11-nights Rwanda safari; gorillas, chimpanzees and wildlife

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Kigali, a short drive away.

Accommodation: The Retreat, Kigali.

Meal plan: Depending on time of arrival

08:00 transfer to Akagera national park through the lush green countryside, past small towns and villages (approx. 3 hours). Check-in to your lodge and, in the afternoon, explore the park corners on a game drive in search of resident species like lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, leopard, hyena, topi, oribi, water-buck, roan antelope, duiker, klipspringer and the world’s largest antelope – the Cape eland. The common primates in Akagera are olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge, Akagera national park

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend your morning on a game drive exploring the park which is a home to a variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, leopard, hyena, lion and several antelope like bushbuck. Enjoy a variety of birds spices including the Papyrus Gonolek, African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher and Senegal Lapwing among others. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Expect to see animals like hippo and various water birds on the lake shores.

Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge, Akagera national park.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

08:00 at a relaxed pace, transfer back to Kigali enjoying stops along the way to stretch your legs. Check-in to your lodge and later, you can choose from two options: visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a peaceful museum-like environment in which you can learn about the country’s recent history and how it shapes today’s Rwanda or visit Nyandungu Eco-Park, a restored urban wetland where you can wander through the gardens, see medicinal plants and use the many footpaths and cycle/scooter lanes.

Accommodation: The Retreat, Kigali.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

09:00 after breakfast, transfer (approx. 3 hours) to Volcanoes national park which is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. After lunch at your hotel, you will visit the Gorilla Guardians’ village, a community, including former poachers, living near the park. Gain an insight into rural life here as they show you around. A visit to this community contributes to their livelihoods and, in turn, promotes the conservation of gorillas.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel , Volcanoes national park

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your thrilling adventure starts at the park headquarters where you will receive a briefing from rangers before starting your trek in search of your gorilla family. The trek can take on average, between 2-6 hours, at times passing through thick vegetation on steep, slippery ground. Your efforts, though, will be richly rewarded when you set eyes on these enchanting creatures. Spend one hour watching their natural behaviour, in their natural habitat – a real privilege. Return to your hotel and relax by the swimming pool or in the beautiful hotel gardens.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel , Volcanoes national park

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist who dedicated her life to researching mountain gorillas. 07:00 report to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing and, afterwards, drive to the base of Mt. Bisoke (approx. 30 mins), the starting point of this incredible hike (taking between 2-6 hours). As you walk, learn about Dian’s gorilla conservation efforts and her sad demise. She was laid to rest in a site that she had constructed for her deceased gorilla friends. The hike takes you to this site and will reward you with stunning views of the Virunga Mountain range and possible sightings of animals like golden monkey, duiker and buffalo. Later, return to your hotel and relax for the evening.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel , Volcanoes national park

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Golden monkeys are beautiful creatures, endemic to the unique Virunga Mountain ranges covering Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. These delightful primates inhabit the relatively flat bamboo forests of Volcanoes national park. You will trek to the bamboo zone in search of the golden monkeys and, once you find them, you will spend an hour in their company watching them groom, play and forage (av. 2-5 hours). Later, transfer to Gisenyi, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Kivu (approx. 2 hours).

Accommodation: Serena Kivu Gisenyi, Gisenyi

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, visit a local coffee farm where the farmer will show you around and explain how coffee is grown and locally processed. You will be able to join in, at certain stages, depending on the season and, of course, brew a cup for yourself. After lunch, head onto the water and enjoy kayaking along the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu with amazing scenery stretching across the distant mountains.

Accommodation: Serena Kivu Gisenyi, Gisenyi

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

09:00 transfer through Rwanda’s scenic countryside to Nyungwe forest, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, with rich biodiversity (approx. 4 hours). Have lunch and, later, enjoy a 2-hour guided canopy walk in the treetops, 70 meters above the ground. Look out for some of the fantastic birds and monkeys in this treetop habitat including black and white colobus and red-tailed monkeys.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Nyungwe

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, drive to the park’s headquarters for your 07:00 briefing. Then, with your guide, head into the forest and begin the search for chimpanzees – man’s closest relative. When you find your family of chimps, you will spend one hour with them and watch them go about their daily activities. Later, you will have time to relax at your hotel after the day’s adventure.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Nyungwe

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning you embark on your journey back to Kigali (approx. 4 hours). En route, visit the Ethnographic Museum and King’s palace for fascinating insights into Rwanda’s culture and history. Learn about many aspects of life like agriculture, hunting, food preparation, fighting, tools, religion, and music and see how the Kingdom was structured and how members lived their lives. Continue to Kigali where your guide will transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch