Day 01: Arrival Kigali (RWANDA)

Welcome to Kigali! The capital of Rwanda is home to over a million people out of the country's nearly 14 million inhabitants. Known for its cleanliness and tidiness, it stands as an envy to many of its neighboring cities. Upon arrival at Kigali airport, we are greeted by our safari driver, who will transfer us to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. Our night is spent at the four-star Hotel des Mille Collines, also known as “Hotel Rwanda”, where 1,268 people took refuge during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Overnight: Mille Collines Hotel (Hotel Rwanda), Kigali (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Kigali/Nyungwe National Park (Drive)

We kick off our day bright and early with a visit to the King Palace Museum, a captivating reconstruction of traditional royal residences. Shaped like beehives, it serves as a nostalgic nod to Nyanza, once the heart of Rwanda. Here, we'll gain insight into the rich tapestry of Rwandan culture and the traditional leadership of the monarchy. After lunch, our journey continues to Nyungwe National Park, the largest of its kind in Rwanda. With an abundance of walking trails, the park beckons us to explore its natural wonders and immerse ourselves in its pristine beauty.

Overnight: Mantis Kivu Marina Bay, Lake Kivu (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Nyungwe National Park

Rwanda is home to four national parks, each a protected wildlife reserve and ecosystem. Today, we immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of Nyungwe Forest, known for its diverse wildlife. Here live 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees and owl-faced and colobus monkeys, plus elephant, buffalo and more. Canopy Walkway, part of Igishigishigi Trail, is a high suspension bridge with panoramic views of the valley and forest, while a trail also runs to Kamiranzovu Marsh, with its birdlife, orchids and waterfall.

At the park entrance, we will get a briefing about chimpanzee trekking before embarking on an hour-long tracking of these fascinating creatures. After lunch at our hotel, we drive to a tea plantation to take a tour, explore the tea estate, and learn about tea growing and processing. Dinner is enjoyed at our accommodations. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Nyungwe National Park

Following a leisurely morning start, we embark on an easy to moderate 2 to 3 hour nature walk to a lovely waterfall spot, where we may spot some primates and various bird species. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, there are plenty of other attractions within the park to enjoy. After lunch, we return to Nyungwe National Park for a thrilling canopy walk. This 90-meter suspended metallic bridge offers breathtaking views of Nyungwe Forest, with the chance to spot even more primates along the way. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Nyungwe National Park/Volcanoes National Park (Drive)

Wake up early for a beautiful sunrise experience over Lake Kivu. Our boat ride will help us explore the beautiful attractions in this great lake. Enjoy a nature walk on one of the islands in the lake, known for harbouring thousands of bats. The lake is also known as a birding paradise, home to pied kingfishers, weaver birds and herons, just to name a few. Afterwards, a 3-hour drive to Musanze takes us to the entry of world famous Volcanoes National Park. We check in to our hotel for our two night stay.

Overnight: Ingagi Parkview Lodge, Volcanoes National Park (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trekking

Today marks the pinnacle of our Rwanda experience as we prepare for our thrilling encounter with the gorillas. Following a briefing at park headquarters, we venture into the jungle on foot, armed with packed lunches, in search of the elusive mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Upon meeting these magnificent creatures, we have the extraordinary opportunity to observe them for an entire hour, capturing unforgettable moments on camera. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this gorilla safari, along with sturdy walking shoes, mineral water, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat. Depending on the gorillas' movements, the tracking experience may last anywhere from half a day to a full day. Afterward, we return to our lodge for a well-deserved lunch and rest. Later in the afternoon, we embark on a village safari on foot, immersing ourselves in the rich indigenous culture and enjoying traditional performances at the Iby Iwacu cultural center. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Volcanoes National Park/Kigali (Drive)

After an early morning breakfast, we are picked up by our safari driver/guide and driven to the park headquarters for our briefing before we embark on our Golden Monkey trek. This trek is much less difficult than finding the gorillas, and the monkeys are a joy to observe! After our time, we will return to the lodge for lunch. Checkout and drive to Kigali, which will take about 3 hours. Upon arrival, we have a brief tour of Kigali, including a visit to the touching Genocide Memorial Grounds and Museum, and Kimironko local market. Dinner and overnight at Hotel des Mille Collines, where we can see poignant images of the support and assistance that was offered during the genocide.

Overnight: Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Depart Kigali

Today, we bid farewell to Rwanda—Africa’s success story. Depending on your flight timings, you will be picked up and transferred to Kigali International Airport. Adieu Rwanda, as we leave with memories that will last for many moons. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 07 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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