Roaming Rwanda

• Day 1:

  Upon arrival into Kigali, you are met and transferred to your hotel. 

  Spend the rest of the day at leisure, or consider a tour in Kigali. Perhaps visit the Genocide Museum (not included).

  A visit to Kigali offers a rich and vivid immersion into the culture, heritage and traditions of Rwanda. As an essential part of your stay, allow us to create unique and authentic experiences that will leave you with lasting memories long after you depart. Whether it’s a visit to a history museum, a chance to examine local history or an exploration of Rwandan artwork and artists, we look forward to providing experiences that will offer a deeper connection to the unique charisma, spirit and character of one of Africa’s most beautiful capital cities.  

  Overnight at Kigali Serena hotel on a bed and breakfast basis

  This itinerary can be customized to add additional nights (not included) in Rwanda.

   

• Day 2:

  Kigali to Akagera National Park

  Known for its breathtaking scenery, Rwanda is often referred to as le pays des mille collines (French: “land of a thousand hills”)

  The landscape is reminiscent of a tropical Switzerland. Its dominant feature is a chain of mountains of rugged beauty that runs on a north-south axis and forms part of the Congo-Nile divide. From the volcanoes of the Virunga (Birunga) Mountains in the northwest—where the Karisimbi reaches 14,787 feet (4,507 metres)—the elevation drops to 4,000 feet (1,220 metres) in the swampy Kagera (Akagera) River valley in the east. The interior highlands consist of rolling hills and valleys, yielding to a low-lying depression west of the Congo-Nile divide along the shores of Lake Kivu.

  This morning is the start of this spectacular journey through Rwanda beginning with the scenic drive through the Rwanda, rolling hills and countryside to Akagera National Park, located in the North East Region of Rwanda.  Arriving in time for lunch.  After lunch, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive in the camps vehicle in the park.  You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

  With superb views over Lake Rwanyakazinga set in the idyllic sanctuary of Akagera National Park, Magashi Camp is a one-of-a-kind setting in Rwanda located in its own private concession area. No other camp can be found in this vast expanse of beautiful wilderness teeming with hippo, crocodile, a plethora of birds… and incredibly rarer species such as Sitatunga antelope and the Black Rhino. A large pride of Lions can be seen on  game drives through this pristine sanctuary making Magashi camp a perfect Big Five safari add on to you visit in Rwanda.

  Overnight at Magashi Camp on a full board basis

• Day 3:

  Akagera National Park

  Today you have a morning and afternoon game drive in the camp vehicle exploring the area in an open 4x4 vehicle. Guests will be able to view a range of wildlife on expertly-guided game drives, walks and boating trips, including buffalo, lion, elephant, giraffe, spotted hyaena, zebra, topi, roan, eland and search for the elusive leopard. An option is available for a boat ride on the lake, an excellent way to view the water birds and many other aquatic animals seen around the lake. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

  Bordering Tanzania, Magashi Camp offering one of the most beautiful savannah areas in all of Africa is situated in the productive and phenomenally diverse north-eastern corner of Akagera National Park, overlooking beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga. Akagera comprises some of the most scenic savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains – and is home to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, some very large crocodiles as well as the rare sitatunga and more than 520 bird species.

  Overnight at Magashi Camp on a full board basis 

• Day 4:

  Akagera to Nyungwe Forest National Park

  This morning after breakfast, you take a scenic full day drive to Butare, stopping in Nyanza en-route to visit the ancient palace of Mwami, a Rwandan King. You have lunch at a restaurant in Butare before continuing to the southwest region of Rwanda. Nyungwe National Parks located in the Great Rift Valley lies the Africas largest protected mountain rainforest.  The park holds the source of Africas great rivers, the Nile River in the east, and the Congo river in the West. 

  The scenic drive will take you through the forest and dramatic mountain landscapes blanketed with greenery, the forest acclaimed for its rich biodiversity, endemic species and showcasing the only canopy walk in East Africa .  It is home to orchids among 1,000 other plant species, habituated chimpanzees and 12 other primates (including 400 strong troops of the Black and White Colobus monkey).

  AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER RWANDA FROM THE HEART OF THE JUNGLE

  Captivating wildlife, dramatic mountain landscapes blanketed with greenery, and our own working tea plantation; see natural wonders flourish at One&Only Nyungwe House.

  Arriving late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.

  Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House on a full board basis

  Please note: This is a full day drive. We can customize the itinerary to add an extra night in Kigali (not included) between Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park.

• Day 5:

  Nyungwe Forest National Park

  Untouched wilderness, our protected jungle is home to incredible and exotic wildlife.Today, you trek in the forest, tracking chimpanzees.  

  Chimpanzee Trekking is an exciting activity whereby guests will dash through the flora to encounter the chimpanzees playing in the wild within the Nyungwe Forest National Park. The forest is rich in botanical diversity hosting over 200 species of trees and flowering plants and about 300 bird species and will give you a unique experience of Rwanda’s forests. 

  The afternoon is at leisure or you can choose to book a Colobus Monkey Trek, Canopy walk or bird walk (not included).

  Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House on a full board basis

   

• Day 6:

  Nyungwe Forest National Park to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

  This morning is at leisure or if you have not yet done so, you have another opportunity to book a Colobus Monkey Trek, Canopy walk or bird walk (not included). Mid-morning depart with a picnic lunch and travel to Gisenyi located on Northern Lake Kivu.

  Another spectacular drive along Rwanda's western side. The real joy of this area is driving between the towns, the spectacular landscape bounded by Lake Kivu on one side, a string of huge fresh water lakes and on the the other side you can view Rwanda's rolling hills, farmlands and spectacular countryside on route to the Northern part of Lake Kivu.  Every corner produces another gorgeous view, every inch of the hills seems to be terraced with produce. Villagers smile and wave, and children constantly call out “Abuzungu!” as you drive past (the Kinyarwanda term for white people). By now you are starting to see why they call Rwanda remarkable, and the land of a thousand hills.

  Overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel on a full board basis

• Day 7:

  Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) 

  Today, you spend the morning at leisure to enjoy the lake. 

  Lake Kivu, often referred to as the beach resort of Rwanda, is one of the African Great Lake and a destination of astonishing beauty, where pristine beaches and the sparkling waters of Africa’s sixth largest lake come together in breathtaking fashion. The beautiful sand and clear water are two of the appeals of Lake Kivu. People come to enjoy nature, relax and swim.

  Spend the day relaxing or exploring. Perhaps take a Kayak trip (not included) on the lake.

  Overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel on a full board basis

• Day 8:

  Gisenyi to Volcanoes National Park

  Running along the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park plays home to 62 square miles of verdant rainforest. Encompassing five of the eight volcanoes that sit in the Virunga Mountains.

  You will stout on an early morning drive to Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes National Park. On route with this approximately 45 minute drive you leave the shores of the lake and continue north. As the winding road climbs in altitude, you will soon have your first glimpse of the great old volcanoes, towering almost 15,00 feet and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest. The Virunges and the 5 Five Volcanoes.

  On arrival at Volcanoes National park. You have a briefing by the park's guides on how to behave in the forest and in the presence of mountain gorillas. You then transfer over mildly bumpy roads to the trail head to start the trek. From the trail head, there is a 10-20 minute walk through fields (cultivated land) to edge of forest. Here you enter the park for a gorilla trek which will take you until around midday depending on where you find them. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, this experience is often described as being the most profound natural holistic experience in the world. It is important to take plenty of water. Good cameras and memory cards are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including bags for cameras and film. 

  Trekking endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area. 

  Overnight at The Bishops House on a full board basis in a Deluxe Room 

  Virunga National Park is unique with its active chain of volcanoes and rich diversity of habitats that surpass those of any other African park. Its range contains an amalgamation of steppes, savannas and plains, marshlands, low altitude and afro-montane forest belts to unique afro-alpine vegetation and permanent glaciers and snow on Monts Rwenzori whose peaks culminate in 5000 m height. The property includes the spectacular massifs of Rwenzori and Virunga Mountains containing the two most active volcanoes of Africa. The wide diversity of habitats produces exceptional biodiversity, notably endemic species and rare and globally threatened species such as the mountain gorilla.

• Day 9:

  Volcanoes National Park

  Morning at leisure or option to go on a second gorilla trek or set out on a Golden Monkey Trek (permits are not included and are extra), followed by lunch at the lodge.  Afternoon at leisure 

  Overnight at The Bishops House on a full board basis in a Deluxe Room 

   

• Day 10:

  After breakfast, you are transferred to Kigali Airport to connect for your onward flight (flights must be booked after midday). 

  Another opportunity to view the Rwanda spectacular countryside, rolling hills and many villages on route to the airport.

  End of our services

  Please note: This itinerary can be customized if required. You may also consider adding on additional nights in Kigali, or a Safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Please speak to your DSA specialist who will gladly assist.

Meet and greet services 
Assistance at the airport 
English speaking guides through out 
Use of a Private vehicle for transfers (except for Magashi which is on a shared basis)
Guaranteed window seat 
All accommodation and meals as specified All park fees and government taxes - Gorilla viewing permit and other permits and activities (not included) shown separately.

International flights 
Visas 
Airport tax (International) 
Guide or local escort gratuities 
Drinks and dining rooms tips, porterage, personal travel and baggage insurance 
Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature
Gorilla Permits & other optional activity permits which are to be added separately.  Please note Permits are non refundable.

Additional remarks

We may have to reroute the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.

Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.