game drive OR relax at the lodge. Akagera National Park is located in the north east of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. Although founded in 1934, much of the park was re-allocated as farms and in 1997 the park was reduced in size from more than 2,500 sq km (nearly 10% of the surface area of Rwanda) to its current extent of 1,122 sq km. Since 2010, a joint venture with African Parks has seen Akagera return to its former glories. It is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema. The forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains and rolling highlands combine to make Akagera amongst the most scenic of reserves anywhere in Africa. It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Akagera National Park.
Day 2: Morning Game drive in Akagera National Park - Kigali
Have Breakfast at the lodge.
Then depart to the park for a scenic morning game drive crossing from the south to the northern part of the park. The game drive on an Akagera safari includes most of the usual plains species. Impala and topi (known as tsessebe in Southern Africa) seem to be dominant with eland, oribi, Masai giraffe, Defassa Waterbuck, reedbuck, bushbuck, sable and roan antelope also present. Burchall’s zebra, hippo and crocodile are commonly seen whilst game vieiwing; buffalo are more prevalent in the north as are elephants, you can also have a chance to view the recently introduced Lions. One elephant in particular is well known across Rwanda, having been semi-habituated when younger. Mutware is the grumpy old man of Akagera at 50 years old, he can be calm but can also be anti-social and your guide is likely to change the direction. After lunch drive back to Kigali, upon arrival check in and overnight at your hotel in Kigali.
Day 3: City Tour + Genocide Memorial – Nyamata & Ntarama Genocide Memorials
Have Breakfast at the hote.
Embark on a City Tour of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial site a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent’s 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. 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. Lunch at hotel des Milles Collines famously known because of the movie Hotel Rwanda. Overnight in Kigali.
Day 4: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park
Early breakfast.
Thereafter depart at 0800 Hrs, drive to Nyungwe National Park Via Butare; a 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. Rainy season is September to May, Dry season June to August with some dry weeks in December and January, the main features and attractions in Nyungwe forest include largest montane rain forest remaining in Africa, Mt. Bigugu (2925M), Kamiranzovu marsh (13 Km²). Nyungwe forest has 260 species of trees and shrubs and Over 100 species of orchids and giant lobelias. For those interested in botany, the flora in Nyungwe comes as an added bonus. On the way visit the National Museum and King’s Palace. Lunch in Butare thereafter proceed to Nyungwe National park.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Day 4: Nyungwe National Park – Kibuye.
Morning at Leisure.
After lunch drive to Kibuye, which is one of the cities that is located on the shores of Lake Kivu. Upon arrival check in at your hotel for overnight.
Overnight: Moriah Hill Resort (Full board basis).
Day 5: Nyungwe National Park – Chimps trekking and Canopy walk.
Depart after early breakfast for a hike into Nyungwe Forest in search of Chimps. There is a lot more in Nyungwe than just chimps. Mangabeys, various other primate species plus lots of forest dwelling birds will be encountered on the way. For those interested in botany, the flora in Nyungwe comes as an added bonus, lunch at the lodge. After lunch, you will do a Canopy Walk Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Nyungwe National Park.
Day 6: Nyungwe National Park – Kibuye.
Morning at Leisure. After lunch drive to Kibuye, which is one of the cities that is located on the shores of Lake Kivu. Upon arrival check in at your hotel for overnight.
Overnight: Moriah Hill Resort (Full board basis).
Day 7: Kibuye - Ruhengeri.
Have a leisure breakfast.
After lunch drive to Ruhengeri. Thereafter, depart on a scenic drive North Westward through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda’s landscape. Arrive in Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself, located only 25km from Uganda border, is relatively a small city of about 70,000 people. 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. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Ruhengeri.
Day 8: Volcanoes National Park - Gorilla Tracking
Early breakfast at your lodge.
Early 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. Have lunch at the lodge;
Afternoon time/weather permitting, visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Ruhengeri.
Day 9: Volcanoes National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Buhoma Sector)
Have early lunch at your lodge.
Thereafter drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Buhoma Sector) via Cyanika border. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest.
Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Tracking
Have early breakfast at your lodge. An early morning will see you off on a chance-of- a-lifetime experience of tracking the mountain gorillas of Uganda in Buhoma area. A professional guide will lead you along, searching for these gentle giants, but be prepared for a long trek as they aren’t always easy to find. The trek will prove well worth it when you see these marvelous creatures in their natural habitat. There are no words to describe this visit to a “gorilla family home”. To sit in the forest close-up observing the family life of gorillas is mind blowing. Bwindi has 5 gorilla families residing in the wild. Return to the Lodge in the late afternoon for Lunch followed by Leisure the rest of your afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Day 11: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast at your lodge.
Thereafter depart with Picnic Lunch Boxes and head to Queen Elizabeth is the second largest national park in Uganda. 95 species of mammal and 547 species of bird has been recorded, it has one of the highest bio-diversity ratings of any national park in the world. Altitude is as low as between 900m to 1,000m which makes it warmer than other areas. Go through the Ishasha Plains as you enjoy a short game drive to spot the plains’ well known tree-climbing lions. Queen Elizabeth National Park covers an area of about 1978 km²; its position provides a magnificent view of the Rift Valley floor that occupies Lake Edward and George.
Arrive at the Lodge and spend the rest of your afternoon at Leisure relaxing.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Area).
Day 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park- Full Day Game Drive
Enjoy early breakfast at the Lodge.
Your day begins early with a game drive through the Uganda Kobs as you search for lions, elephants and buffalo.
Enjoy your Picnic Lunch. After lunch, you’ll head out on a boat cruise of the Kazinga Channel to search for more wildlife including hippo and elephants who cool off along the shore. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Lake Mburo National Park
Have a leisure morning at the lodge.
After lunch drive to Lake Mburo National Park (approximately 03 hours drive). And enjoy the view of the lakes and the birds. Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. It is home to 350 bird species as well as zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, oribi, Defassa
waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system
linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders. Once covered by open savanna, Lake Mburo National Park now contains much woodland as there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 14: Lake Mburo National Park - Kigali
Have a leisure morning on this day.
After lunch drive back to Kigali. Upon arrival you will check in at your hotel for overnight.
Overnight: Lemigo Hotel (Bed and breakfast basis).
Day 15: Departure Transfer
Have breakfast at your hotel.
Later you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.