5/5.0

Journey Time: Approx. 03 Hours  

We recommend an early morning arrival. Upon landing at Kigali Int. Airport, complete immigration formalities and proceed to the waiting area, where our safari guide(s) will warmly welcome you. From there, embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. Upon arrival, you will have a briefing accompanied by a delicious hot lunch, with the rest of the day at your leisure to relax and rejuvenate.

Overnight: Virunga Lodge – or similar
Meal Plan: Full Board (Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast)   

Pickup Time: 05:00AM. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park for a briefing ahead of the day’s main hike. A packed lunch will be provided by the lodge.

Planned Activity: Mount Bisoke Adventure Expedition – This special day begins with an early arrival at the park by 06:00AM for a pre-hike briefing. You will then embark on a guided ascent of Mount Bisoke, rising to 3,711 meters above sea level. Bisoke, an active volcano last erupted in 1957, is one of the most captivating peaks in the Virunga range. The trail winds through lush rainforest and bamboo zones, revealing sweeping views of mist-covered valleys. The hike culminates at a stunning crater lake, a turquoise jewel nestled within rugged volcanic slopes. Along the way, the forest teems with buffalo, elephants, golden monkeys, and vibrant birdlife. You will also visit the tomb of Dian Fossey, honoring her enduring legacy. With some luck, you may even glimpse the majestic mountain gorillas that inhabit this remarkable landscape. Wear hiking boots, trousers, insect repellent, a raincoat, hat, long-sleeved shirt, drinking water, and a walking stick.

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and a restful overnight stay at the lodge, a perfect conclusion to an exhilarating day of adventure.

Overnight: Virunga Lodge – or similar
Meal Plan: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)   

Pick-up Time: 05:00AM. After an early breakfast, a packed lunch and mineral water will be provided for your day’s adventure. You will then be transferred to the park, where a comprehensive briefing will prepare you for the day’s adventure.

Volcanoes Gorilla Tracking Experience – After completing park formalities, you will set out on a thrilling trek into the mist-shrouded mountain forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, following in the footsteps of the endangered mountain gorillas. Every step through the dense, whispering forest heightens the anticipation, until suddenly, there they are—a gorilla family, just meters away. For a full hour, you will be immersed in their world, capturing photographs, and witnessing their powerful, gentle presence up close. The forest hums with life, the air tense with the raw energy of the wild, and every sighting, sound, and movement leaves you breathless with awe. This is not just a trek—it’s an unforgettable encounter with one of nature’s most majestic creatures. For the trek, consider wearing hiking boots, trousers, a facemask, gloves, plus an insect repellent & drinking water. If the trek lasts longer than expected, your ranger guide will secure a spot for a picnic lunch.

Afterward, return to the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight: Virunga Lodge – or similar
Meal Plan: Full Board

Journey Time: Approx. 5 Hours 

Pickup time: 06:30AM. Begin your day with a sumptuous breakfast before departing for Rwanda’s stunning Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, settle in with a welcoming lunch at the lodge, then embark on an enchanting afternoon boat cruise.

Planned Afternoon Activity: Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema, located in the southern reaches of Akagera National Park. As the largest of the park’s ten lakes, Ihema spans 90 sq. km and reaches depths of 5–7 meters, forming a rich haven of biodiversity along the Rwanda–Tanzania border. The lake is renowned for hosting the largest concentrations of hippos in East Africa, alongside a variety of grazers. Birdlife here is excellent, with sightings of the papyrus gonolek, African jacana, malachite kingfisher, and hawks.

Your boat cruise lasts approx. 1 hour, after which the adventure continues with a guided walking safari until sunset, allowing you to explore the park’s rich wildlife and landscapes up close as the sun sets in a golden display.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge – or similar
Meal Plan: Full Board (Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast)

Journey Time: Approx. 3 Hours 

Pickup time: 06:00AM. Start the day with an early refreshment at the lodge, then transfer to your designated bush breakfast site within the park.

Morning Activities/Experience: Akagera Bush Breakfast and Game Drive – Begin your day with a signature bush breakfast set amidst the wild beauty of Akagera, as the sun rises over the savannah. Afterward, embark on a guided morning game drive, when the park is alive with nocturnal predators transitioning to daylight activity. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, leopards, and hyenas, as well as majestic herbivores like Cape buffalo, African bush elephants, black eastern rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, Bruchell’s zebras, hippos, and a variety of antelopes. Bird enthusiasts will delight in sightings of over 500 species, including the elusive shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, African wattled plover, giant kingfisher, African openbill stork, and grey crowned crane, making this an unforgettable adventure at the heart of Rwanda’s wilderness.

After the safari, return for an early lunch at your lodge before departure to Kigali. Upon arrival at Kigali, you will be dropped off at the hotel to refresh and unwind.

Overnight: Hemingways Retreat Kigali – or similar
Meal Plan: Full Board (Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch)

Journey Time: Less 1 Hour

Pickup Time: 08:30AM. Delight in a sumptuous breakfast before embarking on a reflective visit to the genocide memorial, for an insight into Rwanda’s journey of resilience.

Planned activity: Reflective visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial – Start the day with a reflective visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a solemn space dedicated to honoring the memory of the genocide victims. Guests will gain deep insight into Rwanda’s history through compelling exhibitions, personal narratives, and tranquil memorial gardens. This meaningful experience offers a profound moment of reflection, setting a contemplative and thoughtful tone for the day ahead.

Relish a hot lunch at the hotel, before being transferred to Kigali Int. Airport for check-in, as you prepare to depart with lasting memories of your Rwandan journey.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch