5 DAY UGANDA GORILLAS AND RWANDA SAFARI TOUR (MID)

Welcome to Kigali Rwanda! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet with your driver-guide at the arrival hall, a short briefing of the day at Bourbon Coffee Restaurant before proceeding on the 2-hour drive to Akagera National Park in the east of Rwanda.

Mid-morning, we will arrive at park headquarters and register before taking a very interesting behind-the-scenes tour.  Here key park management will go through the history of Akagera National Park (Africa’s 2nd oldest National Park), their anti-poaching methods and confiscated items, conservation measures, and a look at their innovative tracking room which monitors the movements of the parks newest inhabitants the lions and rhinos.

We will then drive and check-in at your accommodation and have lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive in the Southern Circuit of Akagera.  This circuit is particularly known for its Giraffes, Zebras, Baboons, Waterbuck, and Buffalo. 

At 4 o’clock we head towards Lake Ihema for a fantastic Boat Safari and sundowner.   This is an opportunity to get up close from a whole new perspective and see hippos, crocodiles, and many of the 423 bird species of Akagera, all whilst watching the sunset over this magical first day.

We then return to your accommodation of choice for Dinner and overnight Akagera Game Lodge

TRANSFER TO KIGALI

Today have your breakfast at leisure and later you will be assisted to check out of your accommodation. Embark on your vehicle for your 2 hours transfer to Kigali. You will arrive on time for lunch. After your lunch at the historical Hotel Des Mille Collines also known as Hotel Rwanda and from here you will proceed to Kigali Genocide Memorial Visit before checking in to your accommodation.

Kigali Genocide Memorial 

This is an extremely moving, challenging, educational, and ultimately inspiring memorial and a great place to understand the cause, tragedy, and successful rebuilding post-genocide.  The reconciliation and rebuilding have been miraculous and these memorials are built to inform, educate and prevent such a tragedy from never occurring again.

The tour is very transparent and educational but very somber and humbling when you realize that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.  Guaranteed you will feel every emotion during this visit. 

The most common question that goes through your mind is “would I be capable of that level of forgiveness if I found myself in this situation”.  That’s a true inspiration.

Later you will be transferred to your hotel to check-in, freshen up and relax with hotel facilities. Dinner and  Overnight Stay at Park Inn by Radisson Kigali.

BWINDI TRANSFER 

Today after your breakfast you will be assisted to check out of your accommodation. Embark on your vehicle and proceed on a scenic 4.5 hours drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest,

En-route you will discover why Rwanda is called the Land of a Thousand Hills as the drive is very scenic and continues in to Uganda as you will get to see all 5 Volcano Peaks of the border park and marvel in the farmers working on the steep terraced hills. Arrive at your accommodation in time for check in, and freshen up , have your lunch before you  head for your afternoon activity which is a visit to Batwa.

The Batwa are the original inhabitants of these forests, However today they are a displaced minority since the early 1990’s.  This cultural tour is a re-enactment but a very real one as many members still recall living as forest dwellers and these tours now help them earn income.

Their traditions and skills are practiced as well as pass on these traditions to the next generation. Their bush skills are a delight and their small stature will amaze you.

After the Batwa we return to the lodge for Dinner and overnight stay at  Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

GORILLA TREKKING 

Early in the morning after breakfast you will be assisted to check out of your accommodation with packed lunch embark on your vehicle for your transfer to the park headquarters where you will be educated on the trek, Gorilla behavior and assigned in to groups of suitable fitness. 

Today you have a unique and privileged experience to trek and meet at close quarters the rare Mountain Gorilla.  There are only around 1063 of these magnificent creatures left in the world with in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.  

The trek can take between 2-6 hours depending on the movements of the Gorillas.  The Rushaga Tourism zone of Bwindi has the most Gorilla families in Bwindi with a recently habituated troop now accessible.  This is considered one of the great natural animal encounters on the planet.

The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search for the Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour once you find them.

After the trek, you will take your  lunch before we transfer you for a scenic 2.5 hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.  On arrival, you will be assisted to check in to your accommodation a freshen up and relax with the lodge facilities.

Dinner and overnight stay at Davinci Gorilla Lodge.

GOLDEN MONKEY TREK

After an early breakfast we leave for the Golden Monkey Trek at 7 am.  Golden Monkeys are very rare and nowhere in Africa is there better access to large habituated numbers.

These unique, playful and beautiful creatures will entertain you for a good hour and the trek on average is normally much easier than the Gorilla Trek.After the trek return to your lodge for a freshen up lunch  and be assisted to check out for your 4 hours transfer to Kigali.  Your departing flight doesn’t leave until the evening so now we will transfer to Kigali and use our remaining time to experience the coffee of Rwanda. On arrival we shall proceed with your last activity in Kigali City(Question Coffee Master Class)

QUESTION COFFEE MASTER CLASS

Rwanda is famous for Mountain Gorillas, recovery post genocide and rich culture but did you know Rwanda has some of the finest specialty coffee in the world.  High altitudes, high rainfall and volcanic soil are perfect conditions for growing coffee and Rwanda has all of these Question Coffee is the leading producer, roaster and exporter in Rwanda and they will host you for a 2-hour coffee master class where you will learn about.

• Coffee History of Rwanda
• Coffee growing
• Roasting
• Packing
• Tasting

After the master class lesson we shall head for dinner at one of Kigali’s very good restaurant before transferring you to Kigali Airport for your flight back home.

We wish you safe travels and many fond memories.