10-Day Luxury Tour in Rwanda
10-Day Luxury Tour in Rwanda
From
$5000 USD
pp
Safari summary
Welcome to the "land of a thousand hills". Rwanda is an excellent place to get to experience East Africa. Come meet with the friendly locals, track the mountain gorillas and take in wonderful lakeside views, all from the comfort of your luxurious lodgings. This luxury tour has been designed to bring you in close contact with all of the highlights as well as the tumultuous history of this fascinating country.
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | Primate trekking | |
| Activity level | Moderate activity | |
| Best months | All months | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Welcome to Rwanda Your driver/guide shall be at Kigali Airport to pick you up from your flight. Depending on your arrival time you may be able to visit some of Kigali’s craft markets to browse amongst the pottery, carvings, batik, weaving, sculpture, musical instruments, leather and fabrics on offer. Prepare to use your haggling skills! All activities and purchases today are at your own cost. You will sleep at the hotel made famous by the film 'Hotel Rwanda' located in the central district of the city with wonderful views, swimming pool, and high standards of service. Journey Time: 15 minutes from airport Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Colines Meal Plan: No meals inclusive today
Day 2
Day 2: Visit Nyamata Church and the Genocide Memorial This morning you drive south of Kigali, through beautiful countryside seldom visited by tourists. In the small town Nyamata you will visit a genocide memorial church. When the genocide began in 1994, many ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus took refuge in churches, believing militias would not enter these sacred spaces. Howeverm as priests, nuns, and church officials systematically fled Rwanda after the genocide began, large-scale massacres occurred in Catholic churches throughout the country. In some cases, priests and other officials were complicit in the killings. The Bugesera district was one of the area’s most devastated by the genocide. From a population of 62,000, only 2,000 survived. At the Nyamata Catholic Church, 10.000 people were killed in and around the grounds between over 5 days. After the visit, you will head back to Kigali to visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, which opened in 2004. It’s a dignified tribute to the victims, including a poignant Children’s Memorial, and a detailed description of the darkest hour in Rwanda's recent history. Journey Time: 1 hour to Nyamata Church Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Colines Meal Plan: Breakfast is inclusive
Day 3
Nyungwe Forest
Day 3: Travel to Nyungwe Forest Today, you will set off towards the famous Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest forests in East and Central Africa. The forest is abundant with flora and fauna including 13 primate species from colobus monkeys, mangabeys, blue monkeys and, of course, our cousins the chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest is also a famous location for birders. With about 310 recorded bird species, 26 of which are endemic, this is one of the most important - and still little known - bird-watching destinations in Africa. Your lodge sits in the middle of a beautifully verdant tea plantation just on the edge of the forest. Swim in the heated infinity pool before experiencing an evening of fine dining. Journey time: 6 hours Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge Meal plan: Breakfast, late lunch, and dinner
Day 4
Nyungwe Forest
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking After a very early morning start, you shall proceed to the chimp tracking trail in either the Cyamudongo or Uwinka sections. The total population between the two groups is a healthy 80 individuals. This exciting up-close encounter with human's closest relative you will not soon forget. After the chimp tracking you can relax at the lodge or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide. Journey time: 1 - 2 hours each way Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive
Day 5
Nyungwe Forest
Day 5: Forest Canopy and Waterfall Hike Today you shall go for East Africa’s only canopy walk. This walk takes place above a deep gorge cutting across the massive forest. Lasting about 1½ hours, the walk takes you through some beautiful foliage and animal habitats and you'll have the chance to spot blue monkeys and unique birds that dwell in the upper levels of the forest canopy. In the afternoon, a waterfall hike is in your program. This trail begins from Gisakura Guesthouse and takes between 3 and 6 hours round trip, depending upon how frequently you stop to sightsee and whether you choose to drive or walk from the guesthouse. The first part of the trail is basically following the road to the vehicle park and before delving into the forest. You will have to cross various streams before making a steep descent to the base of the small, refreshing waterfall. Monkeys are frequently seen along the way and the steep slopes provide excellent views into the canopy. Journey time: 45 minutes each way Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive
Day 6
Day 6: Journey to Kibuye on Lake Kivu After a relaxed breakfast you shall travel to Kibuye on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. Time allowing, you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town. In the afternoon you can you can rent a boat and visit a few islands. All activities today are at your own cost. Perched on stilts above the shores of Lake Kivu sits your lodge, a beautiful set of wood-built structures with a private beach and a good restaurant. All rooms have a balcony overlooking the lake. Journey time: 3 - 4 hours Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge Meal plan: Breakfast is inclusive
Day 7
Day 7: To Gisenyi Today you shall continue along the scenic Lake Kivu coast winding through valleys and small villages to the northern town of Gisenyi just next to the border with DR Congo. In the afternoon you can visit the local market, see the day-to-day life of the people, have a local lunch at Auberge de Gisenyi or Bistro Restaurant. Boat tours on Lake Kivu are also possible. The hotel overlooks its own private beacj and has a panoramic restaurant, indoor and beachside bars, a luxury swimming pool, and complete gym and health centre. Journey time: 1½ - 2 hours Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel Meal plan: Breakfast is inclusive
Day 8
Virunga
Day 8: To the Parc des Volcanes Today you shall drive northeast to the town of Musanze close to the Virunga Volcano range. This beautiful area represents the gateway to the gorilla tracking. Gorilla View Lodge is situated on the edge of the dense forest of Parc des Volcans. From your large room you can look out over tropical rainforest as well as the mighty Mount Sabinyo. In the evening,enjoy a camp fireand some entertainment from some local dance groups. Journey time: 1½ hours Accommodation: Virunga Lodge Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive
Day 9
Virunga
Day 9: Gorilla Tracking You'll have an early start for this special day. From the lodge, you drive into the park about 30 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux (ORTPN). The head ranger of the ORTPN will divide you into groups based on interest and fitness. The gorillas you will track belong to one of seven habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Matoke Tours purchases the permits in advance but is unable to reserve a specific gorilla group as it is for the head-ranger to decide this in the morning. From the ORTPN office your driver/guide will take you as close as possible to the starting point of your tracking. Your track will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorillas’ current location. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous Gorilla activity, including dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time taken to track the gorillas can take as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours! Once the gorillas have been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’. Journey time: 30 minutes by car, tracking time varies Accommodation: Virunga Lodge Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive
Day 10
Day 10: Back to Kigali Today after a relaxed breakfast you shall be transferred by your driver/guide back to Kigali in time to catch your flight back home. Sadly, this is where you say goodbye to Rwanda. But you may also decide to extend your trip to another country in the region. Matoke Tours offers extensions to Uganda, Tanzania or the islands of Zanzibar. Click here for more info. Note: This is only possible when your flight departs from Kigali at 3 p.m. or later. If you need another night in Kigali, we will be happy to make a booking for you. Journey time: 4 hours Meal plan: Breakfast is inclusive This is the end of what we hope has been a fabulous trip!
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