Rwanda – The Land Of A Thousand Hills

Rwanda, a country that had to go through a lot in the past due to the genocide. Today you can find warm locals, the rare mountain gorillas and fascinating landscapes. A trip to Rwanda is all about nature, wildlife and culture. In addition to the mountain gorillas, you can also find the Big Five in Rwanda, a country located in Eastern Africa listed on Countryaah.com. The country is also a Velonation, which is why it is a good idea to cover a distance by bike or mountain bike.

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This is an example of one of our tours and should serve as a source of inspiration. Of course, the itinerary including the destinations can be adapted and we will be happy to work out a round trip for you that is tailored to your interests and budget.

Best travel time: January / February and July to September

Duration of the trip : This trip lasts 13 days. In general, we recommend planning at least a week for a round trip to Rwanda in order to get to know the country and its people away from the tourist hotspots.

Travel planning: Combine this trip with Uganda .

Tip: You should be in good physical shape and fit for this trip. The hike to the mountain gorillas leads over steep slopes and is very strenuous at times.

Day 1: Arrival Kigali
In the afternoon arrival at Kigali airport. You will be picked up and taken to your hotel. Kigali is very clean and safe. You can easily discover the city on your own. Visit the impressive Genocide Museum to learn more about Rwanda’s past.

Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast departure to Nyungwe National Park. En route visit of the Royal Palace in Nyanza and the National Museum and Botanical Garden in Butare.

Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s most important biodiversity area and is best known for its primates. 13 different species, including chimpanzees, full-bearded monkeys, and Angolan colobus monkeys, live in these forests. But also numerous butterflies and orchids await you.

Day 3: Nyungwe National Park
Today you go on a guided hike to see the fascinating chimpanzees. Around 500 chimpanzees live in Nyungwe National Park. With your guide, you will look for a group and then follow them for about an hour. You will get wonderful insights into the life of chimpanzees.

Then discover the rainforest on the Canopy Walkway from a height of 160 meters and enjoy the view over the canopy.

Day 4: Nyungwe National Park
You go on a discovery hunt in the Nyungwe rainforest again. Today your guide will show you more species of monkeys as well as different birds.

At noon, a picnic that you have prepared yourself awaits you in the middle of the rainforest. Then walk back to the lodge and free time.

Day 5: Nyungwe National Park – Lake Kivu
Continue to Kibuye on Lake Kivu. A great panorama of deeply cut bays, steep mountain ranges and offshore islands awaits you. Swim in the refreshing water or stroll to the nearby villages. The time is at your disposal.

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Day 6: Lake Kivu
After breakfast you take a discovery boat trip on Lake Kivu. You will visit the local fishermen in the fishing villages and the island of Idjwi. This already belongs to the Congo and its locals row long distances in their dugout canoes to the markets of Rwanda. Your destination for today is Gisenyi, another resort on Lake Kivu, where you will spend your next night.

Day 7: Lake Kivu – Volcanoes National Park
In the morning visit to a coffee plantation. Afterward, travel to the Ross Carr’s Imbabazi orphanage. The orphanage was founded in 1994 to look after the genocidal orphans in Rwanda.

Then on to the Volcanoes National Park, home of the mountain gorillas. The Volcanoes National Park borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with five extinct volcanoes forming the border and creating a breathtaking backdrop.

Day 8: Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of the trip. Go on a guided hike to see the mountain gorillas. Watch them play and eat in their daily activities. An encounter with these giants is a unique experience that you will surely never forget.

Day 9: Volcanoes National Park – Kigali
Today you can choose from various activities. Go in search of the golden monkeys, climb the Visoke volcano or visit the primatologist Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center. She has dedicated her life to exploring and protecting the mountain gorillas.

In the afternoon you travel back to Kigali. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10: Kigali – Akagera National Park
Today you drive to Akagera National Park. Once there, you have your first game drive in Giraffental.

Akagera National Park borders Tanzania and is the only area in Rwanda where safaris are conducted. The park consists of savannahs, lakes and swamps and is home to the Big Five. The western part is dominated by hills, the north by savannas, where countless buffalo, giraffes, zebras and antelopes live. You can spot hippos and crocodiles in the waters. Bird lovers are not neglected either. Over 500 different bird species live in Akagera National Park.

Day 11: Akagera National Park
You have another day to discover Akagera National Park and go on safaris. The day begins with a boat trip on Lake Ihema. Here you can see hippos, giant crocodiles and many species of birds. The journey of discovery continues to the other lakes in the area before you go on a game drive in the Giraffe Valley in the afternoon.

Day 12: Akagera National Park – Kigali
After breakfast, enjoy the view from the highest point of the park over the lakes to Tanzania. You will then have a picnic lunch on the edge of a beautiful lake.

Return to Kigali in the afternoon.

Day 13: Kigali – journey home
Even the best vacation comes to an end. Today it is time to say goodbye to Rwanda. Transfer to the airport and return home.

RWANDA - THE LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS