Rwanda – Gorilla Trekking

After breakfast, embark on a guided Kigali city walking tour, offering a meaningful introduction to Rwanda’s capital. This immersive experience provides insight into the country’s history, culture, and impressive post-genocide transformation.

The highlight of the day is a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving and educational experience that honors the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and tells the story of Rwanda’s remarkable journey toward unity and reconciliation.

After morning breakfast, depart Kigali for the scenic drive south-west to Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse montane rainforests. The journey offers beautiful countryside views, rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural villages. Upon arrival in the Nyungwe area, check in to your lodge and enjoy lunch before settling into the tranquil forest surroundings. The rest of the day is at leisure, allowing you to relax and prepare for the primate adventures ahead.

Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of Nyungwe National Park. After an early breakfast, head into the forest for an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking experience. Guided by expert rangers, track a habituated chimpanzee community and observe their fascinating social behaviour in their natural habitat.

Later in the day, enjoy the iconic Nyungwe Canopy Walk, a suspended walkway high above the forest floor that offers breathtaking views of the rainforest canopy, birds, and distant valleys, an unforgettable perspective of this pristine ecosystem.

After breakfast, drive north toward Lake Kivu, arriving in the lakeside town of Kibuye. Continue to Bumba and from here, begin day 1 of the Congo Nile Trail, one of Rwanda’s most scenic hiking routes.

The hike from Bumba to Kinunu winds through rolling hills, coffee plantations, fishing villages, and lakeshore paths, offering authentic encounters with local communities and stunning views of Lake Kivu. At the end of the hike, check in to your accommodation and enjoy a well-earned evening of rest by the lake.

After breakfast, continue day 2 of the Congo Nile Trail, hiking from Kinunu to Cyimbiri. This stretch offers equally rewarding scenery, with panoramic lake views and peaceful rural landscapes.

Upon reaching Cyimbiri, transfer by private boat across Lake Kivu to Gisenyi, a charming lakeside town near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the beach, pool, or sunset views over the lake.

After a relaxed breakfast, depart Gisenyi and drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s famed mountain gorillas. The journey offers dramatic views of the Virunga volcanoes as you approach Musanze.

After lunch, enjoy an enriching afternoon visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a state-of-the-art conservation and research centre dedicated to gorilla protection and education. Later, relax in preparation for upcoming primate encounters.

Today begins with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on your Golden Monkey Trek. These rare and energetic primates are found only in the Virunga Mountains and are known for their playful behavior and striking golden coats.

After the trek, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village (also known as the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village). This is a community-run cultural village that celebrates Rwandan heritage while supporting local conservation and community development by providing sustainable livelihoods, especially for former poachers who now serve as cultural ambassadors.

This is the highlight of your Rwandan adventure: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park! After an early breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing. You’ll then be assigned to a gorilla family group and begin your trek into the forest, accompanied by expert rangers and trackers.

It's back into the forest today for the hike up Mount Muhabura, known as "The Guide" for its prominent position visible across the region. The mountain is the third-highest peak in the Virunga Mountains and the challenging one-day hike rewards determined climbers with spectacular 360-degree summit views spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Enjoy a leisurely morning before it's time to return by road to Kigali to meet your departing flights for home; lunch today is on your own account.