Overview
Rwanda is a country gifted by nature, commonly referred to as the land of “a thousand hills” because of its natural beauty. Rwanda is also a home to the rare Mountain Gorillas and in this Itinerary, we will take you for a Gorilla tracking experience, Game drives in the parks as well as participate in cultural and community tours where you will learn the different cultures and historical ways of life of the people of Rwanda.
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla Trekking
- Game drive and Viewing
Itinerary
On arrival to Kigali you will meet our tour representative who will thereafter transfer you to a hotel for an overnight stay on Bed and Breakfast. Depending on your arrival time, we may have a city tour of Kigali where we may visit the genocide memorial center at Gisozi as well as the local craft markets.
In the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing. This is the only park in Rwanda where you can do a game drive and view savannah based wild animals. Upon arrival and clearance, you shall enter the park and have a game drive to your accommodation. You may be able to spot various animals along the way; predominantly antelopes, buffalo and monkeys.
Early in the morning you will embark on a game drive in Akagera National park. Sightings of buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, an incredible 490 bird species are possible. You will be led by a ranger guide to better chances of encountering many animals in the park. You may also spot members of the lion pride in Akagera. A boat trip on Lake Ihema is also a highlight of any visit to Akagera, with its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and abundant waterbirds on the island in the middle of the lake.
In the morning you shall check out of your accommodation and start the journey to Kigali city. Enjoy the countryside views along the way and you may stop for landscape photography or to interact with local communities along the way.
In Kigali you will have a guided city tour to explore the landmarks of history of this budding capital. You will visit the Rwanda Genocide memorial museum in Gisozi. You will also visit local fresh produce markets and local crafts to purchase souvenirs. You will also visit the old presidential palace and learn about its history. Later you will check in at your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, you shall begin your journey to Volcanoes national park. Enjoy the spectacular views of hills and misty valleys on your way. Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla. You will check into your accommodation, have dinner and relax in preparation for activities of the next day.
Early in the morning you will be transferred to the park headquarters for clearance, briefing and allocation. After briefing, you will be led by experienced ranger guides on the hike to visit one of the 12 habituated mountain Gorilla families in the park. You will spend an hour in their presence when you can observe, photograph and film them in their idyllic habitat. After tracking you shall return to your accommodation and relax for the rest of the evening.
After an early morning breakfast, you may either be transferred to Kigali for your International flight or if time allows you may participate on other optional activities depending on your departure time. Optional activities may include a walk to visit the Golden Monkeys. Listed as “endangered”, the habituated groups of about 40 individuals are the only ones to be found in Africa. After wards transfer to the airport to catch up with your international flight.
