Roaming Rwanda
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Fast Facts
Travelling to:
Kigali, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Gisenyi and Volcanoes National Park
duration:
12 Days - 11 Nights
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A private tour exploring Rwanda provides you with the chance to encounter a variety of wildlife and experience the culture of Rwandan people.
Accompanied by a qualified guide you visit Akagera National Park home to zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, rhino and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. Visit the ancient palace of Mwami and Nyungwe National Park where primate tracking tops most visitor’s list.
It is worth lingering a little longer for those with time to relax and take in one of the oldest oldest rainforests in Africa before some time along the shores of Lake Kivu, once a popular summer retreat before ending with the famous Volcanoes National Park and its famous inhabitants - the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Highlights
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Kigali
Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda. It sprawls across numerous hills, ridges and valleys, and has a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene.
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Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is a national park in north-western Rwanda. Although the park itself only 62 sq miles, it contains five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo
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Nyungwe Forest National Park
Located 4 to 5 hours to the southwest of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a vast untouched tropical rainforest and montane forest with a high dense canopy. Nyungwe became a National Park in 2004 and has in some of the finest biodiversity.
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Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu, one of a number of huge freshwater lakes which lie along Africa's Great Rift Valley. Dominating the border between Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo); Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake, and the sixth largest lake in Africa.
Outline Itinerary
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Day 1 - Overnight Travel
Board your overnight flight from London Heathrow to Kigali International Airport
Day 2 - Kigali
Staying at: Park Inn by Radisson Kigali
Upon arrival into Kigali you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at your Kigali hotel on a bed and breakfast basis
Day 3 - Akagera National Park
Staying at: Akagera Game Lodge
This morning you drive to Akagera National Park arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, you go for an afternoon game drive in the park. You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 - Akagera National Park
Staying at: Akagera Game Lodge
Today you have a morning and afternoon game drive of the National park with a boat ride on Lake Ihema offering views the waterfowl that make home in the lake. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 5 - Nyungwe Forest National Park
Staying at: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
This morning, you 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 Nyungwe National Park. Drive through the forest arriving late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 - Nyungwe Forest National Park
Staying at: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Today, you trek in the forest, tracking chimpanzees. The afternoon is at leisure or you can choose to book a Colobus Monkey Trek, Canopy walk or bird walk (additional costs).
Day 7 - Gisenyi
Staying at: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
This morning is at leisure or you can choose to book a Colobus Monkey Trek, Canopy walk or bird walk (additional cost). Mid-morning depart with a picnic lunch and travel to Gisenyi with spectacular views en-route. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 8 - Gisenyi
Staying at: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
This morning is at leisure or you can choose to book a Colobus Monkey Trek, Canopy walk or bird walk (additional cost). Mid-morning depart with a picnic lunch and travel to Gisenyi with spectacular views en-route. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 - Volcanoes National Park
Staying at: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Early morning drive to Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes National Park. You have a briefing about the gorilla trek and then set out on foot in search of your assigned gorilla group. Once you have found your group, you have an hour to observe their fascinating interactions. You then return to the park gate by foot where you meet your driver who transfers you back to your lodge for lunch.
Overnight at your lodge on a full board basis
EXPERT TIPS
Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. It is important to take plenty of water. Good cameras and plenty of fast speed film or memory cards are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film.
Day 10 - Volcanoes National Park
Staying at: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Morning at leisure or option to go on a second gorilla trek or set out on a Golden Monkey Trek (additional permits are required and must be pre-booked), followed by lunch at the lodge. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 11 - Departure
After breakfast, you are transferred to Kigali Airport to connect for your onward flight