Journey Overview
This seven-day Rwanda adventure combines the classic African Safari experience with the unique opportunity to visit the majestic gorillas and golden monkeys of the Virunga Massif, all within Rwanda. Start your journey in the open savannah and lush swamps of Akagera National Park, where you can search for lions and the critical endangered black rhino. Then, venture into the misty forest of Volcanoes National Park to encounter the endgared great apes.
Highlights
Experience the thrill of spotting Africa’s Big Five – lions, leopards, Cape buffaloes, elephants, and rhinoceros in Akagera National Park.
Embark on captivating gorilla trekking experience and come face to face with the endangered gorillas.
360-degree theatre, augmented and virtual reality experience at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Embark on a trek through the natural habitat of the adorable endangered golden monkeys.
Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village, a community-based tourism initiative located near Volcanoes National Park
Experience the lush, natural beauty of Rwanda and the warmth of its friendly people.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Kigali
Upon arrival in Kigali International Airport, you will proceed to complete your immigration and entry requirements. Once done, you will be handed over to and warmly welcomed by our representative outside the customs and immigration hall. Transfer to your hotel in the city. Arrive and check-in assistance. Tour briefing will take place in the lobby. Dinner will follow and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals: 5-Star Kigali Marriott Hotel (Accommodation here is based on half board) deluxe room.
Day 2: Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial – Transfer to Akagera National Park – Game drive
Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and settlement of extras. Your private driver-guide will pick you up and drive you to Kigali Genocide Memorial site in Gisozi before driving to Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda.
Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance and learning, and to honor victims of genocide against the Tutsi and ensure that it never happens again. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide against the Tutsi. Here you will be able to visit the three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. There is also a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. The Education Centre, Gardens, and Genocide Archive of Rwanda form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished, and provide a powerful educational tool for visitors.
This tour will allow you to experience life in the country today and Rwanda’s remarkable recovery is a true statement to humankind’s resilience. Later drive to Akagera National Park, upon arrival you will proceed to check-in at Ruzizi Tented Lodge followed by lunch and then depart for an afternoon game drive in the park.
Accommodation and meals: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Accommodation here is based on full board) Standard Tents.
Day 3: Akagera National Park (Game drives & Afternoon boat ride)
Wake early to enjoy a full day safari game drive accompanied by an expert guide, driving through the incredible landscape of Akagera National Park. The varied landscape is shown through the different species spotted here. Visitors to the park will be able to view a range of wildlife on expertly-guided game drives, and boating trip, including buffalo, lion, elephant, giraffe, black rhino, spotted hyena, zebra and more.
The park also boasts almost 500 species of birds including the spectacular shoebill with its implausibly massive bill and near-endemic red-faced barbet. Picnic lunch, and later continue with an afternoon game drive in this Big-five park.
Accommodation and meals: Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Accommodation here is based on full board) Standard Tents.
Day 4: Transfer to Musanze, Volcanoes National Park via Kigali
Today have your breakfast at leisure, and later you will be assisted to check out of accommodation. Embark on your vehicle for your 3 hours transfer back to Kigali. You will arrive on time for lunch at Haven restaurant in Kiyovu. From here you will proceed to 2 hours and 30 minutes’ scenic drive to Musanze, Volcanoes National Park. Arrive in the evening and assisted with check-in over a welcome drink at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. Dinner will follow and overnight stay.
In the lush tropical gardens just off the road into Volcanoes National Park, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel is a handily located, comfortable and excellent value option as a base for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. There are eight deluxe rooms in stone chalets, a two-bedroom family suite and the Volcanoes Manor which can sleep six people. A restaurant and swimming pool can also be found in the grounds.
Accommodation and meals: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Accommodation is based on full board) deluxe rooms.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking & Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
You will wake up early, have breakfast and then head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the gorilla trekking rules and regulations. After briefing, you will be assigned a gorilla family to trek and a park guide to lead you. The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 5 hours, depending on the location of the mountain gorilla family you are visiting.
After briefing, you will embark on a trek through the lush forest, guided by your experienced ranger. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend an hour observing them and their behaviors while taking photographs and videos. It’s important to follow the instructions of your ranger guide, maintain a safe distance of at least 7 meters from the gorillas, and keep your voices low. After your time with the gorillas, you will return to the starting point of the trek where you meet your driver guide and transfer back to your hotel. You’ll then enjoy a delicious lunch before experiencing your second activity.
At 3:00 pm: Visit the Campus, learn of the late Dian Fossey’s work to protect mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a conservation and education center located in Rwanda near the Volcanoes National Park. It was established in collaboration with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund to support gorilla conservation efforts in Rwanda.
The Campus is dedicated to the study, protection, and preservation of mountain gorillas and their habitat, as well as the empowerment of local communities. The Campus features a research center, a conservation laboratory, and facilities for education and community outreach. It is a hub for scientific research and conservation initiatives, and a destination for visitors to learn more about mountain gorillas and their conservation.
Accommodation and meals: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Accommodation is based on full board) deluxe rooms.
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking & Rwandan Cultural Experience at Gorilla Guardians Village
You will wake up early, have breakfast and then head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the golden monkey trekking rules and regulations. After briefing, you will be assigned a golden monkey group to trek and a park guide to lead you. Trekking usually takes between 1 to 3 hours, and you will spend an hour with the golden monkeys, watching them jump and play in the trees.
The very beautiful Golden Monkey has a golden body, cheeks and tail with contrasting black limbs, crown, and tail-end. Not much is known about their behaviour; other than they live in social groups of up to 30 individuals and their diet consists mainly of leaves and fruit. It is thought they eat insects too. Restricted to the highland forest of the Virungas especially near bamboo, they share this habitat with their big brother the Mountain Gorilla, inhabiting a small area that overlaps the territory of one of the gorilla families together, they face the same threats; snares, human encroachment etc. And are listed on the IUCN Red List critically endangered species.
After this amazing experience, you will visit a nearby cultural village to learn more about Rwanda’s traditional way of life. This will give you the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their customs and traditions
Gorilla Guardians Village is a community-based tourism initiative located in Kinigi, Musanze. The initiative was established to support local communities living around the Volcanoes National Park. The project aims to provide sustainable livelihoods to local communities while also promoting conservation efforts for the mountain gorillas. The Gorilla Guardians Village offers a range of activities and experiences, including traditional dance performances, handicraft workshops, and guided tours within the community. Once you complete this tour, you’ll drive back to your hotel and have lunch. The afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Accommodation is based on full board) deluxe room.
Day 7: Transfer Back to Kigali – Question Coffee Master Class – Departure
After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, check out and settle any extra charges. Take a moment to say goodbye to the wonderful team at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, then drive back to Kigali. Once you arrive on time, you will be transferred to Question Coffee for a coffee master class.
The class begins with the journey of coffee, starting from a seed to a fruit-bearing tree, which takes place at the farm. At this café, you can witness a coffee thriving garden that represents a classic Rwandan coffee farm, where we’ll explain the steps involved in coffee agronomy and harvesting. After learning about coffee agronomy, you’ll have the opportunity to harvest ripe cherries and taste the sweet coffee fruit. Later, you’ll de-pulp your harvest and learn about the processing methods used to prepare the coffee for roasting.
After this amazing experience, you will be transferred to a select Boutique Hotel for your lunch. Depending on your flight schedule, you will then be transferred to Kigali International Airport, where you will bid farewell to your driver-guide and proceed to check-in for your outbound flight.
The meal plan for the day will include breakfast and a picnic lunch with a soft drink.
