Day 1 – Kigali

Bed and Breakfast.

• Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, we will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel in Kigali, for bed and breakfast accommodation, Heaven Boutique Hotel / Amata N’Ubuki Boutique Hotel / Flame Tree Village Hotel (C) or Quiet Haven Guest House / Urban Hotel By CityBlue / The Manor Hotel (E). BB

Optional activities: Kigali city tour. See full details.

Day 2 – Kigali – Nyanza Palace – Nyungwe in the Southwest of Rwanda

Full Board.

• After breakfast at 7,30 am we depart towards the Nyungwe National Park in the south of the country. You will stop to visit the King Palace Museum in Nyanza, once the capital of the kingdom, entirely rebuilt for visitors but which reproduces original pieces of ancient furnishings belonging to the Mwami, the king of Rwanda. Nestled behind the museum, one can find a herd of the majestic, long-horned Inyambo cattle, the descendants of the king’s own herd.

A stop over atAzizi Life café and gift shop is recommended (this organization was created as a no profit to empower local Rwandan artisans and craft makers).

• Lunch is scheduled in a local restaurant in Huye (Butare).
• Stop over to visit Butare. This is the second largest city in Rwanda and cultural capital, hosting the national university and the National Museum. Very characteristic are here the shops of local handicrafts, which display typical local objects such as fabrics, wood and baskets.
• Arrival in Nyungwe National Park for dinner and overnight at Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel (C) or Essencia Kivu Hotel / Emeraude Kivu Resort (E).
• Upgrade: supplement for Munazi Eco Lodge / Nyungwe Top View Hotel.

NOTE: The itinerary of the day can take about 7 hours on paved roads for 250 km

Day 3 - The primates of Nyungwe National Park

Full Board.

• After breakfast early in the morning, at 6 o'clock you will enter the Nyungwe Forest for the Angolan colobus trekking (supplement for chimpanzee trekking*). The park covers 1020 square kilometers of green hills, the largest pristine mountain tropical forest in East Africa. Nyungwe is home to 13 different species of primates, including Angolan colobus, chimpanzees (there are about 500), the colobus of Rwenzori, the monkey of Hoest, silver monkey, the face of an owl, red tail, vervet and baboons. Nyungwe is also the most important birdwatching site in Rwanda, with over 310 species of birds.
• Return to the lodge for lunch.
• In the afternoon we organize (included) the "canopy walk" to observe the forest and the birds. This activity takes place at specific time and it lasts about one hour and half.
• We also organize (included) the “tea time” experience of the Rwandan tea through the organization of IVOMO https://ivomo.rw/ , a social enterprise created with the purpose of promoting culture and community-based tourism, empowering local communities through responsible tourism in the South-West of Rwanda. The activities include picking the tea with the farmer, traditional and modern tea processing and tasting at Gisakura Tea Factory. We visit the tea mini museum and support the communities through purchase of local typical products at the souvenir shop.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel (C) or Essencia Kivu Hotel / Emeraude Kivu Resort (E).
• Upgrade: supplement for Munazi Eco Lodge / Nyungwe Top View Hotel.

*In case of doing chimpancee trekking it is recommended to chose the lodges of upgrade for easy location.

Day 4 – Along the shores of Lake Kivu to Kibuye

Full Board.

• After breakfast you will depart from Nyungwe to continue North along Lake Kivu to reach Kibuye, between the Rwanda hills and the panoramic view of the lake. The town is located on Lake Kivu and is a great site for some relaxation.
• Lunch.
• In the afternoon we organize a boat trip on Lake Kivu to explore islands like Napoleon and Monkey, hike to view points and see birds.
• Dinner and overnight at Cleo Kivu Hotel (C) or Cormoran Lodge / Inn On the Lake (E).

NOTE: The itinerary of the day can take about 2 hours for 100 km

Day 5 – Kibuye - Volcanoes National Park

Full Board.

• After breakfast, the journey proceeds to Musanze (Ruhengeri) at the entrance to the Volcanoes National Park. The Park, with an extension of about 125 square kilometres, takes its name from the Virunga volcanoes that delimit the border with the Congo.
• We propose a typical lunch at Red Rock Rwanda.
• In the afternoon we organize some eco-tourism experiences like basket weaving with the women, the banana beer production or pottery making. According to the time and the program, we can also “plant a tree” at a reforestation project.
• Proceed to Volcanoes National park and check in at the lodge, dinner and overnight at the Five Volcanoes Lodge (deluxe) / Tiloreza Eco-Lodge (deluxe) / Villa Gorilla Lodge (C) or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Ndaza Escape Hotel (E).
• Upgrade: Sambora Lodge / Amarembo By Touchdown.

NOTE: The itinerary of the day can take about 4 hours for about 170 km

Day 6 - Mountain gorilla tracking or other activities

Full Board.

• After breakfast at 8 o'clock, OPTIONAL (see supplements) the trekking begins in the forest in search of one of the mountain gorilla families accustomed to receiving tourists' visits. After the introductory explanation by the park rangers, you will go to the starting point of the trek. Take your backpack with a packed lunch, water, rain jacket, while you are advised to wear mountain hiking shoes. The time it takes to reach the assigned gorilla family is not predictable. From the moment the group arrives near the gorillas, you can stay for about an hour to observe their behavior, take pictures or movies.
• Packed lunch or lunch at the lodge.
• In the afternoon we recommend visiting (included) the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Ellen Campus, with the Conservation Gallery where the story of mountain gorilla conservation is explained from Dian Fossey to date. Not to miss also the Azizi Life Gorillas Gift Shop.

In Kinigi town there are also some eco-tourism programs where you can attend the Intore dances.

• Dinner and overnight at the Five Volcanoes Lodge (deluxe) / Tiloreza Eco-Lodge / Villa Gorilla (C) or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Ndaza Escape Hotel (E).
• Upgrade: Sambora Lodge / Amarembo By Touchdown.

Day 7 – Volcanoes National Park / Akagera National Park

Full Board

• After breakfast transfer to Akagera NP. Akagera NP with 1085 square km of protected area, is named after the river Akagera which marks the border between Rwanda and Tanzania. This is a vast savannah, also characterised by the presence of important lakes, like Lake Ihema the biggest, Lake Hago and Kivumba. From 2010 with the management of African Parks many developments took place in the park, including the fencing of some areas and the reintroduction of lions. Today Akagera NP has become a positive example in Africa of good management of natural resources, also with attention to benefit local communities out of conservation practices.
• Lunch en route in a restaurant.
• In the afternoon game drive.
• Dinner and overnight at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge with view on the Lake Ihema.
• Upgrade Supplement: Ruzizi Tented Camp / Karenge Bush Camp *

NOTE: The itinerary of the day can take about 5 to 6 hours on paved roads for 250 km.

*When booking Ruzizi Tented Camp in the Southern Sector we consider / suggest also to book one night at Karenge Bush Camp in the Northern Sector for a better experience.

Day 8 – Akagera National Park

Full Board.

• After breakfast, depart for photographic safari, with a choice between the offered loops like the Rwisirabo Loop or Kitabili Loop.
• Return by lunch time at the lodge.
• In the afternoon we propose to take the boat excursion on Lake Ihema, the larger water body of the park, activity that starts not far from the lodge. The 2 hours trip is a worthy experience, not only to spot hippos, Nile crocodiles and water animals, but especially water birds. Among the common birds you might spot: whisltling duck, African openbill stork, African jacana, squacco heron, goliath heron, grey heron, African darter, great cormorant, African Fish Eagle, pied kingfisher, little bee eater, scarlet chested sunbird.
• In the evening take a short game drive to Lake Shakani and Lake Birengero.
• Return to the lodge by 6 pm (permitted time) for dinner and overnight at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge.
• Upgrade Supplement: Ruzizi Tented Camp / Karenge Bush Camp *

Day 9 – Akagera National Park - Kigali

Half Board.

• After early breakfast, at around 6.30 you take a long photographic game viewing from the Southern to Northern sector of Akagera National Park. The main areas for game viewing are the Lake Hago and Kitabili open grasslands, then reach Mohana plains. Due to the increasing numbers of the wildlife in the park, you might spot Maasai giraffes (especially in the Northern acacias savannah), bufaloes, zebras, impalas, antelope roan, oribi, waterbuck, elephants. Lions are also easily seen, while the rare leopard is a rare spot.
• For today you bring with you the packed lunch prepared by the lodge which can be taken from any pic nic point like on the shores of Lake Hago.
• In the afternoon, proceed back to Kigali and reserved for departure flights from Kigali International Airport or extend the overnight in Kigali.

NOTE: The itinerary of the day can take about 6 hours including the safari for about 200 km.

POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS:

Extension 1

Day 7 – 1 Day 1 Night Volcanoes National Park

Full Board.

• After breakfast, OPTIONAL we will organize another activity in Volcanoes National Park at your choice:
• The golden monkeys trekking, a species of monkeys endemic to the Virunga habitat. This activity is only done in the morning and last about 3 to 4 hours.
• Trekking to the Dian Fossey’s Tomb. This activity is only done in the morning and last until 3 to 4 pm acclording to the speed, as the walk goes through lower forest vegetation between Karisimbi and Visoke mountains where also there are muddy areas. It is advised to do the trekking with gumboots and it is required a minimum of fitness.
• Hike in Buhanga ecological park. The activity can be done at any time of the day, even in the afternoon. This is a really hidden gem of Rwanda, a 31 hectares sacred forest which was the location of the first king of Rwanda, Gihanga.
• Hike and boat tour on Lake Burera and Twin lakes. The activity can be done at any time of the day, also afternoon and it may take approximately 3 hours as it includes a short boat trip on the lake for birding and a walk along the lake and through local villages with a site guide.
• Trekking of Mount Visoke. Visoke is an extinct volcano of the Virunga range. This is a more demanding trekking, as the peak of Mount Visoke is at 3,711 meters. The walk lasts until late afternoon. You will take with you the packed lunch for the day.
• Dinner and overnight at the Five Volcanoes Lodge (deluxe) / Tiloreza Eco-Lodge / Villa Gorilla (C) or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Ndaza Escape Hotel (E).
• Upgrade: Sambora Lodge / Amarembo By Touchdown.

Extension 2:

Day 5 & 6 – 2 Days 2 Nights Congo Nile Trail

The Congo Nile Trail is a well-designed route that stretches along the shores of Lake Kivu from the North (Gisenyi) to the South (Cyangugu). The whole trail is 230 km and can be done by cycling or hiking. This extension of two days / one night will give you the best taste of this trail, as you experience the beautiful panoramas of Lake Kivu, you enjoy the unspoilt nature of the remote country side of Rwanda, you see closely the rural and fishing communities. This will remain a lifetime memory. The proposed route is the Northern sector of the Congo Nile Trail and can be done from either destination.

Day 1 – From Kibuye to Kinunu

Full Board.

• After breakfast, you join the Congo Nile Trail, either by cycling or by hiking along the route between Kibiye and Kinunu. The total distance of the day is 32 km, that can be achieved by bicycle. In our arrangements, it will be possible to take the route for as far as the guests feel like, then at any time according to the logistics the guests can proceed either by vehicle or by boat to the final destination in Kinunu. The trail follows the Lake Kivu and it is mostly murram and rocky road, while the first kilometres from Kibuye to Bumba are along the tarmac road. According to the final arrangements, the trail may start from Bumba which is the logistic base in between the destinations.
• Lunch at a guest house en route.
• Dinner and overnight will be in Kinunu at Rushel Kivu Resort.

Day 2 – From Kinunu to Gisenyi

Full Board.

• After breakfast, you continue along the Congo Nile Trail to the Northern destination of Gisenyi. The total distance for the day is 32 km and the main logistic base camp is in Cymbiri at Cyimbiri Guest House. From Kinunu to Cymbiri is a 14 km trail entirely following Lake Kivu with spectacular views, remotes lake beaches, fishing villages and local communities. In the afternoon proceed to Gisenyi. According to the fitness and the time guests wish to spend on hiking or cycling, it is possible to take the last stage to Gisenyi by boat or by vehicle.
• Lunch at Cyimbiri Guest House.
• Arriving in Gisenyi, dinner and overnight at Nirvana Heights Hotel.

Special notes for the Congo Nile Trail:

• The cycling trail is suitable for moderately experienced cyclists, considering that the route follows steep ascents and descents, often along rocky or sandy terrains, crossing streams and local bridges.
• The hiking trail often follows a separate route than the cycling trail and it is generally below, at the level of the Lake Kivu.
• For cycling option, the service will provide a solid mountain byke, helmet. Advisable to wear comfortable cycling clothes, gloves and goggles.
• Drinking water is provided for.
• The rucksack is required for the daily necessities, to carry rain jacket and personal items for the day.
• The vehicle will follow the trail at a distance, whereby communication is made between your driver guide and the guide of the trail. A boat is also following on the Lake along the route to provide logistics and rescue at any time.