Kristina's African Safaris
RWS7 Discover Rwanda
A 9 day safari which starts
and finishes in Kigali. This safari can also be done on a private basis. [One
PNV gorilla permit is included in the cost but the other gorilla tracking
requires a supplement to be paid at time of booking.]
This safari lets clients
discover the best of Rwanda. It starts with the wildlife and birds in Akagera in
the east with its beautiful wetland savannah. The highlight of the safari is, of
course, tracking the mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in the
Virunga volcanoes in the northwest. This safari offers an opportunity to track
gorillas twice. PNV in Rwanda has five habituated gorilla families and tracking
most groups in the afro-montane forest usually takes only a few hours. You can
also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave and the
endangered golden monkey. You continue to Nyungwe, in southern Rwanda, a massive
afro-montane forest, the largest in Central Africa. The forest has 13 primate
species including chimpanzee and large groups of colobus monkeys. Other
attractions are 300 bird species and a variety of orchids and butterflies.
Clients stay 2 nights in
Akagera Lodge, 3 nights at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge and 3 nights at ORTPN
Resthouse on the western edge of the Nyungwe Forest.
Day 1 MONDAY
Met on arrival at airport and
transfer to Kigali. Briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart at 2pm for
Akagera. Game drive before sunset. O/N: Akagera Lodge (FB).
Day 2 TUESDAY
Game drives in the park or a
canoe ride on Lake Ihema to see the large number of hippo, the huge Nile
crocodile and birds. O/N: Akagera Lodge (FB).
Day 3 WEDNESDAY
Early start for Kinigi. The
journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise
much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome
volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. Late lunch on arrival
at PNV. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day 4 THURSDAY
Go gorilla tracking in Parc
National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking).
Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest of the Virungas is a
magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour
with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla
families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially
when it is wet and muddy. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day 5 FRIDAY
Either go gorilla tracking
again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of
booking), or visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ross Carr's
orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian
Fossey's grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake
Bulera. O/N: Volcanoes Virunga Lodge (FB).
Day 6 SATURDAY
Early start for Nyungwe. Visit
the old palace in Nyanza. Drive past green hills of tea and the vast Nyungwe
Forest. O/N: ORTPN Resthouse (FB).
Day 7 SUNDAY
Go on an escorted walk in
search of the large groups of colobus monkeys and birds including the Rwenzori
turaco. Or go chimp tracking. Picnic lunch. Return late afternoon. O/N: ORTPN
Resthouse (FB).
Day 8 MONDAY
Guided nature walk in the
forest or go chimp tracking. O/N: ORTPN Rest House (FB)
Day 9 TUESDAY
Leave for Kigali. Time
permitting, go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery
project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural centre and a genocide
memorial. Transfer to the airport (HB).
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