Summary
Short description
A once-in-a-lifetime trip trekking with silverback gorillas in the jungles of Rwanda
Highlights
- Track gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park
- Trek with chimpanzees among the verdant slopes of Nyungwe Forest
- Relax, swim and kayak during sunset on Lake Kivu
- Enjoy traditional meals and fantastic accommodation among Rwanda's nature
In Brief
- 1 Night Kigali
- 2 Nights Nyungwe National Park
- 2 Nights Lake Kivu
- 3 Nights Volcanoes National Park
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | All-inclusive | Bucket-list holidays | June holidays | Jungle | Mountains | Photography | Unique & unusual | Wildlife
This is an unmissable opportunity to track gorillas and chimpanzees deep in Rwanda's verdant rainforests. You'll start in buzzing Kigali, before making your way to the jungles and mountains of Nyungwe National Park. Go in search of our closest ancestor – the chimpanzee – and enjoy canopy walks through the forest, before continuing on to pristine Lake Kivu for a day of swimming and kayaking. Finally, you'll arrive at the spectacular Volcanoes National Park, where you'll join an expert guide to track gorillas and spend some time with them in their jungle home – a truly magical experience.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Rwanda
Begin your trip in style with VIP airport lounge access before your daytime flight to Rwanda. Then, enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in the centre of buzzing Kigali, surrounded by verdant hills and valleys. Both recommended hotels offer exquisite dining options, with a range of Rwandan and international dishes on the menu.
Stay: Park Inn by Radisson (Superior) or Kigali Marriott Hotel (Deluxe)
Days
2-3
Nyungwe National Park
This morning you'll head out on the fascinating drive from Kigali to Nyungwe, a region dotted with tiny rural villages set against a landscape dominated by verdant hills, tea plantations and eucalyptus trees. We've included a stop at the replica of the 18th century King’s Palace and 1930s royal residence, where you'll find the resident royal ‘inyambo’ – sacred cows with super-sized horns. The dramatic rainforest of Nyungwe National Park will be your home for the next two days – a verdant jungle home to 300 bird species and 85 animal species, including chimpanzees. The next day will be spent trekking through the dense rainforest, waiting for the screech of the chimpanzees swinging joyously in the trees as you track them along paths with your expert guide. There's also the option to walk along the longest and highest canopy trail in Africa, crossing deep ravines shaded by leafy verdure. On our Deluxe option, you'll stay at the luxurious One & Only Nywunge House, hidden deep in the jungle. Immerse yourself in nature in a wooden villa among the treetops, relaxing by the roaring fire or on your private deck, with spectacular canopy views. In the evenings, dinner is served by candlelight to the sounds of the jungle.
Stay: Nyungwe Top View Lodge (Superior), One&Only Nyungwe House, Rwanda (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Days
4-5
Lake Kivu
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Lake Kivu, dotted with hundreds of inlets edged by terraced, leafy slopes and sandy beaches. Spend the next day swimming and marvelling at the views of the nearby Nyiragongo volcano and its dramatic red ash cloud, before an included kayaking tour on the lake.
Stay: Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Volcanoes National Park
This morning, a private transfer will take you to Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and your chosen accommodation – Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, a traditional Rwandese-style lodge overlooking the Virunga mountain range. Alternatively, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge features elegant rooms, a superb restaurant and dramatic views over Bisake volcano, perfectly placed for the next day's gorilla tracking adventure. Nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, you'll sleep to the sounds of the animals in the surrounding jungle. Alternatively, an upgrade is available to the spectacular One&Only Gorilla's Nest, the ultimate in luxury African lodges.
Stay: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Superior) or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Deluxe)
Meals: B D
Days
7-8
Gorilla tracking & optional activities
Enjoy the undisputed highlight of your holiday today, as you join an expert guide for a visit to one of the region's mountain gorilla troops, living on the slopes of five extinct volcanoes. At the Kinigi Gorilla Headquarters, you'll be welcomed with tea and coffee before splitting into small groups according to your fitness level – walks can take anywhere from and hour and a half to a full day. After a safety briefing, you’ll drive to the park boundaries, then trek through the light bamboo forest along the slopes of the volcanoes and into thick bush, shrubs and stinging nettles. Once the gorillas are located and you reach your designated gorilla family, you have an hour to witness these magical creatures up close; an awe-inspiring experience as you stand metres away from gorillas and their babies. The following day, there's the chance to see more wildlife with an included golden monkey trek, while a host of optional activities from canoeing to hiking further showcase the region's spectacular natural world. There's also the chance to visit the Karisoke Exhibit, run by Dian Fossey's international gorilla conservation organisation.
Stay: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (Superior) or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Days
9-10
Kigali to UK
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali, with time to explore the city on a private tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial site to learn more about the country’s harrowing history – the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994 is one of the most shocking events in modern history. Finally, head to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on day nine. Alternatively, we'd highly recommend continuing your journey to Akagera National Park for an all-inclusive Big Five safari at the new Magashi Camp for included game drives, gourmet dining and a base in a stylish tented camp.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
10-day tailor-made holiday
from £6,630 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £6,630 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £8,140 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights from London to Kigali
- Private airport transfers and transport throughout
- 1 night accommodation in a 4* (Superior) hotel on a B&B basis
- 4 nights accommodation in 4* (Superior) hotels & lodges on a full-board basis
- 3 nights accommodation in a 5* (Deluxe) lodge on a full-board basis including house wines and beers, plus complimentary activities such archery, garden tour or tea ceremony
- Gorilla tracking permit, chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking permits
- Nyungwe National Park Entrance fees
- Kigali City tour
- Visit to King's Palace & Lunch in Butare
- Kayaking on Lake Kivu
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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