The 14 Days Best of Rwanda Luxury Safari is the our best tours which makes you indulge in the gem of Rwanda including the Gorilla Trekking.
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport
This is the start of your 14 Days Best of Rwanda Luxury Safari. Upon arrival at Kigali International airport, complete the Immigration formalities. On your arrival exit, you will meet the driver guide holding a paper bearing your names. Meet and greet with our office representative and then you are transferred to your booked accommodation in Kigali. Overnight Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) or Hotel Des Collines (High end) Meal Plan: Dinner. Click Here To Enquire
Day 2: Kigali – Ruhengeri, Volcanoes National Park (2.5 hour’s drive)
Early morning breakfast, visit the genocide Museum which commemorates the 1994 Rwandan genocide, is the final resting place of over 250,000 people known as the Tutsis. Drive to Ruhengeri with Optional visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund which is a multi-acre facility eco-friendly facility proceeds to Ruhengeri. It’s the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, It is known for its Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park encompasses the soaring Mount Karisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes. On the town’s outskirts, dense greenery surrounds the bat-filled Musanze Caves. Meals and Overnight at Bisate Lodge (Luxury) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (High end) Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Volcanoes Gorilla Trekking
Have an early morning breakfast at your hotel. Pick and wear the Gorilla trekking attires, you will be transferred to the starting point for briefing and you will be grouped into 8 people. Each group will be assigned to a specific gorilla family. Begin your walk into the forest, which might take 2-6 hours, but you are entitled to 1 hour of interacting with the Mountain Gorillas. The mountain ranges of this region are a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems holding the evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. The park is part of the Virunga Massif consisting of several mountain ranges, including Karisimbi—the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with many Crater Lakes, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura. Later you will be returned, and that marks the end of your Mountain Gorilla trekking session. The evening will be spent at leisure and relaxation or optional visit to the Iby Iwacu cultural center to explore the cultural lifestyle of the Rwandan people. Meals and Overnight at Bisate Lodge (Luxury) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (High end) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking & Cultural Experience.
Early morning breakfast ready for the drive to the starting point of Golden Monkey trekking. You will be briefed by the ranger guide the same way as Gorilla trekking ready for Golden Monkey trekking. The Golden monkeys are species of the old world Monkey found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south-west Uganda, Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Golden monkeys are very unique right from the gold colour of their body which makes them very attractive. Most of them are very playful and so often, you will find them playing on the bamboo trees, coupling, swinging and they are very inquisitive since they are used to humans. They are fast in their movement than the Gorillas and you will enjoy watching them just for 1 hour and it is really worth it. Return to the lodge and the evening will be spent on Iby’Iwacu cultural experience to explore the tradition, norm and culture of the Rwandan people. Overnight at Bisate Lodge (Luxury) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (High end) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Hike Mount Bisoke
You will be picked by our driver guide from your lodge to hike Mount Bisoke. It is an active Volcano which touches the border of Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo but the summit is on the Rwanda side. Mount Bisoke is part of the Virunga ranges on the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. The experience is amazing as it gives you a great chance of viewing the Virunga mountain ranges as you explore flora and fauna along the way. You will also have a chance to observe the stunning view of the Crater Lake on top of the volcano. Descend and return to your lodge for resting and relaxation. Overnight at Bisate Lodge (Luxury) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (High end) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Visit Musanze Caves & Tour to Twin Lakes
After your morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the park head quarter’s for briefing before you head off, for cave exploration visit, to explore the beautiful caves of Musanze, this can take roughly 2- 3 hours of visit. You will later return for lunch, before you head off to visit the twin lakes, and explore Lake Burera and Kikondo. The lakes are patched with a number of bird species. You will later return and drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Bisate Lodge (Luxury) or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (High end) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Transfer to Gisenyi
Today, after having a wonderful breakfast, you will drive back to Gisenyi, with an en route visit to Rosemond Carr house along the way, to hear the beautiful stories of Rose, for her love of the local people, and the country. Visit the beautiful flower gardens and later proceed to Gisenyi to your lodge and catch up with lunch. The afternoon will be spent at leisure and relaxation. Overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Lodge (Luxury) or Paradise Kivu (High end) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Boat Trip on Lake Kivu, Coffee Tour and Transfer to Nyungwe.
After a delightful relaxed breakfast in the morning, you will head for a sun rise boat trip on Lake Kivu. The lake hugs the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and it Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. The morning boat cruise which is roughly a two hours boat trip to explore this beautiful Lake and its numerous islands, you will be able to spot a number of birds with a visit to one of the islands. Proceed with the boat to Kimbiri for coffee experience, where you have an experience of making a coffee right from the crop to cup. Later return and drive to Nyungwe with en route lunch. Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House (Luxury) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (High end) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking & Tea Plantation Visit
Today, you indulge in chimpanzee tracking as continue to enjoy the 14 Days Best of Rwanda Luxury Safari. Nyungwe Forest National Park is rich in biodiversity and very beautiful. The mountainous area is rich of wildlife including the small population of chimpanzees and only 8 people are allowed to track the chimps each day. It is also an opportunity to see the other 12 species of primates in Nyungwe Forest National Park including L’hoest Monkey, Red-tailed monkey, crowned monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Velvet Monkey, Olive baboon, Grey-cheeked mangabeys among others. Botanists will marvel at the 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids. The bird watching is among the best in Africa with 322 bird’s species including Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species. Butterflies are also a common sight, with at least 120 species. The evening will be spent on Gisakura tea plantation visit and learn about how tea is grown and harvested to production process. Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House (Luxury) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (High end) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Waterfalls Hike & Canopy Walk
Today, you will head off to visit the forest for a waterfall hike, where you have chances to talk a cool forest breath hike, and visit a number of waterfalls in the park. Along you can sight some primates and bird species. You will later return for lunch before heading for a canopy walk. This 90 meters suspended metallic bridge will give you a great overview of Nyungwe forest and on a luck day spot one or two more primates in the forest as you take a walk on this bridge and later return in the afternoon for dinner and Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House (Luxury) or Mantis Kivu Marina Bay (High end) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Kigali. Travel time +5 hours
Leave your lodge after breakfast ready for the drive back to Kigali. En-route visit to the Royal Palace Museum and Ethnographic Museum in Southern Province and it will make you learn the Rwandan culture, norms and traditional style of Kingship life. The afternoon will be spent at leisure and relaxation in your hotel in Kigali. Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) or Hotel Des Collines (High end) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Transfer to Akagera. Travel time +3 hours
Have the morning breakfast ready for the drive to Akagera National Park. It lies in eastern Rwanda learning on the Tanzanian border. The park is characterized by the existence of woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah which favors the existence of several animal species. On arrival embark on a short game drive sighting zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. The afternoon will be spent on the boat cruise on Lake Ihema and you will be able Hippos and crocodiles in the water or by the shores and meet the buffaloes and elephants wallowing by the water banks. Overnight at Magashi Camp (Luxury) or Akagera Game Lodge (High end) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Full Day Game Drive & Transfer Back to Kigali
Have a cup of African Coffee then embark on the morning and evening game drive in search of the big and small mammals (BIG 5) including Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, several Antelope species, and recently the re-introduced Lions and Rhinos. It also habits over 500 bird species making it a birding avenue. Later in the evening, you will be driven back to Kigali for dinner and Overnight at Magashi Camp (Luxury) or Akagera Game Lodge (High end) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Transfer to Airport.
After getting done with your relaxed morning breakfast, depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to catch up with your flight to the next destination. Your 14 Days Best of Rwanda Luxury Safari comes at an end.
The 14 Days Best of Rwanda Luxury Safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof.
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary.
- 1 Gorilla permits, per person.
- 1 Golden Monkey permit, per person.
- 1 chimpanzee permit, per person.
- Canopy walk.
- Waterfall hike.
- Museums visit.
- Cave visit.
- Twin lakes visit.
- Cultural visit.
- Visit to Rosemand Carr House.
- Diane Fossey institute visit.
- En-route lunches.
- Game drives.
- Bisoke hike.
- Boat ride at Lake Ihema.
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu.
- Coffee tour.
- Tea tour.
- Park fees.
- Canopy walk.
- Kigali city tour.
- Services of English speaking driver/guide.
- 1 liter bottle of mineral water per day per person during safari.
- Fun and other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.
- AMREF Emergency Evacuation Insurance covers.
The 14 Days Best of Rwanda Luxury Safari excludes expenses of personal nature like: Air fare, Visa, drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, porter fee while trekking, personal travel insurance, personal shopping bills and cigars.