Duration: 13 nights in Rwanda
Day 1 Arrive Kigali, afternoon city tour including the genocide museum, a sobering but enlightening introduction to the country. Visit the craft markets and tour around the city with your guide. Overnight at a city hotel such as Mille des Collines.
Day 2 Set off heading south with your driver guide to Nyanza where you stop and visit the Rukali royal palaces, both the traditional reconstruction of the Royal Palace and the newer museum next door, then the Art Museum across the hill. After a lunch stop continue to Butare and spend a few hours at the fascinating National Museum. Overnight at Gikongoro at the Golden Monkeys Hotel.
Day 3 Heading south west, today you reach Nyungwe Forest National Park, the road traverses the park and winds through stunning scenery taking you to Nyungwe Forest Lodge for three nights. Afternoon walk around the surrounding tea plantation and meet some villagers if you like.
Day 4 Into the forest today for a Colobus Monkey Trek in the morning. These fascinating primates are found here in very large troops, the trek can be very steep and hard but the forest is a beautiful place to enjoy the rainforest.
Day 5 Back to the forest head quarters for either a Canopy Walk or Chimpanzee Trek (you choose). The Canopy Walk takes you up a tower onto a suspension bridge where you can access the upper parts of the forest, at eye level with monkeys, birds and plants. There are 16 Chimpanzee permits available each day (two groups) and there is a very early start for this option as it's a struggle to find the chimps once they leave their night time nests.
Day 6 Set off today for Lake Kivu with a very bumpy but scenic four hour or so drive to Kibuye, a sleepy town on the lake shore. Afternoon at leisure or sightseeing with your guide. Two nights at Cormoran Lodge with lovely views over the bay.
Day 7 Day for sightseeing around Kibuye, you can take a historical tour, follow a circular walk or go to a nearby hilltop where you can climb to the viewpoint of the Nile - Congo Basin meeting point. Kayaking, boating or swimming in the lake are also all available.
Day 8 Leisurely drive north, again following the lake shore, through tea and coffee plantations and farmlands for around another 3-4 hours to the town of Gisenyi on the Congo border. Two nights at Lake Kivu Serena. Afternoon at leisure - relax by the pool, swim in the lake, use the water sports available there, or wander round the town. At night you can sometimes see the glow of the top of nearby Nyiragongo volcano across the border, which is still active.
Day 9 Day sight seeing around Gisenyi with your guide as you wish. There are lots of local arts and crafts, charities and projects you can visit. Take a look at the border and learn about the fascinating cross border traading and politics from your guide. If you prefer, simply relax and do your own thing.
Day 10 Transfer today (about 2 hours) to Ruhengeri town at the heart of 'gorilla country' for three nights at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge in Kinigi. Have a look around the local markets and settle into your lodge, where there are great views across to the volcanoes.
Day 11 An early start to the trailhead for the Golden Monkey trek, after registering at park headquarters. These beautiful primates are usually located in 2-4 hours then you spend one hour with them, watching them feeding on the bamboo and moving around. Back to your waiting driver, lunch back at your lodge. Afternoon visit of the fascinating Iby'iwacu ex-poachers village where you can learn about traditional ways of life and contribute to a very worthwhile eco project.
Day 12 Another early start, this time for your wonderful gorilla trek! You are allocated a gorilla group and have a briefing at park head quarters, then your driver takes you to the trail head and you collect porters then head up into the volcanoes. Trekking takes anything from five minutes to five hours or more but usually they are found within 1-2 hours. Again, spend an hour with them and back to your waiting driver and backm to your lodge. Afternoon at leisure or visit the beautiful twin lakes on the outskirts of Ruhengeri.
Day 13 Return to Kigali (about 3 hours), time for visiting local shops and craft markets if you wish. Evening farewell dinner with our local ground handling company and driver.
Day 14 Transfer to Kigali airport and fly home.
