DAY 1

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS

Upon arrival in Rwanda, your private driver/guide will be waiting for you to take you to the comfortable initial accommodation. Welcome to ‘the land of a thousand hills’!

ACCOMMODATION: Via Via Kigali (Breakfast)

DAY 2

GENOCIDE MEMORIAL AND THE JOURNEY TO NYUNGWE FOREST

If you wish, you will visit the Genocide Memorial in Kigali this morning. In the afternoon, you will get to know local life for the first time on the drive to Nyungwe Forest (approx. 7 hours). When you arrive at the mysterious forest, chances are you will already see the first monkeys on the side of the road! You will travel through Nyungwe Forest to Lake Kivu for the overnight stay.

GENOCIDE MEMORIAL (OPTIONAL)

Today you will visit the Genocide Memorial, a memorial site for all victims of the 1994 Genocide. It explains in a very penetrating way how the Genocide could have taken place. Be prepared for intense images and witness accounts. For many travelers, this is an emotional visit, which is why it is offered as an option in Rwanda.

ACCOMMODATION: Emeraude Kivu Resort (Half Board)

DAY 3

CHIMP TREKKING & CANOPY WALK

A day in the rainforest of Nyungwe! In between the two activities, you will enjoy your packed lunch at the starting point of the Canopy walk. The moment the sun goes down, you will be back in your accommodation for a cold drink after this impressive day in the rainforest.

NYUNGWE FOREST

Nyungwe Forest is one of the largest forests in East/Central Africa. The tropical rainforest has many flora and fauna species. In addition to no less than 13 different monkey species, it is also a paradise for bird lovers. With over 310 different bird species, 26 of which are endemic, Nyungwe is still one of the largest undiscovered bird destinations in Africa.

CHIMPANZEE TREKKING NYUNGWE FOREST

The day starts with a trek to our ‘cousins’: the chimpanzees. Did you know that as many as 98% of our genes are identical to those of chimpanzees? In the morning, you will go in search of these noisy primates with the help of broken branches, droppings, food debris and sounds!

CANOPY HIKE NYUNGWE FOREST

The ‘canopy’ walk is adventurous and offers a beautiful view of the forest. You walk over a dangling bridge, at a height of no less than 50 meters, between the treetops. There is no better way to see the diverse monkeys and experience the diversity of the rainforest! The walk to/from the bridge takes about 4 hours in total.

ACCOMMODATION: Emeraude Kivu Resort (Full Board)

DAY 4

ANGOLAN FRILLED MONKEYS AND RIDE ALONG LAKE KIVU

After breakfast you pack your belongings and go in search of the special Angolan frilled monkeys. You will then drive parallel to Lake Kivu to Gishenyi, this is the most beautiful ride of the trip! You will spend the night in a nice accommodation on the shores of the lake.

COLOBUS MONKEY WALK NYUNGWE FOREST

You will drive through bright green tea fields to the starting point of the walk where you will look for the beautiful Angolan frilled monkey. You walk through the tea fields and then into the forest. The frilled monkeys live in large groups that gracefully maneuver through treetops, a beautiful sight!

LAKE KIVU – GISENYI

In the far north of Lake Kivu lies the town of Gisenyi. After the capital Kigali, this is the largest city in the country! Due to its location near the popular Volcanoes National Park, this place has developed as a location with good tourist facilities. For example, there are plenty of options for accommodation along the shores of the lake, which also boast beautiful private beaches. An ideal location to take a break from all the adventures experienced!

ACCOMMODATION: Kivu Paradis Resort (Half Board)

DAY 5

CONGO NILE TRAIL

After breakfast with a view of Lake Kivu, you walk a part of the famous Congo Nile Trail. Together with your guide, you will discuss how long you want to hike. If you prefer not to take a walk, it is of course also possible to opt for an excursion on the lake.

CONGO NILE TRAIL DAY TRIP

Today there is time to walk a part of the Congo Nile Trail. This 227-kilometre-long hiking trail offers a fantastic glimpse into local life along the route. Along the way, you will meet the Rwandan people and enjoy a constantly magnificent view of Lake Kivu and the hills that surround it. You plan the duration of your walk and the guide will pick you up along the route at the agreed time.

NAPOLEON ISLAND LAKE KIVU (OPTIONAL)

Today you will visit Napoleon’s Island, a small island located in Lake Kivu off the coast of Kibuye. Here you will go out for about 3 hours with a bird guide, to see the many special bird species on the island.

NDABA WATERFALL (OPTIONAL)

The Ndaba waterfall, located just outside Kibuye, is one of the largest waterfalls in the country. Especially in the seasons with more rain, this is really worth a visit! Climb to the top of the waterfall for an even better view of this beautiful natural spectacle.

ACCOMMODATION: Kivu Paradis Resort (Full Board)

DAY 6

CANOE TRIP ON LAKE KIVU

In the morning you will take the canoe trip on Lake Kivu. You will then head north, with Volcanoes National Park as your final destination. In the course of the afternoon you will have your first view of the impressive volcanic peaks.

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Volcanoes National Park is a spectacular area dominated by eight Virunga volcanoes, two of which are still active today. On the flanks of the mountain range lies tropical rainforest full of special primate species such as gorillas and golden monkeys! The 160 square kilometre park also has no fewer than 178 special bird species! In short: a very special world that should absolutely not be missed when visiting Rwanda.

ACCOMMODATION: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)

DAY 7

GORILLA TREKKING OR GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING

Today is all about the special primate species of the Volcanoes National Park. The activities are offered as an option to give you the opportunity to choose between the different options.

GORILLA TREKKING VOLCANOES (OPTIONAL)

One of the highlights of your trip is on the program today: you will go gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park. Together with a professional ranger you will undertake a trek through the rainforest, in search of one of the gorilla groups. Who knows, you might even start looking for the Susa group, after which Dian Fossey has spent years researching. In any case, an encounter with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a rare, unique and above all unforgettable experience. Today will be a day to remember!

GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING VOLCANOES (OPTIONAL)

You will go trekking to the rare Golden Monkeys! Volcanoes National Park is home to several habituated groups. The trekking takes place at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes. Once in the forest, you can stay with the monkeys for an hour. They love to jump, swing, and play. Photographing these special animals will therefore be a real challenge.

ACCOMMODATION: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)

DAY 8

CANOE TRIP WITH VOLCANOES IN THE BACKGROUND

After breakfast, you will be dropped off at the starting point of the canoe trip on the Mukungwa River. After the tour, you can have lunch at a restaurant with a view of the ‘twin lakes’.

CANOE TRIP ON THE MUKUNGWA RIVER

Accompanied by a professional Rwandan guide, you will sail through the Rwandan landscape in a relaxed manner and enjoy impressive views, many bird species and otters. Children follow your canoe trip closely and in the distance you can see the volcanoes of the Virunga volcano chain. A fantastic way to experience rural life in Rwanda.

ACCOMMODATION: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Full Board)

DAY 9

UNDISCOVERED AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Today you will drive back to Kigali and then set course for the savannah plains of the Akagera National Park, a journey of approximately six hours.

In the months of June to August and December to February you will spend the first night on the north side of Akagera National Park. There is only one accommodation on the north side of the park. There, far off the beaten track, you will experience the ultimate safari experience!

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

The undiscovered Akagera National Park is located in the east of the country and is only separated from neighboring Tanzania by the Akagera River. The park has a great diversity of landscapes and vegetation, from golden savannahs with rolling grasslands to swamps, mountain scenery and beautiful lakes. This national park is managed by African Parks, which has ensured that rhinos and lions live in the park again. The park suffered a lot during the genocide in the 1990s, but is working hard to rebuild. The undiscovered character and therefore authentic safari experience has made the well-known Wilderness Safaris decide to open the luxurious Magashi Camp here.

ACCOMMODATION: Akagera Game Lodge (Full Board)

DAY 10

IN SEARCH OF THE BIG 5 IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Today is all about safari activities in the Akagera National Park! In between activities, you will enjoy lunch at your accommodation.

JEEP SAFARI AKAGERA – MORNING

Akagera National Park is ideal for safaris with a 4WD land cruiser or a comfortable minibus. You will discover all corners of the park by vehicle, in search of wild animals. The safaris in the south of the park are focused on giraffes, rhinos and special birds. On the north side of the park are vast savannah plains with lions, buffaloes, zebras and leopards. The safaris are always accompanied by a professional ranger who knows the park like the back of his/her hand. In the morning you will go on safari and have time to discover a large part of the park. The many lakes and hills make the park scenically impressive. The wildlife of Akagera is sometimes a bit more difficult to spot than the well-known national parks in East Africa, but the fact that you drive through the park almost alone more than makes up for it.

BOAT SAFARI AKAGERA

On the south side of Akagera National Park there are beautiful lakes, the largest of which is Lake Ichema. You are going to take a relaxing boat trip on this lake this afternoon. The focus is on spotting hippos, crocodiles, drinking animals along the water’s edge and many bird species.

ACCOMMODATION: Akagera Game Lodge (Full Board)

DAY 11

JEEP SAFARI AKAGERA – MORNING

The jeep safari starts early today, when the sun is just rising and the temperature is still nice and cool. This is the time of day when the animals wake up and start looking for breakfast. The animals are usually most active around this time, so they can be spotted and photographed well.

CLOSING IN THE CAPITAL KIGALI

In the morning there is still time for a last safari on the south side of the park, before you drive back to the capital Kigali in just under two hours. At the beginning of the evening, you will be dropped off at the airport, where you will bid farewell to your guide. Later tonight you will fly back home and your tour of the ‘land of a thousand hills’ will come to an end. Luckily, you’ll be taking home a ‘suitcase full of wonderful memories’!

DAY 12

End Of Itinerary

PRICE

Rates Per Person

START DATES	SOLO1 ROOM	2 PEOPLE1 ROOM	3 PEOPLE2 ROOMS	4 PEOPLE2 ROOMS	5 PEOPLE3 ROOMS	6 PEOPLE3 ROOMS	7+ PEOPLE
JAN 1, 2024 – DEC 31, 2024	€ 5.400	€ 5.000	€ 4.950	€ 4.800	€ 4.700	€ 4.600	Get Quote
JAN 1, 2025 – DEC 31, 2025	€ 5.400	€ 5.000	€ 4.950	€ 4.800	€ 4.700	€ 4.600	Get Quote