Visit Rwanda in luxury: gorillas and volcanoes

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night Kigali
• 2 nights Nyugwe Forest Reserve
• 1 night Lake Kivu
• 2 nights Volcanoes National Park

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights, transfers, The Retreat

Day 2: Arrive Kigali

On arrival in Kigali, you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for one night.

Included: Breakfast, ransfers, The Retreat

Day 3: Travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Enjoy an early breakfast before departing on the scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park via Butare, the second largest city in Rwanda. Here you’ll stop for a tour of the Butare National Museum, one of the finest ethnographic museums of East Africa. It’s a great place to learn about the cultural history of the country. Enjoy lunch in Butare before heading onwards towards the rainforest reserve of Nyungwe. On arrival you’ll check into your lodge for two nights.

You’ll be staying at One & Only Nyungwe House, a one-of-a-kind escape, in the midst of one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. This sumptuous oasis is the ultimate luxury accommodation – think cosy rooms looking out into the treetops, traditional Rwandan art mixed with sleek, modern design and sensational food enjoyed whilst looking out over the misty forests.

Included: All meals, transfers, One & Only Nyugnwe House

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

It’s an early start today – enjoy breakfast and head out to the trailhead at around 5 am, before embarking on a thrilling hike to see the chimpanzees. The Rwanda chimpanzee population is approximately 500 individuals, all within the Nyungwe National Park. You’ll head these excitable primates before you see them, their hooting calls echoing through the trees. You might also spot some spectacular birdlife, including regal sunbirds and grey-cheeked hornbills.

After lunch, you’ll depart for your canopy walk. Suspended above the lush rainforest, canopy walkways will provide a unique view over the treetops, and a fascinating perspective of the wildlife below. Spend your afternoon and evening back at the lodge, recounting on stories from your day.

Included: All meals, guided chimpanzee trek with permit, One & Only Nyungwe House  

Day 5: Travel to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will head off for the scenic drive to Lake Kivu. Part of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Kivu is one of the largest lakes in the country. On arrival at your hotel, you will spend the afternoon at your leisure.

Included: All meals, transfers, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel   

Day 6: Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park

Today, you’ll head off on a scenic drive towards the beautiful, terraced hillsides that show of Rwanda’s mountainous landscape. You’ll arrive at Ruhengeri, the base for all gorilla trekking in the Parc National des Volcans. The town is located close to the Ugandan border, with a constant flow of people passing through. Here, you’ll check into the Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, a lovely, community-owned lodge. It’s a beautiful spot to stay, especially with the cosy fireplaces keeping you snug in the cooler nights, with spectacular views over the surrounding volcanoes.

Included: All meals, transfers, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge  

Day 7: Volcanoes National Park & Gorilla trek

Another early start, you’ll be driven over to Volcanoes National Park where you’ll register for your gorilla trek. Here, the park staff will determine which group of gorillas you will visit. You will be put into groups and receive a trekking time, based on the gorilla’s location within the park the previous evening. There is a maximum of 96 gorilla permits available each day, with 8 trekkers in each group.

You’ll receive a briefing from your guide, learning of all of the ‘do’s and don’ts’ while in the presence of gorillas, before heading up into the mountains to begin the hike. Trekking can take from two to six hours, as the gorillas sometimes move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. You’ll be able to stop frequently for a chance to rest and take photos as you go.

Your encounter with the gorillas will be so special – coming so close to these magnificent animals is a joy. Whether you meet the majestic silverback or see some baby gorillas playing in the jungle, it will be an hour you’ll never forget.

After your experience, you’ll meet with a driver who will return you to the lodge for dinner.       

Included: All meals, guided gorilla trek with permit, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge

Day 8: Depart Kigali

After breakfast at your lodge, you’ll take a scenic drive back to Kigali from the Virunga Volcanoes, being driven over to the airport for your flight home.

Included: Transfers, breakfast, international flights       

Day 9: Arrive UK