Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly met by Berleen Safaris representative, outside the airport arrivals section and you will be transferred to your hotel in Kigali.
Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is near the nation’s geographic centre. The city has been Rwanda’s economic, cultural, and transport hub since it became capital at independence in 1962. One of the first things most people notice is that, particularly for an African city, Kigali is spotlessly clean, partly because plastic bags are banned in the country but also because of a universal service called Umuganda when everyone gets together on the last Saturday morning of each month working on community projects like keeping streets clean, tending to gardens and helping neighbours.
Spend the rest of the evening at leisure at your hotel. Dinner will be payable direct.
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed for a city tour in Kigali.
Visit the genocide museum; enjoy the city tour of Kigali which includes the old and new Kigali and the crafts market.
Lunch in Kigali.
Afterwards return to your town hotel for overnight. Dinner will be payable direct.
The elegant Kigali Serena Hotel is perfectly situated within one of the city’s most vibrant boulevards. Here, guests are welcomed into a gleaming granite atrium, adorned with fantastic Rwandan artworks, where they are then ushered to contemporary rooms that feature air conditioning, Wi-Fi connectivity, a satellite television, and a lovely ensuite bathroom.
The hotel offers a wonderful selection of dining options; from the Milima Restaurant that overlooks the sparkling swimming pool to the Sokoni Restaurant that has become a popular meeting place for both locals and travelers alike. In the evenings retreat to the hotel’s convivial lounge where two bar areas await.
What we love about Kigali Serena Hotel:-
Overnight Kigali Serena
(Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Nyungwe national park with a lunch enroute. Enroute visit the Kings Museum. Arrival at the house in the early evening.
In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border, One &Only Nyungwe House is set amongst the rich tea-plantations of Gisakura, on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe National Park. The park itself covers approximately 1020 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps and bogs, and is one of the last mountain rainforest habitats on the planet.
Nyungwe House
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Alongside ancient rainforest, nestled within the lush expanse of a working tea plantation, One&Only Nyungwe House is a rare haven of creature comforts offering an exclusive window to the wonders of Rwanda. Fascinating wildlife, roaming free. Captivating communities, carving their path through time. Dramatic mountain landscapes, creating endless vistas. This is a tale of unique natural beauty and enduring hope. Sink into the comfort of your private rainforest sanctuary, blending seamlessly into tropical foliage for an unrivalled sense of seclusion. A chic, lodge inspired aesthetic weaves through every room. Each filled with luxurious amenities, a crackling fireplace and vibrant art inspired by Rwanda’s natural beauty. Serene Balconies, comfortably furnished, frame the wilderness beyond, perfect for spotting birds and playful primates in their element.
04h30: Start early for early morning forest nature walk in the park tracking Chimpanzees in the forest. This is the time to watch the forest’s birdlife too. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy the black and white colombus monkey trek.
Nyungwe House
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5: Nyungwe National Park (Rusizi) / Gisenyi (Lake Kivu)
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
Check out and depart to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu) with lunch enroute.
Afternoon at leisure .You will cycle around Lake Kivu.
From the moment you step into your room or suite at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, you will find your vacation or weekend getaway to be a wonderfully revealed series of surprises and delights. Each of our accommodations has been designed to be both soothing and invigorating with an elegant Pan-African décor and a private balcony with sweeping views of the hotel’s private beach and Lake Kivu beyond.
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel celebrates the shores of this African Great Lake as a destination of astonishing beauty, where pristine beaches and the sparkling waters of Africa’s sixth largest lake come together in breathtaking fashion. Your arrival is greeted by a bright, open-plan lobby giving way to a private stretch of beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests. We welcome you to experience unparalleled warmth, hospitality and relaxation at our tropically inspired hotel in Gisenyi, Rwanda. The beauty of our surroundings is celebrated with spacious layouts, exquisite bathrooms and sumptuous furnishings. Seamlessly infused modern comforts include complimentary wireless Internet, air conditioning and flat-screen televisions with cable and satellite channels.
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a boat ride in Lake Kivu.
Lunch at the hotel.
Depart on scenic drive North West wards through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda’s landscape.
Arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself is located only 25km from Uganda boarder, is relatively a small city of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable. The Town has great views of the surrounding volcanoes. People are very friendly here and although a former Belgian colony (and thus French-speaking), many people speak English here.
Bishop’s House
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Early breakfast.
The Bishop’s House is located in Ruhengeri, now known as Musanze, one of the Rwanda’s most strategically important and visited cities, thanks to its proximity to the Volcanoes National Park its plethora of inhabitants – Most notably, the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The Bishop’s House sits in the rich Suburbs of Musanze, tucked away from the freezing weather of Virunga Mountains, only 17 kms and 25 Minutes’ drive to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters. The House boasts of its location; as the main access point for travelers wanting to explore Volcanoes National Park; yet with the ultimate comfort of high end and Modern Boutique facilities.
0620 hrs: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for the golden monkey trek.
After the trek, rejoin your driver guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch. Afternoon visit the twin Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera and the Handspun Hope women’s center.
Bishop’s House
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Early breakfast.
0620 hrs: Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park HQs for your first day of trekking.
0700 hrs: Briefing by your trackers then drive to the trail head for the start of your amazing Gorilla Tracking adventure.
Porters may be hired for the trek to carry your backpack and gear (costed separately).We advise that you utilize this service.
Your trek again starts in the cultivated foothills of the Virunga’s offering stirring views in all directions. When it enters the national park, trekkers will be immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the colorful bird calls, chattering golden monkeys, littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, among the highest in Africa yet easily accessible, beckon an ascent.
Weaving through overhanging vines, moss-covered hagenia trees and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate, our experienced trackers, who have spent their entire lives in or close to this forest, soon bring us up close with one of the Gorilla Families.
Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth!
After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch.
Afternoon visit the Ibyiwacu cultural village and the Karisoke Research Center.
Bishop’s House
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Breakfast at the house.
Depart from foothills of the Virunga volcanoes and drive south past banana plantations on a scenic drive to Kigali. Everything and everywhere, sheer green and hanging on the hills; Rwanda truly – land of a thousand fertile green hills.
Transfer to Kigali International airport for your departure flight. (Cost of flight is not included in the pricing). A flight after 1 PM is recommended.
Berleen Safaris look forward to hosting you!!!
Please Note: It is recommended that you subscribe to Adequate Travel Insurance for the entire duration of your safari time.
Ruhengeri area is located at 2400 meters above sea level and is chilly early morning and evening. While trekking, it can rain unexpectedly, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. You will also need boots that can cope with some mud
Gorilla permits are only confirmed upon payment of a deposit.