5 Days Gorilla Tracking
& Wildlife Safari

As you arrive in Kigali, you are picked up at the airport by your Driver Guide and you receive a briefing about your itinerary. You then check in at Heaven Boutique Hotel where you enjoy dinner and rest until the following day. Suggested option: Kigali City Tour

(Travel time 2:30 hours) After breakfast at Heaven Boutique Hotel, you head out to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, you stop at Ruzizi Tented Lodge to savor a cup of coffee on the beautiful deck overhanging Lake Ihema. Boat Tour on Lake Ihema (Duration: 1hour) Once you are refreshed, you embark on a one-hour boat tour of Lake Ihema. Enjoy a unique perspective on this African wetland ecosystem composed of a dozen lakes, of which Lake Ihema is the largest. Catch sight of the imposing hippos and Nile crocodiles. Keep your camera at hand for some of the nearly 500 bird species, among which the African Fish Eagle, and the remarkable Shoebill. Or, simply enjoy this serenity of the lake as you listen to the sounds of wildlife and the light breeze in the papyrus. Take a break at Ruzizi Tented Lodge restaurant for lunch. Behind the Scenes Tour (Duration: 90 min) You now head to the Park’s Headquarters for an exciting window into the Park’s day-to-day management. You meet with rangers and ask questions about conservation initiatives and community involvement. You find out how they monitor patrol coverage and animal species. And, last but not least, you watch the K9 anti-poaching unit and see how the dogs are trained. Enjoy dinner at Ruzizi Tented Lodge Suggested option: Experience a night drive (5-8pm) for a chance to spot leopards and other nocturnal wildlife .

(Duration: 5 hours) A day visit to the park awaits. Binoculars in hand, you witness nature’s astonishing recovery. Indeed, once depleted by poachers and grazing cattle, the park is now alive with topi, zebras, giraffes and impalas. Not to mention of course the presence of the ‘Big Five’ -buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard and elephant- populating the rolling hills dotted with emerald green bushes and the golden extense of the savannah. Still relatively unknown to the public, the Park allows for an intimate experience of wilderness. Pause for lunch at Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Afternoon transfer to Kigali Accommodation & Meals at Heaven Boutique Hotel

(2+ hours) During the two hour drive from Kigali to Musanze, you enjoy the gradual change of landscape, from Kigali’s gentle hills to mountainous views of misty valleys, terraced fields, and the fragrance of eucalyptus trees. At a stop half-way in Nyirangarama, you can shop for local products including dumplings, brochettes, and Akabanga, Rwanda’s favorite hot pepper sauce. Check in at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge in Kinigi, a few minutes away from the Park entrance and in view of the spectacular Volcanoes Mountain Range. Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Duration: 1 hour) Brush up your expertise on Mountain Gorillas ahead of tomorrow's trek and be inspired by the story Dian Fossey. Lunch at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge In the afternoon, you visit Lakes Burera and Ruhondo (Duration: 2 hours) Enjoy a boat ride on the picturesque Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, with Volcanoes National Park in the backdrop. Suggested option: hike or cycle along the lakes. Dinner at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Now is the time for the great encounter. Wake up early to meet your Guide and receive a briefing at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7AM. Depending on your fitness level and the Gorillas’ location, you are assigned to track one of the twelve habituated Mountain Gorilla families. You will undoubtedly be moved by these impressive, yet gentle and curious creatures. Well worth the climb! Lunch at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge Ibyiwacu Cultural Village - Gorilla Guardians (Duration: 60 min) Wrap up your tour with a fun and participative immersion in the traditional Rwandan way of life: practice shooting arrows, making banana beer, and preparing traditional medicine. Afternoon transfer to Kigali