Day 1: Arrival, City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park (VNP)

Arrive at Kigali International Airport (KGL), meet your guide, and have a tour of Kigali, including the Genocide Memorial. Afterwards, take the 2.5-hour scenic drive to the Musanze/Kinigi area. Check into your lodge for a two-night stay. After dinner, your guide will brief you on the upcoming gorilla trek.

Accommodation Options in Volcanoes National Park:

• Luxury: Singita Kwitonda Lodge or Bisate Lodge (offering ultimate luxury, all-inclusive service, and stunning volcano views).

• Mid-Range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (providing excellent comfort, great service, and proximity to the park HQ).

• Budget-Friendly: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Kinigi Guesthouse (offering clean, comfortable, and authentic eco-lodging).

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Optional Afternoon Activities

An early start for your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek in VNP. After returning for lunch, you can choose an optional afternoon activity like Golden Monkey Trekking or a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Dinner and second night at your lodge near VNP.

Day 3: Morning Activity and Transfer to Lake Kivu

Enjoy a final morning activity near VNP, such as the Dian Fossey Tomb Hike. Afterwards, check out and take the 2-hour drive to Rubavu on the shores of Lake Kivu. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing afternoon, perhaps with a boat trip on the lake. Dinner at your hotel overlooking the lake.

Accommodation Options in Lake Kivu (Rubavu):

• Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (the premier hotel in the area, with a private beach, large pool, and expansive lake views).

• Mid-Range: Paradise Kivu or Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel (offering comfortable rooms, great views, and direct access to the lake).

• Budget-Friendly: Palm Beach Resort Kivu or Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel (providing simple, clean accommodation in a great location for travelers on a budget).

Day 4: Scenic Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After a leisurely morning, embark on the stunning 5-6-hour drive along the Kivu Belt road to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This route offers continuous, breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding hills. Arrive and check into your lodge on the edge of the ancient rainforest for a two-night stay.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk

Activities: A very early start for Chimpanzee Tracking deep in Nyungwe Forest. In the afternoon, experience the thrill of the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, a suspension bridge offering a unique bird’s-eye view of the forest. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodation Options in Nyungwe Forest:

• Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House (an ultra-luxurious resort set within a tea plantation, offering exceptional service and amenities).

• Mid-Range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (known for its panoramic views over the forest from its hilltop location).

• Budget-Friendly: Gisakura Guesthouse (a simple but clean and well-located guesthouse, popular with trekkers and researchers).

 Day 6: Colobus Monkey Tracking & Return to Kigali

Your final trek to see the large troops of Colobus Monkeys that inhabit Nyungwe. Afterwards, begin the 5-6 hour drive back to Kigali. Arrive in Kigali and check into your hotel for your final night.

Accommodation Options in Kigali:

• Luxury: The Retreat or Kigali Serena Hotel (offering five-star service, fine dining, and resort-style amenities).

• Mid-Range: Hotel des Mille Collines or Heaven Boutique Hotel (famous, centrally located hotels with great restaurants and comfortable rooms).

• Budget-Friendly: Step Town Motel or Yambi Guesthouse (providing excellent value with clean rooms and friendly service).

Day 7: Final Shopping and Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some last-minute souvenir shopping at a local market. Your guide will then transfer you to Kigali International Airport (KGL) for your departure.

What Is Included:

Primate Permits:

• 1 Gorilla Trekking Permit per person in Volcanoes National Park.
• 1 Chimpanzee Tracking Permit per person in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• 1 Colobus Monkey Tracking Permit per person in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Park Activities & Fees:

• Nyungwe Canopy Walkway permit.
• All national park entrance fees.
• Kigali City Tour, including the Genocide Memorial entrance fee.
• Accommodation:
• 6 nights of accommodation as per the itinerary (2 nights in VNP, 1 night in Lake Kivu, 2 nights in Nyungwe, 1 night in Kigali).

Meal Plan:

Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) during your stay at lodges outside of Kigali.

Bed & Breakfast for the hotel stay in Kigali.

Lunches while transferring between locations.

Transportation:

All ground transport in a private 4×4 safari vehicle, ideal for Rwandan roads and game viewing.

The exclusive service of a professional, English-speaking driver/guide for the entire duration of your trip.

All airport transfers (pick-up on arrival and drop-off on departure).

Refreshments:

Bottled mineral water supplied in the vehicle throughout the safari.

What Is Not Included (Exclusions):

International Travel:

• International airfare to and from Kigali International Airport (KGL).

Travel Documents:

• Visa fees for entry into Rwanda (if applicable to your nationality).

Optional Activities:

• Any activities listed as “optional,” such as the Golden Monkey Trek, Dian Fossey Hike, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village visit, or boat trips on Lake Kivu. These can be added at an extra cost.

Beverages:

• Alcoholic drinks, sodas, and other personal beverages at lodges and restaurants.

Gratuities:

• Tips for your driver/guide, park rangers, trackers, and lodge/hotel staff. Tipping is customary and a great way to show appreciation for excellent service.

Personal Items:

• Expenses of a personal nature, such as souvenirs, laundry services, and travel insurance (comprehensive medical and travel insurance is highly recommended).

Meals in Kigali:

• Lunches and dinners in Kigali (as the hotel is on a Bed & Breakfast basis), allowing you the flexibility to explore the city’s diverse culinary scene.