Day 1: Arrival and transfer to hotel
On arrival to Kigali, you will meet and greet. Transfer to the hotel and check in. Incase time allows, you will have a city tour and visit different places in Kigali. You will have lunch and then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Kigali Serena Hotel
Moderate: Gorillas Hotel Kigali
Low Budget: Step Town Hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Kinigi/ Volcanoes National Park, home of Mountain Gorillas
Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide. Transfer to Volcanoes National Park with private vehicle and driver. Your guide will take you on a tour of the new and vibrant capital city of Kigali. The new prosperity features a number of thriving markets and features the mountain terrain famous in Rwanda. A sober contrast to its recent history. For survivors and others whose families were murdered in Rwanda´s genocide 1994, the Memorial sites and centres are places of dignified remembrance for loved ones lost. It is also a place of reflection and learning for the wider community, both in Rwanda and internationally.
Ranging in altitude from 2400km to 4,507 the Volcanoes National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) is dominated by the setting of volcanoes after which it is named. Best known to the outside world as the place where for almost 20yrs the American primatologist Dian Fossey under took her pioneering studies of mountain gorilla behaviour. Day hikes to see the gorilla families can be strenuous on tracks climbing through the forest, and time is very limited once contact is made with the gorilla families. is a rare and memorable experience to visit with these giant cousins of man.
Our accommodation is ideally positioned for those who want to watch animals in their habitat, specifically the endangered Rwanda Mountain Gorillas that still roam these areas. Share in the cuisine of Rwanda, which is served with the hospitality for which we all return to African countries.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Gorillas Nest Lodge
Moderate: La Palme Hotel or Volcanoes Gorillas Hotel
Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking, Parc National des Volcans
Have breakfast and go to ORTPN offices for briefing after that set off in the forest for Gorilla trekking. A thrilling trek through the refined foothills of the Virungas provides inspiring views in all directions. Then, suddenly, the trail enters the national park, engrossing trekkers in the strange closeness of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and besieged with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the forest canopy, the marvelous peaks are sighted, easily easy to get to and among the uppermost in Africa, indicating an ascent. Gorilla trekking is quite strenuous but a worthwhile on encounter of these gentle giants. The enthusiasm of your coming across with these apes will wipe away your intricacy of the strenuous trek. Spend time watching gorillas, watch the adults feeding their young ones, brushing and resting as the youngsters play from vines in a pleasurably playful display.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Gorillas Nest Lodge
Moderate: La Palme Hotel or Volcanoes Gorillas Hotel
Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House.
Day 4: Lake Kivu
After breakfast, you will have a morning boat ride on the lake. You will have a chance to see bird species and different water animals on the lake shore.
Accommodation options available
Up-market: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Moderate: Lake Kivu Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Kivu Sun Hotel.
Day 5: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight back home.
Information about Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is situated on the borderline of Rwanda and the DRC. It has the greatest length of 89 kilometers (55mi) and a supreme width of 48 kilometers (30 mi). It covers a surface area is 2,700 km squared (1,040 sq mi), average depth is 240m (787ft), maximum depth 480 m (1,575ft), the water volume is 500 km³ (120 cu mi), surface elevation 1,460m (4,790 ft). The islands on this lake include Idjwi, Goma Bukavu ( all in Congo), the settlement areas around include Kibuye, Cyangugu (side of Rwanda).
Attractions in Lake Kivu
Away from the main resorts, the lake offers visitors rewarding glimpses into ancient African lifestyles. Here, fishermen ply the water in dugout canoes unchanged in design for centuries, while colourfully dressed ladies smoke traditional wooden pipes and troubadours strum sweetly on stringed iningire (traditional 'guitars'). And, the birdlife is fantastic: flotillas of pelicans sail ponderously across the open water, majestic crowned cranes preen their golden crests in the surrounding swamps, while jewel-like malachite kingfishers hawk silently above the shore.
Activities in Lake Kivu
Take a fascinating boat ride between the towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu. Hire a pirogue to visit nearby uninhabited islands.
Relaxing
Sip a sundowner on the lake shores as you enjoy the sunset.
