5-Day Highlights of Rwanda Tour

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Kigali - Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, your tour will begin with a visit to Ntarama Church, a site where mass killings occurred during the 1994 genocide. This church stands as a powerful reminder of the tragic events, with over 5,000 lives lost within its walls. While there, you'll learn about the ongoing efforts to reunite Rwanda’s people in the aftermath of the genocide.

Next, we’ll proceed to Nyamata Church, where an additional 2,500 individuals were massacred.

Following this, you will visit the village of Mayange, where an innovative reconciliation project is taking place. This initiative encourages both survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 genocide to live side by side, fostering healing and understanding. A guided tour of the Reconciliation Village will provide insight into the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation.

After a day filled with discovery, you’ll head to Musanze for your overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will head directly to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park to meet your guides. Following a thorough briefing, you’ll embark on the once-in-a-lifetime adventure of tracking the elusive mountain gorillas.

The duration and difficulty of your tracking experience can vary, depending on the location of the gorilla family and the weather conditions. It may take anywhere from two to six hours of trekking through the mountainous forest at relatively high altitudes, so a good level of fitness is recommended for this excursion.

Once you locate the gorillas, you’ll have an unforgettable hour of close contact with them. You'll be privileged to come within mere meters of a family of these rare and magnificent animals, allowing you to observe their interactions and learn about each gorilla's unique personality in tranquil silence. This is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Volcanoes National Park

Today, we will spend the day tracking another remarkable primate of Volcanoes National Park: the enchanting golden monkeys. You’ll trek through sun-dappled glades and dense bamboo thickets in search of these playful monkeys, who are accustomed to the presence of visitors. This allows you to observe the golden monkeys as they play, feed, and leap from tree to tree, seemingly unaware of your presence. Although your time with the monkeys is limited to one hour, it provides ample opportunity to appreciate their curious nature in their natural habitat.

Once your viewing experience concludes, you'll return to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the beloved Iby Iwacu Cultural Village, where you can delve into Rwanda’s pre-colonial history. Through a series of demonstrations and interactive activities, you’ll learn about various aspects of traditional life, including medicine, warfare, and hunting techniques.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Volcanoes National Park - Lake Kivu

After an early breakfast, you'll have the chance to connect with the youth of Rwanda by visiting a local school. This is not only an opportunity to meet and interact with the children, but you’ll also have the chance to teach a class or play games with these cheerful kids.

Once your morning with the students concludes, you’ll drive to the renowned Imbabazi Orphanage, where Rosamond Halsey Carr and her staff cared for over 400 Rwandan orphans. Although the orphanage is no longer operational due to government regulations, you can still explore the homestead and its grounds while learning about the author of Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda.

You’ll spend the night in Gisenyi, Rwanda's largest port city, situated on the shores of Lake Kivu. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the charming colonial town and, if time permits, take a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the expansive freshwater lake.

Main Destination:

Lake Kivu

Accommodation:

Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)

+8 Photos

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Kivu - Kigali

You'll start your day with breakfast in Gisenyi before heading back to Kigali.

Upon your arrival in the Rwandan capital, you’ll embark on a half-day city tour that includes visits to the Natural History Museum, the poignant Genocide Memorial, and the vibrant local craft markets.

You may also wish to enjoy lunch at Hotel Mille Collines, famously known as 'Hotel Rwanda.'

Main Destination:

Kigali

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.