Best of Rwanda

Day 1 – Kigali  On arrival at Kigali International Airport we will welcome you and transfer to the hotel, Umubano Hotel (C) or Golf Hills Hotel (E) for the overnight in BB.

Day 3 - Mountain gorilla tracking  After breakfast, at 7 in the morning starts the trekking in the forest in search for one of the habituated families of the mountain gorillas. After the briefing from the park rangers, you will reach the starting point for the trekking. Bring with you water and packed lunch, while wearing trekking boots. It is not predictable the time you will spend to find the gorillas. After you finally reach and see the gorillas, you have right to one hour for observing the primates and their behaviors, while taking photographs.  In the afternoon we advise to take a cultural walk in one of the ecotourist sites of the communities around Kinigi, like Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, which will help you to see closer the real life of people, their traditions and even to see the Intore dancers performing. Return to the lodge at leisure. Dinner overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (C) or Hotel Muhavura – Le Bamboo Lodge (E). Full Board

Nyungwe Forest

Day 5 – The South West of Rwanda After breakfast, you leave Kibuye in the direction of Nyungwe National Park in the South West of Rwanda. The park covers an area of 1020 square km of green hills, the largest uncontaminated piece of tropical forest in Eastern Africa. Nyungwe hosts 13 species of primates, including the chimpanzee (the count is about 500), the Rwenzori colobus, the Hoest Monkey, the silver monkey, owl faced monkey, red tailed monkey, vervet monkey and olive baboon. Nyungwe is also the first birding destination in Rwanda, with over 310 species of birds. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge (C) or Gisakura Guest House or similar (E). Full Board NOTE: Today’s journey might take about 4 hours according to the conditions of the roads.

Day 7 – Butare – Nyanza - Kigali After breakfast you will drive back to Kigali. Stop over is made in Huye (Butare), the second town in Rwanda, considered the cultural capital, hosting the university and the National Museum. Very interesting are the handicraft shops where are sold typical products made by Rwandan artisans, especially in the weaving and baskets. Stop over for lunch and in Nyanza, that in the past was the political capital and it hosts the antique Royal palace, entirely renovated for the visitors, displaying original items and pieces of history of the Mwami, the king. Arrive in Kigali for dinner and overnight at Umubano Hotel (C) or Golf Hills Hotel (E). Full Board

Akagera

Day 8 – Kigali - Akagera National Park After breakfast, depart Eastwards to Akagera National Park. With 1085 square km of protected area, the park is named after the river Akagera which marks the border between Rwanda and Tanzania. This is a vast savannah, also characterised by the presence of important lakes, like Lake Ihema the biggest, Lake Hago and Kivumba. From 2010 many development took place in the park, including the fencing of some areas and the reintroduction of lions.  After lunch at the lodge, we arrange a boat trip on the Lake Ihema, a very rewarding experience to see animals like the large number of hippos, the huge Nile crocodile and many water birds. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (C and E) with view on the Lake Ihema. Full Board

Day 10 Reserved for departure flights from Kigali International Airport. BB