10 Days – Rwanda Discovery (Game Drives + Gorillas + Chimps)

Morning Breakfast at Hotel,

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. Enjoy Lunch at Hotel Des Mille Collines

Drive to the eastern province, Leaving Kigali with Marabou Storks & the Black Kite soaring over the city, set off along the Rwamagana – Kayonza road to Akagera National Park. You are bound to come across a lot of birds’ activity along the way. Banana plantation abounds with vegetable and Fruit markets lined along the roads. Akagera, is set at a relatively low altitude on the border with Tanzania; Akagera National Park is dominated scenically by a labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River. (Approximately 2 hours from Kigali – Could be longer for people interested in birds). 

    Accommodation:

Ruzizi Tented Camp (Full Board)/ Akagera Game Lodge

The next day will be spent on full day game drive in Akagera National Park and boat ride in one afternoon (or option behind the scene tour)

Akagera national park is a home to big five animals and also an exciting reserve with an interesting contrast to the more mountainous central and western parts of Rwanda. Set at a relatively low altitude on the border with Tanzania; Akagera National Park is dominated scenically by a labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera Rivers. 

Mammals include a healthy population of Elephant and Buffalo, plus 11 species of antelope including Impala, Common Duiker, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Oribi, Tsessebe, Cape Eland and the rare Roan Antelope. 

Hippos are present in impressive numbers in the lakes and rivers, Zebra, and Giraffe still roam the more open acacia dotted plains. The birdlife is quite exceptional, with the continent's biggest concentrations of waterbirds. The connecting marshes are the hide out for the endangered and exquisite papyrus gonolek, and the bizarre shoebill stork.

Accommodation:

Ruzizi Tented Camp (Full Board)/ Akagera Game Lodge 

Have breakfast at the Lodge,  

Drive from the camp to north gate. 

Depart on a scenic drive back to Kigali Serena hotel.

Transfer to your Kigali Hotel. 

Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel BB  

Have breakfast at your hotel,

Depart on a scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park via Butare, the second largest city of Rwanda and regarded as the intellectual city of Rwanda. Butare hosts the National Museum, several academic (Universities) and research institutions. Visit Nyanza (currently Nyabisindu) the former Mwami's Palace (King's palace) and the seat of the feudal monarchy. The palace has been reconstructed to its 19th century state and shows a traditional dome that can be compared with the Kabaka's palace of Buganda.  You will also visit the Butare National Museum in Huye which is one the bets set-up, if not the finest ethnographic museum of East Africa. A good source of information on the cultural history of Rwanda - Lunch in Butare. 

After lunch, enjoy your drive to the wonderful rainforest reserve of Nyungwe. 

Accommodation: 

One & Only Nyungwe House FB (Luxury) / Nyungwe top view (Mid-range)

Early breakfast at your lodge,

0500 hrs. - transfer to the trail head

0530 hrs. Embark on a thrilling hike in search of chimpanzee communities. 

The Rwandan chimpanzee population is thought to consist of approx. 400-500 individuals, confined to the Nyungwe National Park, including a small community in the Cyamudongo Forest. Prepare to hear these excitable primates before you see them, as their pant-hoots travel through the deep forest. During your hike you may also spot migratory birdlife including the Ross’ turaco, grey-cheeked hornbill, red-breasted sparrow hawk and regal sunbird. 

After trek, return to lodge, lunch and enjoy your afternoon leisure. You may go for canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park at extra $40 per person.

Accommodation: 

One & Only Nyungwe House FB (Luxury) / Nyungwe top view (Mid-range )

Have breakfast at your lodge; 

Enjoy the scenic drive to Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is one of the greatest Lakes in Rwanda, and is in the Albertine (western) Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valleys. The lake is a 2650 Square kilometer freshwater expanse and the largest of all the lakes that fill the valleys of Rwanda. Arrive at your Lodge and spend the rest of your afternoon at Leisure. 

Overnight: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel FB

Have breakfast at your hotel,

Depart on scenic drive; North West wards through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda’s landscape. Arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself, located only 25km from Uganda boarder, 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.

Overnight: The Bishop’s House FB

Early breakfast at your lodge

0630 hrs.; 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 advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. The maximum number is 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 “dos 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. 

After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer to your Lodge for lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. Overnight: The Bishop’s House FB

Have breakfast at your hotel,

Depart from foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, driving South past coffee, tea and banana plantations on a breathtaking scenic drive back to Kigali. On arrival in Kigali, you will be transferred to Kigali International airport for your onwards departure flight.