9 days gorilla trek & wildlife safari in rwanda

Tour Overview

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport. Take a Kigali City Tour through the different Genocide Memorial Sites, Curio shops and Kimironko fruits market.
day 2: Hiking and Trekking along the colobus Trails in Nyungwe Forest.
day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe Forest. Connect to Kibuye in the afternoon.
Day 4: Leave Kibuye for Kinigi via Gisenyi and Ruhengeri.
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in PNV. Visit the twin lakes of Bulera and Rubondo.
Day 6: Day Hike to the Volcanic Mount Bisoke
Day 7: Drive to Akagera National Park. Take a boat ride along Lake Iheema.
Day 8: Big Game Drive in Akagera National Park.
Day 9: Connect to Kigali, do some shopping & later transfer to the airport.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - Kigali City Tour

Upon arrival in the morning, you will be welcomed by your tour guide, take you for a briefing in the Hotel. Proceed for Kigali city tour, where you will visit the Genocide Memorial Museum, curio markets and the Kimironko fruits markets where you have a chance to meet the local people and choose your fruit basket.

The city tour will also include the old town of Nyamirambo, the new handicraft village and other shops, the Batwa pottery and dance centre and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. Lunch encountered enroute. The City tour takes a couple of hours and so interesting. Thereafter, connect to Nyungwe National park, check-in Gisakura Guest House / Nyungwe forest lodge.

Day 2: Hiking and trekking Colobus trails: Nyungwe forest N.P

Enter Nyungwe forest after breakfast to track the Nyungwe Colobus monkeys. A walk in the forest is a whole learning experience conducted by knowledgeable tour-guides well versed in botany, ornithology and interspecies relationship in this forest. There after, return to your lodge for lunch. Dinner and overnight Gisakura Guest House / Nyungwe forest lodge.

Day 3: Chimp trekking in Nyungwe forest – Kibuye City

After a cup of tea or coffee, enter Nyungwe forest (0600hrs) to track the chimpanzees; return to the lodge for lunch, thereafter, connect to Kibuye for dinner and overnight in Kibuye Guest house or Hotel Centre Bethanie.

Day 4: Kibuye-Gisenyi-Ruhengeri –Kinigi (PNV)

After early break fast, connect to Kinigi (Volcanoes National Park Head quarters) from Kibuye via Gisenyi and Ruhengeri. This is a 6hrs drive (213Km). The drive Kibuye-Gisenyi is via the most beautiful sceneries, providing spectacular views of the tea growing country of Gisovu and Kayove. Brief stops are provided for photography and refreshment. A 4hrs drive takes us to Gisenyi for lunch and a brief city tour. There after drive for 2hrs to Ruhengeri and finally Kinigi; the base of gorilla tracking. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla's Nest / Kinigi Guest House.

Day 5: Rwanda Gorillas in the Mist: Parc National des Volcans

An early morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Kinigi station - park headquarters for guide allocation and briefing on the ‘Dos' and Don'ts on encounter with mountain Gorillas. This is followed by a drive to the trailheads where hiking and trekking up the hills to the bamboo zone begins. Hiking, trekking and tracking gorillas may take 2-5 hours, depending on their movements. Sight and stay with the mountain Gorillas for one hour. Descend to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the panoramic twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla's Nest / Kinigi Guest House.

Day 6: Day Hike to Volcanic Mountain Bisoke
Have early break fast and go for Mt. climbing / hiking on the volcano Mt Bisoke, which is topped by a beautiful crater lake. The hike leads through rain forest inhabited by the endangered mountain gorillas that were the subject of the movie "Gorillas in the Mist" about Dian Fossey. The hike to the Crater Lake (no swimming) takes about 3 hours up and 2 hours down. It is non-technical but can be muddy and slippery, especially on the steeper sections. Long pants are suggested due to the stinging nettle plants that are found along the trail. However, this activity is suitable for those who are reasonably fit! Return to the lodge for lunch and relax in the evening while discussing the day's sightings! Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla's Nest / Kinigi Guest House

Day 7: PNV – Akagera National Park: Boat trip
Start a picnic drive to Kigali after break fast, enroute, enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known, connect to Akagera National park, through the beautiful undulating plains, composed of dense, broad-leafed woodland, lighter acacia woodland and rolling grassland, also with an extensive series of lakes linked by papyrus swamps forming a sprawling wetland.
After lunch, proceed for a boat trip on Lake Ihema, where you will have a closer look at marine animals like Crocodiles and Hippos, coupled with large concentration of bird life, with over 525 species identified. Unique species such as Shoe billed stocks and papyrus gonolek can be encountered. Endemics include the jacanas, ibis, sand pipers and herons. Return to Akagera safari Lodge for dinner and overnight!

Day 8: Big game drive
An early start this morning as you join your ranger in an open vehicle for your safari into the Akagera National Park. A half day game drive here will allow you the opportunity to spot a variety of wild animals such as elephants, buffalos, lions, Maasai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Butchel's zebra, topi, bush baby, leopard and bushbuck. Have lunch and relax while having a discussion about the safari experience, and prepare for a flight back home.

Day 9: Final day in Rwanda
This is the day to say farewell to your fellow travelers, guide and to a country that has been your home for a short while. Following breakfast, you will connect to Kigali, do some shopping and latter transfer to the airport and catch your flight back home.

END OF THE TOUR

Dates & Prices for the Trip

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Enquire for 2012 Departure Dates or for a private safari option.

PRICES for our tours

In order to process your booking request, please fill out the ENQUIRY/BOOKING FORM .

Please take into account:

* In some of our programs and add-ons, the rates vary according to the number of persons and travel date.
* This is no definitive reservation of our tours. This is due to that most of our reservations are based on availability of gorilla permits. A sales representative will contact you afterwards to confirm your booking, the total price and sort out any questions or special requests you may have.
* If you experience any problems using this booking form, you may also use our STANDARD CONTACT FORM to get in touch with us.

Please Note :

• Special offers may be available on this trip.Special rates are available for different seasons.
• VAT is included at the applicable rate, and we make no service charge.
• Group rates are available for parties of 4 or more people. Please inquire or telephone for rates.
• We accept payments preferably in US Dollars. Small Bills (1 -20) attract a lower rate. For payments in other currencies, currency exchange rates vary daily & we always calculate them accurately using the most current international banking data available.

We accept wire transfers and credit card payments. Payment by credit card is subject to a surchage of 5%

Optional Safaris in Rwanda

Browse our selection of exciting safaris in Rwanda. These trips can be possible addonns to your trip or be booked independently! They include gorilla trekking trips, chimpanzee tracking tours and wildlife safaris in Rwanda.