Day 1

Kigali to Ruhengeri in the Musanze District Your guide will pick you up from your residence/hotel in Kigali to embark on a scenic drive to Ruhengeri in the Musanze District in northern Rwanda. You can take a walk through the villages just outside of Musanze and visit a women’s basket-weaving co-op. Enjoy beautiful views of the volcanoes while seeing how the locals cultivate various crops and vegetables, and brew their own banana beers. Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2

Gorilla Tracking Adventure at Parc National des Volcans Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, and is known as a haven for mountain gorillas. The park is fascinating in that its altitude ranges from about 2,500m to 4,500m (the peak of Karisimbi), sheltering bamboo forests and some of the last remaining afro-montane forest habitat on the planet. Other than the mountain gorillas, the park is home to a spectacular array of rare and endangered animals and plants. There are the endemic golden monkeys, as well as the forest elephants, giant forest hogs (Africa’s largest swine), black-fronted duikers and around 200 species of birds. After briefing from the senior park ranger you will commence your memorable gorilla tracking tour which normally takes 2 to 6 hours in the jungle. You will be allowed to stay in the presence of the gorillas for a maximum of 1 full hour.

After your trek, return to your lodge for relaxation; or, if you are not too tired, go for a nature walk for views of the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Golden Monkey Tracking Adventure, Boat Trip at Lake Kivu In the morning, go for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. This rare species is listed as endangered and there are currently two troops of the monkeys which have been habituated to visits by tourists in the park, both of which number around 80 members. The golden monkeys live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes and have overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists. You will trek to find the golden monkeys in a similar way to the gorilla trek – in a small group of no more than eight people, and you can spend one hour with the monkeys once you find them. They are very sprightly creatures, and leap from tree to tree which is really entertaining, if a little difficult to photograph! We recommend setting your camera to a fast shutter-speed to better your chances of capturing the golden monkeys before they disappear into the undergrowth! Then, in the afternoon, head to Lake Kivu for a boat cruise to the hot springs and Nyamirundi island for the coffee picking experience. (Note: The coffee island is closed to tourists at times, we will try to make a booking beforehand for that experience; otherwise, you can go for other activities in Gisenyi.) Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Transfer to Nyungwe Forest Depart Gisenyi early in the morning and embark on a 7-8 hour drive to Nyungwe Forest. If you are not too tired on arrival, go for a tea plantation and factory tour at Gisakura to learn about tea harvesting and the production process of one of the highest quality teas produced in East Africa. (Alternatively, you can do this tour the next evening.) Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Morning Nature Hike, Afternoon Colobus Monkey Tracking Adventure In the morning, go for a nature hike in Nyungwe Forest. The waterfall trail takes about 4 hours. You get to have spectacular views of hidden ravines, with orchids in the high altitude swamps and trees covered in fern. You will cross several bubbling streams in the valley before reaching a beautiful waterfall. This trail is a favourite amongst birders, as it is very rewarding for viewing interior forest birds, with a good chance of spotting Albertine Rift endemics, such as the Rwenzori turaco. Spend your afternoon looking for large troops of black and white Colobus monkeys residing in Nyungwe Forest. These primates often travel in groups of over 300. Walking through a montane forest being surrounding by these cheeky monkeys is an unforgettable experience! You may also encounter other primates in the forest such as baboons, vervet monkeys, redtailed monkey and the grey-cheeked mangabey! Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Canopy Walk, Transfer back to Kigali On the last day of your tour, go for a Canopy Walk in the forest. The Canopy Walkway is 50 metres above the ground level and 200 metres long, stretching over three towers, in a deep valley. You will get to see many bird species and butterflies everywhere. It’s an exhilarating experience! After your walking adventure, embark on your journey back to Kigali, where you’ll be reunited with your friends and colleagues, who will be waiting to hear your stories about the fantastic experiences you’ve just had! Accommodation: N/A Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Inclusions:

• Accommodation as per itinerary
• Meal plans as per itinerary
• Flying Doctor Air Ambulance cover for your stay in Rwanda
• Permits for gorilla trekking in Rwanda (US$750 per person)
• Permits for golden monkey and Colobus monkey trekking in Rwanda
• Services of a professional English and French-speaking driver guide
• Parks entrance and activity fees (nature walks, tours, boat trip) per itinerary
• Applicable Government taxes and levies
• Bottled drinking water

Exclusions:

• Tourist visas for Rwanda
• Travel and medical insurance
• All items of a personal nature e.g. telephone calls, laundry services, snacks, internet
• Optional activities not specified above
• Tips and gratuities for hotel/lodge staff and driver/guide
• Alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks beverages
• Any domestic or international flights
• Any other items not specified in this itinerary

Tanzania and Zanzibar extension:

Please enquire.