15 days Rwanda сomprehensive gorilla safari with Karisimbi Mountain

The 15 Days Rwanda Comprehensive Gorilla Safari with Karisimbi Mountain Climbing is an extensive Rwanda safari package that combines adventure, Primates, wildlife and culture in Rwanda to derive remarkable Rwanda safari memories. The Safari involves historic tour to Kigali genocide memorial, the wild game viewing ad boat cruise in Akagera National park, cultural and historic tours in Butare, Chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk and Black and white colobus monkey tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, the recreational tour on Gisenyi Lake Kivu, the gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, Karisimbi Mountain hike in Volcanoes National Park. The Musaze caves tour, twin lakes walk and tea estate tour and the Prime Safari Africa Home Experience combine to derive remarkable Rwanda safari memories.

Safari Highlight

Day 1: Arrive in Rwanda – Kigali International Airport & transfer to the lodge
Day 2: Explore the Gisozi genocide memorial in Kigali & drive to Akagera National Park
Day 3: Undertake morning game drive & boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon
Day 4: Transfer to Butare – Huye District. Visit the Royal Palace at Nyanza, the Ethnographic Museum & Butare National University
Day 5: Visit the Rwesero Art Gallery & transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 6: Undertake morning chimpanzee trekking and Nyungwe Forest Canopy walk in the afternoon
Day 7: Do Colobus Monkey tracking & afternoon Tea Plantation tour
Day 8: Drive to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu). Drive along the Congo Nile divide trail
Day 9: Whole day recreation at Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)
Day 10: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Visit the Musaze Caves upon arriving in Musaze
Day 11: Undertake mountain gorilla trekking & evening relaxation at the lodge
Day 12 & 13: Undertake the Karisimbi Volcano Climbing
Day 14: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience. Whole day experiential encounter of the family life in Rwanda
Day 15: Do golden Monkey tracking and transfer back to Kigali

Detailed Safari Description

Day 1: Arrive in Rwanda – Kigali International Airport & transfer to the lodge
Following your long flight, arrive at Kigali International Airport which is the main gateway if you are travelling by Air. You are welcomed by the company representative who will transfer you to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Hotel des Milles Collins
Midrange / Standard: Hotel Chez Lando
Budget / Basic: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Day 2: Explore the Gisozi genocide memorial in Kigali & drive to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, embark on the visit to Gisozi genocide memorial to pay tribute to the counts of Rwandese that lost their lives in the 1994 bloody genocide. The site has a detailed interpretation of what transpired during that time. Retreat from the activity for lunch after which you embark on the transfer to Akagera National Park 135km about 3 hours’ drive arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel
Wild Camping

Day 3: Undertake morning game drive & boat cruise on Lake Ihema in the afternoon

Embark on a thrilling game drive along the rolling savannah plains of Akagera National Park along with its papyrus swamps that fringe the series of lakes and the rolling hills that are filled by counts of wildlife. The game drive offers you possibilities of viewing elephants, Buffaloes, Masaai Giraffe, Topis, Roan Antelopes, Lions, leopards, waterbucks among other wildlife. You retreat from the 3 – 4 hour activity and return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you embark on the boat cruise on Lake Ihema which is the second largest lake in Rwanda. The cruise is a thrilling on the calm waters of this lake with possible views of Nile Crocodiles and Hippos and papyrus dwelling birds. Retreat from the activity in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget / Basic: Dereva Hotel
Wild Camping

Day 4: Transfer to Butare – Huye District. Visit the Royal Palace at Nyanza, the Ethnographic Museum & Butare National University

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Butare – Huye District in the Southern Province of Rwanda. You drive through impressive Rwandan countryside with magical scenery before arriving in Butare to embark on the tour of the Ethnographic Museum formerly referred to as the Butare National Museum with a wide range of collections that count to over 100,000 artifacts making it among the largest museums in East Africa. The tour to the Museum gives a detailed encounter of the Rwanda’s past. You proceed to visit the Royal Palace at Nyanza which is the home to the two Rwandan monarchical Kings namely King Musinga and his successor King Rudahigwa. The palace features a complete royal setting and most significantly the Royal hut which has been restored in the exact setting as it used to appear during the pre-colonial era with the equipment that these Kings used in their daily life. The traditional Inyambo cows exist at the site with their remarkable parade and beautiful horns. You explore the Butare University which is major national University in Rwanda before retiring for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Barthos Hotel
Midrange / Standard: Hotel Faucon
Budget / Basic: Shalom Guest House

Day 5: Visit the Rwesero Art Gallery & transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, you embark on the tour of the Rwesero Art Gallery to explore the contemporary Rwandan art works bringing out the authentic Rwandan creativity without overlooking the history and traditions. The Rwesero Art Gallery building was built by Rudahigwa Mutara III as his palace but he suddenly passed away without occupying it making a site of great historical and cultural attachment as well. After this tour, you embark on the drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park arriving in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Wild Camping

Day 6: Undertake morning chimpanzee trekking and Nyungwe Forest Canopy walk in the afternoon

Gather at the Nyugwe forest headquarters for the chimpanzee trekking experience. You attend to briefing by the park rangers at 8am after which you head to the forest in search the man’s closest relative – the chimpanzees. The trek exposes you to impressive scenic landscapes of the largest mountain forest in East Africa marked with verdant flora including the beautiful orchids. The park is also supports other 12 primate species apart from Chimpanzees which might be encountered too during the hike including the Black and White Colobus Monkeys. The eventual encounter with the chimps as they munch fruit, the young chimps rolling themselves on tree branches and playing with their mothers, the male chimpanzees doing the patrolling along with scary pant hooting calls and viewing them eye to eye lures you to the world of the unknown that you have never dreamt of. You come to accept the reality that indeed man and chimps share the common ancestor. The chimpanzee trekking activity tends to last 2 – 5 hours inclusive of one hour direct encounter with the chimps. Retreat from the activity and transfer to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you embark on the adventurous Nyungwe canopy walk which is noted as the first of its kind in East Africa and the third on the African continent. The 90m long and 40m high walkway with the views of the deep forested saddles, the lush canopy filled with primates, birds and butterflies make the activity worth undertaking while on Rwanda safari. Retreat for the two hour adventure and return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Wild Camping

Day 7: Do Colobus Monkey tracking & afternoon Tea Plantation tour

After breakfast, you embark on the Black and White Colobus Monkey tracking to explore the largest grouping of Black and white colobus monkey in the whole of Africa close to 400 individuals. The impressive views of the black and white coats along with young ones that are purely white before they start coloring at 3months make the tracking memorable. The encounter starts at 8am and tend to last 2 – 5 hours. You retreat to the lodge for lunch and relaxation and in the evening, you embark on the tea plantation tour to explore the tea growing practices and the touch of the local community towards the tea growing project. You retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse
Wild Camping

Day 8: Drive to Gisenyi (Lake Kivu). Drive along the Congo Nile divide trail

Settle for a relaxed breakfast amidst the fresh humid forests of Nyungwe after which you embark on the drive to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi) 294km about 7 hours’ drive passing along the Congo Nile divide which acts as the separation of the water catchment area for two great African Rivers namely; River Congo and River Nile which is also the longest in the world. The magical sceneries of Lake Kivu are impressive to encounter en route. Arrive on Lake Kivu in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Midrange / Standard: Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu / Water Front Lake Kivu
Budget / Basic: Paladise Malahide
Resort Camping

Day 9: Whole day recreation at Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)

You take your thrilling breakfast in the fresh water breeze of Lake Kivu after which you have a range of optional activities that you can participate in including; the boat cruise, swimming in this Bilharzia free lake, wind surfing experience, sun bathing, cycling among others. It is a whole day magical recreation on the beaches of tropical Africa far away from home. Retire for overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Midrange / Standard: Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu / Water Front Hotel Lake Kivu
Budget / Basic: Paladise Malahide
Resort Camping

Day 10: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Visit the Musaze Caves upon arriving in Musaze

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park 110km about 2 hours’ drive driving through impressive countryside landscapes of Rwanda before being welcomed by the towering Virunga massif. Upon arrival in Musaze, you embark on the Musaze Caves tour to explore the 2km long cave with 31 entrances that was formed 65 million years ago as a result of lava flow from Sabyinyo and Bisoke Mountains. You enjoy a guided walk in the Cave that lasts for 2 hours with protection from an armed Soldier. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Wild Camping

Day 11: Undertake mountain gorilla trekking & evening relaxation at the lodge

You wake up early in the morning at your lodge for breakfast and embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park Park headquarters Kinigi. At the headquarters as you wait for the briefing time, you are treated for a warm cup of coffee served courtesy of Rwanda Development Board while being entertained by the Kinyarwanda dance troupes before the park rangers set to allocate the respective gorilla families and then briefing in your respective gorilla groups at 8am. After briefing you drive to the respective gorilla family trail heads to head to the jungle in search of the critically endangered apes. The hike through the volcanic slopes marked with steep slopes and dense vegetation beautiful in nature present amazing scenic views. The eventual encounter with the mountain gorillas as they forage to feed their huge tummies, attending to the frightening welcome of the silverback, watching the baby gorillas as they roll themselves on tree branches, play with other and respective mothers among other aspects will lure you into an unforgettable amazement. The one hour is availed to you to experience what you have heard, read and thought of for long and the remarkable pictures will form a lasting memorabilia for this lifetime experience that is so far the best in Africa. The gorilla trekking activity tends to last 2 – 8 hours depending on how long the gorillas have moved. Retreat from the activity and get back to the lodge for relaxation and dinner and overnight.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Wild Camping

Day 12 & 13: Undertake the Karisimbi Volcano Climbing with a visit to Dian Fossey
Wake early for a two day thrilling adventure hike to the Karisimbi Volcano which is the highest of all the eight Volcanic Mountains that form the greater Virunga massif. The Karisimbi Volcano is a dormant huge dome whose name literally translates to white shell referring to its white capped summit which results not from snow but from hail and sleet that gather on the mounting top as a result if its frequent storms. The adventure hike to the Karisimbi Mountain standing at 4,507m making the sixth highest mountain in East Africa lasts two (2) days and requires appropriate equipment and clothing. You drive to the trail head at 16km from the park office after which you head to the mountain for the life time adventure. The climbing encounter commences at around 2,600m above sea level. The hike through varied vegetation landscapes and the views of other volcanoes is impressive to encounter. On your first day of ascend, you visit the Dian Fossey site to pay tribute to this famous gorilla conservationist that the world has ever had. You first camp at 3,700m before proceeding the next day to summit the peak and descend to the starting point which takes about 6 hours.

Accommodation
Upmarket / Luxury: Mount Gorilla View Lodge / Virunga Lodge
Midrange / Standard: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Hotel La Palme
Budget / Basic: Muhabura Hotel
Wild Camping

Day 14: Prime Safaris Africa Home Experience. Whole day experiential encounter of the family life in Rwanda

Wake up very early and connect with the family members to embark on the whole day routine of their everyday life. If you are a man, you follow your fellow men and if you are a woman, you follow the women. Rwanda features extensive coffee plantations and tea not forgetting the livestock. The women would do cleaning of the houses and the homestead, cultivating, the preparing food, making of crafts among others while men would go in or activities like Milking, Cultivating, live stock rearing, and construction among others. The experience includes enjoying local cuisine, interaction and storytelling and traditional performances before you eventually settle for another overnight.

Accommodation: Home stay

Day 15: Do golden Monkey tracking and transfer back to Kigali

After breakfast at your lodge, you gather at Kinigi Park headquarters at 7am for briefing about the golden monkey tracking experience. After the briefing, you drive to the trail head where you embark on the hike through impressive forested landscapes of Volcanoes National Park with its chain of Volcanic Mountains. The golden monkeys are given as endangered and are only found in the Virunga massif. They would definitely impress you as they leap among the Bamboo tree branches on the foot hills of Sabyinyo Mountains. You have one complete hour to maximize your experience with them the camera will have to be set in the speed shutter speed to match their fast movements in the tree branches. Retreat from this 4 hour activity and embark on the transfer to Kigali 116km about 3 hours to mark the end of safari.

End Safari