9 Days Rwanda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

• Gorilla Safaris
• Rwanda

9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & wildlife safari

Day 1: Kigali –Akagera National Park.

This Morning, you will have breakfast at your hotel of residence and then transfer to Akagera National Park in the East of Rwanda. This park is located near the Rwandan border with Tanzania. Akagera is known for its famous aKagera River which flows along its eastern boundary pouring into several lakes with the largest being Lake Ihema. The complex system of lakes and linking papyrus swamps makes up over 1/3 of the park and is the largest protected wetland in central Africa. In 2010, The Akagera Management Company was formed as the joint management body to manage Akagera national park. As you enter, take a game drive and look out for some big five and other animal species like the Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffe, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, hear beets among others respectively. Relax. Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (M) Ruzizi Tented Camp (L)

Day 2: Game drive and boat.

A morning game drive in Akagera national park in search of some of the big five and other wild animals and birds like lions, elephants, buffalos, giraffe, hyenas, waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, warthogs, hartebeest, and different bird species. Return to the lodge for refreshment, breakfast and later lunch. In the afternoon prepare for a canoe ride on Lake Ihema and here you will spot aquatic wildlife like hippos, crocodiles and many more birds and animals along the shores of the lake. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (M) Ruzizi Tented Camp (L)

Day 3: Akagera – Nyungwe National Park.

You will transfer to Nyungwe National park.

Overnight Nyungwe Hilltop View Lodge (M) One and Only (L)

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and afternoon Canopy

After breakfast prepares for a briefing from park officials and then go for chimpanzee trekking. This experience does expose you to a variety of wildlife species that this forest offers such as the L’Hoest’s monkey and the grey-cheeked mangabeys are often sighted. The birds are spectacular, though as in most tropical forests, you’ll have to look hard for them. Giant hornbills, great blue turacos, and red-breasted sparrow hawks are amongst the specials, of which 24 are endemic to this section of the Rift Valley. After lunch, you will go for the canopy walk. Overnight at Nyungwe Hilltop View Lodge (M) One and Only (L)

Day 5: Waterfall walk in Nyungwe and transfer to Gisenyi.

Overnight Paradise Malahide (M)Lake Kivu Serena (L)

Day 6: Boat cruise on Lake Kivu and Gisenyi city tour as you Transfer to volcanoes National Park.

You will drive to Musanze (formerly called Ruhengeri) in the northwest part of Rwanda, the main base town for Gorilla tracking. The drive is through beautiful rolling hills on a comfortable paved road and is approximately 2.5 hours from Kigali. You will arrive in time for lunch at your lodge.

Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (M) Five volcanoes Lodge (L)

Day 7: Gorilla trekking.

You will have breakfast and go for a briefing by the Volcanoes National Park’s guides on the gorillas’ etiquette. The gorilla group you will visit will largely depend on the assignment of travelers to the seven habituated gorilla groups. There are 10 habituated groups of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Each group is allowed 8 visitors a day and the trek varies in length depending on which gorilla family you were assigned. The trekking commences at an altitude of 7000 feet in the upper slopes of the volcano. The paths you follow are steep but not overly strenuous. Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback gorilla: up to three times as bulky as the average man, yet remarkably peaceful and tolerant of human visitors. There are no words to describe the thrill of recognition attached to staring deep into the liquid brown eyes of these gentle giants, which share some 97% of their genes with humans. After locating your assigned Gorilla group, you will spend one hour in their company before retracing your steps back down the volcano slopes

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (M) Five volcanoes Lodge (L)

Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking.

After breakfast at the Lodge, you will go for Golden Monkey trekking within the Volcanoes National Park. These Golden Monkeys are the most endangered primates within the forest. This activity will not take long like as it is when tracking the Gorillas. You will spend also less time with these primates. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (M) Five volcanoes Lodge (L)

Day 9: Diana Fossey and transfer back to Kigali.

After breakfast, trek to the grave of the legendary Dian Fossey and experience her effort regarding the conservation of gorillas in their midst. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the evening trekking the mountain volcanoes. You will then transfer back to Kigali, do a City tour if time allows and then you will later continue to the airport.