5 Nights 6 Days Remarkable Rwanda - Volcanoes & Nyungwe Experience

Kigali

Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 meters 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, 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

• Arrival flight time TBA.
• Pick up from Kigali International Airport for a 25 minutes transfer to Retreat Heaven Boutique Hotel.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Overnight: The Retreat by Heaven

Town & Country and The New York Times call The Retreat in Rwanda one of the top new hotels in the world in 2019. 

The American owners of Heaven Restaurant created The Retreat, a 12-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined street steps from Kigali City Center and 20 minutes from the airport.  8 new luxury pool villas are under construction and will be open by December 2020.

The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally-crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation room, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with jacuzzi and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness center.  Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offer delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through the Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu.

The Retreat is the perfect choice to host guests for 1 night or several days as it offers innovative, curated cultural experiences and exciting activities in and around Kigali. From public health to hospitality, co-owners Alissa & Josh Ruxin created Heaven Restaurant in 2008 to provide jobs and vocational training in hospitality, to date, Heaven and The Retreat have trained over 1000 Rwandans in hospitality skills.

Meal Plan

Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2:   One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face-to-face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The Park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main draw card, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the Crater Lake on Mount Bisoke.

Day Itinerary

• 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0900: Waiting for COVID results at the hotel.
• 1000: Expected time of receiving them and transfer to Volcanoes.
• 1030: Visit the Genocide memorial Centre.
• 1130: Transfer to Volcanoes. Travel time 2.5hrs.
• 1330: Arrival at One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge. 
• 1350: 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 the One &Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Overnight: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest      

Located in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is an excellent option for a nature vacation. The surrounding area offers attractions and activities such as embarking on a safari in the National Park and gorilla spotting in their natural habitat. The hotel features a selection of comfortably furnished rooms and suites to ensure guests enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable stay. 

The elegant suites and lodges are decorated in a modern African style and feature beautiful views of the natural surrounding as well as amenities such as minibars, internet access, TVs, dining areas and spacious bathrooms with nature views.

At the Nest restaurant, guests can get a taste of delicious Rwandan cuisine made with fresh seasonal ingredients. Guests can also relax with a drink at the bar which serves a variety of beverages.

Meal Plan

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

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 center 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 somber and humbling when guests realize that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.

Day 3:   One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

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 to Iby’ Iwacu cultural village. 
• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at the One &Only Gorillas Nest 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 your 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:   One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, -One&Only Nyungwe House

Day Itinerary

• 0700: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0800: Transfer to Nyungwe forest by Road. 
• 1330: Expected time to arrive at Nyungwe House.
• 1400: Lunch at the Resort
• 1600: Evening is dedicated for complementary activity at the lodge.
• 1800: Overnight and dinner at One &Only Nyungwe Lodge.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Situated in south-western Rwanda, the Nyungwe Forest National Park is known for its exceptional biodiversity and its wide range of endemic species.

The Park is composed of lush tracts of rainforest set high up on fertile mountain slopes.

It is one of Africa’s most ancient forests and the home of Rwanda’s sole remaining chimpanzee population, as well as 85 additional mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species and over 1000 plant species. Visitors can enjoy spotting Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees hiding in the trees, hiking on a well-maintained network of trails passing through lush equatorial rainforest and catching a glimpse of a beautiful array of colorful birdlife.

Don’t miss the thrilling Canopy Walk, it is one of its kind in Africa and offers impressive views of the forest.

Overnight: One&Only Nyungwe House

One&Only Nyungwe House is set amongst the rich tea-plantations of Gisakura, In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border. The property is set on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe National Park, which covers approximately 1020 square kilometers of rainforest, bamboo, and swamps.

The accommodations at this lodge provide a sense of tranquility with a fireplace and picturesque private deck. All rooms include breakfast, lunch, and dinner while featuring tea and coffee facilities and an en-suite bathroom with an indoor shower, wilderness-view shower and stand-alone bath.

The One&Only Spa provides relaxing treatments, while the One&Only Gym allows guests space and equipment for a refreshing workout. Additionally, guests can relax in the infinity pool while having a snack and drink and enjoy a meal by the trees with a picnic or at the elegant restaurant.

Meal Plan

Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Day 5:   One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day Itinerary

• 0500: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0530: Prepare for transfers to Park headquarters for Chimpanzee trek briefing.
• 0530: Start the Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forests.
• 1230: Estimated time to return from the jungle. 
• 1330: Lunch at the Lodge and entire day relaxing and winding at the Lodge. 
• 1500: Start the Canopy walk experience in Nyungwe forests.
• 1800: Special Dinner arrangement in the Tea Plantation 

Activities

Nyungwe Forest National Park Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking

Canopy walk experience in Nyungwe forests

Nyungwe Forest National Park Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking

Located within the Nyungwe National Park, the Nyungwe Forest National Park Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking provides visitors with a unique chimpanzee experience.

Visitors will follow a path through the lush vegetation to a point where they will be able to witness the chimpanzees acting out their daily activities, such as waking up, eating and socializing within their natural environment.

Canopy Walks Nyungwe Forest

The canopy walk takes place four times a day (8am, 10am, 1pm and 5pm). The experience lasts around 2 hours total, with a 30-minute walk to the bridge, 1 hour on the bridge and a walk back. The forest walkway bridge provides the ideal opportunity to spot Colobus Monkeys and birdlife.

At its central point the bridge reaches a height of around (90m).

Meal Plan

Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Day 6:   End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

• 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
• 0900: Prepare for a return transfer back to Kigali. 
• 1200: Visit the Ethnographic Museum. 
• 1300: Lunch enroute.
• 1420: Return to Kigali at your convenience. 
• TBA: Proposed time of arrival in Kigali and transfer to Kigali International Airport.
• TBA: Check in for your outbound flight to your next destination.

Activities

Ethnographic Museum Rwanda

Ethnographic Museum Rwanda

Located in Huye, south of Kigali, Ethnographic Museum is one of the six museums that make up the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda. This Museum was built in 1987, and now houses one of Africa's finest ethnographic collections. Its seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artefacts accompanied by visual aids, giving visitors a rich insight into the culture of Rwandans.

Meal Plan

Bed and Breakfast & Lunch