6-Days Rwanda Adventures – Great Apes & Lake Kivu

Overview

Rwanda is a beautiful, lush green, landlocked country in the heart of Africa, known as “the land of a thousand hills”. This destination is rich in flora and fauna and has stunning natural beauty with its scenic rolling hills as far as the eyes can see. On this trip, you will visit the spectacular mountain gorillas on the slope of Virunga, chimpanzees in Nyungwe, one of the oldest continuously forested locations in the world with its spectacular scenery, and kayak on the blue waters of Lake Kivu.

Day 1: Kigali City Sightseeing

Meeting you at your hotel (or another agreed location in Central Kigali), your guide will take you on an insightful tour to see some of Kigali’s fascinating history, culture, art and markets.
We optionally finish at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is a very poignant and moving experience.
Stop for lunch at one of our recommended, vibrant, restaurants in the heart of Kigali that are popular with local people, but not well known to tourists. Whether we book in advance, or if your guide helps you choose on the day, you will find superb food and a fantastic Rwandan welcome!
In the afternoon, drive to Musanze where Volcanoes National Park is located. On arrival, head to the lodge where you will spend the rest of the evening. Dinner and your overnight stay are at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge.
Tiloreza is a boutique operator offering wonderful levels of comfort to visitors with a selection of cottages. There is a wonderful view of the Volcanoes from their restaurant.
Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekkin

On arrival, everyone will be split into groups of up to 8 people—and maybe joined by other tourists—before being allocated a ranger. You will then drive a short distance to the start of the trail, from where you will trek in the forest for around 1-3 hours or so to meet the gorillas. When you find them, the hour you spend with these incredible primates is a true lifetime experience that you will never forget. To see—and walk amongst—a family of mountain gorillas is a wildlife encounter unlike any other on Earth. You’ll be so close to the individual gorillas. Boisterous adolescents will be misbehaving whilst playful children are constantly demanding the attention of their parents as aunts and uncles wander together in an extended family group under the watchful eye of the silverback.
Once you have returned to the headquarters, head back to your hotel for a celebration lunch, followed by an afternoon transfer to Gisenyi at Lake Kivu. Your overnight stay is at Paradise Kivu.
Accommodation: Paradise Kivu
Mid-range and Luxury hotel located in or near Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Day 3: Boat Ride to Cyimbili – Coffee Tour

On this morning, you will be taken by a motorboat on one of Africa’s Great Lakes. You’ll soak up the beautiful scenery that surrounds Lake Kivu and is best experienced on the water. It’s a lovely way to travel! The motorboat will take you to Cyimbili for the coffee tour. This fascinating tour of a thriving, coffee washing station brings to life the entire process of harvesting, washing, roasting, grinding and preparing some of the best coffee in Rwanda—and the world.
Coffee has literally transformed the small community of Cyimbili and created a sustainable income for numerous local families. In fact, whilst it is (sometimes) possible to buy Cyimbili coffee after the tour, the beans grown here are also included in some of the best-known coffee brands in the world
Enjoy your lunch and then onward to the short hike on Munini (Napoleon) Island. Hike to the summit of Munini, popularly known as Napoleon Island (because it’s shaped like his famous hat!) Your overnight is at Cormoran Lodge.
Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge
Luxury lodge located at Lake Kivu

Day 4: Kayaking on Lake Kivu

Explore Lake Kivu on a peaceful kayaking journey along the shores of one of Africa’s great lakes. With an experienced and qualified leader in charge, you will paddle a modern sea kayak or sit-on-top to dip into inlets and across bays as you soak up the spectacular scenery, meet the fishermen, see local fish farms and optionally visit the hot springs.
You will have the chance to visit a nearby fishing village and you’ll also visit Munini, popularly known as Napoleon Island, for a hike to the summit viewpoint and the spectacle of a raucous bat colony. To finish this adventure, a rewarding swim in the warm, clean water from the kayaks is very refreshing!
Lunch is followed by the transfer to Nyungwe National Park. Nyungwe Forest is a high-altitude, montane tropical rainforest in southern Rwanda established as a forest reserve in 1933. The forest is located in the Albertine Rift.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Waterfall Hike

Early this morning, you will transfer to the forest for chimpanzee tracking.
Spend an amazing hour watching a troop of wild chimpanzees in the forest! Setting off very early at 5:00 am, you will transfer to a section of Nyungwe Forest known as Cyamudongo, where most of Rwanda’s habituated chimpanzees are located. Here you’ll meet your local ranger at a small visitor centre, and then as soon as the trackers locate the family of chimpanzees—that number about 40 individuals—you’ll be off, trekking along the paths and possibly, scaling short sections of the steep rainforest slopes immersed in the forest. Listen carefully and you may hear the chimps before you see them literally swinging from the trees or possibly running around on the ground all around you!
This is a wonderful wildlife encounter! And if you’re into birds, make sure to ask your guides to point out the species that you may find on the trails, which if you’re really lucky may include the rather impressive blue turaco!
Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps)

Day 6: Canopy Walkway

Accessible from the Uwinka Visitor Centre, a Forest Ranger will lead your walk through the forest. With an eye for some of the 310 bird species, butterflies, orchids, centuries-old trees and 75 mammals including 13 primates that live here, this walk is a spectacular journey in the largest surviving example of an Afro Montane ecosystem. It is also one of the oldest continuously forested locations on Earth. The walk includes a 200 m-long canopy walkway that takes you high above the forest floor providing a unique platform for observing the forest.
After the tour, drive back to Kigali and be dropped off at the airport. End of services.

QUOTATION

Total Cost for a solo traveller $6,751

Package cost offer includes the following services:
⦁ Exclusive Safari transport in custom made Safari 4x4WD Land Cruiser with AC
⦁ Services of English-speaking driver guides
⦁ Gorilla trekking Permit
⦁ Pick-up and drop-off to Kigali or Kampala
⦁ Bottled water
⦁ All Meals included
⦁ All Accommodations

Package cost excludes the following services
⦁ International and Visa entry charges to Rwanda.
⦁ All items of personal use i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, personal travel insurances, etc.
⦁ Activities not listed in the itinerary
GENERAL INFORMATION

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
All visitors to Rwanda must have a valid passport with at least 4 consecutive blanks pages. Any applicable visa and/or relevant documentation are the responsibility of the traveller. For further information on Visa requirements visitors are advised to contact their nearest Rwanda Embassy or Consulate.

LANGUAGE:
English

TIME:
GMT +3

VOLTAGE:
220 Volts/AC50Hz. Sockets are UK style, 3 pin square plugs. Power is from the government in the city/major towns and generator with inverter back up in the Safari Lodges and Camps.

CURRENCY:
Foreign currency must be changed at the Bank, Bureau de Change, and Hotel/Safari lodge/Camp/Resort. Major Credit Cards, Master card, Visa, American Express, are usually accepted throughout the country. Where credit cards are accepted, the payment will normally be recorded in US$ regardless of the card’s default currency.

CLOTHING:
Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.

BAGGAGE:
Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or soft bag per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.

WATER:
You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local Bottled Mineral water. It is important to drink plenty of water especially during the hotter months. We would recommend that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration.

HEALTH;
East Africa is a safe and secure destination; however, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Kindly consult your GP or local doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel, with regards:
Malaria prophylactics. East Africa is a known malaria area and preventive measures are essential. You are advised to take one of the recommended anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to wear long sleeved shorts and trousers after sunset and spray the exposed parts of your body with a mosquito repellent spray
Remember to protect yourself from direct sun rays with sunscreen cream or safari hat.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
For those guests with specific dietary requirement, please ensure we are notified prior to travel

GRATUITIES:
As a guideline and dependent on how happy you are, we would suggest the following:
The General Hotel/Lodge/Camp Staff – Approximately U$ 10.00 per person per day
Driver Guides – Approximately US$ 15.00 to US$ 20.00 per person per day

PHOTOGRAPHY:
Please be careful when photographing public buildings, airports, bridges, the national flag and people in uniform. Ensure that you have sought permission before photographing local people and their villages. If in doubt, please check with your guide.