12 Days Beautiful Rwanda – Nature Culture and Wildlife

Pick up from airport and transfer to the hotel where you will get a detailed briefing from your guide and also acclimatize to the high altitude of Rwanda.

Dinner and overnight: – Heaven Boutique Hotel

After breakfast start a historical-minded exploration of Kigali city with visits to landmarks from colonial, post-independence, genocide and post-genocide times. Start with the Kigali Genocide memorial site where over 259,000 genocide victims were put to rest in mass graves, Visit Belgian camp where 10 UN peacekeepers were killed before the start of Genocide trying to protect the late Prime Minister. Visit Campaign against Genocide Museum at the Parliamentary Building details the plans undertaken for the Genocide against the Tutsi to be stopped.

Transfer to Bugesera to visit the reconciliation village where the survivors of genocide live together in harmony with the perpetrators that killed their own families, get to hear testimonies from them and engage in different community activities such as: traditional dances, cooking, basket weaving, etc. Drive back to Kigali.

Dinner and overnight: – Heaven Boutique hotel

Transfer to Akagera National Park – arrival and briefing followed by a Game drive (Opportunity to see over 12 species of antelopes, over 525 species of birds including the rare ones such as the shoe bill stock, papyrus gonolek and the big 5 i.e. Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant) to mention but a few. The park has the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer, very beautiful undulating landscapes, high species numbers and endemic species plus historical and cultural sites inside the park.

In the afternoon drive to Lake Ihema for the thrilling boat cruise to see schools of hippos, giant Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, water birds, etc.

Overnight: – Akagera Game Lodge

Early morning, search for the unseen wildlife ie; big 5 plus the 12 species of antelopes including the biggest antelopes such as the eland cape and roan antelopes; your favorite ungulate, the topi, some of the 525-bird species including 4 Albertine rift endemics, reptiles, amphibians, plants, magnificent landscapes, historical sites; a place with the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer in any other national park in Africa.

Dinner and overnight: – Akagera Game Lodge

Early morning, search for the unseen wildlife ie; big 5 plus the 12 species of antelopes including the biggest antelopes such as the eland cape and roan antelopes; your favorite ungulate, the topi, some of the 525-bird species including 4 Albertine rift endemics, reptiles, amphibians, plants, magnificent landscapes, historical sites; a place with the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer in any other national park in Africa.

Dinner and overnight: – Akagera Game Lodge

Depart Akagera National Park and explore the culture of pastoralist which has been hereditary; the social characteristics of the Rwandese pastoralists can still be traced in parts of the eastern province in Gatsibo district and Nyagatare district.

The rural life in these villages elegantly and conventionally gives a very unique experience about the culture of grazing, introduces you to the history and values of cows in Rwanda including the INYAMBO cows which were very significant in many cultural festivals brought up by Kigwa.

The beauty of a cow is exhibited in the cultural dances of Rwanda. The tour takes to the pastoralist village where observe and participate in the tradition cattle grazing; get ready to make your own traditional rain coat from grass, learn how to milk with your own hands and no machines here.

After milking, the pastoralist will show you different calabashes used in preserving milk and qualification it takes to make one; this goes in line with norms of handling calabashes, drinking milk etc. Milk is used in different ways for example taken fresh after milking, fermented to make yoghurt in a traditional way and the unforgettable experience of making ghee which ends with cooking local food with you own ghee and eating your own ghee. Tour ends with visiting some monuments left behind by the former kings.

Home stay in the village of the hosts or a hotel near

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Nyungwe National Park, en-route start a historical-minded exploration of Nyanza – visit the King’s palace and traditional Rwanda home; the National Museum, introduction to Rwanda’s kingdoms, discovery of colonial architecture.

Proceed to Nyungwe forest. This national park is the largest tropical afro Montane rainforest east or central Africa and a rainforest it is and receives over 2000mm of rain each year and its Rwanda’s largest water catchment area and its home to 2/3rds of all Rwanda’s water.  The forest also feeds both the river Congo and the River Nile with water.

Nyungwe is also home to over 300 different bird species, many butterflies, orchids, 75 mammal species including the 13 primates, and there have also been the sightings of the golden monkeys. 

Overnight: – Nyungwe Top View Hotel

This day is dedicated to explore nature at Kamiranzovu waterfall. You will visit different locations in the park to try and see as much as you can; different fauna and flora found in Nyungwe Forest.

The day ends with one of the most tourism highlights of Nyungwe canopy walkway, a 70m high artificial bridge which allows you to view the forest from the top, get chance to see different species of birds, etc.

Overnight: – Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel

Breakfast then drive to drive to Kibuye at Lake Kivu. The Rwanda’s most attractive of lake ports, nestled in a series of interwoven and undulating hills and offering visitors spectacular views of the lake, its islands and the stunning surrounding countryside. It is considered one of Rwanda’s hidden treasures, with its lush green hills and peaceful breeze.

Lunch at the hotel as you enjoy the views of the Lake. Transfer to the shores of the Lake Kivu to enjoy a boat ride to visit the Napoleon and Amahoro Islands to see a number of colorful birds, clouds of big fruit bats, learn the history of the lake and the beautiful views of the Lake surroundings.

Afternoon visit the Environment museum, learn more about conservation, different Rwanda’s vegetation, fauna and flora, geographical changes, etc.

Overnight: – Cormoran lodge

Transfer to Gisenyi on the Lake Kivu check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the fishing village and do the sunset boat ride with traditional fishermen.

Overnight: – Paradis Malahides Hotel

OPTIONAL: Kayaking ($70pp)

Breakfast at the hotels as you enjoy the sunrise and the morning views at the Lake later transfer to hotspring, enjoy feet massage by locals. Be back at the hotel for lunch then proceed to the village where you will learn more about banana and sorghum beer production.

Banana and sorghum are some of our staple food products in Rwanda and they are used in different ways i.e. as food, local beer/drinks and very important in the cultural practices most especially during our traditional weddings ceremonies, settling of disputes between community members, bonding relationship between different families etc.

Afternoon head to Musanze – Volcanoes destination (an hour drive), arrival and check-in at your hotel.

Dinner & Overnight: – Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

Option 1:

After breakfast at 06:00 we transfer to the park reception, completing our park formalities then embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas.

Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes is a magical experience

Option 2:

Transfer to the entrance of the Park early this morning to see the Golden Monkeys. It is now believed that they are the only feasible population of Golden Monkeys residing in Volcanoes National Park. They are beautiful and endangered primates which have become quite habituated to humans, making it possible to observe them closely.

Option 3: 

Early morning meet with your respective park rangers who will take you to either the Diana Fossey nature walk or climb mountain Bisoke that has a crater lake on top.

Afternoon visit the Ibyiwacu cultural Village, get to understand the culture of the Rwandese through their daily life and   knowledge of the environment, poetry, folklores, dancing, singing, pottery and the theoretical hunt gathering skills. It’s one of the thrilling experiences and very adventurous as you try to adapt to the traditional hut homes and lifestyle.

Evening head back to Kigali – Catch your flight back home.

End of Service!