Kigali – Volcanoes National Park – Nyungwe Forest – Mantis Kivu Marina Bay – Akagera National Park
Total No of Days : 10 Days (Current Itinerary sample under Covid-19 conditions)
Best Season : Mid-May – Mid-October
DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN KIGALI RWANDA
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed to a VIP lounge while your luggage is cleared through immigration. You will thereafter transfer on a 15min drive to the Kigali Serena Hotel for check in. This will be your quarantine hotel after your covid-19 testing on arrival.
The Kigali Serena Hotel welcomes you to Rwanda's capital city with 5-star sophistication and impeccable service. The hotel provides a luxurious home away from home for business and leisure travelers. Settle in to your beautifully appointed room or suite, which features floor-to-ceiling windows, pillow top bedding, flat-screen TVs and more. Take advantage of free internet.
Dinner & Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel (Full Board)
DAY 02: KIGALI/VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
After the Covid-19 tests result (negative), you will be given a safari briefing, then proceed on a City Tour of Kigali including the Kigali Memorial Centre.
Kigali has been the political and economic capital of Rwanda’s since independence in 1951. A fast-growing cosmopolitan town of 1million inhabitants with wide and landscaped boulevards, world class hotels and restaurants. Tour lower Kigali around the Nyabugogo open air market which is a little crowded and considered the heart of Kigali’s informal economy. Continue to the Kigali genocide Memorial Center; learn about the Rwandan genocide of 1994, how it was triggered and carried out, and what lessons we can learn from that past.. We continue past the ‘skyscraper’ city center with paved, maintained and clean boulevards and international hotels to the parliament building, the scene of some fighting in 1994. We culminate in the adjacent new developments around Kimihurura, Kimironko area and the Nyarutarama suburb popularly referred to as the Beverly Hills of Kigali and see firsthand Rwanda’s transition; the recovery has been incredible – a true testament to mankind’s resilience in the face of unfathomable odds.
After lunch at a nice restaurant, drive on north to Volcanoes National Park (115kms/2½hrs).
Rwanda encompasses the Rwanda section of the Virunga Volcanoes, a series of eight volcanic mountains which sit astride the border triangle between Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Situated north-west of Kigali and encompassing five of the volcanoes, the park’s 160km² of bamboo montane forest are habitat for the rare and critically endangered Mountain Gorillas of which only approx. 800 members remain in the world! Immortalized in the movie “Gorillas-In-The-Mist” depicting the life and times of American zoologist Dian Fossey who spent almost 20yrs in the 60s to the 80s studying the gorillas, they inspire great human curiosity owing to their being massive wild animals that genetically, socially and physically so closely resemble humans.
Five volcanoes Boutique Hotel in Musanze (Ruhengeli) located on the road going to Kinigi is the perfect starting point to go for different activities that the volcanoes National Park is offering but also gives you lot of opportunities to rest and to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of our lodge.
Dinner and Overnight: Five Volcanoes - Full Board
DAY 03: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK/GORILLAS TRACKING
Arise early for breakfast then at 06.30hrs: transfer to the National Park HQs for your Gorilla Tracking adventure. After registration, participants are put into groups of 8, allocated a gorilla family to track and a specialist Gorilla Tracking Guide to lead them.
Briefing by your guide then drive to the trail head from where the trekking begins.
Your guide will lead you, first, through local homesteads and small-scale pyrethrum farms then into the forest and up the volcanoes through interspersed bamboo forest and grassland with stunning views in the footsteps of the rare yet critically endangered Mountain Gorillas. The guide will explain interesting stories about the forest, conservation, the vegetation, the gorillas and other of this forest’s inhabitants.
Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for one unforgettable hour as they go about their daily life – feeding, playing, resting, sleeping, raising their young; almost oblivious of your presence but definitely curious, especially the little ones who sometimes come rather close. It is a magical and breathtaking experience.
The hour is always over too soon and you hike back to base where your Driver will be awaiting to transfer you back to the lodge for a deserved shower and lunch.
After Lunch you will drive to do COVID-19 test (which will allow you to trek in Nyungwe National Park)
In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of the Ibyi’Iwacu ex-Poachers Village for a cultural experience.
Situated in Kinigi at the foothills of the Sabyinyo Volcano, 'ex-Poachers' as it is popularly referred to, is an award winning conservation initiative where former poachers were persuaded to desist from poaching and instead come together to form this replica of a Rwandan traditional village with a king’s palace and four traditional huts where they showcase aspects of Rwandan culture, traditions and customs and earn a living as conservationists. On arrival at the village, guests are welcomed with cultural drums, song and dance then led by a village guide through the various exhibitions including traditional rural life, cookery and foods, weaving, grinding, fire-making, a traditional healer with a herbal and spiritual medicine’s ‘laboratory’, archery, javelin, a blacksmith and architecture, Rwandan kingship, palace life and coronations as well as the villagers’ previous life as poachers and their new found passion in conservation and how they have benefited. At the end of the tour, you will have an opportunity to learn a few steps and moves in the very captivating Rwanda cultural dance as well as buy some local curios and crafts including the popular agaseke (traditional baskets), calabashes, hammocks, traditional wooden crockery, dancing bows, arrows and beautiful drums of all sizes.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
In the afternoon, (at an extra cost) you may proceed on an optional activity of your choice, including:
• Visiting Buhanga Eco park,
• Musanze Caves,
• Ex-poacher’s village
• Kayaking/canoeing on Mukungwa River, etc.
Dinner & Overnight: Five Volcanoes- (Full Board)
DAY 04: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK/GOLDEN MONKEYS TRACKING
After breakfast, transfer back to the Park HQs for a Golden Monkeys Tracking experience.
The beautiful Golden Monkeys are considered the little sisters of the Mountain Gorillas with whom they share the Virunga
A primate species of the Old World Monkeys and endemic to the Virunga Volcanoes and KahuziBiega in eastern DRC, they are a relatively big monkey, similar to the blue monkey but with a beautiful Golden-Orange flowing cape on the back and rear as well as contrasting black limbs and face more reminiscent of the Colobus Monkeys. They live in social groups of up to 30 or 40 members feeding on fresh bamboo shoots, leaves, fruits, branches and insects and tend to sleep in the same location high up the bamboo trees day in and day out.
After registration and briefing by your guide, 0700hrs: you will proceed to the trailhead where the trekking into the forest begins. Our guests visit/track one of the two habituated families, in groups of maximum 8 persons; Your guide is always at hand to tell all the amazing stories about the monkeys – they know some of them by features and name – their place in the eco-system, their proclivity to being poached as well as why they should be conserved.
Upon sighting the Golden Monkeys, you will spend a fascinating hour in their presence as they go about their daily life. They are fun to see, and also excellent to photograph although it can be a little difficult even as they jump from tree to tree.
After the hour is over, you will hike back to base where your guide will be waiting to transfer you back to the lodge for a shower and lunch; the excursion normally last 3 to 4hrs round trip.
Balance of day spent at leisure or enjoying the resort’s amenities and stunning surroundings, lunch, dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Dinner and Overnight: Five Volcanoes - (Full Board)
DAY 05: NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Nyungwe National Park (Almost 7hrs)
• On the road you will enjoy the beautiful Land of the thousand hills with your eyes.
• Lunch in Rubavu while enjoying the shores of Lake Kivu overlooking Goma town in DR Congo and the Nyiragongo volcano – still active and with a molten lava lake whose glow is visible from Gisenyi at night.
Gisenyi is a typical Rwandan town; totally clean and spotless, well organized, great weather, stunning views, hospitable people; and relaxing. Sitting on the border with the mystical DR Congo on the northern shores of Lake Kivu, Africa’s 6th largest and one of her most gorgeous lakes which forms the natural border between the two countries, it overlooks DR Congo’s low-lying Goma town with the Virunga volcanoes in the backdrop. A well-developed town with nice roads, tourist class hotels, a relatively cosmopolitan population and an airport, the weather is typically beach warm without being too humid. The best beach sections are on the northern edge leading to the grand barrier (main border) with DR Congo and fronted by several tourist hotels and a public beach section. Interesting tourist activities include walks on the beach, boat rides, a variety of water-sports, swimming in the lake (being methane filled, it has no bilharzia), guided town tours, in jeep and on foot, to the grand barrier and the petit barrier (small border) as well as to the local border-market where you can mix and mingle with merchants from both Rwanda and DR Congo as they exchange all manner of merchandise from food stuffs, farm produce and livestock to colourful clothing fabrics and garments. But even more magical are the evenings, when from a vantage point one can see the luminous glow of the still active Nyiragongo volcano, part of the Virunga volcanoes across the border in the Congo.
After lunch and stretching you will drive to Nyungwe National Park
You will do another COVID-19 Test (Which will allow you to enter in Akagera National Park)
Dinner & Overnight: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (Full Board)
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay invites you to experience the resort lifestyle in the Rusizi District of Western Province of Rwanda. This luxury hotel is located in close proximity of Lake Kivu and Nyungwe National Park in the western region of Rwanda. Located just in 1km from Kamembe Airport in Cyangugu, Rwanda.
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay has a bar, conference rooms, three lifts, a gym, and a meeting room. The appealing look of the Kivu Marina Bay creates an inviting atmosphere for visitors coming from all parts of the world and Rwanda. Enjoy beautiful views of the western touristic region when staying at Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel.
DAY 06: NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK /CHIMPANZEE TRACKING - CANOPY WALK
Arise at dawn with coffee/tea and cookies then at 04.30hrs: transfer to Cyamudongo forest (35kms/1½hrs) with your specialist park/guide for a morning Chimpanzee Tracking.
Our object is to catch the 35member habituated family as they de-nest at day break. Chimpanzee tracking entails hiking in steep and sometimes wet and muddy conditions in the thick vegetation of cyamudongo. Participants are advised to pace themselves and follow the guide’s advice.
Upon sighting the chimpanzees (60% chance), you will spend time observing them as they go about daily life; up in the trees or down on the ground, feeding, or grooming, mating, sparring, trammel beating or just howling and screeching as they do so powerfully.
After spending an hour there with potential for amazing photos, you will hike back to Uwinka base and transfer back to lodge have Lunch and proceed to your next activity.
In the afternoon, you will return to the Park office for the Nyungwe Canopy Walk experience.
On arrival at the park offices, you will be met by your specialist park guide for a briefing, then hike down the steep slope to the beginning of the canopy walkway where you climb the massive pylons by stairs onto the bridge. Elevated across a valley and over the forest canopy (over 70m at the valley’s lowest point), this single file, foot only 200m long swaying bridge, the only one of its kind in east and central Africa, allows you to observe and learn about unique forest canopy features and creatures including flowers, shrubs, insects, monkeys, other small mammals as well as birds and butterflies. From its vantage point on a clear day, one can enjoy splendid and extensive views across most of the forest even to Lake Kivu and the Virunga volcanoes.
Dinner & Overnight: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (Full Board)
DAY 07: NYUNGWE/KIGALI (ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM-KING PALACE MUSEUM)
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Kigali (6hrs)
You will stop at Butare for Ethnographic Museum
A gift from Belgium’s King Badouin in the late 1980s, the Ethnographic Museum now houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections.
Seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artefacts accompanied by visual aids, giving visitors a rich insight into the Rwandan culture.
It is also known as the site of the murder of Queen Dowager Rosalie Gicanda and several others during the Rwandan genocide.
Lunch at Butare
After Lunch you will drive to Nyanza visiting King Palace Museum
The king’s Palace Museum is based in Nyanza District, Southern Province,88 km from Kigali City;King’s Mutara III Rudahigwa’s Palace offers a detailed look into the Rwandan monarchical system and its abolition in early 1960s due to colonialism. The palace was restored to its 19th Century state as a replica and was made entirely with traditional materials. Recently the Long horned royal cows "Inyambo" were introduced because cows form an integral part of the Rwanda Culture and were initially the King’s symbol of prestige. Visitors are always fascinated by the procession of these royal cows which are famous for their impressive long horns, height gentle nature and the traditional poems.
Along the traditional palace is the 1931 modern palace where King Mutara Rudagigwa resided until he passed away in 1959. It now serves to display Rwanda history from the 15th Century.
On the neighboring hill of Mwima, one can also visit the mausoleum where King Mutara III, his wife Queen Rosalie Gicanda and King Kigeli IV Ndahindurwa were laid to rest.
You will reach in Kigali and transfer to your Hotel and overnight.
You will do a COVID-19 that will use for flight back to your Home
Dinner & Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel –Full Board
DAY 08: KIGALI/AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Today you will have a time to rest and relax for the long journey . Take a late breakfast and check out. You then drive east to Akagera National Park (125kms/2½hrs).
Akagera National Park is an archetypal African savannah park of tangled acacia woodland interspersed with open grassland in eastern Rwanda dominated by a labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering Akagera River, the most remote source of River Nile; but above all, Akagera is big game country!, totally off the beaten track; herds of elephant and buffalo as well as lion and soon rhinoceros; lucky visitors might stumble across a leopard and tick off the entire African Big-5 in often times under a day of pure wonder and magic in the African bush, a spotted hyena. Giraffe and zebra haunt the savannah amongst more than a dozen types of antelope. In the picturesque lakes, schools of 50+ hippopotami grunt and splutter while outsized crocodiles soak up the sun with their vast jaws menacingly agape. Lining the lakes are some of the continent’s densest concentrations of water birds amongst many other migratory and resident bird species.
With a game viewing en-route, you will arrive at Akagera Game Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Akagera Game Lodge– Full Board
DAY 09: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK/ GAME DRIVE
Full day spent in Akagera with morning and afternoon game viewing and bird watching drives in search of lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, many species of antelopes, hyenas, giraffe, zebra and even leopard although it is quite elusive.
Optional activities at extra charge:
• Guided nature/bush walks and
• Boat ride on Lake Ihema.
Dinner & Overnight: Epic Hotel & Suites – Full Board
DAY 10: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK/KIGALI
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport for your international departure flight.