Rwanda Wildlife Excursion

Welcome to Rwanda where your overseas adventures begin! Meet your guide at the airport for your transfer to your comfortable hotel where you can relax by the pool or begin to explore the city at your leisure. Enjoy dinner with your group tonight as you discuss the exciting plans for the week!

After breakfast, you’ll explore Kigali and begin to get to know some of Rwanda’s history. At the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Center, you’ll find a tribute to the victims of the tragic genocide that took place here in 1994. Visit legendary Ndaba Rock and waterfalls and learn their mythical stories from children who support themselves by telling you the story of the rock. Stop along the way to visit the national museum and the former king’s palace.

Then head to Nyungwe National Park, which is considered to be one of the most well-preserved forests in Africa. Walk to the striking Isumo Waterfall and take an incredible canopy walk through the forest where you’ll be 50 meters above the ground with birds and monkeys moving through the treetops around you. If you’re a tea lover, enjoy a visit to the Gisovu Tea Estate, a working farm where you can learn about Rwanda’s largest export. Enjoy lots of delicious tea from plants grown in fertile volcanic soil in an ideal climate.

Enjoy a wonderful dinner, and settle into your lodge at the park for the night. Then get ready for an early wake-up call for chimpanzee trekking tomorrow!

Wake up very early for your up-close encounter with the chimpanzees of Nyungwe National Park. You will trek into the lush, beautiful rainforest filled with enormous biodiversity. While you’re on the lookout for all kinds of abundant, diverse wildlife ─ 75 species of mammals including 13 species of primates reside here along with over 300 species of birds ─ you’ll be most excited to discover the fascinating and endearing chimpanzees who make their home here. Watch them as they go about their daily activities of feeding, grooming, and caring for their young.  An incredible and memorable experience!

Enjoy another early morning rainforest trek to see the birds and other primates, perhaps even the 400-strong colobus monkey group! Then continue on a scenic drive over the Rift Valley to picturesque Kibuye. Along the way, visit the Environmental Museum designed to help people understand and protect the environment, learn about renewable sources of energy, and responsible development. There is even a traditional herbal medicine garden on the roof!

Between your chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking is Kibuye and an incredibly lovely inland beach along the shore of Lake Kivu set peacefully amidst green hills. Venture around the islands by boat or visit Napoleon’s famous fruit bat colony or relax in the area’s tranquil beauty.

You will notice that memories of the genocide remain vivid throughout Rwanda. Even in this now peaceful, green, and tranquil place, it experienced the worst of Rwanda’s genocide ─ a sign reads, “More than 10,000 people were inhumated here.” Take a step back in time to remember and learn from the past as it contrasts with today.

After breakfast, head towards Volcanoes National Park, the central location for gorilla trekking adventures in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking is tomorrow, but for today, explore the other parts of this incredible national treasure. Within the park is an ancient forest filled with folklore where you can explore the Musanze Cave created from long ago volcanic eruptions.

You may remember the movie and book, “Gorillas in the Mist,” and the amazing work of primatologist Dian Fossey to save the mountain gorilla and their home. Trek amidst forest elephants, monkeys, and colorful birds to her grave and the house where she was murdered, through the land she deeply cared about. She is buried next to her beloved gorilla friend Digit and other mountain gorillas killed mostly by poachers. Her legacy survives through her intense passion and love for saving the mountain gorillas.

Sleep well tonight and be ready for an early morning tomorrow! You will experience a little of what Dian Fossey must have felt as she lived among the mountain gorillas for so many years.

Wake early up for the most exciting day you have been waiting for! The park gorilla staff will brief you on what to expect, safety procedures, and rules for your behavior around the gorillas. You will travel with a small group and trek to meet a specific gorilla family. It may take a while to find your gorilla family, but the effort of the search is worth it once you see them!  It’s an unforgettable experience to sit with your gorilla group, watching their actions feeding, playing, caring for their young, and moving about their rainforest home. Sit peacefully and take in this rare and unique experience and the honor of being among such remarkable creatures.

If you’re up for another trek, it’s time to make your way deep into the territory of the golden monkey, watching them feeding on bamboo, playing and leaping around, and caring for their young.

Then visit Iby’lwacu, a cultural center in a local village, and learn about their life and traditions and participate in their daily activities, from food preparation to beer making! Be sure to join them in making a local beer from bananas ─ and be sure to enjoy the local brew!

Then head back to Kigali to enjoy a farewell dinner as you reflect upon the remarkable experiences of the past week ─ then settle down for one last night under African skies.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but take with you the incredible close encounters of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas and chimpanzees and the deep wild beauty that is in Africa’s national parks and beyond. May Africa remain in your heart, and may you return soon.