Primates of Rwanda Safari Day 1 – Kigali On arrival at Kigali International Airport we will welcome you and transfer to the hotel, Hotel Beausejour (C) or Iris Guest House (E) for the overnight in BB. If we still have time, we shall arrange sightseeing in Kigali. BB Day 2 – Volcanoes National Park After breakfast we can organise for you the city tour of Kigali, for visiting cultural and traditional sites, including the handicraft markets, the local markets, the museum and the memorial and education center. After lunch, leave Kigali to reach the town of Ruhengeri at the gate of Volcanoes National Park. You check in at your lodge in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Hotel La Palme (C) or Kinigi Guest House – Hotel Muhavura (E). Full Board Day 3 - Mountain Gorilla tracking After breakfast, at 7 in the morning starts the trekking in the forest in search for one of the habituated families of the mountain gorillas. After the briefing from the ORPTN rangers, you will reach the starting point for the trekking. Bring with you water and packed lunch, while wearing trekking boots. It is not predictable the time you will spend to find the gorillas. After you finally reach and see the gorillas, you have right to one hour for observing the primates and their behaviors, while taking photographs. Return to the lodge at leisure. Dinner overnight at Hotel La Palme (C) or Kinigi Guest House – Hotel Muhavura (E). Full Board Day 4 – Golden Monkeys trekking After breakfast, go for the second trekking in Volcanoes National Park, in search for the endangered golden monkeys. This primate is endemic of the Albertine Rift Valley and is only found in this national park. Tourist activities started only few years back with the objective to help the protection of this species. Carry with you the packed lunch. In the afternoon leave Ruhengeri and proceed down to Gisenyi, a pretty town located on the shores of the Lake Kivu, the main water body of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at Kivu Serena Hotel (C) or Paradis de Malahide Hotel (E), the paradise on the shores of the Lake. Full Board Day 5 – The South West of Rwanda After breakfast, you leave Gisenyi in the direction of South Western Rwanda along the road on the shores of Lake Kivu. The stop over for lunch will be in Kibuye, a pretty town on the lake where you will enjoy stunning sceneries. Proceed in the afternoon to Cyangugu, on the Southern cost of the lake. The small town is the gateway to Nyungwe Forest National Park. You will have dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge (C) or Gisakura Guest House (E). Full Board NOTE: Today’s journey might take up to 7 hours according to the conditions of the roads Day 6 - The primates of Nyungwe National Park After an early breakfast, at 6 am you enter Nyungwe forest for the chimpanzees trekking and other primates like the beautiful Angolan colobus. The park is spread for over 970 sq km of green hills, the largest uncontaminated piece of tropical forest in Eastern Africa. Nyungwe hosts 13 species of primates, including the chimpanzee (more than 1000 individuals are recorded), the Rwenzori colobus, L’Hoest Monkey, the silver monkey, owl faced monkey, red tailed monkey, vervet monkey and olive baboon. Ensure you carry with you packed lunch and water for a picnic lunch. You will have dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge (C) or Gisakura Guest House (E). Full Board Day 7 – Nyungwe Forest - Bukavu In the morning you enter again the Forest of Nyungwe for visiting one of the largest groups of black and white colobus monkey. Moreover, visit the canopy bridge where you have a panoramic view of the forest and also opportunities to spot monkeys and birds. Lunch. In the afternoon proceed to the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. Dinner and overnight in Bukavu, on the shores of Lake Kivu, at Orchids Safari Club (C) or Hotel La Roche (E). Full Board Day 8 – Kahuzi Biega National Park After early breakfast, drive to Kahuzi Biega National Park for the Eastern Low land gorillas trekking. This park, about 600 sq km, is where the first gorilla tourism was started in the 70th. At the moment there are three habituated families of gorillas and the trekking is a real experience of a Congolese jungle. Bring with you the packed lunch from the hotel as well as be prepared with trekking gear. In the afternoon drive back to Bukavu and explore at leisure the port, the old town and local markets. Dinner and overnight in Bukavu, at Orchids Safari Club (C) or Hotel La Roche (E). Full Board Day 9 – Bukavu – Butare – Kigali After breakfast you will drive back to Rwanda and take the road to Kigali. Lunch in Butare, the second town in Rwanda, considered the cultural capital, hosting the university and the National Museum. Very rewarding are the handicraft shops where are sold typical products made by Rwandan artisans, especially in the weaving and baskets. As you proceed, a stop over is made in Nyanza, that in the past was the political capital and it hosts the antique Royal palace, entirely renovated for the visitors, displaying original items and pieces of history of the Mwami, the king. Arrive in Kigali for dinner and overnight at Hotel Beausejour (C) or Iris Guest House (E). Full Board Day 10 Reserved for departure flights from Kigali International Airport. BB |