Our first stop is the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a poignant tribute to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide. This deeply moving site offers a profound understanding of Rwanda’s history, with exhibits that recount the nation’s tragic past through interactive displays and survivor testimonies, providing a powerful, reflective experience.

After lunch, explore Nyandungu Eco-Park for urban conservation photography. Highlight restored wetlands as a solution to urban flooding and biodiversity loss. The restoration of the 121-hectare park Nyandungu wetland and the creation of an eco-tourism park saw the planting of 17,000 trees made up of 55 indigenous species, and about 100 bird species. This park features a medicinal garden, a Pope’s Garden, five catchment ponds, three recreation ponds, an information center, and a restaurant.

Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Hotel des Milles Collines

Luxury Level: The Retreat by Heaven

After breakfast, enjoy a 3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. Passing through Musanze lively town blends modern amenities with traditional Rwandan charm. Amidst the forested slopes of the Virungas forming a dramatic setting for the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience of a lifetime gorilla trekking awaits you.

Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range and is home to the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

Volcanoes National Park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Luxury Level: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge

After breakfast at the lodge, your adventure begins with a drive to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. Here, you’ll meet your expert ranger guides and fellow explorers, all buzzing with anticipation.

Following a briefing on trekking etiquette and conservation efforts, you’ll be grouped with up to 8 trekkers and assigned to a specific gorilla family, ensuring an intimate and respectful wildlife encounter.

Your trek begins as you venture through diverse landscapes, from open fields and terraced hillsides to dense bamboo forests and lush undergrowth. The duration of the trek varies from 4 to 8 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location within the park.

Then, the moment of awe arrives—face-to-face with a mountain gorilla family in their natural habitat. You’ll have one magical hour to observe their interactions, from playful juveniles to nurturing mothers and dominant silverbacks.

After this life-changing encounter, you’ll trek back to the park’s base and return to your lodge, where you can relax and reflect on the day’s extraordinary experiences.

Optional Evening Activity

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.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Luxury Level: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge

Begin your day breakfast before heading to the briefing point for an unforgettable golden monkey trekking experience. These charming primates are native to the Virunga regions of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, two habituated troops reside, with the larger troop in the Sabyinyo volcano area boasting 80 to 100 members, making it a popular attraction for visitors.

Golden monkeys are relatively easy to locate as they dwell at the base of the volcanoes within lush bamboo forests. Trackers follow the trail of fresh bamboo shoots and leaves to pinpoint their exact location. Once found, you’ll have a precious hour to observe these vibrant primates up close, witnessing their playful antics and intriguing behaviors in their natural habitat.

After lunch, visit the renowned Dian Fossey Project. This 3-4 hour activity includes a trek to the graveyard where several of Dian Fossey’s favorite gorillas are buried, including Fossey herself. Explore the facility, including the labs and research center, and meet the dedicated researchers and staff working on the Dian Fossey Project. This visit offers a profound insight into the legacy of Dian Fossey and ongoing conservation efforts.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Kivu Lodge

Luxury Level: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, embark on a captivating journey to explore the serene beauty of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo. Nestled at the foothills of Mount Muhabura and nestled near the border with Uganda, these lakes boast breathtaking vistas of steep hills and cascading waterfalls, set against the majestic backdrop of the Virunga volcanic mountains.

Following this mesmerizing experience, continue your adventure to Lake Kivu, where you'll arrive just in time for a delicious lunch. Spend the evening indulging in relaxation amidst the tranquil ambiance of the Lake Shores, soaking in the soothing sights and sounds of this stunning natural setting.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Kivu Lodge

Luxury Level: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Start your day with a relaxed breakfast, you'll be driven to Lake Kivu, where you’ll partake a scenic boat ride to Amahoro and Munini Islands, also known as Napoleon Island for its resemblance to Napoleon's hat. The island is home to a large colony of fruit bats, which you can encounter after a short, easy climb. You'll also spot giant African millipedes, fish eagles, and a variety of water birds.. After this experience, drive back to your hotel for some relaxation at the lodge and lunch.

Optional Activities:

• Kayaking and Water Sports across the crystal-clear waters of the lake.
• Explore Nyamirundi Island with its Coffee Plantation

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Kivu Lodge

Luxury Level: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Begin your journey to Nyungwe Forest, where you'll arrive just in time for a delightful lunch. After lunch, head out on a 4-hour round-trip nature walk along the scenic Kamiranzovu Waterfall Trail. Surrounded by lush, forested mountains, Kamiranzovu is the largest wetland in the area, resembling a giant caldera. From the elevated western side, enjoy stunning views of the marsh and its dramatic outlet between two peaks.

Here, water cascades about 3 km to form the mesmerizing Kamiranzovu Waterfall before continuing its journey to Lake Kivu, Lake Tanganyika, the Congo River, and finally, the Atlantic Ocean. This trail offers an unforgettable encounter with nature’s beauty and power.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Luxury Level: One and Only Nyungwe House

After that, take an 1hour round-trip canopy walk along a 160m-long and 70m-high canopy walkway. Take in the scenery rewarding you with an entire forest covered with a few primate species. Get to view butterflies, birds, and blue monkeys that dwell in the upper levels of the forest.

After lunch, head out for the Tea Plantation Visit. Nyungwe is home to scenic tea plantations located on the gentle slopes surrounding the park, offering a glimpse into the local Rwandan way of life.

During your visit, you’ll walk through lush fields, where farmers harvest tea leaves. Your guide will explain the tea production process, from harvesting to processing. In some areas, you may also have the chance to pick tea leaves yourself, learning traditional farming methods. The plantations offer stunning views, with vibrant green terraces stretching across rolling hills, creating a peaceful and picturesque setting.

Head back to the lodge for relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Luxury Level: One and Only Nyungwe House

Begin your day with a Chimpanzee trekking adventure through the lush greenery of Nyungwe Forest. This ancient forest, renowned for its rich botanical diversity, is a sanctuary for a staggering array of wildlife, including 13 species of primates such as Chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, and Columbus monkeys. After the chimpanzee trekking, have lunch and relax the rest of the evening.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Luxury Level: One and Only Nyungwe House

Today, set off from Nyungwe to Huye on a scenic 2.5-hour drive. Huye is renowned for its vibrant history and rich academic heritage, anchored by the National University of Rwanda, which has long been a center of learning and intellectual growth. Check into the lodge for brief refreshment.

Begin your exploration with a visit to the Ethnographic Museum, one of Africa's finest cultural museums. Built in 1987, this museum houses an impressive collection of historical, ethnographic, artistic, and archaeological artifacts. Its seven galleries beautifully display traditional handicrafts, musical instruments, agricultural tools, and royal regalia, accompanied by insightful visual aids that narrate the story of Rwanda's cultural evolution. Through these exhibits, gain a deeper understanding of Rwandan society, its traditions, and its people’s way of life.

Have a relaxed lunch and thereafter visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Wisdom, the largest cathedral in Rwanda. Constructed in the 1930s to commemorate the life of Queen Astrid of Belgium, this magnificent red-brick structure stands as an architectural marvel and a spiritual landmark in Huye. Admire its grand design and serene ambiance, reflecting the historical ties between Rwanda and Belgium. The cathedral remains an important place of worship and a symbol of Huye’s colonial past and cultural heritage.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Hotel Maisons Sifa

On this day, travel from Huye to Akagera National Park on a scenic 5 to 6-hour drive covering about 260 kilometers (162 miles). Pass through lush hills and vibrant villages before reaching Kigali for a short break. Continue east along the Kigali - Kayonza Road, where the landscape shifts from rolling hills to open plains. Arrive at Akagera’s southern entrance, ready to explore its diverse ecosystems and wildlife, including the Big Five.

After a relaxed lunch, head out for the Behind The Scenes Tour at the park headquarters. Learn about Akagera’s history, conservation efforts, and challenges. Meet park rangers who share insights into their work and visit the anti-poaching unit to see the sniffer dogs in action, trained to detect poachers. This tour provides a unique, educational glimpse into Akagera’s conservation journey. Later head back to the camp for relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Luxury Level: Ruzizi Tented Lodge

High End Luxury Level: Magashi Safari Camp

On this day, you will head out for a morning game drive that starts with a spectacular sunrise. Explore the stunning northern region of Akagera National Park, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and high concentrations of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of the Big Five, as well as antelopes, zebras, and giraffes against the backdrop of rolling savannahs and wooded hills.

After a lunch and some relaxation, head out for a captivating afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. As you glide across the serene waters, be on the lookout for hippos and crocodiles basking along the shores. The lake is also a haven for bird watchers offering the chance to spot a wide array of bird species, from majestic fish eagles to colorful kingfishers.

Later head back to the camp for relaxation. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation Options

Luxury Level: Ruzizi Tented Lodge

High End Luxury Level: Magashi Safari Camp

Today head back to Kigali, the drive from Akagera National Park to Kigali is about 2.5 to 3 hours. The route takes you through scenic landscapes, with rolling hills and rural villages, as you make your way back to Rwanda's capital. Arrive in time for lunch and relaxation.

Optional Activity

You will visit the National Museum in Kigali. Kandt's House, once the residence of Dr. Richard Kandt, the first German colonial resident of Rwanda, now stands as a tribute within the Natural History Museum, celebrating his pioneering contributions. Visitors are greeted by a mosaic of artifacts, each telling a story of Rwanda's vibrant past.

From pre-colonial artifacts that highlight the early civilizations and cultural practices of the region to exhibits on the colonial era. The museum meticulously chronicles Rwanda's evolution. The museum also pays tribute to Rwanda's struggle for independence and subsequent efforts in nation-building, providing insights into the socio-political developments that have shaped contemporary Rwanda. Learn more about the resilience of Rwandan communities, their traditions, and the enduring spirit that has propelled the country forward.

Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.

Accommodation Options

Mid-range Level: Hotel des Milles Collines

Luxury Level: The Retreat by Heaven

Today you will have a relaxed breakfast and thereafter prepare for your departure flight back home.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch