7 days combined Rwanda & Congo tour

7 days combined Rwanda & Congo tour

Safari Summary

Day 1: Kigali city tour; visit the Kigali genocide memorial museum

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera national park; a boat cruise on Lake Ihema

Day 3: Game drive in Akagera national park; Transfer to Volcanoes national park

Day 4: Golden monkey trekking and Ibyi’wachu cultural encounter

Day 5: Transfer to Bukavu. Relax at the lodge

Day 6: Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park

Day 7: Travel back to Kigali city and departure

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Kigali city tour; visit the Kigali genocide memorial museum

Pick up from your hotel in the morning after breakfast, embark on a city excursion in the famous Kigali. This city is one of the best and most clean cities in Africa. It represents rapid civilization, and a ray of hope after a very turbulent past, characterized by Genocide, colonialism and cultural conflicts.

Visit some of the iconic and historic sites in the mid of Kigali, like the presidential palace, monuments, and later transfer to the Kigali Genocide memorial Museum for an epic historical tour to learn more about genocide and the victims and survivors; it’s such an emotional tour but well worth it.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali

Mid range: Hotel Chez Lando

Budget: Murugo Hostel

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera national park; a boat cruise on Lake Ihema

After a thrilling breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Akagera National park, located in the north-east part of the country, Akagera national park is a gem of its own; perched at the boarder of Tanzania and home to the famous Kagera River, this national park is a wonderful pearl within Rwanda. Don’t miss the amazing boat cruise on Lake Ihema (Rwanda’s 2nd largest lake after Lake Kivu) in the afternoon where you can view most of the aquatic animals in this region, including Crocodiles, Snakes and many birds in the surrounding wetlands.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Camp

Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge

Budget: Dereva Hotel

Day 3: Game drive in Akagera national park; Transfer to Volcanoes national park

Undertake a morning game drive in Akagera national park; the game drive in this park presents an opportunity to encounter Rwanda’s profound wild game and the Big 4, including lions, Black Rhinos, Leopards, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, and many more mammals.

Return to the lodge after this encounter, and prepare to transfer to Volcanoes national park, a proud home of the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Arrive at your lodge in Volcanoes national park in the evening, check in at the lodge and refresh.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge:

Midrange: Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Budget: Kinigi Guest House

Day 4: Golden monkey trekking and Ibyi’wachu cultural encounter

After breakfast in the morning, gather at the park headquarters for a short briefing before heading out to the forest for golden monkey trekking. This activity is similar to gorilla trekking and begins at the same time 7:00am just like gorillas. These rare species are also listed as endangered – and Volcanoes national park currently has two habituated golden monkeys’ troops that are available for visiting in the park, both of which make about 80 members.

Retreat from this activity and head to the lodge for lunch, and after lunch relaxation meditating on the golden monkey trekking encounter, and in early you will be transferred to the interesting Ibyiwachu cultural village to mix and mingle with the authentic culture of the Rwandans. Get entertained with traditional dances, rituals, songs and stories about the history of this region.

Transfer back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge:

Midrange: Le’ Bambou Gorilla Lodge

Budget: Kinigi Guest House

Day 5: Transfer to Lake Kivu. Relax on the lake

Transfer to Bukavu, a town located south of Lake Kivu at the boarder of Rwanda and D.R. Congo. Drive via the Congo-Nile drive, and admire the magnificent views of Lake Kivu. Have an en route lunch, and check in at the lodge in the evening, refresh, and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation:

Luxury (Midrange): Orchid Safari Lodge

Budget: Hotel Horizon

Day 6: Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park

In the morning, you will head for the memorable adventure of trekking Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park. Trekking lowland Gorillas is very amazing, these Gorillas differ from the mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda, they are bigger in size, usually takes 1-4 hours tracking the lowland Gorillas. The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas; you will not regret the safari effort once you meet them! After tracking, you will go for a nature walk in the Kahuzi Biega national park and visit Tshibati waterfalls, Mbayo tea plantations, the research centre and the surrounding traditional homes. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury (Midrange): Orchid Safari Lodge

Budget: Hotel Horizon

Day 7: Transfer back to Kigali city. Departure

After breakfast, travel to Kigali city via Nyanza palace, and Butare to visit the ethnographic museum and also the Kings palace to have last moments with the Rwandan people and culture.

End of Safari with Love Uganda Safaris

What is included in this safari:

• Gorilla permits
• Chimpanzee permit
• 4 WD Vehicle – with a pop – up roof for game viewing
• A professional English speaking Driver guide
• Entrance fees to all parks and protected areas
• Free Wi-Fi internet in the vehicle
• All ground transportation and fuel
• Accommodation and Meals
• All activities / services as per itinerary
• Drinking water in the vehicle

Exclusions of the safari:

• Visa fees
• International air fares
• Activities / services not included in the itinerary
• Alcoholic drinks / wines
• Laundry and any service of personal nature