Day 1: Arrival for a cultural experience of Rwanda

On arrival, you will be welcomed by our driver guide from the airport. If your flight is early morning, you will take a Kigali city tour before traveling to Akagera National Park.  If in the late afternoon, you will overnight in Kigali.

Meal plan: Dinner

Overnight stay in Kigali

Day 2: Game drive in Akagera National Park

We shall start with a morning game drive in the northern part of the park where we look out for some of the large mammals in this area. They include Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Buffaloes, and the recently re-introduced lions. There was human-wildlife conflict in this area which was solved by fencing one side of the park near communities.

In the afternoon, we shall do a boat ride on Lake Ihema or you can choose to relax at the lodge. We will overnight in the park eager to experience the community the next day.

Journey time: 2 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Visit a homestead for a Rwandan cultural experience

Eastern Rwanda is relatively flatter than most of the country and preferred by the pastoralists. We will visit a homestead of cattle keepers and engage in different activities. We start early morning with milking cows with hands as opposed to machines. The herdsman will guide you on how to soothe the cow and milk it. After the session, you set the cows for the day grazing. You also have lessons on how milk is converted traditionally into different products like ghee and yogurt.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Homestead or Guesthouse in the vicinity

 Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, we relieve the cultural experiences in the homestead and transfer to the Volcanoes National Park. The park is located in northern Rwanda about 2 hours from Kigali. You have several photography opportunities as you travel north to the volcanoes. We will arrive at the lodge later that evening, ready for the gorilla hike.

Journey time:5 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Have an early breakfast and transfer to the gorilla briefings area at the park headquarters in Kinigi. After briefing, you will be given a gorilla family and allocated a ranger guide to lead your group in the forest. Your driver guide will advise on whether you need to drive a bit before you start on the trailhead to the jungles of the Virunga Volcano.

This experience in the wild is like no other and one you will remember for the rest of your life when you come face to face with a mountain gorilla family. You can only spend one hour locating them after which you start the trek back.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: A day in Rwanda family with cultural entertainments

Today we will transfer to Gasura village to meet and spend our day with one local family interacting with them and learning more about their real life. You will have a local food preparation experience, culture interpretation, weaving experience, and wood curving experience you will have lunch with Locals and end your day with a cultural entertainment tour

Day 7: Lake Kivu  Fishing Village tour

After a relaxed breakfast, we transfer to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu for relaxation and activities on the lake. Lake Kivu is a beautiful lake bordered between Rwanda and Congo in western Rwanda. On the menu today is taking a boat ride to Napoleon Island, taking a visit to the hot springs or simply relaxing at the beach or by your hotel.

You can also spend time exploring the Gisenyi area, especially the fishing village. You learn and participate in the traditional fishing methods and fish preservation by the fishermen plying the waters of Lake Kivu.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: End of the Rwanda Cultural Experience Safari

We hope it has been worthwhile exploring Rwandan cultural heritage and community experiences with the addition of a game drive and mountain Gorillas in Rwanda.  After a late breakfast, we shall transfer to your hotel in Kigali or the airport for your flight back home.

TOUR INCLUDES

Gorilla trekking permit

Community experiences

Ground transport per 4WD

Bottled water

Full board accommodation

Park entrance fees

Boat trips

Game drive

Service of an English-speaking driver guide

All mentioned activities except for the optional ones

TOUR EXCLUDES

Extras at the accommodation i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.

Tips to porters and driver/ guide

Insurance

Gorilla Trekking Tips

Mountain gorillas live at high altitudes and this may cause difficulties for some visitors. You should pace yourself and drink plenty of water.

Warm clothing is advised as the trekking is done at 1,700 m above sea level so is generally quite cold.

Recommended clothing is long trousers and long-sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.

Waterproof hiking boots are essential and rain gear is useful.

Carry your day pack with lunch or some snacks.

Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash

Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge.