Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
HIGHLIGHT
Gorillas, Chimpanzees and other primates Tracking, Nyungwe and Akagera National park, Kigali genocide memorial center, Lake Kivu, Butare National museum, Intore dancers, Rusumo falls and others.
Day 1: Arrival- Night at Hill top Hotel.
Arrive at Kigali airport where you will be welcomed by our driver and local guide for transfer to your Hotel- Briefing- Dinner and overnight in Kigali the capital city of Rwanda, at Hill top Hotel
.
Kigali was founded in 1907 as small colonial outpost by Dr. Richard Kandt, the first German colonial resident of
Rwanda. The city has made tremendous progress since 1994 genocide. Considered one of the safest and friendliest of African capitals,
Kigali is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate. It is inhabited by approximately 1 million people who now enjoy the benefits of peace. You will be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it feels to be among the gentle people of
Rwanda who will be delighted to welcome you to their beautiful, exceptionally friendly country.
Day 2: Discovering
Kigali and Its Surrounding- Transfer to Kinigi for Gorilla trekking- Overnight at Muhabura Hotel or Kinigi Guest house.
Visit the
Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. The exhibition in the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre tells the history of
Rwanda leading up to genocide in 1994 and catalogues the details of the genocide using photographs, video, written accounts and a range of artifacts. It includes personal testimonies and a moving memorial to the children of the Rwandan genocide. The exhibition also has a section called “wasted lives”, which reflects on the holocausts and genocides in Armenia, South-West Africa, Bosnia and
Cambodia. The Kigali Memorial Centre has gained a word-wide reputation for the powerful exhibition and its work in promoting peace; take your time to absorb its important message.
After lunch we proceed to Kinigi, the home of mountain gorillas, passing through magnificent views of the beautiful, hilly countryside which gives
Rwanda its name as “a country of a thousand hills”.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking- Stay Night at Muhabura or Kinigi GH
You will trek in the forest on the edge of the Virunga mountain chain to find one of the last mountain gorilla families in the world. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Golden Monkeys Trekking- Transfer to Gisenyi for overnight stay at
Serena
Hotel or Paradise Malahide Hotel .
After Golden monkeys trek- visitors may choose to go on walks in villages surrounding the park and interact with local people Make an optional visit to Ruhengeri Market, providing you with an opportunity to explore and buy local produce and Rwandan fabrics. Take some time to haggle for bananas and pineapples and have fun with the friendly, helpful stall holders.
We can organize optional traditional dance lessons to experience local culture and learn how it is embedded in the Rwandan traditions. Other optional trips include a visit a local household and experience local lifestyle, or a trip to the learn how to make local banana beer. Well worth a taste! You may also wish to visit the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo and marvel at the breathtaking views of the Virunga mountain chain.
Day 5:
Lake Kivu and Kibuye- Overnight .
After breakfast we take a boat tour on the
Lake Kivu. After a pleasant lunch on the banks of
Lake Kivu we proceed Kibuye, on our way we will visit tea plataion, arive late in the afternoon and overnight.
Lake Kivu is a large deposit of fresh water that marks the western border with DR Congo and one of the Great Lakes of Africa. The lake lies in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley and empties into the
Ruzizi
River, flowing southwards into
Lake Tanganyika. Beneath the lake lie vast reserves of approximately 55 billion cubic of dissolved methane gas now being exploited.
Lake Kivu is a wonderful tourist centre and is safe to swim so bring your swimming kit for a quick lunchtime dip. There are many stunning beaches, gorgeous landscapes and the sunsets are regularly stunning.
Day 6: Nyungwe Forest- Night at Gisakura Lodge
After breakfast leave Kibuye for Nyungwe forest national park- after lunch at Gisakura we begin our trek into the forest to search for a hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angolan Colobus monkeys, as well as the handsome L’hoest monkeys. Back and night at Gisakura Lodge.
Nyungwe
Forest
National Park is a rain forest that is home to 13 different primate species, including humankind’s closest living relative the chimpanzee, in addition to the L’hoest monkeys and the largest known troop of agile Angolan Colobus in the world.
Nyungwe
Forest is home to some 25% of the African primate species! There are l’hoest monkeys and blue monkeys present and often observed around Uwinka, requiring less strenuous hiking. In addition to these important primate species
Nyungwe
Forest is alive with a huge floral diversity including at least 140 orchid species. The tall primary forest covers much of the fertile land; bamboo grows on the higher ridges while there are flooded forests and marsh habitats to the south of the National Park. Such diverse habitats attract an enormous range of plant, insect, bird and mammalian species, making Nyungwe a premier destination in
East Africa for naturalists. An extensive network of well-maintained walking trails leads through the forest to various waterfalls and viewing points. A comfortably rustic rest house and perfectly situated campsite lie alongside the main road, and the reserve can readily be visited as a day trip from the towns of Butare and Cyangugu. Nyungwe does, however, deserve more time: anybody who wants to track chimps and see several varieties of smaller primate will need two days there - and dedicated birdwatchers might never want to leave!
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trek- Transfer to Butare- Overnight at Credo or Ibis Hotel.
Early morning we start the trekking in
Nyungwe
Forest to find chimpanzees- After Lunch Transfer in the afternoon to Butare To be entartained by Intore Dancers,
The “Intore”, once the elite of the traditional
Rwanda army, were not only trained as expert warriors but also in high jump and dance. They were known for their remarkable technique allowing them to jump almost 2.5 metres. The Intore gained an international reputation as dancers in 1958 when they performed at the World Expo held in
Brussels. Today Intore dancers are part of the rich
Rwanda folklore. The warriors dance is a jewel of the choreographic heritage of
Rwanda. Dressed with a lion mane made of sisal fibre, and little bells on each ankle, the warriors dance, accompanied by wonderful drummers and a beautiful choir, is a thrilling rhythm. Throughout the Intore ballet, physical confrontation turns into artistic rivalry and then at “the end” comes out into a vigorous hug of the warriors. This is the most artistic gesture of friendship mutual aid and protection.
Day 8: Visit of the
Butare
National
Museum- Transfer to
Kigali- Night at Hill top Hotel.
The
National
Museum in Butare was donated in 1989 by the
Belgium government who returned much of the ethnographic collection acquired during the colonial period. The design and concept of the museum was realized in co-operation with the
Royal
Museum for Central Africa of
Tervuren, Belgium. The modern building has various sections and displays a wide collection of monochrome pictures, traditional artifacts and objects, tools and a range of craft products. Ethnographic objects are grouped together according to themes giving excellent detailed information on the daily life of historical
Rwanda. Traditional ceramics and basketry are still manufactured and are amongst the finest handicrafts of the region. The
National
Museum remained surprisingly untouched during the civil war in 1994.
Day 9:
Akagera
National
Park- Night at Akagera Lodge.
After breakfast we drive on to
Akagera
National Park in the east of
Rwanda. Here we safari in the most complex savannah ecosystem of
East Africa with impressive landscapes, extraordinary bird life and the occasional big game animal. There are many optional activities centred around the lake in the park, such as canoeing and fishing, or you can relax with a cool drink and enjoy the beautiful environment. There is the option of camping in the wild savannah for a magical night in and or around the park.
Day 10: Morning Game Drive- Transfer to Kigali- Overnight at Hill top Hotel.
After an early breakfast we take a final game drive in
Akagera
National Park before returning to
Kigali.
Day 11:
Kigali.
Today is a day of rest and relaxation. You are free to take in the sights and sounds of
Kigali and perhaps wonder around the shopping malls for some Rwandan coffee or a visit to the craft markets can be arranged for you. We offer a range of optional excursions in and around Kigali, including a trip to the picturesque
Rusumo
Falls.
Day 12: Departure.
After breakfast there is time for a last-minute shopping trip in
Kigali before transferring to the airport for our personal good-byes and your departing flight.
Departure Dates
2010 Set departure dates
January 5
February 23
March 16
April 13
May 4
June 1
July 20
August 10
September 28
October 26
November 16
December 21
Don't see the date you'd like to travel? This program can be tailor-made. Ask our tour Consultant for details.
NOTE/ Clients who choose to stay in
Rwanda for more days at the end of their safari are free to do so. We can arrange hotel accommodation for your extended stay. Should you wish to spend more time exploring Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya or
Tanzania, we can arrange further safaris and city tours to meet your requirements.
COST
2600USD per person, double occupancy.
350USD Single Room Supplement.
BOOK NOW
