12 Days Jewels Of Rwanda
5885$
per personVisit Gorillas in Volcanoes Park, Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave, track Golden monkeys, climb Bisoke volcano, Karisimbi volcano or other volcanoes. Culture in Butare, Gisenyi and Rwanda. Enjoy sunsets on Lake Kivu. Wildlife and Game in Akagera Park.
This is a scheduled tour which departs every first Sunday of the month. This safari takes you to visit all the 3 National Parks of Rwanda – Nyungwe Forest National Park in the South West, for chimps and birds; Kibuye township on Lake Kivu; Akagera Park in the east for game, including elephant, buffalo, leopard, zebra, as well as hippo and crocodile. The tour ends with Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park) in the North for gorilla tracking. Lake Kivu is unique: Its deep waters contain an enormous quantity of dissolved gas.
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DepartureThis safari starts and finishes in Kigali.
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Departure TimePlease arrive by 9:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
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Return TimeApproximately 8:30 PM.
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Dress CodeCasual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, light jacket.
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Include
From Our Gallery
Visit Gorillas in Volcanoes Park, Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave, track Golden monkeys, climb Bisoke volcano, Karisimbi volcano or other volcanoes. Culture in Butare, Gisenyi and Rwanda. Enjoy sunsets on Lake Kivu. Wildlife and Game in Akagera Park.
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Day 1: Arrival-Kigali Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda is a small country in the heart of Africa, with a total area of about 26,338 sq km, slightly smaller than Maryland State in the USA. It is about 10 times smaller than Uganda. It is bordered by Uganda in the North, DR Congo in the West, Burundi in the South and Tanzania in the East. To the outside world, Rwanda is known for the genocide of 1994, but it has recovered from those years of turmoil that characterised the nation in the period 1950-1994. Today, under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Rwanda is peaceful, prosperous and inviting. The country has three (3) national parks – Nyungwe Forest Park known for its large size and a vast army of chimps and monkeys; Akagera National park for game, including zebra, giraffe, antelope, buffalo; and Parc Nationale des Volcans where Dian Fossey dedicated her life researching the celebrated gorillas.Day Itinerary
Arrive Kigali. Meet our smiling guide. Greet and transfer to hotel. [Approximate driving time:30 minutes] Diner (D) is included in the package2
Day 2: Kigali - Butare - Nyungwe Forest NP
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Day 3: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimp tracking experience in Nyungwe (included in cost) or you may choose to have another guided primate walk ($60pp) or have one of the hikes in the well-maintained trails (only one activity is allowed per day). There are a large host of primates and blue monkeys present and often observed around Uwinka, requiring less strenuous hiking.
There is also an orchid garden at Uwinka and for those who would like a challenging hike we recommend the trail ”the Bigugu Mountain”, the highest peak in Nyungwe Forest at nearly 3000m. Bird watchers will certainly be interested to know that Nyungwe has also some Albertine rift endemic species that can only be seen here! Birding is very rewarding on one of the special designed trails.
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Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park
In Nyungwe Forest NP on payment of extra: guided nature walk ($60) or primate treks for colobus monkeys ($75). Of a particular interest are the large social groups of Angolan Colobus (Colobus angolensis), which may be over 300 individuals. These are the largest troops of this species known in the world! Nyungwe forest counts 25% of the African Primates! Or Birding ($55pp); or Canopy Walk ($70pp)
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Day 5: Nyungwe Forest National Park- Parc National des Volcans
You will be picked up, take the long drive to detour to Parc National des Volcans. Lunch en route, arrive Ruhengeri and Kinigi for an overnight at your hotel.
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Day 6: Gorilla Tracking-Parc National des Volcans
After breakfast you will report at the ORTPN headquarters where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever. Then we will drive you to the slopes of one of the Virunga volcanoes for your trekking. After the trekking, lunch at your hotel or at Ruhengeri and in the afternoon, if time allows, an excursion to explore the beautiful lakes in the region: Lake Bulera & Ruhondo. An excellent view of the Virunga chain of Volcanoes can be seen while there depending on weather conditions.
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Day 7: Second gorilla trekking or another activity - Parc National des Volcans
Second gorilla tracking (subject to availability and payment of $750 gorilla permit supplement)
Other activities/options, on payment of extra:
– An excursion to the top of the Bisoke volcano (3.711 m) of which the distinctive feature is a beautiful crater lake! Fantastic views in all directions, lushly forested slopes, shady bamboo forest and an exhilarating climb!
– An excursion to the grave of Dian Fossey and the former Karisoke Research Centre. The excursion will provide excellent background information and this is a wonderful site to see!
– A visit to the Golden Monkeys: the little-known Golden Monkey (cercopithecus mitis kandti) is listed as endangered; the newly habituated groups of about 40 individuals are the only ones in Africa. The Kabatwa troop is located not so far from the Park Headquarters and the Musanga troop lives near the Karisimbi volcano and has a much longer walking distance.
– Or other optional activities at the gorilla park: either climb Visoke volcano ($105), climb Mount Muhabura ($70), Musanze caves visit ($60pp), visit a local Women’s project ($40pp), do a nature walk in the park ($50pp), or simply stroll around the local communities, local markets and relax at the lodge without pay.
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Day 8: Lake Kivu
After breakfast you will leave for Gisenyi, passing through the green fields of tea plantations before exploring the shores of Lake Kivu. Gisenyi which is one of the three resort towns on Lake Kivu is the most beautiful. Arrival at Gisenyi in time for lunch. After Nyungwe and the gorilla park, most participants will welcome that relaxing moments on the shores of Lake Kivu, which is Bilharzia free. Rest of the day at leisure.
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Day 9: Lake Kivu
Second day of relaxation by the beach, staying in the very beautiful Waterfront Resort.
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Day 10: Lake Kivu – Kigali Cultural Tour - Akagera NP
You will drive for 2 hours to Kigali for a cultural tour of the city.
The half day Kigali City trip (optional) includes a visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi, which takes a few hours. It’s a touching visit! And visit the local general goods market and the craft centre. In Rwanda you will find all over the country Memorials to remember the genocide of 1994. The most important Genocide Memorials are those of Kigali (Gisozi) and Murambi (Gikongoro) in Kigali where the history of the genocide is explained.Note that a visit to the genocide memorial is for most visitors an emotional event.
After lunch, drive 3 hours to Akagera NP, via Kayonza to the Eastern part of Rwanda. We will arrive this evening at the beautiful Akagera Game Lodge which has a swimming pool. Take a swim if you so wish.
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Day 11: Akagera National Park
After an Early breakfast your exploration starts with a boat trip on Lake Ihema which is a very rewarding experience for seeing the large number of hippos, the huge Nile crocodiles and many birds. After the boat trip you will continue your exploration along the lakes Kivumba, Hago; Mihindi and Rwanyakizinga. They are the most interesting part of the park especially for birders. You will return for your lunch and enjoy a fresh swim at the Lodge. In the late afternoon you will return to the giraffe valley which is usually full of surprises.
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Day 12: Akagera National Park - Kayonza – Kigali – Fly out
You will wake up early in the morning and leave after breakfast for another day of exploration. This time you will start with a visit to the height of Mutumba, the highest point of the park. You will have a view of all the Akagera lakes and the Karangwe mountains in Tanzania, with Lake Tanganyika visible at a distance. Descend to the Lake area where you will have a picnic lunch on edge of one of the beautiful lakes. In the afternoon you will drive back to the lodge before returning to Kigali where we will drop you to the Airport for departure.
Tour Location
Visit Gorillas in Volcanoes Park, Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave, track Golden monkeys, climb Bisoke volcano, Karisimbi volcano or other volcanoes. Culture in Butare, Gisenyi and Rwanda. Enjoy sunsets on Lake Kivu. Wildlife and Game in Akagera Park.
History of Rwanda
Rwanda's history is marked by pre-colonial kingdoms, colonial rule, and post-independence struggles culminating in the Rwandan genocide. Human occupation began after the last ice age, leading to the formation of kingdoms by the 11th century. In the 19th century, Mwami Rwabugiri expanded the Kingdom of Rwanda through military conquest. The colonial powers, Germany and then Belgium, allied with the Rwandan court, granting independence in 1962. Dominated by the Hutu majority, political tensions intensified, culminating in a civil war and the 1994 genocide.
Pre-Colonial Rwanda:
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Early Human Occupation:Human settlement in Rwanda is thought to have started shortly after the last ice age.
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Kingdoms:By the 11th century, the inhabitants had organized themselves into several kingdoms, with Mwami Rwabugiri significantly expanding the Kingdom of Rwanda in the 19th century.
Colonial Era:
- German and Belgian Influence: Germany initially exerted influence, followed by Belgium, which allied with the Rwandan court and ultimately granted independence in 1962.
Post-Independence and the Rwandan Genocide:
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Hutu Dominated Government:Following independence, the Hutu majority dominated the government under President Grégoire Kayibanda.
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Civil War:Tensions escalated, and in 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a Tutsi rebel group, invaded, leading to the Rwandan Civil War.
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The Rwandan Genocide:The war and existing ethnic tensions culminated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where hundreds of thousands of Tutsi people were killed by Hutu extremists.
Modern Rwanda:
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RPF Victory:The RPF ultimately won the civil war, establishing a new government and a period of relative stability.
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Political Changes:The Rwandan government has implemented various reforms and policies, including efforts to promote reconciliation and economic development.
Our Gallery
Visit Gorillas in Volcanoes Park, Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave, track Golden monkeys, climb Bisoke volcano, Karisimbi volcano or other volcanoes. Culture in Butare, Gisenyi and Rwanda. Enjoy sunsets on Lake Kivu. Wildlife and Game in Akagera Park.
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What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.Price includes:
- 1 Night at Kigali
- 3 Nights at Nyungwe Top View Hotel
- 3 Nights at Volcanoes National Park
- 2 Nights Waterfront Resort lake Kivu
- 2 Nights Akagera Game Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast only in Kigali. Tour is on Full Board basis for the rest of the trip
- Park entrance fees
- 1 Chimpanzee trekking Permit
- 1 Gorilla Permit
- Game drives
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema, Akagera Park
- Kigali City Cultural tour
- Drinking Water
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.Price excludes:
- East Africa Visa
- Meals Kigali. Tour is on Half Board basis for the rest of the trip
- Alcoholic drinks and drinks off meal time
- Video camera and photographic fee genocide memorial
- Porter’s fee
- Tips and any other expenses described above and related to personal nature
- 1 Golden Monkey Permit Volcanoes National Park $100pp
- Optional Activities Volcanoes National Park (PNV):-
- Karisoke Research Centre in PNV $70pp
- Mount Muhabura in PNV $60pp
- Nature Walk in PNV $40pp
- Visoke climb in PNV $95
- Local community visits in PNV $50
- Golden Monkeys Nyungwe Forest National Park US$100
- Canopy Walk Nyungwe Forest National Park US$70
- Nature Walk Nyungwe Forest National Park $50pp
- Colobus Monkey trek Nyungwe Forest National Park $75pp
- Bird watching Nyungwe Forest National Park $55pp
- All flight tickets
