10 DAY ULTIMATE RWANDA SKY TOUR - FEATURING ONE & ONLY NATURE RESORTS

Good Morning and welcome to Kigali, Rwanda,

We have organised an express immigration, meet and greet service on arrival at Kigali International with Akagera Aviation.  They will assist you quickly through immigration to your private transfer lounge and then onward to your first extraordinary helicopter transfer to the the south of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Your Akagera Aviation helicopter flight leaves Kigali International at 10am and flies over the picturesque hillsides and alongside the beautiful Lake Kivu before landing right at One and Only Nyungwe House's doorstep.  We have chosen 3 nights here first as it is the perfect environment to zen out and distress from the worries of the world and provides the perfect frame of mind right at the start for the perfect holiday.

Alongside ancient rain-forest, nestled within the lush expanse of a working tea plantation, One&Only Nyungwe House is a rare haven of creature comforts offering an exclusive window to the wonders of Rwandas fascinating wildlife, roaming free and captivating communities, carving their path through time. Dramatic mountain landscapes, creating endless vistas tell a tale of unique natural beauty and enduring hope.

Have lunch and then decide to either relax, enjoy the inclusive activities on offer or plan your Nyungwe Forest optional activities for the coming days.   You simply have to book through Nyungwe House's front office by 6pm the previous day and they will take care of the rest.  This gives you control and flexibility over your stay.

We have included an "Experiences" brochure with this itinerary to make it easy to understand what will be attractive to you to chose and indulge.   We highly recommend booking a couple of the easier but enjoyable optional activities for tomorrow a) Colobus Monkey Trek, b) Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk.

Today awaken to your rainforest/tea plantation oasis and enjoy a gourmet breakfast.

The day is your to enjoy as you please, either relaxing around the Lodge, partaking in any of the inclusive activities or taking on any of the optional activities that you booked yesterday.

We recommend booking a "Chimpanzee Trek" for tomorrow.  Our closest living relatives can be experienced in their natural habitat in Nyungwe Forest and this trek and setting elevates the viewing experience.

In the afternoon at the lodge we highly recommend "The secrets of African Tea" inclusive activity at 3pm.  This is tea at a level you rarely experience.  interactive, educational and fun. 

In the evening before dinner in the beautiful main lodge, why not enjoy the traditional singing and dancing display.  Rwanda's culture is unique, colourful, graceful and very enjoyable to watch.

Good Morning!!! You should be feeling the tranquility of your stay starting to really sink in now.

The day is your to enjoy as you please, either relaxing around the Lodge, partaking in any of the inclusive activities or taking on any of the optional activities that you booked yesterday.

We recommend booking an "Isumo Trail Trek" for tomorrow.   Meaning ‘waterfall’ in Kinyarwanda, the culmination of the ‘Isumo’ trail is Nyungwe’s biggest waterfall, thundering down to produce beautiful plumes of mist above the rocky river, surrounded by ferns. The journey begins differently - in open-air tea fields, bursting with life from goats and butterflies to sun-loving wildflowers, offering views across to Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the afternoon chose from any of the inclusive activities or treat yourself to a spa.  There's an onsite pool and gym facility available as well.  We recommend either the "Conservation Tour" or "Chef's Garden Tour" as part of your inclusive activities.

Your helicopter flight leaves tomorrow at 11am from Nyungwe House so if you'd like a final activity in the morning best to book before 6pm this evening.

After breakfast this morning you can enjoy some last final activities or simply relax in the serene settings of One and Only Nyungwe House.

Check it at 10:30am as we have a helicopter flight ready to depart from your doorstep at 11:00am which will transfer you back across the rain forest, Lake Kivu and hillsides and back to Kigali by midday.  Then it's a short wait in transfer until your 1:30pm helicopter flight to Akagera National Park in the countries east.

Akagera National Park is a complete change in ecosystem from the last 3 days and is a vast African savanah with large  waterways such as Lake Ihema bordering it.  Here the big 5 are on offer as well as world class birding and boat launch safaris to watch Hippos, crocodiles and more.  

Your helicopter will arrive at 2:15pm and drop you right near Magashi Camp. 

Magashi Camp is situated in the productive and phenomenally diverse north-eastern corner of Akagera National Park, overlooking beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga. Akagera comprises some of the most scenic savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains – and is home to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, some very large crocodiles as well as well as the rare sitatunga and more than 520 bird species.  It runs on 100% solar power with a generator just for rainy days and there is not single use plastic bottles in this park so it rates high for eco tourism.

Teeming with plains game, Akagera now also boasts a healthy population of lion, which were reintroduced into the park in 2015 after a 20-year absence, as well as black rhino which were reintroduced in 2017. Magashi – the only exclusive-use area in Akagera – also harbours a good density of leopard.  

You can enjoy an afternoon inclusive activity or relax and enjoy the Savannah and lake views.  There is also a pool onsite.

Awaken to the sounds of nature at Magashi Camp, Lake Rwanyakazinga.

Partake in any of the scheduled activities or relax around camp.  As well as the game drives we highly recommend a boat safari (great for hippos and birding), walking safari or night safari.

Akagera has regained her Big 5 status and the birding and water game are especially strong.  Terrific park for spotting Giraffes as well.  There's been quite a few sightings of leopard near the camp including a cup so keep your eyes open.

After breakfast this morning enjoy another inclusive activity before lunch.

After lunch we check out and leave by helicopter at 2:45pm arriving back in Kigali at 3:30pm.  After a quick departure we will have a driver/guide waiting for you to transfer you to your accommodation for the night.

The Retreat is Kigali's top luxury boutique hotel.  It's a great place to either relax, enjoy a gourmet meal at their restaurant or use their state of the art gym and yoga retreat area.  This boutique hotel has excellent design and eco credentials and along with it's sister hotel Heaven support the local communities by training employing many people in to the hospitality industry. 

Today we give you an interesting look in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda before we transfer you late in the afternoon to Volcanoes National Park.

After breakfast your private driver/guide will pick you up at The Retreat and take you to Question Coffee Cafe.  Question Coffee is Rwanda's best coffee roaster, wholesaler and cafe and here you will not only get to taste some of the world's best specialty coffee grown right in here in Rwanda but we have a Question Coffee Master Class organised which takes you from crop to cup, providing insights and tastings at a deeper level.

After Question Coffee we take you to the Kigali take you to Kigali Genocide Memorial for an deeply moving, educations and ultimately inspirational journey from the tragedy of 1993 to today's progressive country of hope and reconciliation.

Then we will take lunch and proceed to  Kigali International for your helicopter flight to Volcanoes National Park, departing 3:15pm.  Weather cooperating the transfer will offer incredible scenery over the terraced hills and farmland  then on  to the majestic 5 Volcano peaks of Volcanoes NP.  Your helicopter drops you very near to One & Only Gorillas Nest at around 4pm where you will be transferred to your accommodation for check in, dinner and overnight.

Today enjoy the views and facilities of One and Only Gorillas nest and partake in any of their activities.

In the evening before dinner we have arranged a special presentation by the Gorilla Doctors.  These dedicated veterinarians and assistants play a special role in ensuring Gorillas populations continue to grow by treating injured and sick animals and protecting them from potentially catastrophic diseases.  Imagine is your population was only 1000 how fragile your existence can be and you then understand the critical role The Gorilla Doctors have played in the growth of the Mountain Gorillas.  The presentation will go through their work, the threats and what they have learnt about Gorillas.  This will add great value to your trek tomorrow.

Afterwards take dinner and overnight at your luxury resort at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park.

Have an early breakfast this morning and be ready at reception by 6:30am where a transfer has been organised to Volcanoes National Park headquarters.  Yes today is MOUTAIN GORILLA TREK day!!!

At the park headquarters the wardens will help you register and then organize the different trekking groups.  Your assigned ranger will then provide a trek briefing so you know exactly what to do and not do in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas.  Then  it's a quick road transfer to the trek starting point.

Your ranger/guide has been in contact with advanced trekking groups so as you head off through the farmlands and then in to the Volcanoes NP forests your leader will have a good idea where to head.  Mountain Gorillas are nomadic though so treks can go from 2-6 hours depending on those movements.

Once you happen upon your group all weariness disappears as you get to spend an hour watching these incredible creatures interact, play, sleep, eat and communicate.   It's often described as one of the planets great animal encounter experiences.

After the trek descend back down the mountain overlooking the picturesque farmlands and mountains.  At the bottom your will transferred back to your lodge to freshen up, relax, have lunch and talk about your amazing experience.

The afternoon is yours to either relax, use the accommodation facilities or enjoy an inclusive activity.

We highly recommend booking and optional activity for tomorrow morning as your helicopter flight back doesn't depart until 4:30pm leaving plenty of time.

This morning you either relax at the lodge, partake in an inclusive activity or complete an optional activity you booked the night before.  The choice is yours.

Check out and have lunch at One and Only Gorillas Nest before we take you to Iby'iwacu Cultural Village to experience traditional Rwandan life in pre-colonial times.  Rwanda's culture is rich, energetic and colorful.  The Village not only give great insights in to the people and their history but has been a great place where ex poachers have been rehabilitated and re-introduced back in to society as productive conservationists.

After your tour we take you to your helicopter transfer which leaves at 4:30pm and arrives at Kigali International at 5:15pm.  We will be on hand to transfer you for a farewell dinner to Filini's which is Kigali newest comtemporary restaurant based at the Kigali Convention Centre.

After the farewell dinner we transfer you back to Kigali International to check in for your departing late night flight.  

African Unique Safaris and Tours wishes you a fond farewell, safe onward passage with memories that will move you long after you return home.