Remarkable Rwanda

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel reception at 7:00 am for a morning briefing before you leave Kigali for the far east of the country which is where Akagera National Park is located. Akagera is Africa’s 2nd oldest national park and has been regenerated back to a big 5 safari park post the 1993 genocide. It’s around 2.5 drive going through local towns and villages. The east part of Rwanda is less hilly and opens to Savanna once you reach Akagera.

You will arrive at the park around mid-morning for registration and then proceed for the southern sector game drive. This circuit is particularly known for its Giraffes, Zebras, Baboons, Waterbuck, and Buffalo. After this morning session, you will return to the lodge for lunch and check in.

That afternoon, around 3.00pm, you continue a game drive of the southern sector before heading toward Lake Ihema for a special safari boat from 4.30pm (1 hr.).

The evening safari boat is an opportunity to get up close from a whole new perspective and see hippos, crocodiles, and many of the 423-bird species of Akagera, all whilst watching the sunset over this magical first day.

It’s only 10 minutes from the boat safari launch to your accommodation at Ruzizi Tented Lodge. This lodge is owned by the park, so your contribution goes towards further conservation and regeneration of this wondrous region. The camp is right on Lake Ihema and the Hippos often visit in the morning. Don’t worry, the tents are on raised platforms and Hippo’s can’t jump. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Ruzizi Tented Lodge or similar

After breakfast, you will start your day with a nature walk around the park. The “Walk the Line Experience” is an immersive journey into the heart of nature at Akagera National Park. This unique adventure involves a 2-hour (7km – moderate difficulty) guided nature walk led by a community volunteer as you follow the park’s perimeter fence. On this walk, you will see many of the park’s remarkable wildlife up close. After the nature walk, you will be driven to Karenge Bush Camp for lunch and check-in.

Later In the afternoon, we will proceed onto an afternoon game drive in the northern circuit to search for animals you may have missed out on in the previous game drive. This afternoon you will visit the Savannah region of Akagera’s northern sector, where you’ll want to keep your eyes open for some of the park’s top predators, as well as Giraffes and Elephants.

You will finish the day with dinner at Karenge Bush Camp in the evening. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Karenge Bush Camp or similar

After breakfast, you will embark on a full-day game drive with packed lunch from the lodge onboard, traversing the central and northern sectors, which is known for it’s rich game spotting.

Along the way, we will make a stop at Hippo’s Beach viewpoint, where you can enjoy your packed

lunch while observing hippos sunbathing on the beach.

After lunch we will make our way from Central Akagera back to the northern sector, taking several different tracks in search of lions, rhinos, giraffes, topis, waterbuck, zebra and more.  The final hour or so will be spent in the open spaces of Kilala Plains which is known as a tremendous open viewing spot for game and close to your tented camp. Here, the landscape opens up into expansive savannahs, keep an eye out for big game here like lions and rhinoceros. Lions were introduced to the park about seven years ago, and their population is thriving. Additionally, the park recently welcomed rhinos recently, making it an exciting opportunity to spot these magnificent creatures.

The vast savannah terrain is punctuated by numerous lakes, providing additional opportunities to observe a variety of bird species and the presence of hippos. As the day ends, we make our way back to our camp for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Karenge Bush Camp or similar

After an early breakfast, we depart at 0800hrs and reach the northern exit of the park within 30 minutes.  There are often Elephants spotted in this area. Exiting the gate, we head north through the township of Nyagatare and through the authentic rural life of Rwanda heading to the turnoff where we ascend to the mountains of Volcanoes National Park.

The four-hour transfer offers an enjoyable journey through Rwanda’s changing landscapes. As we make our way into the mountainous region, we will stop for lunch and a well-earned break at the Sooko Experience. This welcoming stopover, complete with a restaurant and excellent facilities, was established by a group of local driver-guides who pooled their resources after recognising the need for a comfortable rest stop along this busy route to the Volcanoes.

After lunch at Sooko, we continue for approximately 90 minutes, ascending into the mountains towards Musanze, nestled in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, we will visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

This new campus serves as an initiative to foster a lasting connection between a passion for Wildlife Conservation and the revered legacy of Dian Fossey. This state-of-the-art centre has provided a permanent home for the Dian Fossey Fund, facilitating the expansion of education and research in Mountain Gorilla Conservation. Its impact promises to be enduring, benefiting both the communities of Volcanoes National Park and the future of Mountain Gorillas.

After your visit, we will head to your nearby lodge to check inn. At 1730hrs we arranged at the lodge for a special presentation by the Gorilla Doctors. This offers valuable insight into the dedicated work of veterinarians and their assistants responsible for the health of Mountain Gorillas, especially in light of their small population. Their relentless efforts have been instrumental in the remarkable growth of gorilla numbers since 1986. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Skojet (Luxury Cottage) or similar

Today, you have a unique and privileged experience of tracking and hopefully meeting the rare Mountain Gorilla. There are only around 880 of these magnificent creatures left in the world, with around a third of those in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

After an early breakfast, you leave the lodge at 06:30 hrs and drive 30 minutes to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters. At the park headquarters, there will be a cup of tea or coffee available and traditional dancers to welcome you. The park rangers will organise trekkers into groups based on fitness level and assign you a trek leader. The leader will brief you on the day’s trek and gorilla behaviour before a short drive to the trek starting point in the farmlands at the foothills of the volcanoes.

The gorilla trek ventures up the mountain and through thick forest. It can last anywhere between 2 and 6 hours, depending on which gorilla group you are assigned and how nomadic that group is. If you wish, there is the option to hire a porter to help you carry your backpack or bag and can give you a hand while hiking.

Once you happen upon your gorilla group all tiredness will melt away as you get to spend a full hour with a troop of these extraordinary creatures. You will marvel at their interactions, displays, playing, eating and sleeping. There is so much to recognise in our own human behaviour. The encounter is considered one of the greatest wildlife encounters on the planet.

After that, it’s time to leave the mountain gorillas to live their life and head back down the descent, taking in the stunning views on the way down. Your driver and guide will be waiting to hear all about your adventure before driving you. The duration of the trip is around 2-3 hours.

After a big day of activities, it’s time to come back to the lodge for dinner and have a good night’s sleep. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Ingagi Park View Lodge or similar

After breakfast we check out by 0730hrs and transfer to Mukungwa River for a gentle but enjoyable canoe experience at the foothills of the National Park.  The gentle winding river takes you around the farms, fields and communities at the base of the Volcanoes National Park. Your guides are well trained and the water is a gentle flow. You will see bird life, handmade bridges, views of the hills and mountains and children who are very happy to see you. The duration of the trip is around 2-3 hours.

Afterwards you will transfer to Muhanga with a packed lunch on board from the lodge. Muhanga is where your host family lives and where you get to experience the lives of a typical rural Rwandan farmer and then stay overnight in a mud hut to get a real sense of living as a local. Whilst Rwanda is a small country it is densely populated and most of its citizens earn a livelihood and living from owning and working small plots of land.

On arrival, you will partake in your authentic rural activity of choice (chosen on Day 1 during the briefing):

• A Day in the Life of an Artisan
• Become part of a weaving cooperative for the day
• Imigongo (cow dung art) Experience
• Traditional Construction
• Banana Juice Making
• Traditional Cooking Day
• Azizi Life Pathways
• Crafting Workshop Experiences
• Candle Dipping and Hive Making

In the afternoon, your Azizi Life Musical Adventure kicks off with a captivating performance by a talented troupe of traditional artists and storytellers as the sun sets. Whether you’re naturally rhythmic or not, our experienced instructors ensure that everyone can relish the experience of mastering the art of traditional drumming and dancing.

Following that, it’s your moment to shine as you don a traditional costume and delve into the world of Rwandan dance. You’re in for a joyful time as the dancers guide you through the fundamental dance steps while sharing intriguing insights into the history of Rwandan dance.

Accommodation will be a local homestay. Homestay hostesses live in homes made of mud brick, which usually have one larger front room for receiving visitors and a few smaller bedrooms for the family. In the enclosed area behind the house, there is an outdoor kitchen, an enclosed pit latrine and bathing outhouse, animal stalls, and a family workspace. Most host families have about four children at home. In Rwandan culture, guests are considered a blessing.

Overnight – Homestay or farm hut

As the new day dawns, you will share a wonderful breakfast with your host family and say farewell before heading to our next destination for lunch, Asaabe Cafe, which is on the outskirts of the Lake Kivu town of Kibuye.  Enjoy lunch and then it is only a short transfer to Cleo Lake Kivu on the Lake for your overnight stay on the shores of Africa’s 7th largest freshwater lake.  It is a tranquil and beautiful stay overlooking the lake across to the shores of Congo on the opposite side.

Lake Kivu shares a border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It stretches 89 kilometres in length, 48 kilometres in width, and reaches a depth of 240 metres. Along its shores, you’ll find charming small towns and bustling cities, all set against the backdrop of the region’s iconic rolling hills and towering volcanoes.

The real magic begins at the end of the day, where you will partake in a Singing Fisherman Experience. Each evening, a mesmerising Rwandan tradition unfolds along the picturesque shores of Lake Kivu. As the sun gracefully dips below the horizon, local fishermen fill the air with songs and whistles, embarking on their journey to the heart of the lake. This captivating experience provides a unique opportunity to witness the age-old fishing techniques of Lake Kivu, as skilled fishermen navigate the waters in their traditional boats equipped with hooks and nets (2 hrs). Adventurous participants can even try their hand at this authentic fishing method, immersing themselves in the local way of life.

After the Singing Fishermen Experience, you will return to the lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Lake Kivu Lodge or similar

After a relaxing breakfast, you will have a lazy start to the day with a 10 am checkout. We will then depart along the bumpy but scenic road from Lake Kivu to Nyungwe Forest National Park (93 km, 2 hrs. 12 mins), Africa’s largest temperate Rainforest. Along the way, you’ll be treated to views of terraced farmlands, vibrant green tea plantations, and dense forests that carpet the hillsides. Keep your eyes open as there are often cheeky monkeys sitting on the side of the road along the way.

Upon reaching Nyungwe National Park, you’ll have a packed lunch before exploring the renowned Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge that takes you on an exhilarating journey high above the forest floor. The 160-meter-long walkway offers an up-close encounter with the forest’s treetop canopy, providing stunning vistas and potential wildlife sightings. You will then continue on to your hotel (5km, 15 min) where you will have dinner and the evening at leisure. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Munazi Eco-Lodge or similar

This morning will be an early start, waking up at 0500hrs and eating your packed breakfast on the way to the Nyungwe Park Headquarters, which is the briefing location and starting point of your Chimpanzee Trek. (22 km, 1 hr). On arrival, the park rangers will give you a briefing on the trek rules and chimpanzee behaviours, then you head off with walking sticks in hand into the jungle. With approximately 500 chimpanzees in this Rwandan region, it plays a crucial role in conserving this rapidly declining species. Depending on the trackers’ information, you may encounter larger troops of around 60 or more, or intimate groups of 20–30. Regardless, chimpanzees are typically more active than mountain gorillas, showcasing their remarkable intelligence, confidence, and characteristics, thanks to their 98.7% genetic similarity to humans.

After the experience, return to your accommodation for lunch and a freshen-up.

This afternoon, we will proceed to the nearby lake shores for the Nkombo Island Boat tour excursion (3 hrs.). Nkombo Island is nestled on Lake Kivu, between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. It stands as one of Rwanda’s well-kept secrets. The community speaks a language that mixes Kinyarwanda and a local Congolese language.  There will be traditional fisherman to see, bird species and the enthusiasm of the local artisans and traditional dancers.

Once we arrive at the island, you’ll do a steep climb to a community that speaks a mix of Rwandan and Congolese languages. You’re sure to receive a warm welcome with traditional dances and an opportunity to admire their traditionally crafted baskets.

Afterwards, you’ll return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Munazi Eco Lodge or similar

It’s the final day of the tour and after checking out we will make our way to Gitarama, the Kings Palace Museum (146 km, 3.5 hrs.). Located in Nyanza, south of Kigali City, King’s Palace Museum Rwanda was the original residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa.

Arriving around lunch, you will eat at the café before exploring the museum, which has been restored to its 19th-century state and offers insight into Rwandan traditions. After a recent reintroduction, the property is now home to long-horned traditional cows, which are an integral part of the Rwandan culture. On the neighbouring hill of Mwima, you can visit the burial grounds of King Mutara III and his wife, Queen Rosalie Gicanda.

After the Palace, we will head back to Kigali (100 km, 2.5 hrs.)  to have dinner at Kigali’s Repub Lounge and from there we transfer you to Kigali Airport (or your overnight accommodation) and wish you a safe onward journey with memories that move you long after you return home. (B,L,D)