Three Giraffes on Land

    6 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Cultural Tour

    • Rwanda
    • 6 days

    Overview

    This tour delves into the history and culture of the Rwandan people. Visit Kigali, Rwanda’s modern capital, and the genocide memorial at Gisozi, which depicts the country’s recent tragic history. Other highlights include local markets, the king’s palace from pre-colonial Rwanda, Ross Carr’s flower farm and orphanage, and Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. In Ruhengeri/Musanze, explore local communities and enjoy the unforgettable experience of tracking mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

    Best time to visit: July - August

    Duration

    6 days

    Map Overview

    • Kigali
    • Nyanza
    • Huye
    • Gisenyi
    • Lake Kivu
    • Volcanoes National Park
    • Karisoke Research Center
    • Kigali

    Places to Visit

    GisenyiGisenyi
    HuyeHuye
    Karisoke Research CenterKarisoke Research Center
    Lake KivuLake Kivu

    Day by Day Itinerary

    Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel for orientation/safari briefing. Later in the day, we visit Kigali city, some local market and the Genocide memorial of Gisozi.

    Accommodation: Des Mille Collines
    Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

    After breakfast, we travel to Nyanza and visit the King’s Palace, seat of the former feudal monarchy. The palace has been reconstructed to its 19th century state using local traditional materials and is one of the most magnificent traditional structures in Africa today. The resident cultural guide will take us through the cultural, political and social organization of society before the advent of Christianity and other recent religions in this area. Later we travel to Gisenyi passing through a beautiful rural countryside with village life.

    Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena
    Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

    Visit the shores of Lake Kivu and later travel to Imbabazi orphanage founded by Mrs. Rosamond Halsey Carr in late 1994 at Mugongo where the genocide orphans reside. Rosamond Halsey was a young American fashion illustrator when she married an adventurous hunter-explorer, Kenneth Carr. Together they journeyed to the then Belgie Congo D.R.C in 1949 but divorced later on. Kenneth left but Rosamond stayed in Congo until 1955. From there, she moved northwest of Rwanda where she stayed for the next 50 years. There, she witnessed a big part of Rwanda’s historical events including the 1994 civil war. She is the author of Land Of A Thousand Hills: My Life In Rwanda.The resident guide will give us a story about the life and times of this lady, her relationship with the local people and Dian Fossey, the famous gorilla conservationist. For those who have watched the movie, Gorillas in The Mist, note that some of the scenes were shot in this property.

    After visiting the orphanage, we continue to Musanze on the foothills of Volcanoes national park.

    Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

    Today’s activity may be the most exciting and challenging of our entire expedition.The mountain gorillas in the volcanoes national park are part of a worldwide population of just about 800 species.The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of the 8 habituated family groups that live in this mountain park. For up to five years each,these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild.

    The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany us on our tracking where most of them have been involved in the habituation process themselves.The guides and trackers will use their knowledge of the gorillas habits and information from the previous day to locate the groups’ whereabouts.

    Because of this, the time it takes to track the gorillas vary from as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours before one returns to our hotel. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.This is one of the world’s truly memorable experiences- one look at them reminds us of the fact that they are on the edge of extinction,and that our presence here contributes to ensuring their continued survival.

    Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

    We have various options: we can track the golden monkeys, visit Mt. Visoke or Karisoke research center. In the afternoon,we continue exploring the cultural delights of this area and visit Iby iwachu cultural center for cultural dancing and an informative experience about traditional local medicine. This cultural group was formed by pygmies and ex poachers and we shall listen to their side of the story after abandoning the illegal practice.

    Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

    Leisure time at the lodge after breakfast and later on we travel back to Kigali. If time permits, we can do some shopping before departing back home.

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    Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

    Inclusions

    • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
    • All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
    • A professional driver/guide
    • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
    • All Taxes/VAT
    • Roundtrip airport transfer
    • rinking water on all days

    Exclusions

    • All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
    • International flights (from/to home)
    • Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
    • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
    • Alcoholic drinks
    • Services not mentioned in the program
    • Items of a personal nature

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What’s Included and Excluded in Every Tour?

    The inclusions and exclusions vary by tour. Each tour has its specific set of inclusions and exclusions. Please refer to the individual tour page to see what is specifically included in that tour.

    What Are Your Cancellation Terms?

    Our cancellation terms are standard within the industry. For more information on our cancellation policy, please visit the designated page.

    What Vaccines and Health Requirements Are Needed?

    The requirements vary depending on the country and nationality. For the most accurate information, please visit the page specific to your destination and consult the corresponding embassy page for the latest information.

    Can I Choose Other Accommodation Than What’s Specified?

    Yes, if you have a special preference, let us know, and we will offer alternatives from our vast network of company-owned and partner accommodations. Booking with us allows you to enjoy discounted rates as we have special agreements with our partners.

    Will My Mobile/Cellular Phone Work During the Tour?

    Yes, though signal strength may vary in different areas.

    What Activities Can My Kids Do While on a Safari?

    A safari offers an enriching experience for children, allowing them to observe animals in their natural habitat. Some camps and lodges offer amenities for children, such as playrooms and pools, though these are not universally available. We suggest bringing activities that your children enjoy.

    What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

    We accept various payment methods, including card payments. For more information on acceptable payment methods, please visit our payment information page.

    What If I Have Special Needs or Requirements?

    We strive to cater to all requirements, such as providing wheelchair-friendly accommodation or rooms on the first floor if stairs are a challenge. Please communicate with us in advance about your needs.

    What Are the Road Conditions Like?

    Most safari parks have bumpy but manageable roads, with some roads being paved. Generally, guests do not view this as a problem.

    Is Electricity Available 24 Hours in the Lodges and Camps?

    Most standard camps and lodges are equipped with generators, so electricity is generally available 24 hours. However, some interruptions may occur but are typically not a significant concern for guests.

    What About My Special Diet and Food Preferences?

    We cater to all diets, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, among others. Please inform us in advance about your dietary preferences.

    Is Tipping Required?

    Tipping is not required but is recommended. The amount varies by country, but you should tip according to what you feel is appropriate.

    Take Off on a Memorable Safari Experience and Explore the Wild Right Away!

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