Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, airport pick-up
Upon arrival at the Kigali International Airport (KGL), a representative of Hotel des Mille Collines will be there to pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s optional activities, which will be at your own cost.
- Journey time: 15 minutes
- Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines
- Meal plan: No meals are included
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
Today after breakfast, your guide will come to pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Nyungwe Forest. Nyungwe Forest is one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna, including 13 primate species, including colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys, and, of course, chimpanzees.
Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important and still little known bird-watching destinations in Africa. You will have en-route lunch and in the evening, you will settle into your private cottage at Nyungwe Forest Lodge.
- Journey time: 6 hours
- Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Meal plan: All meals
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking
Today after early morning breakfast, you will proceed to the chimpanzee tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is a healthy 80 individuals.
This is an exciting up close encounter with human's closest relative which you will not soon forget. After the chimp tracking, you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide.
- Journey time: 1-2 hours each way
- Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
- Meal plan: All meals
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu
Today in the morning, you can enjoy the nice views from your lodge. After lunch, you will travel to Kibuye, on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. If time allows, you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town.
In the afternoon, you can rent a boat and visit a few islands. All activities today are at your own cost. Your accommodation for the night is the semi-luxury Cormoran Lodge, located on the shores of Lake Kivu.
- Journey time: 3-4 hours
- Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After a heavy breakfast, you will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas. You will stay in a luxury lodge with beautiful views.
- Journey time: 4 hours
- Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Lodge
- Meal plan: All meals
Day 6: Gorilla tracking and Ibyiwacu cultural tour
Today after breakfast, you will drive into the park office. The head ranger of the ORTPN will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. From here, your driver / guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. You will track one of the habituated gorillas groups.
Please note that children above 15 years old are allowed to trek gorillas and chimpanzees. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours. Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes, and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location.
Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots. Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.
Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
In the afternoon, you will go to Ibyiwacu Cultural Village, a non-profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects
It provides tourists experiences beyond wildlife. It has created a new understanding of tourism among tourists, rural communities, and tour operators, but it has also changed the traditional perceptions of tourism in Rwanda.
- Journey time: 15 minutes by car, tracking time varies
- Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Lodge
- Meal plan: All meals
Day 7: Golden Monkey tracking - Airport transfer
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for golden monkey tracking, which is a completely different experience but just as rewarding. These beautiful, lively creatures are on the endangered list and are fascinating to watch as they leap through the vegetation.
Later, you will transfer back to Kigali International Airport (KGL). Depending on your departure flight, you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Center. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant children’s memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history. Your driver / guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home.
Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 17:00 or later. If you need another night in Kigali, Vivid Adventure Safaris will be happy to make a booking for you.
- Journey time: 2 hours
- Accommodation: Not included
- Meal plan: Breakfast