11 Day Rwanda Holiday Experience

On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed from the tarmac by our Meet & Greet Airport Agent and be assisted with the immigration process, your luggage and escorted through the exit gate where you will be met by your dedicated guide for a short introductory briefing, learn a few key words in our local language as you embark on a short 15min drive to the Kigali Marriott. Dinner will be on your own arrangement, though we are happy to recommend a nearby restaurant depending on your arrival time.

Overnight for two first nights at Kigali Marriott Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis

Experience Rwanda’s capital from Kigali Marriott Hotel, conveniently located near the Nyarugenge financial district and the Kigali City Hall. This impeccable luxury hotel provides spacious, modern accommodations with deluxe amenities and premium services.

After your breakfast, you will first visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial as a Historical component of your trip and then carry on Nyamirambo vibrant suburb visit as well as an exploration to local Kigali city markets with varieties of Arts & Crafts.

Kigali is one of the friendliest, greenest, cleanest and safest of Africa’s cities attracting numerous visitors and investors to the capital. The rapidly growing City is becoming the biggest MICE and sports hub with signature Conference and sports venues with a track record as the fastest growing in Africa. A culinary experience and a nightlife in Kigali will never disappoint with vibrant and a wide range of various restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

The next morning you will embark on an approx 3hrs scenic drive to Akagera National Park
where you will spend your next 2 nights with animal sightings in the wild at Magashi
Classic Camp or Ruzizi Tented Lodge

With superb views over Lake Rwanyakazinga set in the idyllic sanctuary of Akagera National Park, Magashi Camp is premium and a one-of-a-kind setting in Rwanda located in its own private concession area. No other camp can be found in this vast expanse of beautiful wilderness teaming with hippo, crocodile, a plethora of birds, etc.

Located on the banks of Lake Ihema, Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a luxury eco-lodge approximately 6 km from the park reception. Its nine tents are set back from Ihema’s serene shores and hidden among swaying palms and fruiting fig trees. Outstanding wooden walkways lead to a stunning deck that hangs over the lake and it contains a central fire pit and is the perfect spot for a morning cup of coffee or to capture a perfect sunset view.

Have an early breakfast, after which you embark on a morning game drive in Akagera National Park and other days’ activities by the Camp. For the two full days, you will enjoy viewing many animals such as elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and antelopes that frequent the open plains within the park with chances to view the big cats of the Park.

Next morning, you will have check out and be transferred on a Helicopter (There is an option of 40min morning scheduled commercial Rwandair local flight or an approx 7hrs drive both from Kigali) to Nyungwe national park for afternoon Canopy walk thereafter check in at One & Only Nyungwe House, your home for the next 2 nights.

The 70 meters above the Forest Canopy Walkway consists of three bridges and three towers and one is able to experience unparalleled biodiversity, orchids, monkeys, birds and more from high above the Forest.

One & Only Nyungwe House: Alongside ancient rainforest, within the lush green expanse of a working tea plantation, One & Only Nyungwe House offers an exclusive window to Africa’s fascinating wildlife and culture. Indigenous open-air spa treatments, awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime moments are sure to amaze you at every turn.

Alternative accommodation by the Nyungwe Forest can be Kivu Marina Bay by Mantis Collection, by the Lake Kivu Shores. At 5 minutes from the Kamembe Airport, Kivu Marina Bay offers extraordinary Lake views with various water and sports activities from the property)

5:00am you will drive to the starting point & thereafter proceed for Chimpanzee trekking. If you are interested in botany, the flora in Nyungwe comes as an added bonus; you will also have a chance to view the other habitants of the forest such as multiple bird species, butterflies, etc.

There is approximately 500 Chimpanzee individuals in the entire Park and are grouped in now three troops by forest locations, Gisovu, Kuwinka & Cyamudongo which is a small patch of the forest located in the eastern part of the Park. While visiting the Park, one has high chances of viewing a variety of other attractions such as various orchids and other plant species, multiple bird species as well as other primates such as colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys among other monkeys species.

After trekking you will return to the Hotel for a late breakfast, thereafter you will enjoy either an afternoon Tea Planting – Farm to Cup Experience with local farmers doing the tea picking with an aim tio fill up the 4 Kilo basket of Tea leaves(harvest) or else you opt to go for the Cultural Experience with the local community of the Fisherwomen of Gihaya Island.

The Experience starts when you embark on a local boat towards their special Island. On arrival, you are welcomed by special traditional performance with unique songs and a rythm of their traditional music instruments and dancing style. Surely, you won’t resist not joining! By the same Island, you will have a chance to view some of the small farms on the island as well as some remains from the German and Belgian colonial settlements.

After breakfast you will checkout then embark on an approx 2.5 hour scenic drive along the Kivu shores to Cleo Kivu Hotel where you will spend a night and two full days enjoying water sports activities and leisure by the Lake.

Multiple options available offered by the property such as, boat ride, Kayaking, Jet skiing, swimming or evwitnessing the famous Rwanda swiming cows, etc.

After a late breakfast by the Lake, you will embark on a transfer to the Volcanoes (could be by the first 2.5hrs boat to first stop in Rubavu and then do one other hour on road to the Volcanoes or just an approx 4hr road transfer to the volcanoes still). On arrival, you will check in at your Hotel by the Volcanoes for the next 3 nights.

4 Recommended accommodation options among others:

Singita Kwitonda Lodge
The location is easily the best of the luxury lodges in the area, the property has a border with the wall of Volcanoes National Park. The views of the large volcanoes are breathtaking, which greet you every morning as you awaken.”

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest
Eye to eye with swaying eucalyptus trees, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest is one of the closest resorts to Volcanoes National Park – a historic rainforest home to a diverse tapestry of wildlife.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
A community-inspired luxurious lodge, located in the foothills of the mist-shrouded Virunga Massif. Sabyinyo is a true spirit of conservation and rehabilitation, surrounded by bountiful organic gardens, upliftment projects in the neighborhood of the Volcanoes National Park.

The Bishop’s House
The colonial style architecture and furnishings of The Bishop’s House sets it apart from others and our nine luxuriously decorated rooms. TBH is a haven of tranquility, surrounded by flora and fauna along with the sights and sounds of nature.

Early breakfast at the lodge. At 6:40 in the morning, you will set off on a golden monkey trekking experience, stopping by the park headquarters, a 10-minute drive away, for briefing and assigning a guide. After the golden monkey trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon you will have an Optional visit the Research Center & Campus for a Conservation historical background and efforts by the famous Dian Fossey and the Volcanoes National Park safeguarding the endangered Mountain Gorillas.

There is an option of leaving out Golden Monkeys and then do Two Consecutive Gorilla Trekking

You will have not one but two adventurous treks to meet the Mountain Gorillas; each family has a lot to offer, they will be carrying on with their daily life as you enjoy the visit.

You will have early breakfast on both days after which you will depart for the park headquarters for briefing and being assigned into Gorilla groups complete with rangers. You will then trek through the Volcanoes National Park for a face to face encounter with the majestic Mountain Gorillas. The high point of the trek will be spending an hour with the remarkably peaceful gorillas despite their size and appearance, as they go about their daily life: feeding, playing, resting, grooming and raising their young.

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer back to Kigali on a 3hr scenic drive. On arrival in Kigali you have the option to go on a souvenir shopping, see some local markets, visit crafts & Art Galleries among other things in Kigali, depending on your departure flight.

Otherwise you will be transferred to the Airport for your departure flight and that will mark the end of your trip to Rwanda.

The total cost of the tour starts from USD 10,447 per person sharing depending on the property of your choice

Gorilla Trekking Tips & Rules:

• When tracking gorillas, wear sturdier clothing to protect against stinging nettles, and solid walking shoes. A lightweight waterproof jacket may come in handy in the moist mountains.
  You will also need a small backpack to carry water and snacks.
• Keep a minimum of 10 meters from the Gorillas – this is to protect them.
• Do NOT remove anything from the park e.g. flowers, fruit, porcupine quills, etc.
• Keep your voices down at all times.
• No Flash photography is allowed.
• Professional film makers require permission and need to purchase filming permits.
• Do NOT eat or drink when close to the gorillas – this is a disease risk.
• Do NOT touch the Gorillas – they are wild animals.
• The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is ONE hour
• If you are feeling ill, or are carrying a contagious disease, please volunteer to stay behind.
  An alternative visit will be arranged for you,
• Do NOT spit in the park and go to the bathroom only as instructed by your guide.
• Do not leave anything in the park, if you pack it in, pack it out!
• Obey the local guide instructions at all times, for the safety of the Gorillas and visitors.
• Porters are available at a small fee to carry your daypack and help you up the steep slopes when gorilla tracking.
• The minimum age for Gorilla trekking is 15 years.