DAY 1 - Fly to Kigali, Rwanda

 

Destination: Kigali

 

Meals included:            D

 

You depart From Europe today for your overnight flight to Kigali, Rwanda.

 

 

DAY 2 Arrive Kigali, Rwanda

 

Destination: Kigali

 

Accommodations: Urban by City Blue or similar

 

Evening: Upon arrival in Kigali, Rwanda this evening, our representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel—a transfer of about 30 minutes.

When you arrive at the hotel, you will check in and receive your room assignment. Depending on what hotel we stay at, we’ll likely be located in Kigali’s business district, just steps away from Kigali City Tower in the center of the city. Typical hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center; rooms are likely to feature air conditioning, satellite TV, wireless Internet, and private bath with hair dryer.

 

Dinner: On your own after check in. Perhaps you'll enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant.

 

DAY 3 Explore Kigali • Visit Genocide Memorial • Parc National des Virunga

 

Destination: Virunga National Park

 

Meals included: B, D

 

Accommodations: Lake Kivu Lodge

 

Activity Note: The visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial includes many graphic images and may be disturbing to some travelers.

 

Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel beginning at 8am, with a variety of fresh breads, pastries, and hot and cold selections.

 

Morning: Around 9am, we’ll depart our hotel for a morning of discoveries in the gleaming Rwandan capital of Kigali. Nestled along picturesque hilltops and pulsing with African charm, Kigali is not only situated in Rwanda’s geographical center, but was also at the center of the horrific events of 1994, when close to a million ethnic Tutsis (and moderate Hutus) were systematically murdered by their Hutu neighbours over the course of 100 unspeakably brutal days. President Paul Kagame is largely credited with Rwanda’s remarkable transformation from a genocidal battlefield into a thriving, peaceful nation once more.

 

To learn more about Rwanda’s tragic past, we’ll begin our day at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which was conceived both as a tribute to the victims of the Rwandan genocide and to ensure that this history is never repeated. Built over a mass burial ground for a quarter million victims, this moving memorial features various exhibit halls that trace the events of the 100-day genocide, reveal the colonial history of Rwanda and factors leading up to the slaughter, and highlight other instances of 20th-century genocides around the world that speak to mankind’s capacity for cruelty.

 

Lunch: On your own around noon at a local restaurant.

 

Afternoon: Around 1pm, we'll set of for Rwanda / Congo (DRC) border – Grande Barriére (La Corniche ). Assisted to clear with customs and cross border entering the Democratic Republic of Congo. Proceed on to Goma or Virunga national Park for overnight at your Hotel. Hotel amenities may include a restaurant and bar. Rooms should include a replace and private bath with shower. You’ll have time to settle in before dinner.

Dinner: Around 7pm, in the restaurant of our lodge/Hotel.

Evening: You are free to explore the lodge’s facilities, which may include a relaxing bar, or take in the scenic views of the nearby volcanic mountain peaks in the evening light.

 

Day 3: Transfer to Kibumba Tented camp

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Destination: Parc National des Virunga

Meals included:            B, L, D

Accommodations: Kibumba Tented Camp

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Activity Note: Arrive at Virunga tourism office by 11:15am. The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barriere border post building, opposite passport control. Guests will receive gorilla and volcano trek permits at check-in which must be presented at the start of each trek. Once check-in is complete, visitors will be transported to Kibumba.  

Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel, beginning at 6am.

Morning: Around 10am, we'll set of for Kibumba Tented Camp deep in the Virunga Nat Park, from Goma and travel northwest for approximately 3 hrs. Arrive in time and check in to your lodge. Lodge amenities may include a restaurant and bar. Rooms should include a replace and private bath with shower. You’ll have time to settle in before dinner.

Afternoon: The remainder of the afternoon is free.

Dinner: Around 6:30pm, in the restaurant of our lodge.

Evening: You are free to relax from the day’s activities at the bar, or retire early to rest up for tomorrow.​

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Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Virunga National Park

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Destination: Parc National des Virunga

Meals included:            B, L, D

Accommodations: Kibumba Tented Camp

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Activity Note: Today’s mountain gorilla trek typically involves two to four hours of walking through thick brush over steep, rugged terrain at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet —and can include exposure to stinging nettles and re ants. As overexposure to humans is harmful to mountain gorillas, contact is limited to one hour—and there is the possibility that they may become agitated and retreat back into the bush in less than our allotted time. Any travelers showing signs of obvious illness may be refused entrance by park authorities.

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Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the lodge, beginning at 6am.

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Morning: At about 7:30am, we take a drive of about 30 minutes to the Parc National des Virunga headquarters at to meet your guides for the day. After completing our park formalities, we are embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breath-taking experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. These massive primates are extremely rare, with less than 1000 living today. You will get within meters of the family, and be privileged to spend an hour amongst them. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to 3 hours or longer at a relatively high altitude. It is important to bring good hiking boots, long trousers, gloves for protection against stinging nettles, some snacks & sweets (for you, not the gorillas) as well as sufficient water as the rain forest gets hot and humid during the day. You will spend one hour with the gorillas, but it is an hour you will never forget. Depending on the length of our trek, groups will return to our lodge by about 1pm.

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Lunch: Around 1:30pm at our lodge.

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Afternoon: The remainder of the afternoon is free to reflect on our mountain gorilla encounter.

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Dinner: Around 6:30pm, in the restaurant of our lodge.

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Evening: You are free to relax from the day’s activities at the bar, or retire early to rest up for tomorrow.

 

 

Day ​5​: Mount Nyiragongo volcano Hike

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Destination: Mount Nyiragongo Volcano

Meals included:            B, L, D

Accommodations: Crater Bandas

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Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the lodge, beginning at 6am.

Morning: After an early breakfast; today is real adventure where you spend a day hiking the live volcano Nyiragongo. The trek includes a walk through lush forest and lava fields with a steep incline near the top, and includes an overnight stay in the Nyiragongo Crater Cabanas on the volcano rim. The stunning views both day and night make this an unforgettable experience.

Later stay for overnight in tents at the rim of the giant crater high above the active lava lake. CRATER BANDAS –

 

Things to bring for Nyiragongo Hiking – Sleeping Bag, Meals (Breakfast, lunch and Dinner) Change of dry clothes, Rain gear, Good walking shoes, Warm Clothes (sweater, jacket) it is cold up the rim. Sun cream, warm Hat, Torch, Camera and any other personal toiletriesLunch: Around 1:30pm at our lodge.

Dinner: Around 6:30pm, in the top of the Volcano

 

Day ​6: Mount Nyiragongo Descend + Depart for Kigali Rwanda

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Destination: Goma

Meals included: B, L,

Breakfast: Served on top of the Volcano, beginning at 6am.

Morning: After an early breakfast; today is we descend by 0700 hrs arriving at the trail head before lunch. Continue back to Goma City for lunch. Thereafter be transferred back to Rwanda, Kigali Airport for departure.

 

​Includes:

- Return Ground Transport from Kigali

- ​Meals as per the program

- Accommodation as per the program

- Nyiragongo Hike permit in Virunga Nat Park

- Gorilla permit in Virunga Nat Park

- Congo Tourist Visa

- Sleeping bag

 

Exclude:

- Items of personal nature

- Tip and Gratitude

- Rwandan Visa

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DON'T FORGET:

Pairs of Sunglasses, Prescription Glasses, Sunscreen, Closed Toe Shoes, Light Weight Scarf, Binoculars, Camera, A note on cell phones: Insect Repellant,  Hat, 10-Jacket or Coat

OUR TIPS:

Africa is home to dozens  national parks, game reserves and other safari destinations. Each one of them has something to different to offer, whether  large mammals dominated by the Big Five, the opportunity to trekk gorillas or chimpanzees, or more subtle pleasures such as looking for rare birds or colourful butterflies. But for first-time visitors wondering exactly where to go, the highlights below stand out as perhaps the ten best places to visit in Africa.