Day 1      Arrival in Kagali – Rwanda 

 You are met on arrival at Kigali airport and transferred to Kigali Serena Hotel where you will overnight in a standard room on a bed and breakfast basis.

A visit to Kigali Serena Hotel offers a rich and vivid immersion into the culture, heritage and traditions of Rwanda.

Set on an enchanting boulevard in the heart of Kigali, Rwanda, in a secure location just a five-minute walk from the CBD, lies Kigali Serena Hotel. A distinctively rich blend of Rwandan heritage, art and culture with contemporary 5-star comfort in 148 sophisticated rooms and suites, Serena Kigali hotel provides a private and peaceful retreat like no other for discerning international diplomats and executives.  Amenities include:-

• Pool, Pool Deck and Gardens
• International Conference Centre
• Maisha Spa & Health Club
• Executive Lounge & Bar
• Concierge Services
• The Milima Restaurant
• The Sokoni Café and Bar
• The Executive Lounge and Bar
• Business Centre, travel desk, taxi and limousine service
• Gift Shop, news-stand and travel requisites kiosk

Kigali

There are a number of smart shopping malls in Kigali city centre with some chic boutiques and coffee shops. But if you’re after something more authentic, take a stroll around one or two of its lively markets, you’ll usually be met with great friendliness. If you like browsing for curios and souvenirs from your Rwanda holiday, pay a visit to the Caplaki handicrafts cooperative, which sells a variety of local crafts.

Alternatively, the lively Nyamirambo area of Kigali is regarded as the most vibrant quarter of the city, known for its excellent tailors and hair salons, as well as its many bars and cafes. As with any city, take care if visiting at night but during the daytime, Nyamirambo Women’s Centre offers interesting walking tours around their neighbourhood that takes in their own craft shop, a typical Rwandan meal and the local market too.

Overnight : Kigali Serena Hotel  – Bed  & Breakfast 

Day 2     Kigali  – Gorilla Trekking

This morning you are met at your hotel by your driver/guide with private safari vehicle. Visit the Genocide Museum and enjoy a Kigali City tour inclusive of lunch before heading off to Musanze (previously known as Ruhengeri) to your base for gorilla trekking

Perhaps the city’s best known landmark, and with good reason, is the very insightful and moving Kigali Genocide Memorial standing amid beautiful rose gardens and fountains. The memorial sets out the history leading up to the genocide in Rwanda and also explains other genocides around the world. It includes poignant displays of victims’ photographs and belongings, bringing the realities of the atrocities to life. While it might seem an unusual tourist attraction and can be upsetting, it does help to put into context how and why the genocide happened and to better appreciate just how far the country has moved on together in the intervening years. It also plays a vital role in educating Rwanda’s new and future generations about the genocide.

Other Trips in Volcanoes National Park

Apart from gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park – there are other interesting hiking trails here. Before your visit to the gorillas.  One of the more popular routes is to the tomb of Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre she established, which takes a couple of hours of fairly steep walking. Another beautiful option is a day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke.

Several other primates have made Volcanoes National Park their home too and it’s possible to track two troops of habituated golden monkeys, a totally different experience to gorilla tracking. Golden monkeys tend to inhabit the bamboo forests on the lower slopes, so the walk to reach them is relatively easy. Again, once you find them, you’ll have just an hour in their presence. They’re fast-moving little creatures, and very entertaining as they constantly swing through the bamboo or chase each other in circles all around you. They’re also very pretty, with shiny reddish-gold backs that blend in perfectly with the golden bamboo.
People are as much a part of Volcanoes National Park as its primates and a visit to one of the cultural centres in the area to gain an insight into local life and traditions is not only very interesting but also benefits the local communities and deters them from engaging in negative activities like poaching. Two very good examples are the SACOLA Cultural Centre, with excellent traditional Intore dancing, and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, both near Kinigi.

Wildlife of Volcanoes National Park

Even without mountain gorilla safaris, Volcanoes National Park would be fascinating. Its altitude ranges from about 2,500m to the peak of Karisimbi, at 4,500m, resulting in extensive bamboo forests and some of the last remaining afro-montane forest habitat on the planet.

As well as its infamous mountain gorillas, the Park harbours a spectacular array of rare and endangered animals and plants. There is a variety of other primates, including the endemic golden  monkeys,  forest elephants, buffalo, giant forest hogs (Africa’s largest swine), bushpigs, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, spotted hyenas, and around 200 species of birds.

Overnight :  Bishops House [ 4 star ] – All meals, soft drinks and local beer  or the luxury Bisate Lodge  – All meals and local brand drinks  [ 5 star  ] 

Day  3   Gorilla Trekking 

Today one of the most humbling and enthralling wildlife experiences imaginable awaits your discovery. Coming face to face with an endangered mountain gorilla is something words cannot aptly describe.

Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions.

The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is well worth the hike to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and it should be noted that sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are well over 95%.

Today one of the most humbling and enthralling wildlife experiences imaginable awaits your discovery. Coming face to face with an endangered mountain gorilla is something words cannot aptly describe.

Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions.

The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is well worth the hike to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and it should be noted that sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are well over 95%.

Overnight :  Bishops House [ 4 star ] or the luxury Bisate Lodge  [ 5 star  ] 

Day  4  Departure 

After breakfast we return to Kigali and Kigali Airport for your outbound flight.  Depending on your time of departure it may be necessary to spend an additional night in Kigali