Full Itinerary
Day 1 - Kigale
Arrive at Kigali International Airport and transfer to the city. Morning coffee hosted by a cooperative organisation who are “brewing better livelihoods” for farmers around Rwanda. Join the Nyamirambo Women’s Center walking tour, which offers a taste of life in a vibrant local community. You’ll visit a milk bar, market, and see a local fabric cooperative where women use local fabric to make souvenirs and tailored clothing (which can be delivered at the end of the tour). Enjoy a traditional Rwandan lunch supplied by the women of Nyamirambo.
In the afternoon you will visit the Genocide Memorial where you will take a moment to reflect on a dark time in Rwanda’s past. This visit, although shocking, highlights how so much progress has been achieved in Rwanda since that time.
Included meals: Lunch and dinner
Accomodation: Heaven The Retreat
Day 2 - Nyungwe Forest
Departing after breakfast, we drive towards Nyungwe Forest. En-route we’ll have a quick stop at the Ethnographic Museum which explains Rwanda’s history from prehistoric to modern times. Set on a hill overlooking Nyungwe forest, we will stop at an Eco-centre for a traditional Rwandan buffet lunch followed by a short walk through a nearby tea plantation with a community guide. Entering Nyungwe forest we stop at Uwinka Visitor Centre to meet a Forest Ranger who will lead a spectacular walk through the forest pointing out flora and fauna that may be seen on the way. The walk includes a 200m long canopy walkway high above the treetops providing a unique platform for observing the forest.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Day 3 - Nyungwe Forest
Setting off very early you’ll meet your local ranger and then as soon as the trackers locate the family of chimpanzees, you’ll be off, trekking along the paths but also possibly, scaling short sections of the steep rainforest slopes immersed in the forest. Listen carefully and you may hear the chimps before you see them, literally swinging from the trees or possibly running around on the ground all around you! This is a wonderful wildlife encounter! There’s a good chance you may also encounter some of the many other primates in this forest, as well as a huge number of birds. After lunch we drive down to Lake Kivu, passing along the lakeshore and arriving at the resort of Kibuye in time to relax with sundowners at sunset.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Cleo by Mantis
Day 4 - Lake Kivu
After breakfast, your qualified tour leader will brief you about the kayaking adventure across stunning Lake Kivu. As you set off though the uninhabited forested islands, you’ll be looking out for Vervet Monkeys jumping in the trees, African Fish Eagles flying to catch fish and maybe if you’re lucky you’ll also spot Congo Clawless Otters swimming in the water.
After a few hours you’ll stop on Munini Island for lunch. A raucous colony of Fruit Bats usually roost here during the day and there is a lovely short hike to the summit with some of the best views in Rwanda. In that afternoon transfer by motorboat to the village of Cyimbili for a fascinating tour of the artisanal coffee plantations.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Day 5 - Kinigi/Lake Ruhondo
After a relaxed breakfast transfer to Kinigi set on the lower slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes.
After a lunch overlooking the Twin Lakes, walk along the shores of Lake Ruhondo, past villages and small fishing boats spotting many water birds on the way. There will be a motor boat on hand so the distance walked can be flexible.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 6 - Volcanoes National Park/Mukungwa River
After a breakfast transfer to the Volcanoes National Park and head off on an easy one hour walk to see a troop of up Golden Monkeys. With up to 40 individuals often encountered as they run around on the ground and jump energetically from tree to tree, they make a real spectacle!
In the afternoon transfer to the Mukungwa River for a guided canoeing trip. Set in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, you will float along soaking up impressive views, spotting abundant birds and waving hello at curious children from the friendly local communities. The river is mostly very gentle and flat with one short, easy rapid.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 7 - Volcanoes National Park, Kigali and home
Today you will wake up early and head to the National Park Headquarters to be allocated a ranger for your trek to visit the Mountain Gorillas. The trek can take around 1-3 hours on the slopes of the volcano for the trackers to find where the gorillas are. The hour you spend with these incredible primates is a true privilege that you will never forget. Boisterous adolescents will be misbehaving, whilst playful children are constantly demanding the attention of their parents, all under the watchful eye of the dominant silverback. You may only be a visitor, but you will briefly be part of their family in a really remarkable way. It is a wildlife encounter unlike any other on Earth.
Enjoy a final celebration lunch on your return, before transferring back to Kigali for your international flight home
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch