Highlights: Chimpanzee tracking, Visit King’s Palace Museum, Track colobus monkey, Track gorillas, Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre and Ethnographic Museum
Destinations: Volcanoes National Park, Kings Palace Museum, Nyungwe Forest
Accommodation Level: mixed budget and mid-range
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KGL)
You will meet Karumuna safaris driver or guide at the Kigali International Airport (KGL) – meet and greet, comment on the safari, then driving to the hotel for rest.
Overnight: Step down Hotel
DAY 2: KIGALI – NYUNGWE FOREST
An early morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Nyungwe Forest. On the way, visit King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, Ethnographic Museum in Butare, and the Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre in Murambi. Nyanza was the headquarters of the ancient Kingdom of Rwanda before the arrival of the Europeans. The compound has the modern palace constructed by King Mutara in 1934. It is tastefully decorated with the traditional mats and utensils. The Ethnographic Museum is reputed to be the best ethnographical museum in East Africa. It is the home of the national ballet-Intore dancers.Have lunch in Butare and proceed to Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre.
Overnight: Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Nyungwe Top View lodge (midrange).
DAY 3: HIKING, TREKKING, COLOBUS TRAILS OF NYUNGWE FOREST
After breakfast, enter Nyungwe Forest to track the Nyungwe colobus monkey. A walk in the forest is a whole learning experience conducted by knowledgeable guides well-versed in botany, ornithology, and interspecies relationship in this forest. Thereafter, return to your guesthouse for lunch.
Overnight: Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Nyungwe Top View lodge (midrange).
DAY 4: NYUNGWE FOREST – KIBUYE
After breakfast, enter Nyungwe Forest at 06:00 to track the chimpanzee. Thereafter, return to the guesthouse for lunch followed by a drive to Kibuye.
Overnight: Water Front Resort (Budget)
Paradise Malahide (midrange)
DAY 5: KIBUYE – GISENYI – RUHENGERI – KINIGI
Distance 213 kilometers per six hours of driving time. After breakfast, drive to Gisenyi and finally to Kinigi. The drive of Kibuye-Gisenyi is via the most beautiful providing spectacular views of the tea growing country of Gisovu and Kayove. Brief stops are provided for photography. A four-hour drive takes to Gisenyi for lunch and a brief city tour. Drive for two hours to Ruhengeri and finally Kinigi, the base of gorilla tracking.
Overnight: Gisikuru .
DAY 6: GORILLAS IN THE MIST
Breakfast is allowed early morning followed by a drive to Kinigi park headquarters for the group, guide allocation, and briefing. This is followed by a drive to the trailheads, where hiking and trekking up the hills to the bamboo zone begin. Hiking, trekking, and tracking gorillas may take two to four hours. Sight and stay with the gorillas for one hour. Descend to your hotel for lunch. There will be afternoon leisure or a tour of the area and a visit to Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 7: BISOKE HIKING RUHENGERI – KIGALI
After breakfast, trek the mountains for another memorable experience with the volcano. Return to the base hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to the airport for your home flight. Driving time is two hours.
