On arrival at Kigali, you will be met by our representative and guide who will transfer you to Marriott Hotel for refreshment, acclimatization and detailed briefing of the tour in Rwanda. Dinner and over at Marriot Hotel
Our professional guide will pick you after breakfast at 9am then introduce you to pre-colonial, colonial, post-colonial era of Rwanda. You will have a tour of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city which was named in 1907 by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first colonial resident governor of Rwanda.
It is the main administrative and economic centre of Rwanda. Surrounded by lush hills of green, it is the cleanest and safest city in Africa. Kigali’s face is her fortune: a dramatic beauty from which its name is derived. There are, however, other contributing factors. It is a city that delights the mind as well as the eye of any visitor and is a city where the past lives comfortably with the present. On the tour, you will have the opportunity to see the following:
– Visit the 1994 Gisozi Genocide Memorial site.
– Visit an artisan shopping centre to view and purchase local arts and crafts.
– Visit the Kigali Museum and learn the history of Kigali’s and Rwanda’s pre-colonial and colonial period as well as the colonial masters in Rwanda.
– Tour around the city and see, first hand, the post-genocide development and expansion of Kigali.
– Visit Juru Park, one of the highest points in Kigali and enjoy fantastic views of the city and its surrounding hills and countryside.
In the afternoon 3:00 pm, we will drive (2hrs drive to Musanze) to the Northern Province home for the famous mountain gorillas. The drive through numerous mountains reminds exactly why Rwanda is known as “the Land of a Thousand Hills”. Dinner and overnight at Bisate Lodge.
After morning coffee, you will be transfered to the Park offices for pre-trek briefing for all guests. After completing our park formalities, we embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long-lost cousin.
This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on earth! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience.
Be back at the base in time for lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Dinner and overnight at Bisate Lodge.
After morning coffee, we return to the entrance of the Park early in the morning to trekk for Golden Monkeys. It is now believed the only feasible population of these Golden Monkeys resides only in Volcanoes National Park. They are beautiful and endangered primates which have become quite habituated to humans, making it possible to observe them closely. Dinner & Overnight at Bisate Lodge.
Lake Kivu is one of the Albertine rift valley lakes in Africa and the largest of the fresh water lakes that gleam in the Albertine (Western) rift of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu stands at 1461m (4,790ft) above sea level establishing it as Africa’s highest lake. Kibuye is Rwanda’s most attractive of lake ports, nestled in a series of interwoven and undulating hills and offering visitors spectacular views of the lake, its islands and the stunning surrounding countryside. It is considered one of Rwanda’s hidden treasures, with its lush green hills and peaceful breeze. In the evening, enjoy boat ride to Napoleon and Peace Island. The islands introduce you to many wonders of Rwanda; the beautiful scenery and breathtaking landscapes; birds and fruit bats etc. An exclusive nature walk on both islands will be very rewarding for any visitor. Continue to Nyungwe Forest after the boat cruise on Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe House.
8am Morning transfer to Nyungwe National Park for a visit to the biggest troop of monkey in East and central Africa known as the Black & White Colobus monkeys. Nyungwe National Park is the biggest Afro-Mountain Forest in East & Central Africa with over 1117 species of plants; with the remotest source of Nile as confirmed by National Geographic Society in 2005. With Albertine rift endemic plants i.e., orchids and 27 Albertine rift endemic birds plus the unique and rare monkey known as the owl faced monkey. In the afternoon, enjoy the canopy walk. This day helps you to acclimatize with the weather, altitude and trails of Nyungwe before the big day of trekking chimpanzee and waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe House One & Only property.
Early breakfast at 5am then drive to the edge of the forest where chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe starts. Lunch at the Hotel In the afternoon 12:30PM, do the waterfall hike and visit tea plantation. Dinner and Overnight at Nyungwe House.
After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Rusizi airstrip for the flight back to Kigali with Rwandair. Connect with your international flight back home. TRANSFER TO AIRPORT & FLY HOME.
