Forests, Lakes & Mountains: Nature & Wildlife in Rwanda
Charlotte C is here to help give you the inside track.
This 10-day nature and wildlife holiday to Rwanda takes in a multitude of landscapes including forests, mountains and lakes, and is full to the brim with wildlife spotting opportunities. Stop at the capital Kigali, trek through Volcanoes National Park, and learn about a huge variety of animal life including gorillas and monkeys.
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Trek to find a troop of habituated chimps
- Stop by the sobering Genoside museum in Rwanda's capital city, Kigali, to learn about the country's tumultuous history
- Venture into Volcanoes National Park to find gorillas and golden monkeys
- Take to the water on a boat ride on lake Kivu, visiting islands and a coffee plantation
- Explore Nyungwe Forest National Park on foot to learn about its intriguing flora and fauna, including chimps and over 300 bird species
Why Book with Original Travel?
When To Travel
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
Upon landing in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, you will be met by your driver for the private 20-minute transfer to your hotel in town.
Take your time to freshen up and enjoy a relaxed morning by the pool before lunch. You will then be met by your local guide for a private tour of the harrowing but fascinating Genocide Museum, which chronicles the appalling ethnic attacks that threw the country into turmoil in 1994. Today's Kigali is a very different city, with an infectious sense of renewal.
Day 2: To Nyungwe Forest National Park
The next part of your nature and wildlife holiday in Rwanda begins today as you meet your driver post-breakfast for the five-hour transfer across Rwanda to your next destination, Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to a fifth of all the apes in Africa. It's a long drive but the last hour-and-a-half is through national parks, so there's plenty to watch out for as the world goes by.
On arrival you can settle into your supremely stylish room, built to feel like you are almost living in the rainforest canopy. From your balcony you can spot cheeky colobus monkeys and other wildlife. Rwanda is known for its tea production, so this afternoon you can enjoy some of the country's finest produce before sundowner cocktails and a first evening in your new home.
Day 3: Trekking with Chimps
Today might involve an early start but it will be well worth it. Your guide will meet you at the lodge to take you trekking into the thick rainforest in pursuit of chimpanzees, our closest cousins.
When you do find a troop of habituated chimps, your guide will
signal for you to stop walking, and hopefully you can spend some
magical time with these extraordinary animals in their pristine
natural habitat. Chimps aside, you should also see plenty of other
wildlife on the walk, with your guide explaining more about this
fascinating habitat.
This afternoon, relax at the lodge, go for another shorter walk or
enjoy spa treatments in the lodge's small but perfectly-formed spa.
Then it's time for sundowners and supper again.
Day 4: Nature Walking in Nyungwe National Park
Today is another chance to explore the lush surroundings of the lodge, forging out on some of the well-marked trails through primary rainforest reckoned by many to be the oldest in Africa.
Your guide can help point out regional flora and fauna, from 300 bird species to the more than 100 varieties of orchids that grow here.
Then return to the lodge for a delicious lunch and afternoon to relax and rest weary feet before more drinks and dinner this evening.
Day 5: To Lake Kivu
It's a change of scenery on your nature and wildlife holiday in Rwanda today.
Enjoy one last morning and lunch in Nyungwe National Park before the three-and-a-half-hour drive along the shores of nearby Lake Kivu to your next lodge.
You will arrive in time for drinks and dinner in your next hotel, on the shores of the sixth largest lake in Africa.
Day 6: Boat Trip on Lake Kivu
This morning you will take a boat ride on Lake Kivu, visiting islands and a coffee plantation.
After lunch you have the chance to relax at the beachfront hotel and try some of the watersports available such as kayaking and jet skiing.
After a day of water-based fun, enjoy supper at the hotel this evening.
Day 7: Going to the Gorillas
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be met for your transfer to your next lodge, just outside the legendary Volcanoes National Park, one of the only places in the world where you can see mountain gorillas.
You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and you have the rest of the afternoon to relax at the lodge, go for a walk or visit the nearby grave of Dian Fossey, the legendary primatologist who is buried alongside many of the gorillas she studied plus others killed by poachers.
Tonight it's best to have an early night as tomorrow sees you rising bright and early.
Day 8: Trekking to See Gorillas
After an early wakeup call this morning you'll take a short transfer (only about 30 minutes) to the entrance to Volcanoes National Park before setting out on foot with your guide to track and sit with a habituated family of gorillas.
Witnessing these remarkable animals will almost certainly be the
highlight of your nature and wildlife holiday in Rwanda.
This afternoon you can relax at your lodge, editing the doubtless
dozens of photos from this morning's exploits.
Day 9: Golden Monkey Spotting
It's another early start today as you head back to the park in search of one of the only two troops of golden monkeys in the country, and the only one in Volcanoes National Park.
Your guide will follow the trail of gnawed bamboo shoots thrown
to the forest floor in order to track the monkeys, and it's another
memorable moment when you catch sight of them high in the forest
canopy.
This afternoon you will pack up for the two-hour drive back to
Kigali for your last night in Rwanda.
Day 10: Fly Home
Today you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport in time for your flight back home.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
A Rough Idea of Price
This Itinerary
If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels. Ask us if you would also like us to arrange your international flights.
From
$10,150pp
Bare Necessities
If you would like to pare back the above itinerary by travelling at non-peak times, staying in a standard room and removing some or all of the guided activities.
From
$8,630pp
Bells & Whistles
If you are looking for something extra special and would like to stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.
From
$12,180pp
Charlotte C is our expert for this itinerary and, as a seasoned traveller, has the inside track on the most memorable adventures.