21 days Rwanda Super Tour

21 days Rwanda Super Tour

DAY 1: KIGALI

Transfer to Hotel; Briefing by guide and general orientation about the trip.

Overnight – Elevate hotel

DAY 2: KIGALI

Start historical-minded exploration of Kigali with visits to landmarks from colonial, post-independence, genocide and post-genocide times i.e. Kigali Solaire, Stade regionale, Kigali Genocide memorial site, Kandt Museum, Belgian camp, presidential palace etc. Transfer to Bugesera in the afternoon to visit the reconciliation village, Nyamata and Ntarama genocide churches.

Overnight: - Elevate hotel.

DAY 3: EASTERN PROVINCE

Transfer to Kirehe but en-route visit Les enfant de deau project. In the afternoon, visit Imigongo and practice ancient artisanry in the region, watch the waterfalls in Rusumo (Border between Tanzania and Rwanda). Head to Akagera National Park in the Afternoon. Overnight: - Akagera Game Lodge.

DAY 4: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Game drive plus boat ride on Lake Ihema to see giant Nile crocodiles, schools of hippos and over 50 species of water birds. Overnight: - Akagera Game Lodge.

DAY 5: AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Complete – Game drive in Akagera National Park and birding. Exit in the northern part of the park and go for the pastoralist heritage experience. Overnight: Local home in Gatsibo district.

DAY 6: NORTHERN PROVINCE - MUSANZE

Transfer to Ruhengeri: - For ethno botany tours. In the afternoon; en-route to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo visit brick making sites and bee hive locations. Overnight – Gorilla hotel.

DAY 7: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK/KIGALI

Early entry into the park to see the Golden Monkeys. It is now believed the only feasible population of these Golden Monkeys resides only in Volcanoes National Park. They are beautiful and endangered primates which have become quite habituated to humans, making it possible to observe them closely. The trekking helps you to acclimatize before you do the gorilla trekking the next day. Overnight – Gorilla hotel.

DAY 8: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Early morning - Gorilla Trekking and visit Buhanga forest in the afternoon where all the Rwanda kings were initiated or Kinigi Cultural Village for traditional dances and music and bio-mimicry.

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. In the afternoon, go visit Buhanga forest where all Rwandan kings were initiated or visit the twin lakes.

Overnight – Gorilla hotel.

DAY 9: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Visit Diana Fossey tombs in the morning and experience banana and sorghum beer production. Transfer to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu to relax in the afternoon. Swimming in Lake Kivu or in a swimming pool is optional but consider the current advice of guide. Overnight: - Parades Marahide hotel.

DAY 10: LAKE KIVU – GISENYI/RUBAVU

A day to relax and enjoy the beach at Lake Kivu with optional visit to the hotsprings, practice some fishing plus a tour Rubavu city and some community-based tourism projects. Overnight: - Parades Marahide hotel.

DAY 11: CONGO-NILE TRAIL, FIRST PHASE:

Transfer by boat or road to Kibuye, en-route visit Amahoro Island and get to see thousands of Black Angolan bats and many historical sites etc. Overnight: - Bethane hotel or Moriah hotel.

DAY 12: LAKE KIVU – KIBUYE/KARONGI

Boat cruise to Ijwi Island to see local livelihoods on the Island.

Overnight: - Bethane hotel

DAY 13: CONGO-NILE TRAIL, 2^ND PHASE:

Day trip to Cyangugu along the Congo-Nile trail – arrive in Kamembe town by road or boat; relax at the lakeside. Overnight: - Peace guesthouse.

DAY 14: NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK:

Enjoy the beauty of Rusizi and later transfer to Nyungwe National park. Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hotel.

DAY 15: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING – PRIMATE DAY:

Early breakfast at 4:30am then drive to the edge of the forest where chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe starts. The children will go see other monkeys. In the afternoon, visit tea plantations and factory with children. Overnight: - Nyungwe Mountain View Lodge OR Forest Lodge.

DAY 16: WATERFALLS & OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Visit the waterfalls or Kamiranzovu swamps; view other species of primates e.g. the black and white colobus monkeys, mountain monkeys etc. Afternoon maintain for full relaxation. Overnight: - Nyungwe Top View Hotel

DAY 17: CANOPY WALK & TRANSFER TO BUTARE

At 8am, drive to Uwinka visitor interpretation center where the hike to the canopy walk starts. It takes approximately 2 hours. After the canopy walk, transfer to Butare in the afternoon. Overnight: - Pettit Prince Hotel.

DAY 18:  CULTURAL-HISTORICAL TOURS IN BUTARE:

Visit to the National Museum, introduction to Rwanda’s kingdoms,
discovery of colonial architecture, enjoy traditional dancers from the museum or the national university. History-minded exploration of Nyanza – visit the King’s palace and traditional home where you will cook and share lunch with the family. Overnight: - Nyanza Resort Hotel.

DAY 19: TRANSFER TO KIGALI:

Drive to Kigali, en-route visit the Basilica of Kabgayi. Souvenirs shopping of local handcrafts in local markets then transfer to Kigali. Overnight: - Elevate Hotel

DAY 20: GOLF & LUXURY:

Time to relax and refresh in Kigali. Optional activities based on individual interest or group agreement. Overnight: - Elevate Hotel

DAY 21: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT:

Transfer to the airport.