- Itinerary
- Planned Hotels
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- The trip does not include
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Primates in Rwanda
8 days / 7 nights
Itineraries
Day 1
Kigali
Arrival at the airport and welcome by our staff. Transfer to your hotel in Kigali. Overnight stay.
Day 2
Kigali – Akagera National Park
Breakfast. We begin with a city tour of Kigali, including the Genocide Museum/Memorial and the craft market. Lunch is served. Continue to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, we will take a boat ride/safari on Lake Ihema in the afternoon. We may see hippos and crocodiles, among other animals. After sunset, we will go on a night safari, ideal for seeing the park's nocturnal creatures, such as the genet and the seval. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 3
Akagera National Park
Early breakfast. Morning game drive to see the diverse wildlife of the area. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a cultural experience with the local community. We'll visit kraals used for cattle breeding, cow milking, cheese production, and banana beer making. We'll also attend a traditional dance and theater performance where everyone can join in. Return to the lodge, and the rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4
Akagera National Park – Kinigi
Breakfast. Departure for Kinigi via Kigali. Stop for lunch. We will continue to the Virunga Volcanoes area, one of the last remaining refuges for wild mountain gorillas. After crossing Ruhengeri, we will arrive at Kinigi. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 5
Kinigi – Volcanoes National Park – Kinigi
Breakfast. We will depart for the Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center, home to one of the most endangered species on the planet, located at the base of Sabinyo Volcano. First, we will be assigned to one of the gorilla groups/families that have been habituated to human presence and receive a briefing from the guide, who will accompany us on our trek. The guides are extremely professional and will inform us in detail about the rules and behavior we must follow both during the trek and while we are observing the gorillas. We will then transfer to the starting point. Afterward, we will return to the starting point and have lunch. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
In Rwanda, there are 12 gorilla groups habituated to human presence that can be visited by tourists. Each group can be visited by a maximum of eight people per day, and encounters with the gorillas are strictly limited to one hour. The trek can last between one and eight hours and can reach altitudes exceeding 8 meters. The terrain is steep and sometimes quite muddy. Although the trek requires physical exertion, the beauty of the forest and the landscape make it very enjoyable. Once you encounter the gorillas, all fatigue is forgotten, and the experience is often described as one of the most profound and unforgettable in the animal kingdom. It can rain at any time, so it is highly recommended to wear a raincoat and, of course, trekking boots, as well as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt/t-shirt, high socks, a hat, and sunscreen. A fleece or light warm clothing is recommended, as early in the morning, due to the altitude and humid environment, it can be cold. Your guide/driver will provide you with enough water for the hike.
Day 6
Kinigi – Rusizi / Lake Kivu
Breakfast. Departure for Rusizi/Lake Kivu, near Nyungwe National Park. We will pass through beautiful eucalyptus forests. Lunch en route. Arrival in the afternoon at the lodge, overlooking Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7
Lake Kivu – Nyungwe Forest National Park – Lake Kivu
We will depart before dawn, where we will have a picnic breakfast. We will arrive at Nyungwe National Park. The walk through the forest is captivating, surrounded by green mountains. The morning is dedicated to walking in search of our closest relatives: the chimpanzees. We will encounter many other primates such as the red-tailed monkeys; the black-and-white colobus; blue monkeys; L'Honest's monkeys… Lunch is served inside the park. Afterwards, we will take another walk along a canopy walkway between the trees. This activity offers stunning views of the misty forest and wildlife sightings. Return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8
Lake Kivu – Kigali
Breakfast. Early departure for Kigali. En route, we will visit the National Museum and the Royal Palace. During the visit, we will learn more about Rwandan traditions. Transfer to Kigali airport. End of services.
NOTE: The departure flight must be in the afternoon/evening.
Kigali/Kigo
Hotel des Mille Collines (Panorama View Room)
Akagera National Park
Ruzizi Tented Camp (Standard Tent)
Kinigi
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Lake Kivu
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel (Standard Lake View Room)
- Transfers according to itinerary.
- Full-board accommodation throughout the trip except in Kigali, where accommodation will be bed and breakfast.
- Transportation in a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with an English-speaking driver/guide (non-exclusive use).
- Entrance fees to national parks.
- Mineral water en route during the tour.
- Travel insurance.
- Visas
- Drinks with meals included in the program.
- Tips to drivers and guides.
- Personal expenses or any other services not indicated as included in our itinerary.
- To formalize your reservation, we require copies of your passports and full payment for the gorilla and chimpanzee permits.
- Permits are non-refundable. Once booked, in the event of cancellation or date changes, the fee will be 100% refunded and not reduced.
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