You will be met on arrival at Kigali Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Kigali is a surprising African city – impeccably clean and safe, where potholed roads and unsightly litter are virtually non-existent. During April 1994, Kigali was the scene of the devastating Rwandan Genocide – the slaughter of approximately one million Tutsi by Hutu militias and some members of the Rwandan army. Rwanda today is a remarkable testament to the power of forgiveness and the resilience of the human spirit. Here you will find a fast growing economy and proud yet humble people. If time allows, a visit to the Genocide Memorial gives a haunting insight into the horror of this human rights travesty.
Overnight Park Inn by Radisson.
Your road transfer to Ngungwe, approximately 6.5 hours, includes stopping off at Kings Palace and the Butare Ethnographic Museum. We stop to enjoy a lunch at Hotel Ibis.
Set in Nyanza, 88 km south of Kigali, the Kings Palace was the residence of King Mutara III Rudahingwa. The Palace is an impressive museum, restored to its 19th century state and made entirely from traditional materials. Here you will also find the traditional Long Horned cows, Inyambo. The Butare Ethnographic Museum houses one of Africa's finest ethnographic collections – and displays include historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artifacts accompanied by visual aids, giving rich insight into Rwandan culture.
Overnight Matis Kivu Marina Bay.
Nyungwe Forest, which stretches for 970 square kilometres across southeast Rwanda, is one of the world’s most ancient forests, dating back to before the last Ice Age. The canopy walk, suspended 75m above the forest, offers an exhilarating birds eye view over one of the most important ornithological sites in Rwanda, where almost 300 bird species reside. It is in this vast, tranquil forest that you may discover 13 primate species, plus a myriad of butterflies and giant plant life. A variety of well-maintained walking and hiking trails lead through the forest to various waterfalls and viewing points.
An exhilarating day awaits you, and an early start is needed before you head off on your Chimpanzee trek. The majority of Rwanda’s chimp population is confined to Nyungwe Forest National Park, and trekking man’s closest relatives is an amazing yet challenging experience, especially as these groups of chimps are wide ranging and there is a 30-40% chance of sighting these primates. In addition you will undertake the canopy walk before returning to your hotel late afternoon ( packed lunch today).
Overnight Mantis Kivu Marina Bay.
We transfer to Cyangugu, the border with DRC, where we will be met by our Congolese guides who will assist in processing our visas and the border crossing formalities.
Once on the Congolese side, you'll transfer to your hotel.
Lunch at your hotel (not included) is followed by an afternoon Bukavu city tour taking +-3hours. (Visit The Xaveriens Museum, Notre-Dame de la Paix Cathedral visit included).
Overnight Begonias Hotel.
Gorilla trekking
After breakfast, you'll head for Kahuzi-Biega National Park for your check-in and briefing before setting off to meet one of the park's 3 habituated families.
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) is located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo at 30km northwest of Bukavu city. It extends over 6000 km², with an altitude varying from 600 to 3308 m.
The park takes its name from two mountains that dominate its so-called high altitude part, Mount Kahuzi (3308m) and Mount Biega (2790m). It is characterized by a high landscape quality due to its diversity of flora and its proximity to the beautiful Lake Kivu.
The KBNP is currently the only protected area in the world where it is possible for tourists and scientists to observe habituated Grauer's gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) with certainty and serenity. In the morning you will enjoy your second gorilla trekking to the closest family that day in order to visit the Lwiro rehabilitation center right after.
Gorilla Tracking – 400 $ Per Person
The standard permit available per person allows a group of a maximum of 6 to have contact with a habituated gorilla family for 1 hour after finding them during your trek.
Overnight Kahuzi Biega Bungalows.
2nd Gorilla trek and visit Lwiro Research & Rehabilitation Primates Center
Visit the Chimp Center to learn about the work done here to care for primates that have been orphaned by illegal hunting and bush meat trade. The site is also known for its Belgian colonial architecture.
The Centre for the Rehabilitation for Primates is an important conservation tool for Primates in DR Congo. They take care of 72 chimpanzees and 92 monkeys of 11 different species, all of them victims of the pet trade and poaching.
Overnight: Kahuzi Biega Bungalows
Return to Kigali after breakfast, a drive of around 4.5 hours.
We will stop for lunch (own expense) along the way.
Overnight at Park Inn by Radisson.
Transfer to Kigali Airport.
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