7 Days Rwanda Adventure

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. Suggestion: Kigali City Tour

(Travel time 2:30 hours) After breakfast at Heaven Boutique Hotel, you head out to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, you check in at Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Enjoy a cup of coffee on the beautiful deck overhanging Lake Ihema. Boat Tour on Lake Ihema (Duration: 1hour) Once refreshed, you embark on a one-hour boat tour of Lake Ihema. Discover a unique perspective of 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 the serenity of the lake as you listen to the sounds of wildlife and the light breeze in the papyrus. Stop by Ruzizi Tented Lodge’s restaurant for lunch and delight in the panoramic view of the Park. 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 at Ruzizi Tented Lodge Suggested option: Experience a night drive 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 Treat yourself to dinner at Rooftop Rendez-Vous Bar & Grill while enjoying a panoramic view of Kigali by night. Stay at Heaven Boutique Hotel to recharge ahead of your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

(Total drive time: 4+ hours, excluding stops) Start your journey by car to Nyungwe. Stop in Nyanza for a visit of the Royal Palace Museum Visit the King’s Royal Hut, a striking example of traditional architecture made from beautifully woven fibers. Then, stop by to see the sacred cows, or Inyambo. Despite their intimidating appearance, these gentle cows are selfie friendly. Highly prized for their beauty, often used as dowry gifts, they have numerous songs and poems dedicated to them. Visit the Ethnographic Museum in Butare Travel back in time with this well designed exhibit, showcasing Rwanda’s history and culture with artifacts ranging from delicate basketry, tools used for hunting and farming, to a beautiful, small-scale model of the King's royal hut. Suggested Option: Watch Intore dancers’ performance Once associated with the Royal court, today’s Intore dancers are artists in their own right, interpreting traditional dances with energy, power and grace. 1PM Lunch at Amafu Ya Huye/Coffee at Inzozi Nziza Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park (Duration: 1h) Only a short walk away from the Park’s entrance, get a taste of adventure and experience the dizzyingly beautiful view by walking Nyungwe’s popular canopy bridge, a 70 meters high and 160 meters long tree top walkway. Stop at Nyungwe Top View Hotel for dinner. Take advantage of its location right next to the Park to set out for adventure early the next morning.

Meet up at 5:30 am to track Chimpanzees. Overshadowed by the Gorillas’ popularity, Chimpanzees are nevertheless highly intelligent, fascinating creatures. Continually on the move, they forage for food in trees and on the ground. Lace up your hiking shoes and get ready to enjoy an extraordinary encounter. Lunch at Nyungwe Top View Hotel Transfer to Kibuye (2:30 hours) Accommodation and dinner in Kibuye. Relax at Cormoran Lodge in one of the lovely cottages nested along Lake Kivu.

(Duration: 3-8 hours) Step out of the beaten path with a boat tour of Lake Kivu that takes you on a journey from Kibuye to Gisenyi, with stops to visit Napoleon Island, swim on a private beach, and sample coffee on a local plantation. Lunch Stop at Kinunu or Rushel Lodge Transfer from Gisenyi to Musanze (Duration: 1 hour) Check in and enjoy dinner at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge in Kinigi, a few minutes away from the Park entrance and in view of the spectacular Volcanoes Mountain Range.

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 Lodge Visit Ibyiwacu Cultural Village/Gorilla Guardians (Duration: 60 min) Conclude your tour with an immersion into the traditional Rwandan way of life: practice shooting arrows, making banana beer, and preparing traditional medicine. Transfer to Kigali