Ben Kahrl and Connie Mao
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive into Kigali
Arrive into Kigali, and check in to your hotel.
Heaven Boutique Hotel is home to warm hospitality, comfortable accommodation, and an award-winning restaurant. Enjoy breathtaking views, and relax at the spa, saltwater pools, and gym. Heaven is more than a hotel. It’s a social enterprise, helping Rwanda develop its most valuable resource — its people.
Overnight Heaven Boutique Hotel
Day 2
Travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Early this morning, your driver will collect you from your hotel in the morning and take you to connect with your short flight to Nyungwe Reserve. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and make your way to the lodge.
Arrive, drop your bags and then head out on a hike. You can choose between two waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest: Isumo is 3-4 hours away, or Ndambarare is ~2 hours on foot. Nyungwe Forest is a high-altitude, montane tropical rainforest in southern Rwanda established as a forest reserve in 1933. The conservation area consists of approximately 1015 km2. The forest is located in the Albertine Rift, a series of mountain ranges beginning at the Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda and including eastern D.R. Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and northern Zambia. Contiguous with Kibira National Park in Burundi, Nyungwe is one of the largest montane rainforests remaining in Africa and East Africa’s largest protected high-altitude rainforest.
Afterward, return to the lodge to relax and enjoy dinner.
Nestled on the edge of the vast and ancient Nyungwe Rainforest, within the lush green expanse of a working tea plantation, One & Only Nyungwe House in Rwanda is immersed in wild beauty surrounded by awe-inspiring jungle views
Overnight One & Only Nyungwe House
Day 3
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Today, set off very early, and transfer to a section of Nyungwe Forest known as Cyamudongo, where most of Rwanda’s habituated chimpanzees live. Here, you’ll meet your local ranger at a small visitor center, and then as soon as the trackers locate the family of chimpanzees – that number about 40 individuals – you’ll be off trekking.
It’s good to be prepared for varied terrain! Listen carefully, and you may hear the chimps before you see them.
The experience today can take ~5-6 hours of hiking to encounter the chimps. Once you’ve found them, you’ll have 1 hour to observe them.
During your explorations, there’s a good chance you may also encounter some of the other primate species such as silver monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, owl-faced monkey, red-tailed monkey, crowned monkey, Dent’s mona monkey, vervet monkey, and olive baboons. If you’re curious about birds, then be sure to ask your guides to point out species on the trails. Very lucky observers may spot the blue turaco, which is native to this forest.
Once you’re finished tracking, make your way back to your lodge around 11:00 AM to enjoy lunch and freshen up before this afternoon’s activity. You’ll depart from your lodge at 2:00 PM, and return to Nyungwe National Park (~45-minute drive) for an exhilarating experience! Gain a unique perspective of the forest below while walking on a suspended bridge that is situated roughly 230 feet in the air. The walk provides exceptional views of the East African region and Lake Kivu.
After about two hours on the bridge, return to your accommodations to rest after a full day.
Overnight One & Only Nyungwe House
Day 4
Travel to Volcanoes National Park
Today, you’ll have a relaxed morning at your hotel before departing for your drive to Volcanoes National Park (4-5 hour drive), stopping for lunch along the way.
Arrive at Volcanoes National Park and your beautiful lodge, Sabyinyo, in the afternoon.
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face-to-face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main draw, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, with the day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke being a particular highlight.
The lodge is only minutes away from the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park. Accommodation at Wilderness Sabyinyo is comprised of stone buildings, with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, and en-suite bathrooms. Wilderness Sabyinyo is Rwanda’s first ever community-owned lodge. Community fees and lodge fees drive socio-economic and conservation initiatives in the communities adjacent to the National Park.
Overnight Wilderness Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Day 5
Canoeing on the Twin Lakes
Today, you will have the chance to explore the region, driving ~1-1.5 hours to see the Twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo. First, enjoy a 3-hour guided walk around Lake Ruhondo before stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch in a remote area of the lake.
Located at the base of the Volcano Muhabura in northern Rwanda, the Twin Lakes are surrounded by the Virunga high hills and separated by a 1-kilometer strip of land. The lakes’ Swamp Rugezi is one of the most important birding areas of Rwanda, which provides a photogenic, serene spot to see a number of unique, endemic species.
Following lunch, experience Lake Ruhondo from the water via canoe excursion. You’ll have ~3 hours to explore the shores of the lake.
Afterward, return to your lodge to relax and rest up before your early morning trek to see the gorillas tomorrow.
Overnight Wilderness Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Day 6
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
This morning, depart the lodge for Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, everyone will be split into groups of up to eight people before being allocated a ranger. You will then drive a short distance to the start of the trail, from where you will trek in the forest for ~1-3 hours to reach the gorillas. When you find them, the hour you spend with these incredible primates is a true lifetime experience. To see — and walk amongst — a family of mountain gorillas is a wildlife encounter unlike any other on earth.
A surgical mask is mandatory for all guests tracking primates. Please be sure to pack these with you.
Return to your hotel for a celebratory lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure to relax or visit the local community projects in the area (if you so choose.)
Overnight Wilderness Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Day 7
Golden Monkey Tracking
Early this morning, you will head out into the forest to track a troop of golden monkeys, an endangered primate species living in this area.
Meet at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at 7:00 AM, and at 8:00 AM, you will trek to find the golden monkeys. This will be similar in style to the gorilla trek — in a small group of no more than 6 people, spending 1 hour with the monkeys once you have found them. They are very sprightly creatures, leaping from tree to tree, which is really entertaining to watch! There are currently two troops of around 80 monekys that have been habituated to human visitors.
After your golden monkey experience, you can also choose to visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to see gorilla conservation in action. Mountain gorillas have been monitored and studied closely since Dian Fossey began her work with them in 1967, after establishing the Karisoke Research Center. She started the process of habituating them to the presence of human observers, so that she could closely observe and document their behaviors, status, movements, and other important information. The story of Karisoke is one of enormous perseverance, courage, and vision, on the part of hundreds of staff and researchers, supporters from all over the world, and Dian Fossey herself.
Note: Self-guided tours have a suggested donation payable on arrival. There are also minimum donations for VIP, behind-the-scenes tours and a silverback sundowner evening with the Fossey Fund staff. Rwandan law prevents us from booking these, but you can register, donate, and then contact the Ellen Campus to arrange them directly.
Afterward, return to your hotel to relax, or we can plan an afternoon river canoe trip.
Overnight Wilderness Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Day 8
Departure Day
Today, you’ll stay at your lodge as long as time allows before departing for Kigali. The drive is ~ 2 hours.
Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and biggest city, stretches across lush undulating hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 meters above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial, and cultural hub, and offers a collection of restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market, and numerous shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa.
Your guide will be with you for the day and can take you to the Genocide Museum and to other places within the capital before you transfer to the airport to connect with your flight home.
