Arrive Kigali, Rwanda

You will be met by a representative of Exotic Journeys International Group who is an experienced guide and also the Regional Manager.

After a short briefing, you will be transferred to your city hotel. The guide will give you an insight on the wonderful adventures ahead of your safari.

Breakfast at the hotel.

City tour of Kigali, visiting Kigali Solaire, Stade Régional, Kigali Genocide Memorial, Dr. Richard Kandt Museum who was the first German explorer to settle in Kigali, and the Belgian camp.

Transfer to Bugesera in the afternoon to visit the reconciliation village, Nyamata and Ntarama genocide churches, where thousands of innocent people were butchered in the house of God.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Akagera National Park, passing through Rwanda’s phenomenal landscapes and living lifestyles.

Check in at Akagera Game Lodge and, after a short rest at the hotel, continue on with your game drive alongside the Lake Ihema circuit. Plenty of wild animals can be seen, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and many other mammal species. Known as one of the most scenic savannahs in East Africa, the game drive in Akagera provides you with the opportunity to also view gentle hills blending beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.

Time permitting, you will walk around the hotel to see various species of birds, participate in the day-to-day local pastoral lifestyle, presentation on the ecology of the Akagera ecosystem and the conservation efforts, including the coexisting dynamics between the local people and the wildlife.

The early morning game drive starts with a spectacular sunrise and early morning bird calls. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscape through the northern circuit, where you will see hippos, crocodiles, and even more wildlife than on the southern lake circuit.

Morning Transfer to Kibuye.

Kibuye is Rwanda’s most attractive lake port, nestled in a series of interwoven and undulating hills and offering visitors spectacular views of the lake, its islands, and the stunning surrounding countryside. It is considered one of Rwanda’s hidden treasures, with its lush green hills and peaceful breeze.

Lake Kivu is one of the Albertine Rift Valley lakes in Africa and the largest of the freshwater lakes that gleam in the Albertine (Western) Rift of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu stands at 1461m (4,790ft) above sea level, establishing it as Africa’s highest lake. The northern shore of the lake is often subject to eruptions from nearby Mt Nyiragongo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will take a boat ride to the Napoleon Peace Islands and walk around to see Angolan bats. Also visit Nyange Genocide Memorial School, churches, and the Earth Museum.

Morning transfer to Parc National des Volcans via Ngororero, with amazing landscapes and local lifestyles. You will stop for lunch at one of the restaurants and then proceed to Volcanoes National Park.

Check in at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, which is very close to the Virunga massif and volcanic chain.

Early morning transfer to Park offices for pre-trek briefing.

After completing park formalities, you will embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas.

This is perhaps one of the most breathtaking wildlife experiences on earth! Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience and is remembered forever.

Transfer to Kigali by evening.
Depart on your onward journey.