DISCOVER TRUE AFRICA'S WILDERNESS WITH SARANIA ADVENTURE SAFARIS

This 7 Days Rwanda wildlife safari checks off Rwanda’s top two National Parks. The trip kick-starts in Kigali, the Capital with historical and cultural tours at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center to learn about the horrific 1994 Rwandan Genocide, Inema Art Center to browse local art and crafts, and the local Kimironko market, among others. This short safari also includes trekking into Nyungwe Forest National Park to get up close and personal with the chimpanzees in the wild. End your adventure with a trip to Volcanoes National Park to see the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, and visit the Gorilla Guardian Village.

Highlights

• Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Research Center to learn about Dian Fossey’s Legacy.
• Trek in the stunning Volcanoes National Park to see one of the habituated gorilla families up close.
• Get up close and personal with the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Track the endangered golden monkeys in their natural habitat- bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park.
• Explore the rich cultural scene and hospitality of Kigali City.
• Spend time with the locals at Gorilla Guardian Village to learn about the cultures and traditions of the people of Rwanda.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup for Kigali city tour and transfer to Nyungwe National Park.

Day 2: Nyungwe Chimpanzee tracking – canopy walk.

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Kivu – visit the Goma fishing village.

Day 4: Lake Kivu Canoeing – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking.

Day 6: Golden monkey tracking – visit DeGeneres Research Campus.

Day 7: Visit Gorilla Guardian Village and drive back to Kigali; Departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup for Kigali city tour and transfer to Nyungwe National Park

After a sumptuous breakfast at the Hotel/or any other place of residence, enjoy a brief tour of Kigali City focusing on the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center to learn about the painful 1994 Rwandan Genocide, Inema Art and Craft Center, and Kimironko market.

Later, enjoy coffee and head to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwestern side of Rwanda.

Overnight accommodation at;

• One & Only Nyungwe House (high-end).
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange).
• Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.

Activities: City excursion.

Day 2: Nyungwe Chimpanzee tracking – canopy walk

The 1000-square-kilometer Nyungwe Forest National Park is a popular destination with thousands of travelers looking forward to getting up close and personal with 13 species of primates. Guided chimpanzee treks to see one of the two habituated communities are quite popular. Depending on where you’re staying, you can leave at 4:00 or 4:30 am, and then hike deep into the dense and hilly forest for 1-4 hours until you find the allocated chimpanzee community. You will meet the Great Apes and spend one hour observing and taking photos of their curiosity, playfulness, and human-like behavior. Always keep an eye on other primate species, birds, butterflies, and unique tree species while searching for these primates.

Have lunch at the Lodge. In the afternoon, head back into the forest to explore its walkways extending 160 meters and suspended over 70 meters above the forest floor. Learn about the different primate species, birds, and tree species encountered along the canopy walkway.

Overnight accommodation at;

• One & Only Nyungwe House (high-end).
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange).
• Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Chimpanzee tracking and Nyungwe canopy walk.

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Kivu – visit the Goma fishing village

Early morning, have breakfast and start the drive to Lake Kivu while enjoying views of the forest and the countryside. There will be a stop at Karongi (formerly Kibuye) for lunch and arrive at your final destination late afternoon.

Enjoy lunch and have a 2-hour Boat cruise on Lake Kivu, leading to one of the fishing Villages around the water body. You will learn about the use of traditional fishing boats, and see how different fish species, half of which are cichlids only found in Lake Kivu are caught.  Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, and spot different bird and wildlife species.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (high-end).
• Paradise Malahide (midrange).
• INZU Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Boat cruise.

Day 4: Lake Kivu Canoeing – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Get treated to a leisurely breakfast enjoy a canoeing expedition on Lake Kivu, and later start your journey to Volcanoes National Park, arriving on time for lunch. You have an option of relaxing at the Lodge or going on a guided village tour.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Singita Kwitonda Lodge or Bisate Lodge (high-end).
• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange).
• Kinigi Guesthouse or Villa Gorilla (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Visit the Gorilla Guardian Village.

Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking

Start your fifth day with a hearty breakfast, and then be transferred to the Kinigi Park Headquarters for briefing. Go through the guidelines of trekking, and get allocated to a gorilla family depending on your physical fitness, age, or interest. Depending on the location of the gorilla family, you will drive 20-30 minutes to the trailhead, and then start the one to four-hour search for the Giant Apes. You will have one hour to watch and take photos of Giant Apes eating, playing, interacting with each other, resting, or grooming each other while maintaining a minimum distance of 7 meters away from them.

The afternoon will be spent relaxing at the Lodge.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Singita Kwitonda Lodge or Bisate Lodge (high-end).
• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange).
• Kinigi Guesthouse or Villa Gorilla (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Lake Kivu canoeing.

Day 6: Golden monkey tracking – visit Ellen DeGeneres Research Campus

This is another day to enter the forest, to search for the endangered golden monkeys in the bamboo forest. There are currently two habituated golden monkey troops occupying the foot of Mount Sabyinyo and visitors can trek them for 1-3 hours. When found, you have one hour to learn about their interesting behavior, day-to-day routines, and unique characteristics.

In the afternoon you have an opportunity to visit Ellen DeGeneres Research Center to learn about Dian Fossey’s legacy and her 18-year journey in protecting the Giant Apes in Volcanoes National Park.

Overnight accommodation at;

• Singita Kwitonda Lodge or Bisate Lodge (high-end).
• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange).
• Kinigi Guesthouse or Villa Gorilla (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Activities: Gorilla trekking and a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Research Center.

Day 7: Visit Gorilla Guardian Village and drive back to Kigali; Departure

After breakfast, visit the Gorilla Guardian Village for an immersive Rwandan cultural experience. The village supports former poachers to directly benefit from tourism and they in turn will share their traditional rural lifestyle, culture, and livelihood.

Enjoy a guided tour to learn/listen to traditional songs, get entertained in over 8 traditional dances, participate in the preparation of local dishes with a family, visit a traditional healer, and the King’s Palace where you will become “Royalty for a day”. Check out of the Lodge and start the journey to Kigali in the afternoon. Transfer to Kigali Airport for your flight back home. Safe Travels!

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.

Activities: Visit Gorilla Guardian’s Village.

Inclusions of this 7-day Rwanda safari package;

• Chimpanzee tracking permit/s.
• Golden monkey tracking permit/s.
• Gorilla permit/s.
• Canopy walk fees.
• Entry fees for National Parks and other Sites (such as the Museum).
• Lake Kivu excursion.
• Cultural tours.
• Ground transportation with 4X4 Safari vehicle.
• Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide.
• Bottled water.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• City excursions.
• Visits to the Ellen DeGeneres Research Center.

Exclusions of this 7-day Rwanda safari package;

• Laundry fees.
• Telephone calls and internet expenses.
• Rwandan Visa.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Cigarettes.
• Souvenir shopping.
• Airfares.
• Porter fees.
• Gratuities to porters, Ranger guides, Safari guides, and Lodge staff.
• Optional activities not included on the itinerary.