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Upgraded Rwanda
8 days, Kigali to Kigali
Itinerary
Day 1Kigali
Arrive at any time.
If you arrive early, take some time to explore the city, known for its pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Kigali also has some interesting and historic sites outside of the city. If you want more time to explore, we recommend booking a pre-night.
Please remember that this is a developing area and as such, accommodations/service may not be of similar standard to which you are used to in your home country. There also can be differences in service levels between different countries in East Africa. As well, interruptions in electricity and water can be common and internet/wifi is often only available in large cities. We appreciate your patience and understanding as well as your sense of adventure.
A/C is not available in the accommodations used on this trip. In general it is not a concern as it does cool down at night and depending on location fans or screened windows are available.
4x4 safari vehicles are used to better navigate rough roads but important to note that vehicles do not have A/C.
Day 2Kigali/Volcanoes National Park
Today the group will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn more about this somber chapter in Rwanda’s past. Then, go on a walk through the Nyamirambo neighbourhood and enjoy a local lunch at the G Adventures–supported Nyamirambo Women’s Centre. Travel to the lodge in northern Rwanda just on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. While the most famous resident is the mountain gorilla, there’s plenty of other wildlife roaming around: buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, numerous bird species, and some elephants call this place home.
Altitude note: Volcanoes NP - approx 2,000 m (6,550 ft)
Kigali Genocide Memorial Visit
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which serves as a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide in 1994. The centre opened on the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, in April 2004, and was built on a site where more than 250,000 people are buried.
Please note that content at the Memorial Centre shows the harsh reality of the genocide.
Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch
Located in Nyamirambo, the largest and most vibrant township in Rwanda, the centre provides women and girls from a diverse range of backgrounds, the opportunity to support each other and succeed, through education and training programs. Enjoy lunch prepared by women employed at the centre, allowing us to try local foods and popular dishes. After lunch, take some time to browse the centre's shop, which features handmade, high-quality crafts and clothes, made by some of the women at the shop, as well as other women's cooperatives throughout Rwanda. Proceeds from the meal and shop help support the centre’s education and training programs, including a community library.
4x4
Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Volcanoes National Park
Trek through the lush jungle-covered hills with a park ranger as the group tries to track and catch a glimpse of the golden monkey. Afterwards, visit the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Karisoke Research Center and meet with some of the organization’s gorilla experts.
Proper hiking attire must be worn – you will be trekking in a rainforest with lots of vegetation, undergrowth, nettles and normally a rather muddy terrain.
Only 1 hour is spent with the Golden Monkeys to ensure their protection and conservation.
Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the golden monkeys. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
The order of activities over Days 3 and 4 can change depending on permit scheduling.
Golden Monkey Trek
Embark on a trek in Volcanoes National Park to view a species even more endangered than the mountain gorilla – the golden monkey. It is only in Rwanda where this interesting species has been successfully habituated. Look (and listen) for these lively and curious creatures that like to chatter – they are often only seen high up in the trees, but, with luck, hikers may have a close encounter. Golden monkeys mainly live in the lower parts of the bamboo forests; they are not as socially “tight” as gorillas and chimpanzees, and the number in the habituated troupe can vary on any given day between 20 and 80.
Mountain Gorilla Conservation Sundowner Experience
The Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda is considered the world’s best hope for the survival of endangered mountain gorillas. The Fossey Fund is also the world’s longest running and largest organization dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation. During the evening visit you’ll be invited to check out the immersive activities in the public exhibit while learning about the biodiversity of this region. Then, the group will meet one of the resident researchers at the center and enjoy a talk with the organization’s gorilla experts at the Virunga Overlook.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Volcanoes National Park
Today search for Mountain Gorillas with a park ranger in the jungle. Please note that these treks can vary in length and difficulty depending on the location of the gorillas. Lunch will be had back at the lodge and a visit to a local village will follow.
Approximately 800 mountain gorillas exist globally in the wild today. They are found in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. In DRC and Rwanda, gorillas live in similar ecosystems/areas. The gorilla species found in these three areas are called highland gorillas.
In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail.
Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.
Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.
Mountain gorillas share 98% of our DNA and are prone to catching human illnesses. Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the gorillas. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
Proper hiking attire must be worn – you will be trekking in a rainforest with lots of vegetation, undergrowth, nettles and normally a rather muddy terrain. Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old.
Please note that depending on the size of our group and when permits are confirmed, we may be split into 2 trekking groups and you may be trekking with non-G travellers.
Iby'iwacu Village Visit
Visit a small farming village where the locals have put a stop to poaching and put their focus on sheep farming. Meet the local people and get a first hand look at rural life in this area.
Gorilla Trekking
Depart early and transfer to the national park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on the trek, which can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla family that's being visited. Spend an hour observing these beautiful and endangered creatures. Trek back and return to the hotel with the remainder of the afternoon to yourself.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park
Travel back to Kigali in time for lunch and then continue east to Akagera National Park. Learn about the success story of this park’s incredible conservation on a visit to the African Parks headquarters there. In the evening the group will arrive at the lodge with views of Lake Ihema.
Akagera National Park offers a remarkable conservation story and is home to the Big Five, zebras, giraffes, elephants and hundreds of bird species. Running directly along the boarder with Tanzania, the park covers 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) and offers a variety of landscapes including highlands, savannah plains, swamps, wetlands and lakes.
Akagera National Park - Conservation and Community
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the African Parks headquarters here. Gain insights into issues of modern wildlife conservation, the day-to-day process of managing a protected zone, and the importance of community support to protect the park. Visit the anti-poaching room to learn about monitoring and methods of protection, including the use of a canine unit. Then head to the Akagera Village and learn about an outreach project that helps educate the local community about conservation and sustainability.
4x4
Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Akagera National Park
Embark on an early morning safari drive this morning keeping an eye out for wildlife in the area. Take advantage of some mid-morning free time to relax back at the lodge and have some lunch. Explore the waters of Lake Ihema in the afternoon and spot the animals that call this place home.
Akagera NP Morning Safari Drive
This morning, wake early and head out into the park for sunrise and try and spot the early risers. Look out for lion, elephants, buffalo, hyenas and others who graze freely in the park. Giraffe are a popular site as well as others in the growing park such as; warthog, waterbuck, zebras, roan antelope, eland, topis, and impala.
Wildlife Cruise on Lake Ihema
Enjoy safari by boat on Lake Ihema. The cruise will give you a chance to spot more wildlife, such as elephants and buffalos who tend to gather at the banks to have a drink of water. Search out Nile crocodiles and observe birds; there are over 500 species around the lake and its surrounding wetlands. Keep an eye out for shoebill and papyrus Ganolex as well as endemic species such as; herons, ibis, jacanas, plovers, malachite Kingfisher and Hawks.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Akagera National Park to Kigali
Eat a packed breakfast before the final safari drive early in the morning. The bonus is that animals are more active during this time of day. Afterwards the group will depart for Kigali traveling through the northern edge of the park on the way.
Akagera NP Morning Safari Drive
This morning, wake early and head out into the park for sunrise and try and spot the early risers. Look out for lion, elephants, buffalo, hyenas and others who graze freely in the park. Giraffe are a popular site as well as others in the growing park such as; warthog, waterbuck, zebras, roan antelope, eland, topis, and impala.
4x4
Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Kigali
Depart at any time.