Rwanda, often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” is a small but stunningly beautiful country in East Africa. Known for its lush landscapes and rolling hills, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The country is famous for its mountain gorillas, which can be seen in Volcanoes National Park, a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

In addition to its wildlife, Rwanda has a vibrant and resilient history. The capital city, Kigali, is a symbol of the nation’s recovery and growth after the 1994 genocide. The Kigali Genocide Memorial serves as a powerful reminder of the past, while the city’s modern development highlights its progress.

Rwanda is also a leader in conservation and eco-tourism. Its commitment to sustainability makes it an ideal destination for responsible travelers. From its wildlife to its people, Rwanda offers an unforgettable experience.

Day One – Kigali – Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast, you’ll leave Kigali for the lengthy but scenic trip south to Nyungwe National Park. Along the route, you’ll discover why Rwanda is known as ‘The Land of 1000 Hills’.
The trip will be divided up into several stops. You will visit Nyanza, where you may see the former palace of Rwanda’s last king. You will then stop at the Butare National Museum.
After lunch, you’ll head to Nyungwe, crossing through the forest. You may witness playful primates playing by the road as you travel.

Dinner and overnight Nyungwe Forest Lodge or similar B\L\D

Day Two – Nyungwe Forest National Park

You’ll wake up early for breakfast before heading off in quest of Rwanda’s fascinating and endangered chimp population. There are only four hundred chimps in the country, so there’s no guarantee you’ll see them on your trip, but your Shadows of Africa guide will do everything he can to offer you a sight of our closest animal relatives.
Even if you don’t see a chimp, the national park is a delightfully diverse site to visit in the morning while looking for them and after lunch.
In the afternoon, you’ll look for another of the park’s primate residents, the cheeky black and white colobus monkey. These active monkeys are an easier stroll than the chimps, and you’ll enjoy their playful behavior.

Dinner and overnight Nyungwe Forest Lodge or similar B\L\D

Day Three – Nyungwe – Lake Kivu

You’ll start your day with your choice of a guided waterfall walk or a walk along the Nyungwe Forest National Park’s famous elevated canopy walk.

Both provide a unique viewpoint on this stunning park, and as you journey through the dense forest, you’ll gain a new respect for Rwanda’s natural beauty.

Following your morning exercise, you will travel to Karongi on the banks of Lake Kivu. The drive to this wonderful city takes you down one of the most scenic segments of road you’ll ever see, passing through hills and valleys along the way.

Dinner and overnight Serena Lake Kivu or similar B\L\D

Day Four – Lake Kivu – Volcanoes National Park

You’ll begin your day with a morning boat ride on Lake Kivu, taking in the tranquility and beauty of this vast freshwater lake. During your boat ride, you’ll see the gorges, mountains, rivers, and islands that make up one of Rwanda’s most picturesque landscapes.
After a delicious lunch, you’ll go to Musanze on the borders of Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll visit the Gorilla Guardian Village to discover more about Rwanda’s pre-colonial heritage.

Dinner and overnight Muhabura hotel or similar B\L\D

Day Five – Gorilla Trekking

Following an early breakfast at your accommodation, you will travel immediately to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters to meet your guides. Following the briefing, you’ll embark on the once-in-a-lifetime adventure of pursuing the enigmatic mountain gorillas.

There is no certainty as to how lengthy or tough your tracking experience will be because it is dependent on the location of the gorilla family and weather conditions. Trekking through the mountain forest at quite high altitudes can take anything from two to six hours. Those planning to participate in the tour should be in good physical condition.

Once you’ve found the gorillas, you’ll get an hour of close contact with them, which will undoubtedly be one of the most remarkable experiences of your life. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with a family of these rare and magnificent animals, seeing their family dynamics and learning a little about each gorilla’s unique personality in peaceful solitude.

Dinner and overnight Virunga lodge or similar B\L\D

Day Six – Volcanoes National Park – Kigali

Today, you’ll get the opportunity to experience a different aspect of the stunning Volcanoes National Park region by picking one of the following activities: Gold Monkey Trekking You’ll walk through sun-dappled glades and dense bamboo stands in search of these friendly monkeys, who are used to visitors. This means you may watch the golden monkeys play, feed, and leap from tree to tree as if you were not present. While your time with the monkeys is restricted to one hour, it is enough time to observe the curious creatures in their natural environment. Mount Bisoke HikeThe 3,700m High Mountain is an example of a completely domed volcano, with a deep crater lake at its summit, and provides for a delightful but physically hard day hike.

Depending on your fitness level and the number of stops, the round trip can take anything from five hours to a whole day.Along the route, you’ll encounter a variety of ecological zones, ranging from lush bamboo forest at the mountain’s base to sparse bushlands at the summit. A trained guide will accompany you at all times, and porters can be hired to help carry your goods.If you’re lucky, you might even see some of the park’s gorillas on your trip. Dian Fossey’s Experience Following in the footsteps of Dian Fossey, the woman behind Gorillas in the Mist, you’ll visit Volcanoes National Park to see the amazing woman’s former study site as well as the grave where she and her beloved companion, Digit, were buried following their tragic murders.This walk, like the Mt. Bisoke hike, brings you inside Volcanoes National Park, where you can see some of the park’s primates. In the afternoon, you’ll return to Kigali for the night.

Dinner and overnight Kigali Serena hotel or similar B\L\D

DAY SEVEN – KIGALI

After breakfast, you’ll be taken on a city tour of some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the artisan markets, genocide memorial, and campaign against genocide museum.
Finish your last-minute shopping before heading to the airport for your next destination.

End Of Service