Arrival Kigali Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali Airport you will be met by Maasai Wanderings representative who will road transfer you to Hotel Des Milles Collines(HB).
Vibrant and colourful, Kigali is the bustling capital city of Rwanda. It spreads out over four scenic ridges and the valleys in between, with the city centre located on one hill, and the government and administrative quarter on another. The highest hill, Mt Kigali, sits at 1 850 m (6 075 ft) above sea level. Kigali’s peaceful, tree-lined streets are clean and safe, and the city boasts a selection of hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and markets. Kigali is the perfect starting point for an unforgettable gorilla trek – one of Africa’s most fascinating wilderness experiences.
Volcanoes National Park
Morning driving exploration of Kigali spread of hills and valley, with lush green borders and neat roads and city centre. Short drive to nearby Genocide Memorial – this is a open and honest account of the Rwandan genocide of 1994 (and before) with excellent information on the tragedies that the people of Rwanda suffered, but also highlights genocides in other global locations as a way of educating those who visit. Local lunch in Kigali before setting off on a 2.5-3hr drive to the north-western side of Rwanda at Ruhengeri/Musanze for overnight. Our lodge is nestled in a lush jungle with the peaks of Volcanoes National Park all around. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge FB
Volcanoes National Park
Early morning transfer to the National Park Headquarters for registration and allocation to a mountain gorilla family. Each trekking group has a maximum of 8 participants led by one national park guide. The guide will gather everyone together for a briefing of the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park, rules and regulations. It is also strongly advisable to personally hire a porter to carry your day pack on the trek as the route is overgrown jungle, often steep and very slippery at times. It is also a fair-traded mechanism to employ locals bordering the national park for the day, a much needed source of income. We will also meet an armed ranger to escort us throughout the trek. Your guide will chat via radio with the trekkers of each mountain gorilla family and guide us to their location. We have a limit on one hour only to observe and photograph the family, watching them feed and interact is one of the most incredible experiences of a lifetime. After viewing time is over, our guide and porters lead us out of the park. Back to the lodge for lunch, showers and resting. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge FB
Volcanoes National Park, Return To Kigali
Another early morning with the same processes at the National Park Headquarters, except this time our trekking is potentially larger. Today we will have a shorter (and hopefully flatter) walk to the endangered Golden Monkeys, endemic to Volcanoes National Park. They are a lively private feeding in the bamboo forest – jumping from stalk to tree and back again. Be ready with cameras, and be quick. After another limited one hour viewing time, we leave these monkeys shuffle into the shadows of the forest while was wander back through the fertile farms of the slopes. Transfer onto Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village – an interesting and informative display established as a means for ex-poachers to give up their trade and earn income from share Rwandan cultural traditions. We can explore the history of warfare, traditional blacksmiths at work, the making of milk and butter, weaving, grounding corn or sorghum, traditional medicines and the royal history of the area. There is a small shop to purchase their wares and also view and energetic and colourful display of drumming, singing and dancing. This is not to be missed. Return to the lodge for lunch and then afternoon transfer back to Kigali for overnight. Hotel Des Mille Collines HB
Departure
After a scrumptious breakfast you will be transferred to Kigali Airport for departure.
