Tailor made from $8477 per person
7 days
Kigali, Nyungwe Forest, Lake Kiva, Volcano National Park
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Trip Itinerary
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Discover Rwanda's highlights with its stunning scenery and fascinating wildlife
This itinerary is a lovely introduction to Rwanda - "the land of a thousand hills". You will be spoilt with stunning scenery and brilliant wildlife interactions throughout. Starting in the capital Kigali you will get a chance to further understand the nation's turbulent history before being driven to the top destinations within the country. Chimpanzee trekking, forest canopy walks, relaxing by Lake Kivu and, of course, gorilla tracking make up the highlights of this lovely week long trip.
What's Included:
- Meals & drinks as mentioned in full itinerary
- Activities & transport as in full itinerary
- Chimpanzee permits
- Professional local staff with fair salaries
- National park and conservancy fees
- Gorilla trekking permits
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali
Day 1 - Arrive in Kigali
You will be collected from Kigali International airport by a hotel representative and transferred to your accommodation in the capital. You will then have the option to see some of Kigali with a guided tour or a visit to the local markets - prepare to haggle and be amazed by the intricate artefacts on offer.
Days 2 - 3: Nyungwe Forest
Day 2 - Kigali to Nyungwe Forest
Following breakfast at the hotel you will be driven around 5 hours towards the beautiful Nyungwe Forest in the Southwest of the country. Home to over 300 species of birds and a quarter of Africa's primate species this is a fantastic destination.
Day 3 - Chimpanzee Trekking
The real highlight of Nyungwe Forest is chimpanzee trekking. This is an experience like none other as you are guided through the forest to see one of the troops of chimps that are local residents. Chimpanzee's are fascinating to observe and as our closest relatives it is a touching experience to see them up close and personal.
Another optional activity we would highly recommend is Nyungwe's Forest's canopy walk. This rope bridge through the canopies will allow you to see the forest through a new perspective and unique wildlife can be seen, such as blue monkeys and the rare grey-chested kakamega.
Day 4: Lake Kivu
Day 4 - Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu
This morning you will depart the forest and be driven to the Eastern shores of Lake Kivu, about 3 hours away. Lake Kivu lies on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Home to indigenous fishing communities, the stunning Ndaba Falls and with the option to rent a boat for island visits there is plenty of activities on offer.
Days 5 - 6: Volcanoes National Park
Day 5 - Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park
This morning you will enjoy breakfast at the lodge and drive on to Volcanoes National Park - home to the mountain gorillas. The drive will take about four hours through stunning scenery and on arrival you will be shown to your comfortable accommodation and briefed on the next day's gorilla trek.
Day 6 - Gorilla Trekking
Today you have an early start as you make your way to the gate of the national park and are designated a group of gorillas to track. You will meet your guide, the other members of your group and begin the pursuit of these amazing primates. It can take as long as 8 hours to trek or as short as 1 hour depending on where the gorillas are and if they are on the move. With this in mind you are split into groups depending on fitness and how far you want to trek.
Once the gorillas are located you will have one hour with them - a truly brilliant experience.
Day 7: Fly home
Day 7 - Fly home
Following breakfast you will be transferred back to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, which opened in 2004. You will then be driven to the airport in time for your international flight home.
Interested in this trip?
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Responsible tourism has saved the last of the Mountain Gorillas from extinction: proving the sustainable value of tourism outweighs the short term temptation of poaching. Your trekking permits and National Park fees contribute to the ongoing conservation efforts in Parc National des Volcans.
Throughout this itinerary we work with selected camps and lodges who are committed to promoting their local communities and environments. In both our Boutique and Luxury accommodation styles you will find that your lodge is dedicated to responsibility and sustainability in Rwanda.
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