Rwanda

Rwanda: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Akagera and Lake Kivu

The country's three great apes, a safari in Akagera and kayaking on Lake Kivu

Rwanda

Rwanda: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Akagera and Lake Kivu

The whole of Rwanda, in a small group of 3 to 6 travellers and a private vehicle: Kigali and the genocide memorial, two days of safari in Akagera park, the primary forest of Nyungwe and its suspension bridge above the canopy, a walk in search of chimpanzees, Lake Kivu by kayak at sunset, then Volcanoes park for an encounter with a family of mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys. The gorilla permit ($1,500 to date, non-refundable) is included in the price.

When

June to Sept

Price

From 9 589€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

9 nights

Ideal length

Kigali and Akagera

Days 1-4

The capital and its memory, then two days of safari among the savannahs, lakes and hills of Akagera.

Day 1

Flight to Kigali

Leave France for Rwanda. Dinner and night on board.

Day 2

Kigali

Arrive in Kigali in the morning. Meet a women's association working in social development, then the historic Nyamirambo district. In the afternoon, visit the genocide memorial and the Hôtel des Mille Collines.

Day 3

Akagera National Park

Drive to Akagera and a first safari in this sanctuary of savannah, lakes and hills, home to the Big Five. Depending on the programme, a game drive or a cruise on the park's lakes in the afternoon.

Day 4

A day in Akagera

A whole day in the park, looking for elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, hippos and antelope, between golden savannah, marshes and lakes.

1 / 3

Nyungwe and Lake Kivu

Days 5-7

One of the oldest forests in Africa and its chimpanzees, then two nights on the shore of Lake Kivu.

Day 5

The King's Palace – Nyungwe forest

Leave for the south through the hills (335 km), visiting the King's Palace and the ethnographic museum. In the afternoon, the primary forest of Nyungwe and its suspension bridge nearly 70 m above the canopy.

Day 6

The chimpanzees of Nyungwe – Kibuye

An early start for a forest hike in search of chimpanzees; sightings depend on natural conditions. In the afternoon, relax on the shore of Lake Kivu in Kibuye.

Day 7

Tea plantation and kayaking on Lake Kivu

Visit a tea plantation in the hills. A free afternoon, then a kayak outing on Lake Kivu at sunset.

1 / 3

Volcanoes park

Days 8-12

At the foot of the Virunga volcanoes: the mountain gorillas, the golden monkeys and the legacy of Dian Fossey.

Day 8

Musanze and the Dian Fossey campus

Drive to Musanze and the foothills of the Virunga. Meet a guide from Volcanoes park, who talks about the gorillas, the golden monkeys and Dian Fossey's work, then visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

Day 9

The mountain gorillas

The high point of the trip: a walk with a ranger through the volcanic forests to a family of mountain gorillas, at a pace suited to the group. An afternoon of rest at the lodge.

Day 10

The golden monkeys and Iby'Iwacu – Kigali

A morning hike in search of the golden monkeys in the bamboo forests, then a visit to the Iby'Iwacu cultural village, an example of community tourism. Return to Kigali.