Rwanda – Land of a Thousand Hills

• We will meet you at Kigali International Airport (KGL), Rwanda.
• Transfer to Kigali
• Overnight at Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali Mariott or The Retreat by Heaven

A VIP Meet and Greet at Kigali International Airport will welcome you to Rwanda. You will be transferred to selected hotel for an overnight stay. Relax, and unwind after your international travel.

If you have time available in the afternoon, consider a tour of the Kigali Genocide Museum for an educational view into the conflicted past of this country, and the road to recovery and healing it has since followed.

• Transfer to Akagera National Park
• Game drives
• Overnight at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Camp, or Magashi Camp

After a delightful and rejuvenating rest and breakfast, your driver will collect you and transfer you on an approximate 3-hour scenic drive through rural Rwanda to Akagera National Park, arriving into camp in time for lunch. Relax in camp and become acquainted with your new surroundings, before embarking for an afternoon game drive with sundowners on the open plains.

This national park is a story of transformation and perseverance, as it was devastated in the 1990s as displaced communities turned to its wildlife for survival. Today, it is thriving, with populations of both black and white rhino, strong prides of lion, and open plains bustling with zebra, antelope and buffalo.

Start your day with an early wake-up call, accompanied by tea and coffee before a morning’s exploratory game drive to uncover the wonders of Akagera. Enjoy a picnic breakfast with a view before continuing your morning’s exploration. Return for lunch, a relaxing siesta and then head out again, after tea and cake, onto the plains, exploring the savannah grasslands for more wildlife adventures. A welcoming campfire and pre-dinner drinks will welcome you, followed by a satisfying dinner.

• Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• Overnight at The Bishop’s House, Virunga Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge

Rise early today for breakfast in camp before setting out for the drive to Volcanoes National Park. Although it’s a long drive, the beautiful countryside of Rwanda will keep you entertained as you pass through changing landscapes and rural villages, stopping along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch from camp. As the towering volcanoes come into view, you know you are approaching your destination.

The Bishop’s House is located in the quiet suburbs of Musanze, positioning the lodge perfectly for those looking for convenient access to Volcanoes National Park as well as the surrounding area. With just 10 spacious rooms, this boutique lodge offers a comfortable stay with intimate and personalised attention.

Virunga Lodge is nestled high on an emerald-green hill with spectacular views towards the Virunga volcanoes and over neighbouring Lake Bulera. Kwitonda Lodge sits right on the edge of the national park, offering ease of access and breathtaking views.

Spend the afternoon settling into your new accommodation and exploring the grounds of the lodge, relaxing in the many different spaces on offer, and enjoying the incredible views on offer.

• Meet the gorillas in the mist
• Overnight at The Bishop’s House, Virunga Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge

After a delicious breakfast, you will hike in a small group through the enchanting bamboo forest on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. The duration can take anything from one to five hours, depending on the location of your assigned gorilla group, you will spend one hour in the company of the majestic and gentle mountain gorillas, one of the natural world’s most sought-after experiences. Soak it in, take photos to capture the memories, and marvel at the similarities with humans in their behaviour and interactions with each other. Some gorilla families can be more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially if wet and muddy. However long the journey, this is a truly memorable wildlife encounter.

• Golden Monkey Trekking
• Overnight at The Bishop’s House, Virunga Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge

With only a small number remaining in the world, troops of golden monkey can be found in the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park. Characterised by their bright golden bodies, cheeks, and tails, contrasting black limbs, crowns, and tail ends, these playful primates are a pleasure to watch. The walk will take you from the bamboo stands and forested gorge on the lower levels of the volcanoes to the elevated heath and moorland higher up. Return to the lodge for lunch and perhaps indulge in a massage before enjoying a delicious dinner.

• Transfer to Kigali International Airport (KGL)

After an early breakfast, say your farewells as you wave goodbye to the mountains and begin your drive back to Kigali International Airport, to connect with your onward travel.