Overview
Pick up from airport and transfer to the hotel where you will get a detailed briefing from your guide. Take you to shops to exchange money, buy simcard and also acclimatize to the high altitude of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at the ONOMO HOTEL
Itinerary
Pick up from airport and transfer to the hotel where you will get a detailed briefing from your guide. Take you to shops to exchange money, buy simcard and also acclimatize to the high altitude of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at the ONOMO HOTEL
Start historical-minded exploration of Kigali city with visits to landmarks from colonial, post-independence, genocide and post-genocide times such as the Kigali Genocide memorial site where over 259,000 genocide victims were put to rest in mass graves, Dr. Richard Kandt Museum who was the first Germany explorer to settle in Kigali, Belgian camp where they killed the 10 Belgian UN soldiers who were protecting the moderate prime minister before the start of genocide, Campaign against Genocide Museum at the Parliamentary Building details the plans undertaken for the Genocide against the Tutsi to be stopped etc. Overnight: - ONOMO HOTEL
Transfer to Bugesera to visit the reconciliation village where the survivors of genocide live together in harmony with the perpetrators that killed their own families, Nyamata and Ntarama genocide memorial churches where thousands of innocent people were butchered in the house of God. Overnight: - ONOMO HOTEL
Transfer to Akagera National Park – Game drive (Opportunity to see over 12 species of antelopes, over 525 species of birds including the rare ones such as the shoe bill stock, papyrus gonolek and the big 5 i.e. Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant) to mention but a few. The park has the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer, very beautiful undulating landscapes, high species numbers and endemic species plus historical and cultural sites inside the park. Overnight: - Akagera Game Lodge.
Early morning, search the big 5 plus the 12 species of antelopes including the biggest antelopes such as the eland cape and roan antelopes; your favorite ungulate, the topi, some of the 525-bird species including 4 Albertine rift endemics, reptiles, amphibians, plants, magnificent landscapes, historical sites; a place with the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer in any national park of Africa and hundreds of hippos etc. Overnight: - Akagera Game Lodge
Breakfast and start an exploration of the culture of pastoralist which has been hereditary; the social characteristics of the Rwandese pastoralists can still be traced in parts of the eastern province in Gatsibo district and Nyagatare district. The rural life in these villages elegantly and conventionally gives a very unique experience about the culture of grazing, introduces you to the history and values of cows in Rwanda including the INYAMBO cows which were very significant in many cultural festivals brought up by Kigwa. The beauty of a cow is exhibited in the cultural dances of Rwanda. The tour takes to the pastoralist village where observe and participate in the tradition cattle grazing; get ready to make your own traditional rain coat from grass, learn how to milk with your own hands and no machines here. After milking, the pastoralist will show you different calabashes used in preserving milk and qualification it take to make one; this goes in line with norms of handling calabashes, drinking milk etc. Milk is used in different ways for example taken fresh after milking, fermented to make yoghurt in a traditional way and the unforgettable experience of making ghee which ends with cooking local food with you own ghee and eating your own ghee. Tour ends with visiting some monuments left behind by the former kings.
Transfer to Rusumo to visit the imigongo art project and Rusumo waterfalls.
Dinner and overnight at Dereva Hotel
Breakfast at the Hotel then transfer to Kigali for Souvenir shopping overnight at onomo hotel
En-route visits the Basilica of Kabgayi; Murambi genocide memorial, historical-minded exploration of Nyanza – visit the King’s palace and traditional Rwanda home; the National Museum, introduction to Rwanda’s kingdoms, discovery of colonial architecture, enjoy traditional dancers from the museum or the national university. Proceed to Nyungwe Forest. Overnight: - Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Early breakfast at 4:30am then drive to the edge of the forest where chimpanzee trekking starts. In the afternoon, Overnight: - Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Breakfast the drive to the nyungwe reception center for a briefing and preparation to start a moderate hike into the ancient Nyungwe forest to see the amazing Kamiranzovu Water Falls, your guide will be informative about the birdlife, flora and any animal you may come across along the way, the hike last about 3.5hours Start the hike in to the ancient rain forest to visit the amazing waterfalls. Overnight: - Nyungwe Top View Hotel
This day is dedicated to explore nature in Kamiranzovu swamp searching for the rare Ruwenzori turaccos, and the Grauer’s swamp warblers etc. You will visit different locations in the park to try and see as much as you can and if possible all the 27 endemic birds of Albertine rift found in Nyungwe forest. The day ends with one of the most tourism highlight of Nyungwe by enjoying canopy walk in the forest. The bridge raised 70 meters above the ground gives you a fantastic view of the thick Nyungwe Canopy. Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Bigugu Mountain has the highest peak in the park. This day is dedicated to discovering the secrets of bigugu including the rare bird species and monkeys. You will continue to visit different locations in the park to try and see as much as you can and if possible all the 27 endemic birds of Albertine rift found in Nyungwe forest plus other species of monkeys. Overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hotel
Lake Kivu is one of the Albertine rift valley lakes in Africa and the largest of the fresh water lakes that gleam in the Albertine (Western) rift of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu stands at 1461m (4,790ft) above sea level establishing it as Africa’s highest lake.
Kibuye is Rwanda’s most attractive of lake ports, nestled in a series of interwoven and undulating hills and offering visitors spectacular views of the lake, its islands and the stunning surrounding countryside. It is considered one of Rwanda’s hidden treasures, with its lush green hills and peaceful breeze. In the evening, enjoy boat ride to Napoleon and Peace Island. The islands introduce you to many wonders of Rwanda; the beautiful scenery and breathtaking landscapes; birds and fruit bats etc. An exclusive nature walk on both islands will be very rewarding for any visitor. Dinner and overnight at Bethanie hotel
Transfer from Kibuye via the Congo – Nile Trail which introduces you to the remote lifestyles of the Rwanda society. The journey meanders around Lake Kivu with beautiful scenery of the Congo – Nile trail. The drive will take more than 3 hours but it’s a great drive through some nice coffee and tea plantations. You will have packed lunch and enough water plus juice on the drive. Overnight at Gorilla Hotel
Transfer to the entrance of the Park early this morning to see the Golden Monkeys. It is now believed that they are the only feasible population of Golden Monkeys residing in Volcanoes National Park. They are beautiful and endangered primates which have become quite habituated to humans, making it possible to observe them closely.
In the afternoon visit the Kinigi Cultural Village for traditional dances and music, bio-mimicry and traditional healing lessons with the historically marginalized people. Overnight at Gorilla Hotel
Breakfast then transfer across the border to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park drives to Lake Bunyonyi to enjoy a boat cruise and learn about the history of this beautiful Lake formed as a result of Volcanic action trek on one of the over 20 Islands in the Lake named after the numerous small birds that inhabit the Lake and its shores. Check in the Lodge for Dinner and Overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp
After breakfast head to the Park reception to start the Gorilla habituation experience where together with trackers, rangers and researchers involve in an act of training wild Gorilla families to become familiar to people to make them available for tracking. The experience takes about 4 hours with the Gorillas unlike the normal trekking that takes 1 hour with these great apes. Transfer back to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Breakfast later transfer to Airport for the flight to Dar Es Salaam the fly to Zanzibar.
On arrival to Zanzibar meet our guide, greet and enjoy our welcoming with cold face towels and cold mineral water served by our airport service controllers. Then you will be transferred to stone town and check into Maru maru Hotel or similar hotel depending on the availability.
Take your time to relax and enjoy the view of stone town on the top restaurant.
At 9am after breakfast, meet our guide at the reception and transferred to beach hotel via spice plantation for a spice tour. Zanzibar is also known as “The Spice Island”, whose name evokes a romantic past, embalmed in the aroma of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and lemon grass. Touch, smell and taste different spices and tropical fruits. Try to guess which is which, from the crushed leaves, the fruits, shoots and vines and creepers crawling up the trees. Learn about their properties, their origins and their use as medicine and in food and drink.
Our guided walking tour passes through plantations, a walk through the farms as spice farms workers climbs trees, seek out specific plants and cuts off various barks, letting you see, feel and taste everything. You will be decorated with palm-lsseaf accessories such as ties, rings, bracelets and glasses. You will have an opportunity to taste some of the exotic fruits of Zanzibar. Let the climber as a butterfly climbs the coconut tree and pick some young coconut for you while singing the beautiful songs of Zanzibar. The spice farm is the best place to buy fresh spices directly from the source and then driven to the beach hotel and check in to Mnarani Beach Cottage or similar hotel for late lunch, dinner and overnight depending the availability.
Enjoy the day at the beach, swimming, etc. Mnarani Beach Cottage
At 8:00 am after breakfast, meet our guide at the reception and driven to the south coast for a full day trip – Safari Blue. It starts from the village of Fumba, a 20-minute drive from Stone Town, and you will see dolphins, sandbanks, islands and coral reefs of Menai Bay, a
Beautiful conservation area. In the morning we set down on one of the beautiful sandbanks where you can relax, swim or snorkel. Our guides will show you the pristine coral reef, which teems with tropical sea life. Instruction is also available for beginners.
After snorkeling you will go to Kwale island where we have our “desert island” restaurant. The buffet lunch includes fish, slipper lobster, calamari, rice and
Sauces, all served hot from the grill. The crews also prepare fruits tasting with a large selection of delicious tropical fruits.
Safari Blue explores the Menai Bay Conservation Area, which is home of two different species of dolphins, the Indo-pacific Humpback and the Bottlenose.
We are enough lucky to see dolphins on 85% of our excursions. As Safari Blue comes to an end and we return to Fumba by traditional lateen sail, the full splendor of the African sunset reveals itself. Fresh coconuts and local snacks are available throughout the day. Meet our driver about 5:00pm and drive you back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Mnarani Beach Cottage
Meet our driver at the reception, load your luggage into the car and drive straight to airport to catch a flight back to your home. END OF SERVICE