only covers 26,340 kmē and is South of the equator. It borders Tanzania in the East, Uganda in the North, Zaire and Lake Kivu in the West and Burundi in the South. Characteristic are the steep mountains (1200-4500 m) and lakes.
Rwanda has been under German and later Belgium government until it became independent in 1962. After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has stabilised. Democratic elections have been held, and Rwanda is today one of the most stable and safe African countries, with fantastic landscapes.
Daily flights from Nairobi make it easy to combine a visit to the Gorillas and Lake Kivu with your safari or beach holidays.
Itinerary sample:
Day 1: Kigali - Parc National des Volcans Your driver/guide will greet you at the airport at Kigali. To depart to the mountains today, latest arrival time is 14.00 hours in order to comfortably have time to drive to Northern Rwanda and reach your lodge before it gets dark. In the interest of both clients’ as well as driver/guides' safety, security & comfort we don't drive in darkness. Even Rwanda is regarded as Africa’s safest country the roads heading north are twisting through mountains and are often narrow and foggy at night. The ride to the Parc National des Volcans will take 2.5 to 3 hours. D/HB Mountain Gorilla View Lodge a good middle class lodge Meals included: Dinner. Should you arrive around lunch time you will be taken to a restaurant at your cost
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and twin lakes Early morning you join a ranger who will take the group to see one of the Mountain Gorilla families. Please read the regulations carefully - the apes are sensitive and can be dangerous. You will walk through mountain forest on small paths which can be wet and slippery. Good shoes with profile are necessary and a walking stick might serve you well. Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are a subspecies of Eastern Lowland Gorillas. Since they have been living above 2.500 m above sea level where temperatures can go below 0 degrees they have developed thicker fur. Gorillas are vegetarians and choose the plants to eat carefully. Gorillas live in families with one dominant male (silverback) and several females and their young with strong bonds. A grown up male can weigh up to 195 kg. They are terrestrial but might go up trees occasionally. The most active times are between 06.00 and 18.00. Enjoy one of the planets most fascinating apes.
Time permitting, depending on when you are back from the Gorilla trek, drive to the area around the so called "twin lakes" of Bulera & Ruhonda" where views are fantastic. Have a cup of coffee / tea / soft drinks at the very upmarket "Virunga Lodge" which is beautifully located on the top of a hill overlooking the lakes. Return to your own lodge before it gets dark. D/FB Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Golden Monkeys and drive to Kigali Golden Monkey trekking day! Please read and follow the regulations. Golden Monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti) has golden fur. They live in the forest in groups of up to 30 individuals. Their main diet are leaves, but they might take insects occasionally. Once more you will walk on small paths in the forest in a group guided by a ranger. Return to your lodge for a last lunch and "freshening up" and then return to Kigali arriving during the course of late afternoon - early evening. You will today have an overnight at "Hotel Mille Collines", more known as "Hotel Rwanda" after the Hollywood movie with the same name. D/B Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali - standard rooms, garden facing Meals included: breakfast, lunch. Dinner will be a la carte at your expense so you are free to choose what you like
Day 4: Kigali and departure At 08.30 a.m. you will be picked up by your combined driver - guide and do a city tour of Kigali including a visit to the "Gisozi genocide memorial - museum".You will be transferred to Kigali airport 3 hours prior to your flights' scheduled departure time, meaning earliest departure time from Kigali at 14.00 hours in order to have sufficient time for a "good" city tour of Kigali. Meals included; Breakfast.
If you like more luxurious accommodation we recommend Sabinyo Silverback Loddge and Kigali Serena Lodge which is currently the only 5***** hotel in Kigali.
Kindly contact us for more quotations if you wish to visit Lake Kivu, Akagera Nationalpark or one more time the Gorillas.
Please note: The amount for the Gorilla and Golden monkey permits have to be transferred upon booking to us without bank fees on our side. They are non refundable! only the date of your visit can be changed.
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