Kigali – Musanze – Volcanoes National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
6 Days / 5 Nights

Introduction

StartAccommodationTypeDestinationMeal planDuration
Day 1Kigali Marriott Hotel KigaliFB1 Night
 → Kigali Serena Hotelalternate   
Day 2The Bishops House Rwanda MusanzeFB2 Nights
 → Virunga Inn Resort & Spaalternate   
Day 4Gorilla Heights Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National ParkFB2 Nights
 → Chameleon Hill Lodgealternate   

Key
B&B: Bed and Breakfast
FB: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

PRICES
STAYING AT MARRIOTT HOTEL/THE BISHOPS HOUSE & GORILLA HEIGHTS.
2 PAX -USD 8,822 PER PERSON SHARING
4 PAX-USD 8,333 PER PERSON SHARING
6 PAX-USD 8,168 PER PERSON SHARING
***********************************************
STAYING AT KIGALI SERENA/VIRUNGA INN RESORT & CHAMELEN HILLL LODGE.
2 PAX-USD 7,579 PER PERSON SHARING
4 PAX-USD 7,095 PER PEROSN SHARING
6 PAX-USD 6,930 PER PERSON SHARING

Included

•    Meet and greet assistance on arrival
•    Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day
•    1 Nights’ Accommodation in Kigali on Half Board basis. 
•    All activities as highlighted in the itinerary
•    Kigali Genocide Memorial Visit
•    2 Nights’ Accommodation at Volcanoes National Park.
•   2 Nights’ Accommodation at Gorilla Heights in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Uganda side. 
•    1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 1500.-)
•    1 Golden Monkey permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, and trek – US$ 100.-)
• 1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at UWA offices, guide, and trek – US$ 800.-)
• Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser  4×4 with WI-FI in receptive areas
• Services of a professional, experienced English-speaking driver guide.
• Village/ Cultural Visit in Volcanoes.
• Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
• Batwa Cultural Visit 
•  One-way flight Kisoro -Entebbe Airport 
• Emergency Medical Evacuation Services.
• Our assistance.

Excluded

  • International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
  • All extra activities, visits, entrances and extra meals/drinks not  mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entry visa fees,
  • Optional extras whilst in Kigali
  •  Drinks throughout the trip,
  •  Tips and gratuities,
  •  Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.

 

Day 1: Kigali Marriott Hotel, Kigali    

Kigali

Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across lush undulating hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options. It also offers a collection of restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.

Day Itinerary

  • TBA: Arrival time flight time into Kigali.
  • TBA: VIP meet & greet through immigration procedures.
  • TBA: Pick up from Kigali International Airport for a short transfer to the hotel.
  • TBA: Arrival at the hotel for Check-in.
  • TBA: Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.

Overnight: Kigali Marriott Hotel         

Experience the highest standard of comfort and convenience at Kigali Marriott Hotel. This premier luxury business hotel in Kigali is conveniently located along KN3 Avenue in downtown Kigali, close to the financial district, embassies, government ministries and Kigali City Hall. Timeless elegance surrounds you on arrival to a modern and spacious lobby and grand stairs. Experience spacious guest rooms decorated in warm pastel colors and fitted with the latest in technology. Visit Cucina Restaurant for tasty, innovative Italian fare and Lobby Bar for cocktails and city vistas. Complete your stay with a day of pampering at Saray Spa, the largest spa in the city, with its 5-star treatments and outdoor pool. Featuring the largest meeting space in the city, the hotel in Kigali is ideal for hosting productive conventions, elegant weddings and retreats of all sizes. Whether here for business or leisure, their Kigali luxury hotel offers all the amenities you’ll need for an unforgettable retreat in Kigali, Rwanda.

Alternate: Kigali Serena Hotel

Ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centres on the Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating. The capital’s natural business hub, the hotel also boasts its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom.

The hotel features 148 rooms. Guests can choose from a selection of 60 Standard Rooms, 37 Superior Rooms, 19 Deluxe Rooms, 18 Junior Suites, 7 Prime Rooms, 6 Executive Suites and a luxury Presidential Suite. In-room facilities include 24 hour room service, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, tea/coffee making facilities, mini fridge, hair dryer, private safe and a flat screen satellite TV.

Meal plan

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 2: The Bishops House Rwanda, Musanze

Musanze

The bustling city of Musanze, also referred to as Ruhengeri, is situated in northwest Rwanda. Musanze is the hub of Rwanda’s gorilla trekking tourism route, offering many cafes, bars, and restaurants. It serves as the gateway to the spectacular Volcanoes National Park and is encircled by a number of attractions including the towering Mount Karisimbi, one of five impressive volcanoes in the park; the bat-filled Musanze Caves; and the beautiful twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo – set against a spectacular backdrop of rolling green hills. Musanze is known as one of the best places in East Africa to track mountain gorillas and visitors flock here to view these majestic mountain apes.

Day Itinerary

  • 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
  • 0900: Meet with your guide.
  • 0920: Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.
  • 1030: Transfer to Volcanoes. Travel time 2.5 hours.
  • 1300: Arrival at your Lodge. 
  • 1315: Lunch for the day and spend the rest of the afternoon on relaxation.
  • 1500: The rest of the afternoon is for relaxation around the lodge.
  • 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge. 

Overnight: The Bishops House Rwanda           

The Bishop’s House is located in Musanze in the Northern Province of Rwanda. All rooms are furnished with large, antique handcrafted four-poster beds on a wooden floor that envelopes the occupant in warmth and grandeur. In the en-suite bathrooms, guests will be met with hot showers and bathrobes. The rooms have cable programming, Wi-Fi, minibars and tea and coffee facilities. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast each morning and sumptuous dinners. All meals include the availability of unlimited soft drinks, local beers and house wines with the exclusion of all premium drinks.

Alternate: Virunga Inn Resort & Spa   

Located in Kinigi, Rwanda, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa offers stylish accommodations with beautiful views of the mountains. The property features beautifully appointed rooms equipped with comfortable bedding, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, a safety deposit box, and a seating area. The property also features a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi throughout, room service, and a restaurant serving a tasty breakfast each morning.

Activities

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum

Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The centre is an extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.

The memorial hosts a tour which is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

 

Day 3: The Bishops House Rwanda , Musanze            

 

Day Itinerary

  • 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
  • 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing. 
  • 0800: Start the Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
  • 1200: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
  • 1230: Transfer back to the Lodge.
  • 1300: Lunch at the Lodge. 
  • 1500: Visit Iby’ Iwacu cultural village. 
  • 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge. 

Activities

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park
Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some taking the better part of the day.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans.  Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you home stay with the community and become part of their family

Meal plan

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Gorilla Heights Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park      

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities – the forest is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. This gorilla experience takes place among a rugged landscape of dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges. The untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance, and aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot, and a variety of brightly-coloured butterflies to identify. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes, three of which are still active.

Day Itinerary

  • 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
  • 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for the Golden Monkey trekking briefing. 
  • 0800: Start the Golden Monkey trek.
  • 1130: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
  • 1200: Transfer back to the lodge and have Lunch. 
  • 1300: Drive off to Bwindi Uganda. 
  • 1700: Estimated time of arrival at your lodge
  • 1800: Dinner and overnight stay. 

Overnight: Gorilla Heights Lodge        

Gorilla Heights Lodge is located in Nkuringo, Kisoro district in South Western Uganda.   The lodge provides airport pick-up services from Kisoro airport to the lodge. The lodge features 15 cottages that all derive their names from the attractions surrounding the lodge. Elegant dining offering a variety of buffets, set menus, theme nights and ‘a la carte’ menu, serving local and international cuisine is available. The lodge also has a heated swimming pool and a spa facility with a steam bath and Sauna.

Alternate: Chameleon Hill Lodge        

Located on the shores of one of East Africa’s most beautiful lakes – Lake Mutanda, visitors will enjoy spectacular views across the lake with its islands and surrounding hills. Chameleon Hill and its breathtaking surrounding scenery offer a variety of different activities and the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.

Accommodation at Chameleon Hill Lodge comprises of 10 chalets. All chalets provide unobstructed views across the lake. The chalets are individually furnished and has essential features for a comfortable stay.

Common areas at Chameleon Hill Lodge include the wooden deck with picturesque views of the surroundings, and a modern lounge with a fireplace and library. Also featured at the lodge is a restaurant serving international cuisine with some African touches.

Activities

RDB Golden Monkey Tracking

RDB Golden Monkey Tracking

Located in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, RDB Golden Monkey Tracking offers visitors a unique experience of catching a glimpse of the endangered Golden Monkey. These striking primates with their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains is a photographers dream. The Golden Monkey can be found in very few places outside of Volcanoes National Park, and their vibrant colours, energetic demeanour, and sizeable troupes of up to 30 individuals are indeed a sight to behold.

Meal plan

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Gorilla Heights Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park      

Day Itinerary

•          0600: Begin the day with a cup of coffee.
•          0630: Ready for a morning transfer to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing.     
•          0800: Gorilla trekking starts
•          1330: Estimated time of returning from the Jungle
•          1400: Refreshment at the lodge.
•          1500: Batwa Cultural Visit. 
•          1900: Dinner and overnight stay. 

Activities

Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Batwa Cultural Village

Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Wake early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for gorilla trekking. Before 8:00 am, report to the ranger station for registration and a talk by one of the rangers. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, to track the gorillas. (Please note this trek can take from 30 minutes to 5-6 hours). A reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. Sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them ‘talk’ to one another, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the Silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas. It’s amazing to think there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left.

Batwa Cultural Village

The Batwa Cultural village is where the Batwa (Pigmies) still live in the same way they used to years ago in tree houses. The Batwa only began leaving their forest homes around 15 years ago and they have been able to remain on this land thanks to the support of a generous American benefactor who donated the land back to them and created a cultural program. The fees from visiting tourists and are given to the Batwa project and they delight in welcoming visitors to their village and demonstrating how they make weapons, dance, make fires using sticks and cook.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: End of Itinerary           

Day Itinerary

•          0600: Begin the day with a cup of coffee.
•          0700: Transfer to Kisoro Airstrip for your flight back.
•          0845: Fly to Entebbe. Airport. 
•          1125: Estimated time of arrival at Entebbe Airport for your connecting flight. 
•          1200: End of service.

Meal plan

Bed and Breakfast