18 days Nature based & Cultural based Rwanda Burundi

Day 1: KIGALI

Arrival in Kigali. Welcome by your tour guide at the airport then proceed to the hotel with magnificent views, facilities and services ­ check in at Kigali Luxury hotel. Refresh and get acclimatized to high altitude through short walks etc. Dinner and Overnight at Mubwiza courts hotel.

Day 2: KIGALI CITY TOUR & GENOCIDE MEMORIAL TOUR

Early breakfast at 7am then drive to Ntarama and Nyamata Genocide Memorial sites; visit the church in Ntarama where 5000 people were massacred in a winkle of an eye then transfer to Nyamata where 10,000 were butchered by government soldiers, local leaders with support from some catholic priests. Transfer to Akagera National Park in the afternoon for a thrilling boat ride on Lake Ihema to go see schools of hippos, the giant Nile crocodiles and lots of water birds. Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.

Day 3: AKAGERA

Early breakfast at 5:45am in preparation of an early game drive at 6am. It’s important to start early before it gets hot and animals go in hide to avoid the heat.  A good day to see some of the big 5 plus 12 species of antelopes including the biggest antelopes such as the eland cape and roan antelopes, some of the 525 bird species including 4 albertine rift endemics, reptiles, amphibians, plants, magnificent land scapes, historical sites; a place with the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer in any national park of Africa and hundreds of hippos etc. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge

Day 4: BIRDING & GAME DRIVE IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Spend your day birding on the lake circuit searching for the rare and threatened shoe bill stocks plus the papyrus gonoleks, red-faced barbet and other wildlife. Return to the hotel for lunch and refreshments. Late afternoon go for game drive on the mountain circuit. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Day 5: TO NYUNGWE VIA BUTARE NATIONAL MUSEUM

Transfer to Nyungwe National Park ­ enroute visit the Cathedral of Kabgayi and other many historical sites such as Kibeho shrine, the ancient King’s palace at Nyanza, National Museum at Huye, National University of Rwanda. Visit to the women drumming group and hear history, taboos etc about Rwanda drums. Dinner and overnight at Ibis hotel in Butare,

Day 6: TO NYUNGWE VIA MURAMBI

Proceed to Nyungwe via Murambi Genocide Memorial site. Overnight at Gisakura Guest House.

Day 7:  TO NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK – The biggest afro-mountain forest in East and Central Africa & the remotest source of River Nile:

Early breakfast at 4:45am then drive to the pack headquarters for an hour. Stop-by the park offices to pick guide then proceed to the edge of the forest where chimp trekking starts. After trekking, return to the hotel for lunch and refreshment. The drive introduces you to the fantastic tea plantation around Nyungwe National Park. Optional visit to the local markets or waterfalls in the park – will depend on availability of time. Dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House.

Day 8: WALK TO THE REMOTEST SOURCE OF THE NILE  IN NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK

This day is dedicated to the hike aimed at reaching the remotest source of the Nile. We will also search for some of the 27 endemic birds of Albertine rift found in Nyungwe forest. Dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guest House.

Day 9: TRANSFER TO GISENYI:

Optional hike of the canopy walk in the forest then transfer to Gisenyi on good roads or using the bumpy roads through the remote but beautiful Congo-Nile trail; taking you through towns of Kibuye and Gisenyi to enjoy the fantastic views of Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight at Parades Marahide hotel.

Day 10: TO KINIGI – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK:

Breakfast at 7am then do some sightseeing in Gisenyi like visiting the hot springs, Rwanda-Congo border etc. Transfer to Kinigi as you get fantastic views of the Virunga massif. Optional experience of traditional dancers and learn about Rwandan drumming, singing and dancing from the historically marginalized groups. In the evening, learn about Rwandan cooking techniques with a local family or visit street kid project. Comfortable night at St. Anne Hotel.
 

DAY 11: GORILLA TREKKING

Volcanoes National Park:

After breakfast we transfer to the park.

After completing our park formalities we are embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas.

Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. 

Be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy.  Dinner and overnight at Gorilla hotel or St. Anne hotel

DAY 12: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING.

Follow the same procedures but choose the rare golden monkeys for a memorable experience. Return to the lodge for an overnight.

DAY 13: HIKE OF BISOKE MOUNTAIN & NATURE WALKS IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Early breakfast at 6:00am then drive to the park headquarters where you get full briefings about the hike of Bisoke Mountain with a crater lake & nature walks in the park to see endemic flowers and plants, birds etc. Return to the hotel for lunch and refreshments. Visit Lake Burera and Ruhondo. Dinner and overnight at St. Anne hotel.

NB: Hike of Karisimbi which is the highest peak in Rwanda will take you two days but the views are fantastic. We chose Bisoke Mountain because it is a day hike. Let us know your thoughts on this!

DAY 14: TRANSFER TO BURUNDI VIA BUGESERA

Check out of the hotel and transfer to Bujumbura via Bugesera. This is a 7-8 hours drive. En-route enjoy marvelous views of the landscape. Dinner and overnight at Amahoro guest house.

DAY 15: VISIT LAKE TANGANYIKA & RUVUBU PARK

Breakfast at 8am then drive along Lake Tanganyika to Ruvubu park. Do game drives in the morning then visit the Burundi – Congo border to see local lifestyles. Dinner and overnight at Amahoro Guest House.

DAY 16: HISTORICAL-CULTURAL SITES & COMMUNITY BASED TOURS

Visit national museums, Stanley, snake park, hot springs and the pygmies doing pottery, ceramics etc. Dinner and overnight at Amahoro Guest House.

DAY 17: TRADITIONAL DANCE & CONTEMPORARY LIFE

After breakfast, visit a traditional dance group and cultural association to learn more about Burundi traditions, drums, dancing and singing; food, wedding traditions etc. Dinner and overnight at Amahoro Guest House.

DAY 18: TRANSFER BACK TO KIGALI

Breakfast at 8am and then drive back to Kigali. Have lunch stops; arrive in Kigali in the afternoon and transfer to the airport in the evening.

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