DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY 1: KIGALI
Kigali
Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across lush undulating hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options. It also offers a collection of restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.
Day Itinerary
- TBA: Arrival at Kigali International Airport.
- TBA: VIP Meet & Greet assistance.
- TBA: Pick up from Kigali International Airport for a 25-minute transfer to your hotel.
- TBA: Check-in at the hotel with Lunch for the day.
- TBA: Overnight stay at the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel des Mille Collines
This Sabena owned hotel offers a total of 113 rooms including eight suites with a bathtub, balcony, cable TV, phone, mini-bar, Internet access, toiletries, work desk area, wake up service, and voicemail. Some rooms offer a bathrobe, ceiling fan, connecting rooms, hairdryer, trouser press, and a kitchenette. Non smoking rooms are also available. The hotel was built in 1972, opened in 1974, and was renovated in 1987 as the leading hotel in Rwanda with large meeting facilities.
Facilities included: Business center, Tennis court, Golf, Swimming pool, Wheel chair access, Fitness facility, Dining, Meeting room, First class, Car rental desk
DAY 2: KIGALI / VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Volcanoes National Park
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face to face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, with the beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke being a particular highlight. Make sure to visit the fascinating Karisoke Research Centre and the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey.
Day Itinerary
- 0800: Begin the day with breakfast.
- 0900: Transfer to Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum for a visit
- 1030: Transfer to Volcanoes.
- 1300: Estimated time of arrival and check-in
- 1320: Lunch at the hotel.
- 1500: Take part in complementary activities at the Lodge.
- 1800: Dinner and Overnight stay at Ingagi Park View Lodge.
Overnight: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Ingagi Park view Lodge is located on a panoramic angle of the five peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes in northern Rwanda; the home to the Mountain Gorillas.
The lodge houses eight spacious chalets designed to feel like a home away from home. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast and stay connected using complimentary Wi-Fi. The lodge features a terrace overlooking the pristine natural garden as well as a fireplace and bar.
While staying at the lodge, guests can enjoy a variety of activities which include gorilla or golden monkey trekking, volcano hiking and canoe trips.
Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum
Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The centre is an extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.
The memorial hosts a tour which is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.
DAY 3: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Day Itinerary
- 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
- 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing.
- 0800: Start the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- 1200: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
- 1230: Transfer back to the Lodge.
- 1300: Lunch at the Lodge.
- 1500: Afternoon visit Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Fund Museum.
- 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at Ingagi Park View Lodge.
Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some taking the better part of the day.
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is an expansive, 12-acre property that rests adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The campus showcases the best in sustainable architecture, local resourcing, and environmentally responsible practices and will offer state-of-the-art laboratories, a scientific conservation library, and meeting space for large groups. The goal of the campus is to inspire everyone who visits, to cherish gorillas and encourage a lifetime of conservation.
DAY 4: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Day Itinerary
- 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
- 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for the Golden Monkey trekking briefing.
- 0800: Start the Golden Monkey trek.
- 1200: Return from the Jungle.
- 1300: Lunch at your Lodge
- 1500: Afternoon Iby’wacu Cultural Visit
- 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at your Ingagi Park View Lodge.
Volcanoes National Park Golden Monkey Trekking
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda offers Golden monkeys trekking. This unique experience allows guests in groups of up to eight to look for and discover golden monkeys within their natural habitat.
The monkeys are incredibly active and enjoy showing off for tourists and researchers that they encounter daily. The monkeys can be found closer to the base of the volcano and enjoy eating the bamboo vegetation in the area.
Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you home stay with the community and become part of their family
DAY 5: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK / KIGALI
Day Itinerary
- 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
- 0900: Drive and return to Kigali.
- 1200: Arriving in Kigali.
- 1230: Lunch in Kigali before your flight departure.
- TBA: Flight time out of Kigali International Airport to be advised.
END OF YOUR TRIP!!
QUOTE: USD 4,240 per person sharing
Included
- Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day.
- VIP Meet & greet assistance on arrival
- All activities as highlighted in the itinerary.
- Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.
- 1 Night accommodation in Kigali on arrival.
- 3 Nights at Volcanoes National Park – Ingagi View Lodge.
- 1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek.
- 1 Golden Monkey permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 100.-)
- Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser 4×4 with WI-FI in receptive areas.
- Services of a professional, experienced English-speaking driver guide.
- Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation Services.
Excluded
- International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
- All extra activities, visits, entrances, and extra meals/drinks are not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entry visa fees.
- Optional extras whilst in Kigali.
- Drinks throughout the trip.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.
