Rwanda Tour

7 days—Rwanda 7 Days Gorilla safaris

$2400-2750 USD

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Safari summary

This is a 7 day tour or Rwanda, a country of many hills found in Central Africa with fascinating scenic beauty. You can track the Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, this provides miraculous experience by having ample time with the gorillas. You will also visit the scenic twin lakes of Burera & Ruhondo.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Primate trekking
	Activity level	Moderate activity
	Best months	January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
	Countries	Rwanda
	Parks	Nyungwe Forest Volcanoes

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Arrival- Night at Okapi Hotel Arrive at Kigali airport where you will be welcomed by our driver and local guide for transfer to your Hotel- Briefing- Dinner and overnight in Kigali the capital city of Rwanda, at Gorilla hotel or Okapi Hotel. Kigali was founded in 1907 as small colonial outpost by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first German colonial resident of Rwanda. The city has made tremendous progress since 1994 genocide. Considered one of the safest and friendliest of African capitals, Kigali is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate. It is inhabited by approximately 1 million people who now enjoy the benefits of peace. You will be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it feels to be among the gentle people of Rwanda who will be delighted to welcome you to their beautiful, exceptionally friendly country.

Day 2

Nyungwe Forest

Day 2: Visit Kigali Genocide memorial Museum- Butare national Museum- Transfer To Nyungwe Forest national park (5Hours Drive)- Night at Gisakura Lodge. In the Morning after Breakfast and before we travel to Nyungwe Forest National park- We will Visit the Genocide memorial Museum- The exhibition in this museum tells the history of Rwanda leading up to genocide in 1994 and catalogues the details of the genocide using photographs, video, written accounts and a range of artifacts. It includes personal testimonies and a moving memorial to the children of the Rwandan genocide. The exhibition also has a section called “wasted lives”, which reflects on the holocausts and genocides in Armenia, South-West Africa, Bosnia and Cambodia. The Kigali Memorial Centre has gained a word-wide reputation for the powerful exhibition and its work in promoting peace; take your time to absorb its important message. After we go on to Nyungwe Forest via Butare where you will have lunch and visit the Rwandan Historical museum. We aim to arrive at the Nyungwe Forest Park Headquarters late in the afternoon where we will check in at Gisakura Guest House for the night.

Day 3

Nyungwe Forest

Day 3: Primate Trekking- Night at Gisakura Guest house. After a very breakfast we begin our trek into the forest to search for chimpanzees, hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angolan Colobus monkeys, as well as the handsome L’hoest monkeys- back and Overnight at Gisakura. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a rain forest that is home to 13 different primate species, including humankind’s closest living relative the chimpanzee, in addition to the L’hoest monkeys and the largest known troop of agile Angolan Colobus in the world. Nyungwe Forest is home to some 25% of the African primate species! There are l’hoest monkeys and blue monkeys present and often observed around Uwinka, requiring less strenuous hiking. In addition to these important primate species Nyungwe Forest is alive with a huge floral diversity including at least 140 orchid species. The tall primary forest covers much of the fertile land, bamboo grows on the higher ridges while there are flooded forests and marsh habitats to the south of the National Park. Such diverse habitats attract an enormous range of plant, insect, bird and mammalian species, making Nyungwe a premier destination in East Africa for naturalists.

Day 4

Day 4: Transfer to Volcano National park (8 hour drive) – Night at Kinigi or Muhabura Hotel. After Break-fast we proceed to Volcano national park, the home of mountain gorillas, passing through magnificent views of the beautiful, hilly countryside which gives Rwanda its name as “a country of a thousand hills”- Night at Kinigi or Muhabura Guest house.

Day 5

Virunga

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking- Transfer to Gisenyi- Stay night at Peace Land Hotel. Morning after Breakfast- we start Trekking in the forest on the edge of the Virunga mountain chain to find one of the last mountain gorilla families in the world. After Gorillas trek- Transfer to Gisenyi at the shore of Lake Kivu where you will be Entertained by Intore dancers- night at Peace land Hotel. Lake Kivu is a large deposit of fresh water that marks the western border with DR Congo and one of the Great Lakes of Africa. The lake lies in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley and empties into the Ruzizi River, flowing southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Beneath the lake lie vast reserves of approximately 55 billion cubic of dissolved methane gas now being exploited. Lake Kivu is a wonderful tourist centre and is safe to swim so bring your swimming kit for a quick lunchtime dip. There are many stunning beaches, gorgeous landscapes and the sunsets are regularly stunning.

Day 6

Day 6: Intore Dancers- Transfer to Kigali- Night at okapi- Hotel Relax at the shore of the lake Kivu and be Entertained by Intore Dancer- For Clients who like a short visit to Goma in Congo Drc can Be Organised- Transfer to Kigali in the Afternoon- Night at Okapi hotel. The “Intore”, once the elite of the traditional Rwanda army, were not only trained as expert warriors but also in high jump and dance. They were known for their remarkable technique allowing them to jump almost 2.5 metres. The Intore gained an international reputation as dancers in 1958 when they performed at the World Expo held in Brussels. Today Intore dancers are part of the rich Rwanda folklore. The warriors dance is a jewel of the choreographic heritage of Rwanda. Dressed with a lion mane made of sisal fibre, and little bells on each ankle, the warriors dance, accompanied by wonderful drummers and a beautiful choir, is a thrilling rhythm. Throughout the Intore ballet, physical confrontation turns into artistic rivalry and then at “the end” comes out into a vigorous hug of the warriors. This is the most artistic gesture of friendship mutual aid and protection.

Day 7

Day 7: Kigali and transfer at the airport. After breakfast there is time for a last-minute shopping trip in Kigali before transferring to the airport for our personal good-byes and your departing flight. The price will include/ Gorillas permit, Transport in 4X4 vehicles, Accommodation in Mid class Hotel, Breakfast, Â Guide, All park and museum entry fees. Not Included: Visa, Travel insurance, Flight, Meals and Drinks. What to Bring: You must bring appropriate walking or hiking shoes as trainers are not suitable for the forest terrain. Waterproof clothing, preferably dark in colour as bright colours will attract insects, is necessary since the forest is at high altitude so there is a good chance of rain. Remember to bring high-factor sunscreen and a hat too. During your trek you will need to have plenty of water with you, so it is a good idea to hire a porter for the day. Many of the porters are kind, so, let them help you, be generous and create a job for a day! NOTE/ Clients who choose to stay for more days at the end of their safari are free to do so. We can arrange hotel accommodation for your extended stay. Should you wish to spend more time exploring Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania, we can arrange further safaris and city tours to meet your requirements.

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