Highlights of Rwanda

Duration

14 days

Guaranteed

4 travellers

Group size

18 travellers

Price

From AUD $17,122

WHAT TO EXPECT

Join us on this captivating safari to discover the breathtaking beauty of Rwanda – the enchanting ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’. Embark on unforgettable adventures including gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, exhilarating game drives, and picturesque boat cruises on the pristine Lake Kivu. Immerse yourself in the exceptional tapestry of community, cultural, and spiritual encounters at the Guardian Village and Buhanga Eco Park. Unforgettable adventures await!

Itinerary

Welcome to Rwanda! Upon arriving in Kigali, our tour representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
While in Kigali, embark on a guided city tour to uncover the historical landmarks of this thriving capital. Explore the Rwanda Genocide Memorial Museum in Gisozi, wander through local fresh produce markets and artisanal craft shops. Dive into history at the old Presidential Palace, discovering its rich narrative. Afterward, settle into your accommodation, refresh yourself, and then proceed to Repub Lounge for a delightful welcome dinner.

Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Welcome Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Guided city tour of Kigali
  • Visit of the Rwanda Genocide Memorial Museum in Gisozi
  • Visit of a local market
  • Visit of the old presidential palace
  • After breakfast, you will embark on your journey to Volcanoes National Park, immersing yourself in the breathtaking views of hills and misty valleys along the way. Located in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park safeguards the steep slopes of this majestic mountain range, serving as a sanctuary for the endangered mountain gorillas. Before arriving at your accommodation, you will take a detour to Buhanga Eco Park. This area holds historical significance as a sacred forest where Rwandese Kings once conducted initiation ceremonies. Today, it stands as a testament to the traditions of past societies that engaged in such rituals. While here, you’ll have the opportunity to take a trail walk through the park, tracing the footsteps of these ancient rituals. Afterward, proceed to your accommodation, enjoy lunch, and take some time to relax. Later, transfer to the twin lakes for an evening boat cruise. This enchanting cruise will grant you the chance to witness the captivating birdlife and soak in the beauty of the lush green hills that gracefully embrace the terraced landscape surrounding the lake.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Spiritual – Trail walk through Buhanga Eco Park
  • Boat ride on Twin Lakes
  • After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters, accompanied by your packed lunch. This early start ensures that you receive a briefing about the proper code of conduct when interacting with the gorillas. Subsequently, you will venture into the forest in pursuit of the gorillas. The duration of this search can vary from 2 to 6 hours, contingent upon the gorillas’ movements within the jungle. Once you encounter the gorillas, you will have the privilege of spending up to one hour in their presence. Afterward, ascend for a community walk to Gorilla Guardian Village. Immerse yourself in their diverse cultural performances and practices, engaging in activities like gridding that offer unique insights into their way of life. En route to the village, you will also make a stopover at the Dian Fossey Museum.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Unique – Gorilla Trekking
  • Visit of the Dian Fossey museum
  • Cultural experiences at Gorilla Guardian Village
  • Begin your day with an early drive to a nearby village in Kinigi. Upon arrival, the host family will warmly welcome you and your guide. Engage in daily activities like cooking, crafting, and more. Share a traditional lunch with the family and spend the afternoon interacting with them and the local community, gaining insights into their way of life.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Social – Immersion in a daily life of a local family in Kinigi
  • Kibuye is one of Rwanda’s loveliest spots and the closest the country has to a beach resort. Its shores are graced with inviting sandy stretches adorned by lush tropical vegetation that line the expanse of Lake Kivu. The journey through Kibuye snakes along the shores of Lake Kivu. You will enjoy a picturesque 3 hours drive coming as close as possible to the shores of Lake Kivu on many points. During your time in Kibuye, relish a memorable boat ride across the serene Lake Kivu.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • 3h scenic drive to Kibuye
  • Boat ride on Lake Kivu
  • Relax and take in the views of Rwandan mountains from the hillside of Lake Kivu. We’ll be hiking on Napoleon Island and looking for fruit bats and velvet monkeys on a nearby island in Kibuye. Lunch will be served at Rushel Kivu, an amazing hotel with a beautiful beach with swimming facilities. This tour provides a unique opportunity for community engagement once you reach the island. Local community members will greet you with their distinctive songs, music, and dance performances. Depending on your availability, join the locals in rural life to witness some of the small farms on the island. You’ll also have the chance to delve into a comprehensive coffee tour, learning about the journey from crop to cup. Embark on a short, rejuvenating trail along the Lake Kivu coastline and conclude the day with an evening boat ride.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Hiking on Napoleon Island
  • Welcoming performance by the members of the community
  • Taste – Coffee tour and tasting experience
  • Evening boat ride on Lake Kivu
  • After breakfast, we will drive to Nyungwe where you will visit a tea plantation. You will step into this tea estate, immersing yourself in the enchanting sight of numerous parallel ridges of tea. These are complemented by the captivating mountains that create a picturesque backdrop for the plantation. You will also have a chance to visit the factory and gain insights into the intricate process of tea production. Concluding the day’s explorations, you will then proceed to your accommodation for a restful overnight stay.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Visit of a tea plantation
  • After breakfast, you’ll head to Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee tracking and an afternoon canopy walk. The park, located near a tea estate, features a pristine rainforest with a dense canopy. It’s home to 310 bird species, various butterflies, orchids, and over 75 mammal species, including 13 types of primates like chimpanzees. Chimpanzees here live in groups, foraging daily. Tracking them can last 1 to 3 hours, and you’ll spend up to an hour observing them. After lunch, enjoy an exciting canopy walk in Nyungwe forest.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Unique – Chimps tracking
  • Afternoon canopy walk (2-3hrs)
  • In the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing. This is the only park in Rwanda where you can do a game drive and view savannah based wild animals. Upon arrival and clearance, you shall enter the park and have a game drive en-route to your accommodation. You may be able to spot various animals along the way; predominantly antelopes, buffalo and monkeys.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Game drive in Akagera National Park
  • Early in the morning, you will embark on a game drive within Akagera National Park. Its vast open expanse offers an ideal setting for exceptional game viewing. Expect to encounter buffalo, elephants, antelope, zebras, giraffes, baboons, monkeys, and an impressive variety of 490 bird species. To enhance your chances of spotting diverse wildlife, a ranger guide will lead your expedition. Keep an eye out for the lion pride that roams Akagera. Another highlight of your Akagera visit is a boat trip on Lake Ihema. This experience unveils large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a profusion of water birds residing on the island nestled within the lake.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Early morning game drive
  • Boat trip on Lake Ihema
  • After breakfast, embark on a guided walk through the park’s trails, accompanied by armed rangers to ensure safety. This 3-hour walk offers an opportunity to intimately connect with the park’s wildlife and birdlife. Enjoy the refreshing breeze, stunning hill views, close encounters with animals, and the chance to capture photos. Following the walk, take time to retire, relax, and have lunch. Later in the evening, partake in a night game drive, accompanied by rangers, to observe nocturnal creatures emerging from their hiding spots. Keep an eye out for lions, leopards, hyenas, bush babies, civets, mongoose, and more.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

  • Insider Experiences:
  • Unique – Guided nature walking tour
  • Night game drive
  • In the morning, we will begin the journey to Kigali city. Enjoy the scenic countryside views along the way, and feel free to stop for landscape photography or to engage with local communities. Upon reaching your accommodation, check in, have lunch, and in the evening we will gather for a farewell party.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Farewell Dinner
  • After breakfast, you will be transferred to the International airport for your onwards journey.

    Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Inclusions

    • Insider Experiences

      Social - Immersion in a daily life of a local family in Kinigi
      Spiritual - Trail walk through Buhanga Eco Park
      Taste - Coffee tour and tasting experience
      Unique - Gorilla Trekking
      Unique - Chimps tracking
      Unique - Guided nature walking tour

    • Accommodation

      13 nights in 3-4 star hotels and lodges




    • Meals

      Daily breakfast
      12 Lunches
      12 Dinners


    • Transport

      Air-conditioned vehicle
      Airport transfer on arrival and departure



    • Touring

      English speaking tour guide
      All entrance fees
      All tipping
      One non-resident Gorilla & Chimp permits per person in Volcanoes & Nyungwe

    Departure dates & rates

    START DAYEND DAYPRICE TWIN ROOMPRICE SINGLE ROOM
    Monday, 3 June 2024Sunday, 16 June 20241712222486
    Monday, 8 July 2024Sunday, 21 July 20241712222486
    Monday, 5 August 2024Sunday, 18 August 20241712222486
    Monday, 2 September 2024Sunday, 15 September 20241712222486
    Monday, 7 October 2024Sunday, 20 October 20241712222486
    Monday, 4 November 2024Sunday, 17 November 20241712222486
    Monday, 2 December 2024Sunday, 15 December 20241712222486

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