Primates & Birds of Rwanda

Your visit to Rwanda will begin in the capital city of Kigali. You will be driven west to Ruhengeri which is the starting point for your gorilla tour. All travelers will be instructed in trekking procedures and “what to expect” when encountering the gorillas. A typical tour extends from two to six hours depending on the movement of the gorilla population. You will have many opportunities to photograph the lush volcanic mountain-tops and the gorillas.

Highlights

Tour of Kigali City.
Viewing opportunities of Chimpanzees & Gorillas.
Enjoying the Rainforest with over 100 difference species of Orchids & Giant Lobelias.
Viewing opportunities of more than 275 migratory & endemic bird species.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Kigali

Arrival at Kigali International Airport. Proceed through immigrations and customs. After formalities are completed be met and transferred by our local guide (who will be holding a sign board with your names and our logo) to your Kigali Hotel. The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare. Dinner on own arrangement.

Overnight Kigali Serena Hotel, Standard room accommodation.

Day 2

Kigali – Nyungwe National Park (B/L/D)

After breakfast at your hotel, drive to Nyungwe National park via Butare, the second largest city of Rwanda and regarded as the intellectual city of Rwanda. It hosts the National Museum, several academic (Universities) and research institutions, visit Nyanza (currently Nyabisindu) the former Mwami’s Palace (King’s palace) and the seat of the feudal monarchy. The palace has been reconstructed to its 19^th century state and shows a traditional dome that can be compared with the Kabaka’s palace of Buganda. You will also visit the Butare National Museum in Huye which is one the well set-up if not the finest ethnographic museum of East Africa. A good source of information on the cultural history of Rwanda. Lunch at a local restaurant in Butare. Afternoon drive to the wonderful rainforest reserve of Nyungwe at an altitude range of between 1600 M-2950 M above sea level with temperatures varying between 0°C and 30° C; average day temperatures 15°C. Nyungwe receives rainfall ranging 1800-2500 mm per year. Rainy season is September to May. Dry season June to August with some dry weeks in December and January. The main features and attractions in Nyungwe forest include Largest montane rain forest remaining in Africa, Mt. Bigugu (2925M), Kamiranzovu marsh (13 Km²) . Nyungwe forest has 260 species of trees and shrubs and Over 100 species of orchids and giant lobelias. For those interested in botany, the flora in Nyungwe comes as an added bonus Overnight Nyungwe Forest Lodge Standard room accommodation.

Day 3

Nyungwe National Park (B/L/D)

Early breakfast at your lodge.
Hike into Nyungwe Forest – Cymudongo, the natural habitats for a huge population of Chimps. Chimpanzees are great apes that are closely related to humans. Nyungwe Forest hosts these intelligent primates who are an endangered species. The forest harbours more than 275 endemic and migratory bird species recorded Including the Ruwenzori turaco, Ross’s turaco, Grey –cheeked hornbill, Red-throated alethe, Red-breasted sparrow hawk, White-headed wood-hoopoe, Kungwe apalis, Ruwenzori batis, Blue-headed and Regal sunbirds.
Afternoon, relax at the lodge or visit the nearby areas.

Overnight Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Standard room accommodation.

Day 4

Nyungwe National Park – Kibuye (B/L/D)

After an early breakfast re-enter the forest, this will involve a long trek into the forest to enjoy the rainforest birds. During the morning’s walk we are also likely to encounter other troops of primates.
Drive to Kibuye, also known as a beach city is in Karongi district, and the capital of Western Province of Rwanda. The city lies about halfway down the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, between Gisenyi and Cyagugu. The Ndaba Falls lie near the city. Lake Kivu is the largest of all lakes that fill the valleys of Rwanda.

Overnight Comoran Lodge, Standard room accommodation.

Day 5

Kibuye – Ruhengeri (B/L/D)

Drive to Ruhengeri through Kibuye, also known as a beach city is in Karongi district, and the capital of Western Province of Rwanda, a city located about halfway down the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, between Gisenyi and Cyagugu. This is a scenic drive that takes you over the Albertine (western) Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valleys.
Arrive a Ruhengeri, at the foothills of Virunga Volcanoes and the base for Gorilla. The town itself, located only 25km from Uganda boarder, is relatively a small city of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here

Overnight Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, Standard room accommodation.

Day 6

Parc National de Volcans – Gorilla Trekking (B/L/D)

Early breakfast at your lodge.
06.30AM: transfer to the Volcanoes National Park Head Quarters.
07.00AM: Registration, where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 64 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group.
Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point. Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear.
The cost, US$10 per person/per day. We advise that you utilize this service.
Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way.

Overnight Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, Standard room accommodation.

Day 7

Parc National de Volcans – Kigali (B)

Early breakfast at your lodge.
Depart from foothills of the Virunga volcanoes and drive south past coffee, tea and banana plantations on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly – land of a thousand fertile green hills.

Transfer to your Kigali Hotel / Dinner on own arrangements.

Overnight Kigali Serena Hotel, Standard room accommodation.

Day 8

Departure (B)

After breakfast at the hotel prepare for your half day tour. The City Tour of Kigali will include a stop at the Genocide Memorial site – a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent’s lives in 1994. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

Inclusions

Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
Entrance fees where applicable.
Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
Transfers
Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.