Day 1 – Arrival at Kigali Int. Airport

Bed & Breakfast

• Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel for an overnight stay at Kigali Serena Hotel or The Retreat Heaven Hotel.

Day 2 – Kigali –Akagera National Park

Full Board.

• After breakfast, transfer to Akagera National Park, arriving in time for entry at the Northern Gate at 11:00 AM.
• Akagera NP, covering 1,085 sq km of protected area, is named after the Akagera River, which forms the border between Rwanda and Tanzania. The park is a vast savannah and is also home to several important lakes, including Lake Ihema (the largest), Lake Hago, and Lake Kivumba. Since 2010, significant developments have taken place in the park, including fencing certain areas and reintroducing lions. Today, Akagera NP serves as a positive example in Africa for effective natural resource management, with a focus on benefiting local communities through conservation practices.
• In the afternoon, enjoy a safari in the park, organized by your lodge.
• Lunch, dinner and overnight at Wilderness Magashi Camp.

NOTE:

• The day’s itinerary involves approximately 4 hours of travel on paved roads for a distance of 180 km.
• Guests will be transferred to the Northern Gate of Akagera National Park, where a Magashi Camp vehicle will collect them for the onward transfer to Magashi Camp.
• Guests must arrive at the North Gate by 11:00 AM for this pick-up.
• Optional late arrival: On request and subject to availability, a 3:00 PM arrival at the North Gate may be pre-booked.
• Helicopter transfer: Guests may arrive by helicopter from Kigali, landing in Akagera from 12:30 PM onwards at an airfield located about 10 minutes’ drive from the camp.

Day 3 – Akagera National Park

Full Board

• After breakfast, depart for a photographic safari in the park.
• A packed lunch will be provided.
• In the afternoon, enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Ihema, the largest water body in the park. This 2-hour trip offers a wonderful opportunity not only to spot hippos, Nile crocodiles, and other aquatic animals, but also to observe a variety of water birds, including: whistling duck, African openbill stork, African jacana, Squacco heron, goliath heron, grey heron, African darter, great cormorant, African Fish Eagle, pied kingfisher, little bee eater and scarlet chested sunbird.
• In the evening, take a short game drive on the way back to the camp.
• Return to Wilderness Magashi Camp by 6:00 PM (permitted time) for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 – Akagera National Park - Volcanoes National Park

Full Board.

• After breakfast, enjoy the final game drive in Akagera National Park before exiting through the Northern Gate.
• The camp vehicle will transfer guests to the exit point by 11:00 AM, where the tour guide will meet them.
• We then depart for Volcanoes National Park, with lunch en route.
• Upon arrival at the foothills of the volcanoes, check in at your lodge.
• Dinner and overnight at Wilderness Bisate Lodge / Wilderness Sabyinyo Sliverback Lodge / One & Only Gorilla’s Nest / Volcanoes Virunga Lodge.

NOTE: The day’s itinerary involves about 5 hours of travel on paved roads, covering a distance of around 300 km.

Day 5 - Mountain gorilla tracking

Full Board.

• After breakfast, proceed to the Headquarters of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi for a briefing.
• Today’s activity is a trek in the forest to locate one of the mountain gorilla families that are accustomed to visitors.
• The time it takes to reach the assigned gorilla family is unpredictable, depending on their location.
• Once the group arrives near the gorillas, you will have approximately one hour to observe their behavior, take photographs, or record videos.
• Lunch is expected back at the lodge.
• In the afternoon, we recommend a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where you can learn more about the history of gorilla conservation and research.
• Dinner and overnight at Wilderness Bisate Lodge / Wilderness Sabyinyo Sliverback Lodge / One & Only Gorilla’s Nest / Volcanoes Virunga Lodge.

Day 6 – Volcanoes National Park - Kigali

Half Board.

• After an early breakfast (or after lunch), proceed back to Kigali, reserved for departure flights from Kigali International Airport, or extend your stay with an overnight in Kigali.
• Optional: Early in the morning, you may choose to take another walk in Volcanoes National Park, selecting from activities such as a second gorilla trek, a Golden Monkey trek, or a visit to the Old Karisoke Center (see supplements for details).

Alternatively: Extend your stay with a 2-night trip to Lake Kivu.

NOTE: The distance of the day can take about 2 hours for about 110 km.

EXTENSION 2 days 2 nights Lake Kivu – CLEO LAKE KIVU HOTEL

Day 6 – Volcanoes National Park – Lake Kivu

Full Board.

• After breakfast, proceed to Lake Kivu in Kibuye, a beautiful lakeside destination.
• Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy lunch.
• The afternoon is free at leisure to relax or explore the surroundings.
• Dinner and overnight at Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel.

Day 7 – Lake Kivu

Full Board.

• After breakfast, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Kivu, including visits to some of the islands near the town of Kibuye, such as Napoleon Island and Monkey Island.
• Lunch will be served, and the afternoon is free at leisure.
• Dinner and overnight at Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel.

Day 8 – Lake Kivu - Kigali

Bed and breakfast

• After breakfast, transfer to Kigali in time for your departure flight from Kigali International Airport.