Rwanda Gorillas, Primates, & Game
Discover Rwanda's stunning wildlife, wild places and fascinating people with us
Our Rwanda Behind the Scenes itinerary offers a truly inspirational and transformative holiday experience, packed with unforgettable moments; some of Africa’s most exquisite scenery; abundant wildlife and warm, welcoming people. Spend time with the Mountain gorillas and learn about their conservation, visit a Genocide Memorial Site, have the opportunities to partake in Gorilla trekking, and have some wonderful, authentic cultural experiences.
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The itinerary…
Day 1: Departure

Kigali
Fly from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) to Kigali, the Rwandese capital. On arrival you will be welcomed and transferred to the Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel located in a suburb of the city for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Kigali - Akagera NP

Boat Trip, Akagera (Rwanda Development Board)
This morning, you are met and transferred to Akagera National Park (an approx. 3hr drive), Rwanda’s only ‘Big Five’ protected area.
This afternoon, you venture out on a boat trip on Lake Ihema where you have the chance to spot Crocodiles and Hippos, as well as water birds such as African Darter, Cormorants, Open-billed Stork, African Jacana, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, and Papyrus Gonolek amongst many other bird species.
Check-in to Ruzizi Tented Lodge where you will stay for the next two nights on a full-board basis.
Day 3: Game drives!

Zebras, Akagera (Rwanda Tourism)
Today you enjoy game drives in Akagera National Park. Whilst wildlife densities might not be as prolific as in other east African parks given time you are likely to spot a good variety of big game and wildlife, including Elephant, Giraffe, Buffalo, Burchell’s Zebra, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Oribi, Klipspringer, Impala, Hippo, and Crocodile.
Day 4: Akagera NP - Nyungwe Forest NP

Nyungwe Forest (Rwanda Development Board)
This morning, you are transferred to Nyungwe Forest National Park (an approx. 7hr drive), where en-route you stop in Butare and visit the National Museum.
Check-in at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel where you will stay for the next three nights on a full-board basis.
Day 5: Chimp tracking, canopy walk & forest walks!

Chimpanzee (Chimps Nest Lodge)
Today, you are transferred Cyamudongo Forest (an approx 30min drive), where the most of Chimpanzee tracking excursions are organised. You will enjoy a morning of chimpanzee tracking. Note that the terrain where the Chimps are includes some steep slopes. Take rain gear for inclement weather. Guides lead you through the forest in search of these elusive beasts.
This afternoon, you enjoy an interesting canopy walk and view the birds, butterflies, and some monkeys from a high viewpoint.
Day 6: Gisakura Tea Estate tour and local coffee plantation!

Gisakura Tea Estate (Rwanda Tourism)
Today you visit Gisakura Tea Estate, one of Rwanda’s most famous tea plantations and most probably the most beautiful located on the western fringes of Nyungwe Forest National Park. You also have the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation.
Day 7: Nyungwe Forest NP - Kibuye, Lake Kivu

Lake Views (Cormoran Lodge)
This morning, you have a long and very scenic drive (an approx. 5hr drive) on unmade roads to Kibuye, on the shores of Lake Kivu.
Check-in at Cormoran Lodge, a rustic yet stylish lodge set on a steep hill leading down to the shore of the lake where you will stay for the night on a full-board basis.
Day 8: Kibuye - Gisenyi, Lake Kivu - Parc National des Volcans

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
This morning, you travel north to Gisenyi (an approx. 2hr drive). You have the chance to explore Gisenyi, its small sandy beach, palm trees and a charming post-colonial boulevard frontage.
In the afternoon afternoon, you leave the lakeshore behind you and enjoy a wonderfully scenic transfer to Parc National des Volcans where you check-in to the Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, and stay for the next three night on a full-board basis.
Day 9: Gorilla tracking!

Gorilla and Baby (Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund)
After an early breakfast you will be taken to the park HQ for a briefing at 07h00 on conduct during gorilla tracking. You will then be allocated to a team of experienced ranger-guides who will take you into Parc National des Volcans, to seek out one of the resident, habituated Gorilla groups.
Time taken to reach the Gorillas varies from as little as 45 minutes to a few hours in closed forest. Once the Gorillas are located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.
Day 10: Golden monkey tracking!

Golden Monkey (Robert Brierley)
After the briefing at the Park HQ, set off to seek these endangered monkeys which are unique to the Albertine Rift, normally located high up in the dense bamboo groves. This afternoon is yours to relax at leisure.
Day 11: Parc National des Volcans - Kigali

Musanze Caves (Prime Uganda Safari)
This morning, you visit the Musanze Cave and view the large colonies of Bats and fascinating rock formations.
This afternoon, you are transferred back to Kigali, and onto the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, a historically factual and extremely moving exhibition of the Rwandan genocide.
Check-in to the Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel located in a suburb of the city for an overnight stay.
Day 12: Kigali - Kigali Airport

Kigali
After a relaxing breakfast, you explore Kigali and have the opportunity to visit the Inema Art Center, Niyo Art Gallery and Kimironko Market.
Finally, you are transferred back to Kigali Airport to check-in for your indirect overnight flight back to London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports).
Day 13: Arrival
Arrive back into London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) by mid-morning.
Duration: 12 Nights
Location: Rwanda, Africa
Price: £6150pp
Price per person sharing in double or twin room accommodation includes international return flights (economy class) from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports), all transfers and transportation, services of private professional experienced English-speaking driver/guide, all excursions and activities (including 1x Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per person, 1x Rwanda chimp trekking permit per person, 1x Rwanda golden monkey permit per person, Gorilla Doctors/Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project presentation talk), national park permits/fees, all accommodation, all meals, bottled mineral water in vehicle.
Additional Costs:
£700: Single room supplement
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