Overview
The 6-day Rwanda and Congo safari takes you to the beautiful countries in East Africa where you encounter beautiful landscapes, mountain Gorillas, lowland gorillas and the beauty of Lake Kivu. This tour will include exploring the local cultures through an optional visit to the Iby’iwachu cultural village. Trekking these different species in different areas rewards you with an adventure of a great time.
Also, have an optional Kigali city tour depending on your arrival or departure time to visit places like Kimironko market, Kigali genocide memorial museum and more. The safari will begin and end in Kigali Rwanda but with leisure time on Lake Kivu.
Detailed Itinerary
Day1. Arrival in Kigali Rwanda and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
The driver guide will pick you up at Kigali International Airport on arrival and you will transfer to Volcanoes National Park home to two rare primate species and these are the mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys. The scenic view of the rolling hills since Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills will be of great memory. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hour’s drive and this will create everlasting memories. Arrive and head to the lodge for your dinner and night stay.
Day2. Mountain Gorilla trekking and optional activity
Wake up excited to meet the endangered mountain gorillas after breakfast. The experience will begin with a briefing at the park offices where you be told about the dos and don’ts to follow such as not feeding wild animals, always keeping a distance, never using a flashlight camera and more. Trekking will begin with the help of the park ranger guide and the porter where you begin to encounter different primates, plants, beautiful butterflies and more.
On meeting a family of gorillas, you will spend an hour following them but the overall adventure takes about 5 hours which depends on the location of the gorillas. After, head back to the lodge for lunch followed by an optional activity of either visiting the Iby’iwachu cultural village for cultural immersion or visiting the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.
Day 3. Transfer to Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Have breakfast and head to Kahuzi-Biega national park crossing Cyanika border. This park is located in D.R. Congo and is known to be a home for the strongest apes in Africa and these are the low land gorillas. The park gets its name from the two mountains which the park occupies and these are Mt Kahuzi and Mt Biega.
The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive giving you a chance to explore the different vegetation and landscapes of these countries. Arrive and check in the booked accommodation for your dinner.
Day 4. Lowland Gorilla trekking and head to Lake Kivu
Like in the Volcanoes national park of Rwanda, the day begins with breakfast and then a briefing will follows at the park offices. This will not be so different from that of mountain gorilla trekking only that you will be told about the terrain of the area.
Trekking will begin with a help of the park ranger and this time you will enjoy the walk since it won’t be hectic like that of mountain gorilla trekking. Meeting the gorillas will give you an impression of spending an hour with them will capturing memories. Later head back to the lodge for hot lunch followed by an optional activity.
Day 5. Leisure on Lake Kivu
Head to Lake Kivu that is found on the border of Rwanda and DR Congo. You will take optional activities like swimming, sun bathing and other leisure activities as you enjoy the beauty of the lake. Spend a night at one of the resort hotels.
Day 6. Head back to Kigali and fly home
The driver guide will take you back to Kigali after breakfast and the safari will end after a Drop-off at the airport for your departure flight.