Fascination Rwanda – 10 days

Our driver/guide will meet you at Kigali airport and take you to your hotel.  On the way you will get your first impressions of this unusual city for Africa. Depending on the time of day, you may have the opportunity to visit the genocide memorial, where you will gain an insight into Rwanda’s recent history. Alternatively, you can visit one of the lively markets or the Kandt Museum.

After breakfast, you leave Kigali and travel to the eastern part of Rwanda, to Akagera National Park. drive on a well-maintained road towards Akagera National Park. The l Park is  is about 2500 square kilometers in size and lies on the border with Tanzania. Bird lovers will be delighted, as more than 500 different bird species live there. There are also eland antelopes, duikers, reedbucks, warthogs, baboons, spotted hyenas, striped jackals, giraffes, elephants, lions and leopards. After your arrival at the lodge, you will go on your first game drive.

After an early breakfast, you will set off on an exciting game drive in the northern part of Akagera National Park. The savannah-like landscape, the views and the wildlife will inspire you. For some time now, there have also been lions in the park again. In the afternoon, you will go on a boat safari on Lake Ihema.

Today you travel from Akagera National Park in the north-east of the small country to Nyungwe Forest in the south-west of Rwanda. After breakfast, you set off on the 8-9-hour drive through the hilly landscape of the “Switzerland of Africa”.

The Nyungwe Forest in southern Rwanda is approximately 1000 km² in size and is considered the largest contiguous rainforest in East Africa. There are 13 primate species living here, including around 500 chimpanzees. This morning, accompanied by an experienced guide, you will follow the tracks of the chimpanzees into the mountain forest. With a bit of luck, you will soon spot the first primates! Watch the chimpanzees as they play, eat, louse, cuddle or even mate.

Today after breakfast you will set off towards Kibuye on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu. The journey takes in the beautiful views of the large lake with its many islands and the volcanic mountains. Around midday you reach Ihe Lodge in Kibuye, the most beautiful town on Lake Kivu. The lodge offers the possibility of a kayak tour or an excursion with one of the local fishermen.

After breakfast, your driver will take you to the jetty and you will board one of the fishing boats. You set off on a boat trip across Lake Kivu. You will meet the local fishermen and enjoy the view over the lake. In the late morning, dock again and drive the rest of the way to Gisenyi on the northern shore of Lake Kivu by car. Relax on the small beach or by the hotel pool with a magnificent view of the Virunga volcanoes.

Today you drive towards the Volcanoes Mountains. You drive through small villages, past coffee and tea plantations and enjoy the view of the lush vegetation and ever-changing landscape. There is hardly any car traffic; bicycles are the main means of transportation for the rural population of Rwanda. In the afternoon you reach Ruhengeri at the foot of the Volcanoes Mountains.

Today it’s time to get up early, have breakfast and then drive to the starting point of the Golden Monkey Tracking. In small groups with a maximum of 8 participants, we head into the Vulcanoes National Park. Endangered animals live here. Only here in the border region between Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo are there around 4500 of these mystical golden monkeys left in the world. The animals’ habitat is the bamboo forests at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, and the ascent is comparatively easy. Alternatively, you can go gorilla tracking for an extra charge.

After a hearty breakfast, you will start your journey back to Kigali. Depending on your departure time, you will have the opportunity to take a tour of the city, visit the Genocide Museum or the Kant Museum. The driver will then take you to the airport in good time.