Itinerary
Pick up from airport and transfer to the hotel where you will get a detailed briefing from your guide and also acclimatize to the high altitude of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at Onomo Hotel
Start historical-minded exploration of Kigali city with visits to landmarks from colonial, post-independence, genocide and post-genocide times. Start with the drive to Nyamirambo to visit Mountain Kigali to view the highest point of Kigali and the countryside, visit the Milk bar get to sip different types of Rwandan milk later visit the local market where you will taste fresh fruits.
Kigali Genocide memorial site where over 259,000 genocide victims were put to rest in mass graves, Belgian camp where they killed the 10 Belgian UN soldiers who were protecting the moderate prime minister before the start of genocide etc.
Visit the stadium, Kigali Arena, industrial zone and other malls. You will visit Made in Rwanda phones if possible.
End the day at Question coffee to taste the pure Rwandan coffee grown by women in cooperatives. Dinner and overnight at Onomo Hotel
Reconciliation village in Bugesera is a very unique experience where the survivors of genocide live together in harmony with the perpetrators that killed their own families. At the village you will get to hear testimonies of the perpetrators and survivors as they took path to reconciliation in this model cluster village as well as engaging in different cultural activities such as agriculture, traditional dances, drumming, cooking, etc.
Visit the Ntarama and Nyamata genocide memorial churches, where thousands of Tutsis were butchered in Genocide expecting to be safe in houses of God. Dinner and overnight at Onomo Hotel
Breakfast and transfer to Akagera National Park – arrival and briefing followed by the behind the scene tour, learn more about how the park is being conserved after many years of destruction, poaching, etc. get to know new strategies and measures taken by the new management of the park including Re-introduction of Lions and Rhinos, to form a big 5 animals again. Know more about electric fences which are now used to protect animals from poachers and other animal accidents such as animals going out to community farms and end up killed by locals, etc.
Later do a short game drive in search for over 11 species of antelopes, over 525 species of birds including the rare ones such as the shoe bill stock, papyrus gonolek and the big 5 i.e. Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant) to mention but a few. The park has the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer, very beautiful undulating landscapes, high species numbers and endemic species plus historical and cultural sites inside the park.
In the afternoon drive to Lake Ihema for the thrilling boat cruise to see schools of hippos, giant Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, water birds, etc. Overnight: - Akagera Game Lodge.
Early morning, search for the big 5 plus other unseen wildlife on the previous game drives such as giraffes, herds of buffalos, plus others. Overnight: - Akagera Game Lodge
Depart Akagera National Park and explore the culture of pastoralist which has been hereditary; the social characteristics of the Rwandese pastoralists can still be traced in parts of the eastern province in Gatsibo district and Nyagatare district. The rural life in these villages elegantly and conventionally gives a very unique experience about the culture of grazing, introduces you to the history and values of cows in Rwanda including the INYAMBO cows which were very significant in many cultural festivals brought up by Kigwa. The beauty of a cow is exhibited in the cultural dances of Rwanda. The tour takes to the pastoralist village where observe and participate in the tradition cattle grazing; get ready to make your own traditional rain coat from grass, learn how to milk with your own hands and no machines here.
After milking, the pastoralist will show you different calabashes used in preserving milk and qualification it takes to make one; this goes in line with norms of handling calabashes, drinking milk etc. Milk is used in different ways for example taken fresh after milking, fermented to make yoghurt in a traditional way and the unforgettable experience of making ghee which ends with cooking local food with you own ghee and eating your own ghee. Tour ends with visiting some monuments left behind by the former kings. Home stay in the village of the hosts or a hotel
Transfer to Rusumo to see; the imigongo art project and Rusumo waterfalls.
Drive back to Kigali. Dinner and overnight at Onomo Hotel
Breakfast in Kigali later transfer to Nyungwe National Park, en-route do a historical-minded exploration of Nyanza – visit the King’s palace and traditional Rwanda home; the National Museum, introduction to Rwanda’s kingdoms, discovery of colonial architecture, enjoy traditional dancers from the museum or the national university. Proceed to Nyungwe Forest. Overnight: - Nyungwe Nziza Eco lodge
Early breakfast at 4:30am then drive to the edge of the forest where chimpanzee trekking starts. Visit Gisakura cultural village in the afternoon to learn more about Rwandan culture and engage in different activities such as; traditional dancing, drumming, archery, etc. Overnight: - Nyungwe Nziza Eco lodge
This day is dedicated to explore nature in Kamiranzovu swamp searching for the rare Ruwenzori turaccos, and the grauer’s swamp warblers etc. You will visit different locations in the park to try and see as much as you can and if possible all the 27 endemic birds of Albertine rift found in Nyungwe forest.
The day ends with one of the most tourism highlight of Nyungwe by enjoying canopy walk in the forest. A 70 m high artificial bridge which allows you to see the thickness of the forest, different bird species at the top of tree crowns as well as the magnificent views of this old forest. Overnight: - Nyungwe Nziza Eco lodge
Bigugu Mountain has the highest peak in the park. This day is dedicated to discovering the secrets of bigugu including the rare bird species and monkeys. You will continue to visit different locations in the park to try and see as much as you can and if possible all the 27 endemic birds of Albertine rift found in Nyungwe forest plus other species of monkeys.
Afternoon have a guided walk to the tea estate led by your guides. Overnight: - Nyungwe Nziza Eco lodge
Breakfast then drive to drive to Kibuye at Lake Kivu. The Rwanda’s most attractive of lake ports, nestled in a series of interwoven and undulating hills and offering visitors spectacular views of the lake, its islands and the stunning surrounding countryside. It is considered one of Rwanda’s hidden treasures, with its lush green hills and peaceful breeze.
Lunch at the hotel as you enjoy the views of the Lake. Transfer to the shores of the Lake Kivu to enjoy a boat ride to visit the Napoleon and Amahoro Islands to see a number of colorful birds, clouds of big fruit bats, learn the history of the lake and the beautiful views of the Lake surroundings. Overnight at Bethane hotel
Breakfast at the hotel start the visit to the Genocide memorial church where many Tusti killed expecting that no one will kill them in the house of God. Later visit the famous Nyange school where students were killed during Genocide after refusing to divide themselves into Tutsis and Hutus.
Afternoon visit the Environment museum, learn more about conservation, different Rwanda’s vegetation, fauna and flora, geographical changes, etc. Overnight at Bethane hotel
Transfer to Gisenyi on the Lake Kivu check in at La cornishe. Afternoon visit the fishing village and do the boat ride with traditional fishermen. Overnight at Paradis Malahides Hotel.
Breakfast then drive to start a Tea/ Coffee tour along the shores of the Lake Kivu. Experience the processes through which Rwandan Coffee/Tea has to pass through before reaching your nearby coffee shop. Relax at the Lake in the afternoon or visit some orphan’s villages, cooperative of women with HIV, or have a walk around the villages around Overnight at Paradis Malahides Hotel
Enjoy the morning at leisure with sunrise views, swimming, walking along the Lake shores. Later you will transfer from Gisenyi to Volcanoes drive through the remotest villages of Rwanda as you enjoy local lifestyles. Overnight at Classic Hotel
Early morning meet with your respective park rangers, who will take you to see the rare and Albertine rift endemic golden monkeys. Visit the beautiful twin lakes in the afternoon. Overnight at Classic Hotel
Early morning meet with your respective park rangers who will take you to either the Diana Fossey nature walk or climb mountain Bisoke that has a crater lake on top.
Afternoon visit Karisoke research center, a museum that showcase more about gorillas and teaches more about Dian Fossey’s conservation efforts to the Gorillas which led her to death.
Later that afternoon, head to Kigali, drop off at Airport. END OF SERVICE!
