Day 1 ARRIVE KIGALI, RWANDA
On arrival in Kigali, you will be met, assisted and transferred to Gisenyi (3 hours) for two nights stay at the Kivu Sun, on the shores of Lake Kivu.
Gisenyi is a somewhat faded lakeside resort which is also a border crossing point into the Congo. The shoreside is lined with crumbling colonial villas. Today it is enjoying a renaissance with its first international standard hotel, the newly-opened Kivu Sun, a pleasant accommodation exactly on the lakeside, with its own private pool.
There is plenty to see and do here: take a boat on the beautiful lake; take a drive into the ancient Gishwati Forest; or, when the border is open, cross into the Congo to visit Gomo, site of a recent volcanic eruption.
Day 2 KIGALI
Second evening at the Kivu Sun.
Day 3 PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
An early start for the drive (2 hours) to Kinigi at the Parc National des Volcans for the first gorilla trek. On arrival you are met by staff from Park Headquarters who will brief you on conduct during gorilla tracking. Trackers then lead you into the forested slopes to seek one of the groups of Mountain Gorillas. Reaching the gorillas can be quick, or it can take a few hours. Return for lunch at Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge where you will overnight. In the afternoon visit the panoramic twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Day 4 KIGALI
You have your second Gorilla tracking today. In the afternoon, you are driven to Kigali (2½ hours) for overnight in Hotel Milles Collines or similar.
The Milles Collines is famous as the sanctuary which saved many hundreds of people during the genocide. It is largely unchanged. It has a super pool and rooftop restaurant, and is now internationally renowned with the recent release of the quite moving feature film, ‘Hotel Rwanda’, which is set in the hotel during those unspeakable times.
Day 5 KIGALI/ DEPARTURE
You have a Kigali city tour today and visit the Genocide Memorial Museum before you transfer to the airport for your onward international flight.
Kigali is a small capital city, without many landmark buildings, The city tour includes the old town (Nyamirambo) and Muslim quarter, the new handicraft village and other shops, the Batwa pottery and dance centre and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. The memorial is very moving – the tour takes a couple of hours – and will be of interest to anyone who has spent some time in this enchanting country.
Prices for multiple travellers coming soon.
* Single Supplement is the additional price paid for single occupancy of a room.
Special children and group rates available.
Tour Price Includes:
First class hotel accommodation, Exclusive use of 4×4 vehicle, Driver/guide, 2 Gorilla permits per person, Airport transfers, Park entrance fees, Meals indicated by B, L, D
Tour Price Does Not Include:
International flight to Africa, travel insurance, visa fees, gratuities, Meals not listed, trekking gear, boat rides in the Lake Kivu