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Traditional Rwanda : A Cultural Experience

Quick Facts

Days

8

Takes you to

Kigali, Musanze, Volcanoes National Park, and Lake Kivu.

  • OVERVIEW
  • HIGHLIGHTS
  • ITINERARY
  • INCLUSIONS
  • TRAVEL INFORMATION
  • REQUEST A QUOTE 
OVERVIEW

SAFARI OVERVIEW OF

Traditional Rwanda : A Cultural Experience

Step into the soul of Rwanda on this unforgettable 8-day cultural journey designed for the conscious traveler. Traditional Rwanda: A Cultural Experience offers more than just sightseeing—it’s a transformative experience that brings you face-to-face with the people, traditions, and landscapes that make Rwanda unique.

From powerful moments at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to vibrant local markets, immersive community experiences, and hands-on cultural workshops, this tour invites you to connect deeply with Rwanda’s heritage. Visit conservation projects, learn age-old crafts, explore coffee plantations on the shores of Lake Kivu, and discover how local communities are shaping a sustainable future.

This journey is ideal for travelers who value authenticity, cultural connection, and responsible tourism.

Be part of something meaningful—discover Rwanda, the traditional way.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

  • Genocide Memorial in Kigali: Learn about Rwanda’s history and resilience.
  • Kimironko Market: Explore the vibrant local market featuring a variety of crafts and produce.
  • Red Rock Initiative in Ruhengeri: Engage with community-led conservation and cultural preservation projects.
  • Cultural Workshops: Participate in food preparation, banana beer brewing, and basket weaving with local artisans.
  • Bamboo Conservation Project & Twin Lakes Visit: Explore the vital role of bamboo in ecosystems and take in the stunning scenic views of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo.
  • Gorilla Guardian Village & Nyange Community Walk: Experience community conservation efforts and cultural exchanges.
  • Village Walk: Discover the art of beekeeping and visit a local market in rural Rwanda.
  • Lake Kivu Coffee Plantation: Explore eco-friendly coffee production on sustainable plantations.
  • Boat Cruise on Lake Kivu: Enjoy a peaceful boat ride to islands, promoting eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation.
ITINERARY

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali, where you'll check in for an overnight stay at the start of your 8-Day Traditional Rwanda: A Cultural Experience.

Accommodation: Lemigo Hotel | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 2: Kigali - Musanze - Red Rock Rwanda Initiative

After breakfast, enjoy a 2-hour drive to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. This lively town blends modern amenities with traditional Rwandan charm. Visit the Red Rocks Initiative, promoting sustainable development in the Virunga Mountains. Participate in a food preparation session using fresh, local produce, followed by a delicious lunch.

Tour the farmland, try starting a traditional fire with firewood, and enjoy your meal outdoors while engaging with the local community and learning about Rwanda's culture. In the afternoon, experience banana beer production. Help extract juice from bananas, then taste both the juice and the local brew made with sorghum flour.

Alternatively, join pottery or basket weaving sessions, crafting your pieces with guidance from the community. Visit the craft shop, where all proceeds support local development. In the evening, gather around the campfire to hear stories about Rwanda's history and culture.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Red Rock Local Home Stay | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 3: Bamboo Conservation Project and Twin Lakes Visit

After breakfast, visit the Bamboo Conservation Project, a Red Rocks Initiative aimed at promoting bamboo cultivation for environmental protection and income generation for local communities and primates.

After lunch, depart for the twin lakes of Bulera & Ruhondo, nestled at the base of Mount Muhabura and near the Ugandan border. Surrounded by steep hills, tall waterfalls, and the stunning Virunga Volcanoes, these lakes offer breathtaking views. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening to conclude the day on your 8-Day Rwanda Cultural Tour.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 4: Gorilla Guardian Village and Nyange Community Walk

Today, visit the Gorilla Guardian Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu) for cultural performances, including the iconic Intore dance, and explore the king’s palace. Experience a unique ceremony where you can briefly take on the king’s role, guided by local elders. You’ll also have the chance to learn Rwandan drumming, visit a traditional healer, or interact with the Batwa community.

After lunch, embark on the Nyange Community Walk, guided by a socola guide, to learn about Rwandan village life. Experience traditional activities such as ironworking, banana beer brewing, mat weaving, and carpentry. Explore local food traditions, sample a traditional dish, and encounter tree nurseries, a health clinic, a socola village, and Twa villages, where you’ll be welcomed with songs and dances.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 5: Village Walk - Beekeeping and Local village market

After breakfast and with your packed lunch, we depart for a village walk. This is a walk through one of the villages in Musanze. The walks pass through the villages surrounding the volcanoes, offering views of the volcanoes – enjoy the mountainous vegetation in its natural state.

You will visit the local community of beekeepers, and learn more about the bee hives in swamps or forest areas rich in certain types of plants like banana trees or certain flowers.

Honey has medicinal properties and is added to local medicines by traditional doctors. The remaining honey is sold to local people and the benefits are shared with the other association. Take a tour to a local village market pharmacy and learn of the healing abilities of traditional medicine which has been used for ages by the Rwandan people.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Kivu.

This morning will be spent relaxed and at leisure. Transfer to Lake Kivu by 11:00 am arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, take a boat ride to one of the islands in Lake Kivu OR explore the town, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the local market, or wander through the old colonial buildings.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Kivu Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 7: Lake Kivu – Kigali

This morning, spend some time at the private peninsular of Kivu Lodge, you may explore the private coffee plantation that surrounds the lodge and taste some coffee. Alternatively, you may visit the tea estates close to the lodge. Thereafter head back to Kigali arriving in time for relaxation and lunch.

Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Memorial which includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. There is also a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world.

The Education Centre, Gardens, and Genocide Archive of Rwanda form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished and provide a powerful educational tool for visitors.

Alternatively visit the Kimironko Market Africa, the largest farmer's market in Kigali covering an area of about 5 kilometers. Kimironko market is a hub for local fresh food and fruits such as mangoes, passion fruits, pawpaw, jackfruits, and pineapples, among others.

The stalls at the market’s extreme are occupied majorly by meat sellers, chicken, and fresh fish.

There’s also a wide stock of fabric for those interested in African and Western ultra-modern clothing. This market stocks local Kinyarwanda drums, beads, craft handbags, craft earrings, traditional fabric, pots, mats, baskets, and hats, among many other traditional arts and crafts.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Lemigo Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 8:  Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight

On the final day of your 8-Day Traditional Rwanda: A Cultural Experience, you will make your way to Kigali International Airport, where you will depart for your onward journey home.

INCLUSIONS

Included in the Traditional Rwanda: A Cultural Experience

  • Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel
  • All Nature walks
  • All Community Visits
  • Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
  • Drinking water / refillable water bottle
  • English-speaking Guide
  • Accommodation and Meals
  • All Park Entrance Fees.

Excluded in the Traditional Rwanda: A Cultural Experience

  • International Airfares;
  • Visa Fees;
  • Drinks and Beverages
  • Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff
  • Optional activities unless specified as included
  • Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.
TRAVEL INFORMATION

Discover Rwanda: The Land of a Thousand Hills

Rwanda, often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” is a captivating East African destination celebrated for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. This compact and easy-to-navigate country offers an exceptional blend of lush rainforests, rolling hills, and serene lakes. Its main attraction is the accessible gorilla trekking experience, making Rwanda a top choice for wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers alike.

Renowned for its commitment to conservation and sustainability, Rwanda stands as a global model in eco-tourism. The warm hospitality of its people invites travelers to explore the beauty and spirit of this remarkable nation.

Entry Requirements

Visa on Arrival: Nationals of all countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders. Ensure your passport has at least two full blank pages for visas and stamps and is valid for more than six months from the date of entry.

Visa Waivers: Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member states are granted a visa upon arrival with a 90-day fee waiver. East African Community (EAC) member state citizens receive a six-month entry pass free of charge.

Visa Fees and Application: A single-entry visa costs US$50. Applications can be submitted online at Irembo or at Rwandan diplomatic missions. Payment can be made online or upon arrival.

Visa Exemptions:

East African Countries: Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi.
La Francophonie Member States: Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Mali, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Togo, Chad, Gabon, Mauritius, Seychelles, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Romania, Haiti, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tahiti.
Commonwealth Member States: Short stays (up to 90 days) are visa-free for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia.

East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV)

The East Africa Tourist Visa allows travel between Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda with multiple entries within 90 days for US$100. Apply online at Irembo, upon arrival, or at diplomatic missions. If applied for in advance, the first entry must be through the issuing country.

Money and Spending

Rwanda’s currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF), but US Dollars (post-2006 bills only) or Euros are widely accepted. Exchange money in Kigali for the best rates. Credit cards (mainly MasterCard) are accepted at high-end hotels and restaurants in Kigali but rarely outside the capital.

Health and Medical Information -Vaccinations:

Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory.
Recommended: Tetanus, Cholera, Hepatitis A & B, and Malaria prophylaxis.
Malaria: Precautions are essential. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing, and consider antimalarial medication.
General Health Tips: Drink bottled or boiled water and carry a basic first aid kit. Consult with a healthcare professional before traveling.

Best Time to Visit Rwanda: Month-by-Month Guide

January & February: Dry season with hot days and cool evenings in high-altitude areas (Kigali, Lake Kivu, Volcanoes, and Nyungwe National Parks). Perfect for forest treks and safaris, but expect higher prices due to peak season.
March to May: Rainy season with challenging trekking conditions. Ideal for birdwatching during the breeding season. Mid-May offers fewer crowds and better chances of securing last-minute gorilla trekking permits.
June to September: The best time to visit Rwanda due to dry, mild weather. Perfect for gorilla trekking. Highlights include the Kwita Izina Ceremony (June) and the Rwanda Film Festival (September). Book early as this is peak travel season.
October to December: Short rainy season with brief showers and clear skies. Enjoy more affordable gorilla trekking permits and accommodation rates. Ideal for travelers seeking quieter parks and lower prices.

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