Rwanda at a Glance

10 magical days

Day 1: Kigali /Arrival Akagera National Park

  • Upon Arrival, meet & greet with our representative and after a short briefing, depart to Akagera National Park, Eastern part of Rwanda at 2½ hours’ drive.

  • Upon arrival, begins the classic wildlife game drive through the south, southern sector of the park. During the game drive, there are plenty of animals to see including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and many other mammal species. As one of the most scenic savannahs in East Africa, the game drive in Akagera provides an opportunity to also view gentle hills blending beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.Visitors point to two major key advantages; for instance, the tracks are not blocked or interrupted by dozens of minibusses and the other important thing is that one enjoys the vast expanse of the beauty of the savannah landscape vegetation and animal life in a place preserved at all costs for the future generation. After the drive, you will be taken to your hotel for check-in and launch, afternoon at leisure relaxing at the hotel, OR go for one of the community cultural activities available, such as ‘the heritage tour’ experiencing first-hand local practices related to ‘cow’ as a significant element in the Rwandan culture (at extra cost). Return late in the afternoon for dinner & overnight.

Accommodation: Ruzizi Tented Lodge/Karenge Bush Camp/Magashi Tented lodge

Day 2: Akagera NP/ Kigali

After breakfast, set off for a wonderful drive, crossing the park from south to North and on to the capital Kigali. On this second day, you will have opportunities to spot some of the park species you missed the previous day, while also enjoying plenty of other features all along the way. Reaching the park exit, you will continue to Kigali for check-in, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: The Retreat by Heaven /Kigali Serena hotel/Kigali Marriott Hotel

Day 4: Kigali / Volcanoes National Park

Meet your driver and embark on a scenic journey to Musanze /Volcanoes national park for 2 and ½ hours. Several stopovers for photography and contemplation of the beauty of the ‘Land of thousand hills. Arrival at your lodge is expected around midday. Check-in & lunch, afternoon visit the famous twin lakes of Burera & Ruhondo. The views are spectacular! Back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge /Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/ Bisate Lodge

Day 4: Gorilla tracking/Lake Kivu

After breakfast, a departure from your lodge to the park’s office. You will be expected at the park headquarters at 7:00 am, where your driver-guide will help you accomplish the necessary formalities. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever! Then we will drive you to the slopes of one of the Virunga volcanoes for your trekking. After lunch, drive about one hour to Rubavu/Lake Kivu. Enjoy the whole evening at leisure at the lake’s shores.

Accommodation: Paradis Malahide hotel / Lake Kivu Serena hotel

Day 5: Full day at Lake Kivu -Gisenyi

Kivu is one of the great lakes in Africa and the largest of the freshwater lakes that gleam in the Albertine (Western) rift of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu stands 1461m (4,790ft) above sea level and is Africa’s highest lake. Beach relaxation: Surrounded by majestic mountains with soothing sandy beaches and gently pounding waves, Lake Kivu is a perfect place to take a break and relax. Here you can sit back in the shade of giant trees, enjoy local food, and reflect on your gorilla trekking experience. Gisenyi offers an excellent view of the lake and the Virunga volcanoes massif. Its waterfront and sandy beaches make it a wonderful place to relax with the feel of a tropical beach resort!

  • After your well-deserved breakfast, your driver guide will pick you up and take you on a Gisenyi tour to visit Rwanda’s largest brewery firm, Nyamyumba Hot springs, Mount Gisenyi, tea & coffee plantations, and a guided boat ride, visit some of the Lake Kivu wonders.

Accommodation: Paradis Malahide hotel / Lake Kivu Serena hotel

Day 7: Lake Kivu /Kibuye

  • After your breakfast, pick up from your hotel and drive about 1½ hours alongside the stunning Lake Kivu to the resort town of Kibuye, through gorgeous countryside, crossing valleys full of agricultural produce.

  • Arrival is expected early in the afternoon, check-in, and lunch.

  • Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring beautiful areas around Lake Kivu.

Accommodation: Moriah Hill Resort/Cormoran Lodge/Kivu Lodge

Day 7: Kibuye/ Nyungwe National Park

  • After breakfast, head to Nyungwe National Park, approximately 31/2 hours’ drive, passing through the green fields of tea and coffee plantations all along Lake Kivu. Check-in at your lodge, afternoon guided walk-in nearby tea plantations.

Accommodation: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel / One & Only Nyungwe House

Day 8: Tropical Waterfall Guided hike

  • After breakfast, meet your day guide and start the Waterfall hike. This trail is one of the highlights of Nyungwe. It starts from the Gisakura side of the park and takes three to five hours. The trail winds up and down steep hillsides through primeval looking 'Hollywood' style rainforest where the trees are festooned in vines and the air is heavy and damp. The highlight is a remote waterfall, where you can take a shallow dip.

  • Return to your lodge for lunch and an afternoon canopy walk or guided walk on in the nearby tea plantations.

Accommodation: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay hotel /One & Only Nyungwe House

Day 9: Chimpanzee trek/Butare

Nyungwe National Park counts in total 13 species of primates, but Chimpanzees; our closest relatives, is a must when planning a visit to Nyungwe. Return to your lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon transfer to Butare, the second largest city and regarded as the intellectual city of Rwanda. The city hosts the National Museum and several academic and research institutions. The visit to the national museum of Rwanda is scheduled upon arrival. It’s worth noting that Butare museum is one the well-set-up; if not, the finest ethnographic museum in the East African region. It's a good source of information on the cultural history of Rwanda and the region in general.

  • 5:00 am: Early morning start, meet your driver and guide with your packed breakfast for the chimpanzee trekking experience at Cyamudongo community.

  • Later, drive around, discovering some of the important sites such as Butare cathedral, and the former Université National du Rwanda, to name but a few.

Accommodation: Four Steps hotel

Day 10: Kigali

  • Breakfast and transfer to Kigali. On your way, you will visit Nyanza (currently Nyabisindu) the former Mwami's palace (King's palace), and the seat of the feudal monarchy (at extra cost).

  • The palace has been reconstructed to its 19th-century state and shows a traditional dome.





TOUR CONSIDERATIONS

  • Accommodation is included in the quotes

  • Tour may depart any day of the week

  • Flexibility for solo travelers to join the tours

  • Itineraries can be changed to your flexibility and interests

  • The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years and above





COST INCLUSIONS

  • Airport transfers on the first and last day

  • Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle

  • Services of an English-speaking driver guide

  • Fuel during all safaris

  • Accommodation and meals as per the above itineraries

  • Gorilla tracking and chimpanzee permits per person per trek

  • All tour activities as highlighted above

  • All Park entrance fees as mentioned above

  • Mineral drinking water throughout the tour

  • Emergency Medical Evacuation services





COST EXCLUSIONS

  • All optional activities around the sub-mentioned national parks and other attractions

  • International airfares

  • Items of personal nature such as tips, drinks, and laundry.