Overview:
The 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Lake Kivu Safari takes you through the rewarding mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and recreational encounters in the waters of Lake Kivu. The 5 days safari gives you an opportunity to explore the heritage of Kigali city including the Gisozi genocide memorial. 880 Mountain gorillas exist in the wild apparently and 480 of these dwell in the Virunga massif where Volcanoes National Park is a component. Thus, trekking gorillas in this protected area gives you an opportunity to view these gorillas.
Safari Highlight:
Day 1: Do Kigali city tour
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Do Gorilla trekking
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi) & have a whole day recreating.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali
Kigali city
Description:
Day 1: Do Kigali city tour
After breakfast, embark on the Kigali city tour. You will visit the Gisozi genocide memorial site to pay tribute to thousands of Rwandese who lay in cold blood as a result of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. You will pass by the Presidential Palace Museum which was the home of the former Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana who lost his life in a plane clash. The remains of the FALCON 50 presidential plane are also seen in the compound. You can also the Natural History museum, the former residence of Richard Kandt a German explorer that set up the first building in Kigali in 1903. The tour to the down town Kigali, craft centers, art studios among others is also rewarding.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Upmarket/luxury), Hotel Chezlando (Midrange/standard) or Golf Hills Residence (Budget/Basic).
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast at your place of abode, embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park 116km about 3 hours’ drive from Kigali city. You will traverse the lush country side dotted with undulating hills that have qualified Rwanda as a land of a thousand hills. Continue on the drive to the north Eat before arriving in Ruhengeri and eventually checking in at your lodge. You will arrive early for lunch and short relaxation after which you may opt for visiting the iby’wachu cultural village which gives a detailed account of the Kinyarwanda culture dating from the pre-colonial era. Alternatively, you can opt for twin lakes walk where you will be able to encounter the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera including the scenic Russumo falls.
Accommodation: Mount Gorilla View Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Hotel La Palme (Midrange/standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/Basic).
Day 3: Do Gorilla trekking
Gather at the park Headquarters Kinigi after breakfast at 08:00am for briefing by the park rangers about the conduct of gorilla trekking activity. You will set off following the set trails to the lush volcanic forest full of birds, abundant flora, fauna including golden monkeys, elusive elephants and buffaloes and scenic sights of the volcanic peaks seen through the forest gaps. The trek involves great hiking through the varying terrain which makes it an attraction in its self. The moment of coming across the critically endangered mountain gorillas is a hilarious encounter that will take your strenuous hiking fatigue to rest and concentrate on optical nutrition and satisfying the inner desires. The memories of this experience will be kept in spirit and in the range of photos that your camera is able to contain. The guides are knowledgeable to exhaust your longstanding queries about the gorillas. You have one full hour to maximize your encounter. You will have picnic lunch and then return to the starting point to mark the end of this gorilla trekking encounter after which you go to the lode for relaxation and overnight.
Trekking duration: 2 – 8 hours
Accommodation: Mount Gorilla View Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Hotel La Palme (Midrange/standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/Basic).
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi) & have a whole day recreating.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Gisenyi 110km about 2 hours’ drive from Volcanoes National Park. You will arrive early on Lake Kivu where you will embark a range of activities that range from passive to active recreation activities. You can take the boat ride on the calm waters of Lake Kivu extending in to its interior to explore its islands. Other activities include; kayaking, wind surfing, swimming in the Bilharzia free waters of Lake Kivu, beach sports, sun bathing among others. The day will give you a perfect break and rejuvenate your body from the tiresomeness of your work routine. You will have lunch at the beach and an overnight on the shores of this gigantic lake amidst fresh air.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu (Midrange/standard) or Paladise Malahide (Budget/Basic).
Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali
After a relaxed breakfast powered by the soothing cozy air from the lake, you will embark on the transfer to Kigali city 158km about 4 hours’ drive from Lake Kivu (Gisenyi). You will drive through the scenic landscapes of the land of a thousand hills before arriving in Kigali to mark the end of your safari.