Classic Rwanda and Gorilla safari

Rwanda is a small landlocked country, it borders on Uganda in the north, on Tanzania in the east, on Burundi in the south and on Congo in the west. Kigali is the capital of Rwanda. The country is dominated by a central plateau made up of steep mountains and deep valleys and has therefore received his subtitle "Land of thousand hills". The average elevation of the plateau is about 1.700 m.

The trip will not only bring you to the two most important National Parks of Rwanda but will also explore the unique sceneries of Lake Kivu and highlight some unique cultural aspects of Rwanda life. This safari can be extended to Akagera NP. Monthly set departures are guaranteed from 4 participants.

Small group safaris have the advantage of getting travellers together from various parts of the world. They are also interesting for single travellers because they can easily join a group. To allow better nature observation the safaris are limited from 7 up to max. 10 participants. Depending on the size of the group, the land  arrangement will be organized with one or more safari vehicles. Designed for mainly fun-loving and informal adventure travellers!

Duration : 9 Days
Travelstyles : Small Group Safaris, Road Safaris, Lodge Safaris
Activities :  Bird Watching, Chimpanzee Trekking, Cultural Activities, Gorilla Trekking, Guided Nature Walks & Hikes.
Parks & places :  Genocide Memorial Centre - Gisozi & others, Huye (Butare) and the National Museum, Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village - Volcanoes NP, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest NP., Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda is unfortunately remembered as the Land of the genocide which dominated world headlines in 1994. Nobody can deny this. The general public still remembers these atrocities and only time will heal.

Rwanda is not the first country on the African continent having its part of civil strife. The Adventure Traveler coming to Africa knows this and will disregard the country's image if he can travel safely.  Rwanda is surely regaining its reputation as first gorilla destination.

Description day by day

Day 1 * Arrival at Kigali
Murakaza neza mu Rwanda! (Welcome to Rwanda!) Meet and greet at Kigali International Airport by your Magic safari driver-guide. You will be transferred to Hotel Novotel which has a nice swimming pool and other leisure facilities. Depending on your arrival time and your personal programme, your driver-guide may propose you a visit of Kigali city which includes the Genocide Memorial centre at Gisozi. 

Day 2 * Kigali - Huye (Butare) - Nyungwe Forest NP
After breakfast you will depart for Huye (Butare) the second largest city of Rwanda and is regarded as the intellectual city of Rwanda. It hosts the National Museum, several academic (University) and research institutions.
On your way to Huye (Butare) you will visit Nyanza (currently Nyabisindu) the former Mwami's palace (King's palace) and the seat of the feudal monarchy. The palace has been reconstructed to its 19th century state and shows a traditional dome that can be compared with the Kabaka's palace of Buganda.
You will visit the National Museum in Huye which is one the well set-up if not the finest ethnographic museum of East Africa. It's a good source of information on the cultural history of Rwanda and the region.
After the visit of the museum you will have a spectacular performance of the Urugangazi group of Intore-dancers. This is probably the best group of Rwanda and their performance is regarded by many as one of the highlights of your safari!
Lunch is foreseen in Butare and in the afternoon we will drive to Nyungwe Forest NP. Just a few kilometres out of butare you will visit the workshop of the Tin Smith of Huye (Butare). You will find one of the finest handmade use-and decoration objects in pewter of 99% of quality. Unique!
Your driver-guide will stop at the Uwinka offices of Nyungwe Forest NP to have the last update on the presence of the semi-habituated groups of chimps and colobus monkeys. This will help you to prepare your activities of the next two days. Overnight is foreseen at the Guest House of Gisakura. (B-L-D)
 
Day 3 * Nyungwe Forest NP
Nyungwe Forest NP is a paradise for hikers. The terrain is rugged and steep, and you will be at relatively high elevation. Wear good hiking shoes and bring warm clothing!
This is a paradise for hikers! During you stay your driver-guide will accommodate your programme to your interest!
Your day will start with an early breakfast and a briefing at Uwinka tourist information centre. Depending on your personal interests you will have a choice of different opportunities to explore the largest high altitude rainforest of East Africa! Of a particular interest are the large social groups of Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis), which may be over 300 individuals. These are the largest troops of this species known in the world!  Nyungwe forest counts 25% of the African Primates!
One of these groups is semi-habituated and we recommend to start your exploration with a guided primate walk in search of the Angolan colobus monkeys (black and white Colobus)! Rangers will tell you approximately where the group is located and the hiking times may vary as the group is travelling continuously looking for food. Be prepared to have a more strenuous hiking!
In the afternoon you can continue your exploration. There are different beautiful trails available and the superb waterfall trail of Gisakura is probably the most rewarding. The hiking time is 2 up to 3 hours and is a very enjoyable hike accessible to everybody! If you missed the Angolan colobus you can have another try near to the tea factory where another troop is hosted. Overnight at the Guest house of Gisakura. (B-L-D)

Day 4 * Nyungwe Fortest NP
Some considerable efforts have been made to habituate the chimpanzees at Nyungwe Forest NP. You can see the chimps at  Uwinka (head quarters) and Cyamudongo (near Cyangugu) (New!). The reporting time on site for both visits is at 6 a.m. at latest! Considering the driving time an early departure from the Guest House at 5 a.m. is necessary! 
If you prefer you can have another guided primate walk or one of the hikes on the well-maintained trails.
There are l’hoest monkeys and blue monkeys present and often observed around Uwinka, requiring less strenuous hiking. There is also an orchid garden at Uwinka and for those who would like a challenging hike we recommend the trail "the Bigugu Mountain", the highest peak in Nyungwe Forest at nearly 3000m.
Bird watchers will certainly be interested to know that Nyungwe has also some Albertine Rift endemic species that can only be seen here! Birding is very rewarding on one of the special designed trails! Don’t forget to bring your binoculars with you! (B-L-D)
 
Day 5 * Nyungwe Forest NP - Kibuye   
After breakfast you will leave for Kibuye, passing through the green fields of tea plantations before exploring the shores of Lake Kivu. Kibuye which is one of the three towns on Lake Kivu is the most beautiful. Arrival at Kibuye is foreseen at lunch time. After Nyungwe, most participants will welcome some relaxing moments on the shores of Lake Kivu! You can also take a walk and visit this splendid area! Rest of the day at leisure.Lake Kivu is Bilharzia free! (B-L-D).

Day 6 * Kibuye - Gisenyi by speed boat - Kinigi
After breakfast, you will have an enjoyable speed-boat trip to Gisenyi. The trip is not only an encounter with local people; fishermen, fishing villages but also with the residents of Idjwi Island (Congo) who are rowing long distances in their dugout canoes to visit the Rwanda markets.
You will be picked up in Gisenyi for lunch and if time/security allows we make arrangements to cross the border to Goma (Optional -Congo visa is $ 30 and you need to pay for a re-entry visa for Rwanda). Goma was devastated by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano. The visit shows the fantastic capabilities of the local population to overcome this natural catastrophe! We drive to Ruhengeri and Kinigi for an overnight at your hotel. (B-L-D)

Day 7 * Gorilla Trekking
After breakfast you will report at the ORTPN headquarters where your driver-guide will accomplish the necessary formalities for you. You will meet your ranger guide(s) for a briefing about the greatest animal experience ever.  Magic Safaris will drive you to the slopes of one of The Virunga volcanoes for your trekking.
After the trekking, lunch at your hotel or at Ruhengeri and in the afternoon, if time allows, an excursion to explore the beautiful lakes in the region: Lake Bulera & Ruhondo. An excellent view of the Virunga chain of Volcanoes can be seen while there depending on weather conditions. Overnight at your hotel. (B-L-D)

Day 8 * Second gorilla trekking or another activity - transfer to Kigali
For a  second gorilla trek we propose that you visit one of the groups with a longer hiking time; the Susa group which is located on the slopes of the Karisimbi volcano and has more than 35 members and will give you a great sense of achievement!
After the trekking, visit of the Iby'Iwacu traditional village (a community based tourism project where the local community displays the traditional ways of living). On your way to Kigali, several stops will be made to admire the scenery. Rwanda is the country of the thousand hills! Overnight at your hotel.
Activities/options (not included in the Tour price):
- A second gorilla trek.
- An excursion to the top of the Bisoke volcano (3.711 m) of which the distinctive feature is a beautiful crater lake! Fantastic views in all directions, lushly forested slopes, shady bamboo forest and an exhilarating climb!
- An excursion to the grave of Dian Fossey and the former Karisoke Research Centre. The excursion will provide excellent background information and this is a wonderful site to see!
- A visit to the Golden Monkeys: the little-known Golden Monkey (cercopithecus mitis kandti) is listed as “endangered”, the newly habituated groups of about 40 individuals are the only ones in Africa. The Kabatwa troop is located not so far from the Park Headquarters and the Musanga troop lives near the Karisimbi volcano and has a much longer walking distance.
Transfer to Kigali for overnight at your hotel (or departure). (B-L-D)

Day 9 * Kigali visit and departure
The half day Kigali City trip includes a visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi, which takes a few hours. It’s a touching visit! Transfer to Airport for departure. (B-L)

Dates & Prices

Know before you go

• Min. 4 participants. This is a small group safari max. 7 participants. For gorillas the min. age is 15 years.
• We have selected the best accommodation within a reasonable price range. The accommodation is indicated in the itinerary.
• Only the Park Authorities will assign you a gorilla group. Communicate your wishes to our driver-guide he will make some arrangements for you! The Sussa group leaves at the Karisimbi volcano and is more challenging with much longer hiking times!
• Flash photograpy is not permitted when tracking the gorillas.
• Tipping: $ 10$ per participant for the Ranger guides in the National Parks
• Porters are available ($ 10) and assist participants during the hike, they are very useful for your comfort! At the same time you will support the local community!