Rwanda's Treasures: Gorillas & Rainforests

We begin our journey in Rwanda on arrival at Kigali International Airport. A driver will meet you and take you to the elegant Kigali Serena Hotel to check in and relax. 

Relax a little before we gather for a refreshing welcome drink to kick off our adventure in Rwanda, followed by a delicious hotel dinner to satisfy our taste buds. 

We'll begin our day with an early breakfast as we eagerly await the arrival of our private 4x4 vehicle, prepared for an adventure in nature. Today, we'll explore Rwanda's stunning landscape, stopping to admire the breathtaking views and the natural beauty along the way.

Our journey will take us to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, we'll enjoy a packed lunch en route to the Nyungwe canopy walk.

Our next stop will be at Nyungwe's famous canopy walkway to admire the panoramic views of ancient treetops and wildlife. After an exhilarating day, we'll arrive to a warm welcome at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.

Relax and enjoy the stunning views from your room. Unwind before we gather for a delicious dinner to share our experiences and prepare for tomorrow's adventure.

We'll start our day early with an exhilarating chimpanzee trek in the Nyungwe Forest National Park. 

With over 400 chimps in the park, you'll get the chance to observe with these amazing primates and enjoy their playful antics. Tracking them requires a good fitness level, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. During our trek, we may also spot blue, mona, silver, and l’Hoest monkeys in their habitat.

After lunch, we'll visit the Gisakura Tea Plantation, where we'll learn about the Rwanda tea cultivation and processing. 

As the day closes, we'll return to our accommodation at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel. After a long day out in nature, a warm welcome and perhaps a cocktail awaits us. We'll have dinner together before retiring to our rooms to rest and prepare for another day of adventure. 

It's hard not to fall in love with Rwanda's incredible landscapes and unique wildlife!

After checking out, we'll begin our thrilling nature-filled adventure, exploring Rwanda by vehicle for most of the day with various stops to admire the stunning environment. Our first stop is the picturesque Lake Kivu, where we'll enjoy a break to soak in the breathtaking waterside views.

Afterward, we'll head to Musanze-Kinigi, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, where we'll check into the luxurious Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund for the Silverback Sundowners Tour. This rewarding experience comes with refreshments. 

Later, we'll gather for a delicious dinner at the boutique hotel and reflect on our amazing day. We can relax and enjoy the evening in comfort at the hotel, anticipating the adventures that await us in the coming days.

Enjoy an early breakfast before we embark on an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure at the park headquarters. These speedy primates, a subspecies of the blue monkey, are a sight to behold, living in social groups of up to 100 individuals.

After the trek,  you'll have the afternoon off to enjoy back at the lodge. 

For those interested, a community walking tour, sponsored by the NGO SACOLA, is planned for the afternoon.

In the evening, we'll attend an informative presentation by the Gorilla Doctors before our sumptuous dinner.

Today, we finally come to the highlight of our trip - mountain gorilla trekking! 

After an early breakfast, our driver will collect us and transfer us to park headquarters. We're going on a guided hike through dense rainforest to spend time with a specific gorilla troop in their natural environment. Visiting these enigmatic and beautiful creatures is a life-changing experience. 

Back at the lodge, we'll enjoy a late lunch and some well-deserved rest. 

You'll have the rest of the afternoon to relax and enjoy the lodge's amenities, including a refreshing dip in the pool.

Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge, sharing stories and memories of our unforgettable day.

After breakfast at our accommodation in Volcanoes, we will begin our three-hour road transfer back to Kigali. Along the way, we may have the opportunity to stop at the Genocide Museum and the Kimironko Market. Here, you can buy souvenirs and explore the local culture.

As we say goodbye to Rwanda and board our flight home, we know that the memories we made on this trip will last a lifetime. We depart with a sense of camaraderie and gratitude for the bonds we formed and the unforgettable moments we shared. 

Rwanda is a special place with a rich history and culture, and we're lucky to have experienced it firsthand. We will never forget the stunning landscapes, the incredible wildlife, and the warm hospitality of the Rwandan people.

Are you ready to embark on the ultimate jungle adventure in Rwanda, where you'll come face to face with magnificent gorillas and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature? 

Day 1: Transfer to Sambora Kinigi Lodge and soak up the serenity this afternoon in preparation for your jungle trek tomorrow. Once on site we will enjoy lunch at the lodge and get settled into our accommodations. Dinner will be enjoyed at the Lodge. Sleep long and well for tomorrow's adventure. 

Day 2: We will rise early and feast on breakfast before heading out into the jungle for our day hunting for Gorillas. Lunch Boxes will be provided mid-day. Rest will come easy tonight. Eat a scrumptious dinner before heading to slumber. 

Day 3: After breakfast we will say goodbye to Rwanda's beauty and depart for our trip home. 

Join us on a safari extension into Akagera National Park. There are over 500 species of birds in the park including 100 endemics to the area. The big five are plentiful including: Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Water Buffalos and Elephants. In addition, these are commonly seen: olive baboons, vervet monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, any number of deer type species like Duker, bohor, reedbuck, impala, bushbucks, Topi etc. as well as giraffe, and zebra.

Day 1: Begin in Volcanoes National Park and bid farewell to the rest of the group. We will drive to Akagera (drive is 4+ hours) but we’ll make pit stops and have lunch along the way. In the afternoon we will check into the Akagera Mantis Lodge – the only luxury property in the national park. Time permitting we’ll do a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema then have drinks and dinner at the lodge.

Day 2: After breakfast we will head out for a full day guided game drive and enjoy a bush lunch. When we return to the lodge we can have an afternoon swim at the pool. In the evening we will enjoy dinner at the lodge. 

Day 3: Today we will venture back out for another full day game drive and bush lunch. Upon return we will participate in a sundowner ritual, soak in the amazing adventure and have our final dinner together at the lodge.

Day 4: After a hearty breakfast we will depart to the capital with a morning game drive en route. Once we arrive in the capital Kigali we will enjoy a short tour of the city including the Genocide Museum & Kimironko Market.

Please ensure your departure is scheduled for the evening or enjoy an extra night stay in Kigali (not included). An evening wildlife drive (optional extra) through the national park adds an extra layer of excitement to your adventure - it promises loads of fun!