Visit Rwanda: lakes, gorillas and volcanoes

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night Kigali
• 2 nights Nyugwe Forest Reserve
• 2 nights Lake Kivu
• 2 nights Volcanoes National Park

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Kigali

On arrival in Kigali, you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for one night.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, The Retreat

Day 3: Travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Enjoy an early breakfast before a poignant and essential visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, offering a profound understanding of Rwanda's history and its remarkable path to peace and reconciliation. Around lunchtime, you'll head off on the scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park via Nyanza. Here, you'll visit the King's Palace Museum, home to the magnificent long-horned Inyambo cows, followed by a trip to the Ethnographic Museum in Huye. Here you’ll stop for a tour of the Butare National Museum, one of the finest ethnographic museums of East Africa. As the afternoon comes, you'll ascend into the misty mountainous realm of Nyungwe, settling into your lodge for a restful evening before your adventure tomorrow. 

Included: All meals, transfers, Munazi Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

It’s an early start today – enjoy breakfast and head out to the trailhead at around 5 am, before embarking on a thrilling hike to see the chimpanzees. The Rwanda chimpanzee population is approximately 500 individuals, all within the Nyungwe National Park. You’ll head these excitable primates before you see them, their hooting calls echoing through the trees. You might also spot some spectacular birdlife, including regal sunbirds and grey-cheeked hornbills.

After lunch, you’ll depart for your canopy walk. Suspended above the lush rainforest, canopy walkways will provide a unique view over the treetops, and a fascinating perspective of the wildlife below. Spend your afternoon and evening back at the lodge, recounting on stories from your day.

Included: All meals, guided chimpanzee trek with permit, Munazi Lodge  

Day 5: Travel to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will head off for the scenic drive to Lake Kivu. Part of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Kivu is one of the largest lakes in the country. The winding roads offer sweeping views of terraced hillsides descending into the deep blue waters of the lake. In the late afternoon, as the sun begins to go down, you will take to the calm waters for a guided sunset kayaking experience along the shoreline. On arrival at your hotel, you'll check in for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, kayaking tour, Umurobyi Lodge 

Day 6: Lake Kivu

Today is a relaxing day, with the morning dedicated to exploring the hidden gems of Lake Kivu by boat. Cruise across the gentle waves to Napoleon Island, named for its distinctive shape resembling the French emperor's iconic hat, where you'll hike to the summit. The island is renowned for its raucous colony of fruit bats and offers magnificent panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding undulating landscape. The afternoon is free for you to relax, read a book by the water and simply soak in the tranquil atmosphere of the Kivu shoreline.

Included: All meals, Umurobyi Lodge

Day 7: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park

Today, you’ll head off on a scenic drive towards the beautiful, terraced hillsides that show of Rwanda’s mountainous landscape. You’ll arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for all gorilla trekking in the Parc National des Volcans. The town is located close to the Ugandan border, with a constant flow of people passing through. Here, you’ll check into your lodge for two nights and enjoy a delicious dinner, ready for your big adventure tomorrow. 

Included: All meals, transfers, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel  

Day 8: Volcanoes National Park & Gorilla trek

Another early start, you’ll be driven over to Volcanoes National Park where you’ll register for your gorilla trek. Here, the park staff will determine which group of gorillas you will visit. You will be put into groups and receive a trekking time, based on the gorilla’s location within the park the previous evening. There is a maximum of 96 gorilla permits available each day, with 8 trekkers in each group.

You’ll receive a briefing from your guide, learning of all of the ‘do’s and don’ts’ while in the presence of gorillas, before heading up into the mountains to begin the hike. Trekking can take from two to six hours, as the gorillas sometimes move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. You’ll be able to stop frequently for a chance to rest and take photos as you go.

Your encounter with the gorillas will be so special – coming so close to these magnificent animals is a joy. Whether you meet the majestic silverback or see some baby gorillas playing in the jungle, it will be an hour you’ll never forget.

After your experience, you’ll meet with a driver who will return you to the lodge for dinner.       

Included: All meals, guided gorilla trek with permit, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Day 9: Depart Kigali

After breakfast at your lodge, you’ll take a scenic drive back to Kigali from the Virunga Volcanoes, watching the daily lives of rural Rwandans from the windows as you travel. You'll be dropped at the airport in time for your flight home.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights       

Day 10: Arrive UK