8 DAYS ACROSS REMARKABLE RWANDA

Kigali City: Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across lush undulating hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1,850 metres above sea level. The country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options., is also said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.

Day Itinerary

• Arrival at Kigali International Airport.
• VIP Meet & greet assistance through immigration.
• Pick up from Kigali International Airport for a 25-minute transfer to your hotel
• Check in at your hotel.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Overnight: Kigali Marriott Hotel

Experience the highest standard of comfort and convenience at Kigali Marriott Hotel. This premier luxury business hotel in Kigali is conveniently located along KN3 Avenue in downtown Kigali, close to the financial district, embassies, government ministries and Kigali City Hall. Timeless elegance surrounds you on arrival to a modern and spacious lobby and grand stairs. Experience spacious guest rooms decorated in warm pastel colours and fitted with the latest in technology. Whether here for business or leisure, their Kigali luxury hotel offers all the amenities you'll need for an unforgettable retreat in Kigali, Rwanda.

Alternate Hotel Stay: Kigali Serena Hotel      

Ideally located on one of Kigali's most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centres on the Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating. The capital's natural business hub, the hotel also boasts its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom.

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Bordering Tanzania in eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park is central Africa's largest protected wetland and the last refuge for savannah-adapted species in the country. Stretching across a vast expanse of low-lying mountains and savannah plains, the park takes in the rolling highlands woodlands, swamp-fringed lakes, and wetlands of the Kagera River along the way. Crocodiles and hippos wallow in the park's watery basins, predators prowl through its acacia groves, and elephant, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and other animals roam across its grassy plains.

Bursting with a rich biodiversity, the park features a variety of rare species, as well as a plenty of mammals and hundreds of bird species.

Day Itinerary

• Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• Transfer to Akagera National Park to the Northern gate.
• Arrival at the Akagera National Park. North gate.
• Get into Magashi Camp Game Drive Safari or at Ruzizi
• Arrival at your Lodge and check in.
• Lunch and afternoon activities by the Lodge.
• Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge.

Overnight: Wilderness Magashi Camp

Wilderness Magashi is situated in the phenomenally diverse north-eastern corner of Akagera National Park, overlooking scenic Lake Rwanyakazinga. Teeming with plains game, Akagera now also boasts a healthy population of lion which were introduced by African Parks in 2015 after a 20-year absence; black rhinos were reintroduced in 2017, and white rhino in 2021. Wilderness Magashi – the only exclusive-use area in Akagera – also harbours a good density of Leopard.

INSIDER'S TIP: The core Purpose in Akagera is to help conserve Rwanda’s last protected savannah ecosystem, and species like the Black Rhino and the rare and elusive shoebill; furthermore, their presence contributes towards enabling it to become economically self-sufficient for the first time.

Alternate Lodge Stay: Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a luxury eco-lodge located on Lake Ihema. Its nine tents are set back from Ihema’s serene shores and hidden among swaying palms and fruiting fig trees. With a 20-guest maximum, the lodge is an intimate retreat.

Each tent boasts an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water, a dressing area, and a cosy queen bed. Guests will also have access to a thatched reception and dining area and wooden walkways leading to a stunning deck that hangs over the lake. It contains a central fire pit and is the perfect spot for a morning cup of coffee or post-dinner digestif. The lodge is powered by solar energy and prides itself on being environmentally conscious.

Basis: On Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Day Itinerary

• Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• Morning Game Drive in Akagera National Park.
• Boat Safari in Akagera National Park
• Dinner and overnight stay at Magashi Camp.

Activities:

• Magashi Game Drives
• Magashi Boating

1. Magashi Game Drives: Explore the area in an open 4x4 vehicle with each vehicle able to accommodate a maximum of seven guests, allowing each individual an outside seat.
2. Magashi Boating: Magashi offers boating in eight-seater swamp cruisers. This is an excellent way to view the water birds and many other aquatic animals seen around Lake Rwanyakazinga.

Basis: On Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Musanze City: also referred to as Ruhengeri, is situated in northwest Rwanda. Musanze is the hub of Rwanda’s gorilla trekking tourism route, offering many cafes, bars, and restaurants.

It serves as the gateway to the spectacular Volcanoes National Park and is encircled by a number of attractions including the towering Mount Karisimbi, one of five impressive volcanoes in the park; the bat-filled Musanze Caves; and the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo - set against a spectacular backdrop of rolling green hills. Musanze is known as one of the best places in East Africa to track mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here every year to view these majestic mountain apes.

Day Itinerary

• Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• Ready for your check out back to Kigali.
• Drive to Volcanoes Via Kigali.
• Lunch in Kigali.
• Continue to Volcanoes National Park.
• Estimated arrival time and check-in
• Dinner and Overnight stay at your lodge.

Overnight: The Bishops House Rwanda

The Bishop’s House: Located in Musanze in the Northern Province of Rwanda. All rooms are furnished with large, antique handcrafted four-poster beds on a wooden floor that envelopes the occupant in warmth and grandeur. In the en-suite bathrooms, guests will be met with hot showers and bathrobes. The rooms have cable programming, Wi-Fi, minibars and tea and coffee facilities. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast each morning and sumptuous dinners. All meals include the availability of unlimited soft drinks, local beers and house wines with the exclusion of all premium drinks.

Alternate Hotel Stay: Virunga Inn Resort & Spa

Virunga Inn Resort & Spa: Offers stylish accommodations with beautiful views of the mountains. The property features beautifully appointed rooms equipped with comfortable bedding, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, a safety deposit box, and a seating area. The property also features a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi throughout, room service, and a restaurant serving a tasty breakfast each morning.

Basis: On Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day Itinerary

• Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• Transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing.
• Start the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
• Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
• Transfer back to the Lodge.
• Lunch at the Lodge.
• Visit Iby ‘Iwacu cultural village.
• Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge.

Activities:

• Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park
• Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village

1. Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some taking the better part of the day.
2. Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village: Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you, aspects of their traditions and beliefs. Immerse yourself and experience a lifetime of unforgettable memories with the people and become known as part of their family.

Basis: On Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Nyungwe Forest National Park: Situated in southwestern Rwanda, the Nyungwe Forest National Park is known for its exceptional biodiversity and its wide range of endemic species. The park is composed of lush tracts of rainforest set high up on fertile mountain slopes. It is one of Africa’s most ancient forests and the home of Rwanda’s sole remaining chimpanzee population, as well as 85 additional mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species and over 1000 plant species. Visitors can enjoy spotting colobus monkeys and chimpanzees hiding in the trees, hiking on a well-maintained network of trails passing through lush equatorial rainforest and catching a glimpse of a beautiful array of colourful birdlife. Don’t miss the thrilling Canopy Walk; it is one of its kind in Africa and offers impressive views of the forest.

Day Itinerary

• Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• Transfer to the park headquarters for the Golden Monkey trekking briefing.
• Start the Golden Monkey trek.
• Return from the Jungle.
• Drive to Nyungwe with a Lunch break in Gisenyi.
• Drive to Nyungwe Forest
• Estimated arrival time at your Lodge.
• Dinner and Overnight stay at your Lodge.

Overnight: One & Only Nyungwe House

Nestled on the edge of the vast and ancient Nyungwe rainforest, within the lush green expanse of a working tea plantation, One & Only Nyungwe House in Rwanda offers guests the opportunity to go where few have gone before, with once-in-a-lifetime experiences in one of the world’s most exceptional natural locations.

Immersed in wild beauty surrounded by awe-inspiring jungle views, every element of the resort has been carefully considered, with inspired farm-to-table dining, spa and wellness offerings that embrace nature and local traditions, and curated, authentic experiences to discover.

Alternate Hotel Stay: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

This is an elegant place; a heaven on earth, idyllically situated on top of one of the hills of Nyungwe forest area; the largest single forest block in East Africa and the biggest water reservoir for Rwanda.

The hotel offers most beautiful and tranquil accommodation facility and comprises of 12 self-contained with 4 twin and 8 queen size bed apartments having a sitting room with a fire place to warm you up and a balcony with picturesque view of sunrise or sunset from all the rooms including incomparable views of part of the Nyungwe National Park, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Tea plantations, Lake Kivu, the volcanoes and Idjwi Island right from the top of the hill. The accommodation is offered as bed and breakfast, half board or full board facility.

Activities:

• RDB Golden Monkey Tracking

RDB Golden Monkey Tracking: Located in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, RDB Golden Monkey Tracking offers visitors a unique experience of catching a glimpse of the endangered Golden Monkey. These striking primates with their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains is a photographer’s dream. The Golden Monkey can be found in very few places outside of Volcanoes National Park, and their vibrant colours, energetic demeanour, and sizeable troupes of up to 30 individuals are indeed a sight to behold.

Basis: On Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day Itinerary

• Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• Prepare for transfers to Park headquarters for Chimpanzee trek briefing.
• Start the Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forests.
• Estimated time to return from the jungle.
• Lunch at the Lodge and an entire day relaxing and winding at the Lodge.
• Take on a Canopy Walk experience
• Dinner and overnight stay.

Activities:

• Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking
• Canopy Walk

• Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking: Located within the Nyungwe National Park, the Nyungwe Forest National Park Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking provides visitors with a unique chimpanzee experience. Visitors will follow a path through the lush vegetation to a point where they will be able to witness the chimpanzees acting out their daily activities, such as waking up, eating and socialising within their natural environment.
• Canopy Walk, Nungwe National Park: Suspended above ravine amidst the lush vegetation and montane forest of the Ngungwe National Park, Canopy Walk offers participants an exhilarating perspective atop the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 160 meters long suspended bridge is accessible as part of a guided hike along the Igishigishigi trail or those hiking the Imbaraga and Umuyove trails.

Basis: On Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day Itinerary

• Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• Relax at the hotel.
• An early Lunch at the Lodge.
• Prepare for a return transfer back to Kigali.
• Visit the Ethnographic Museum.
• Return to Kigali at your convenience
• Proposed time of arrival in Kigali and transfer to Kigali International Airport.
• Check-in for your outbound flight to your next destination.

Activities:

• Ethnographic Museum Rwanda

• Ethnographic Museum Rwanda: Located in Huye, south of Kigali, Ethnographic Museum is one of the six museums that make up the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda. This Museum was built in 1987, and now houses one of Africa's finest ethnographic collections. Its seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artefacts accompanied by visual aids, giving visitors a rich insight into the culture of Rwandans.

Basis: Breakfast and Lunch