Trek with Gorillas, Meet the Chimpanzees and Cruise on Lake Kivu

You arrive in Kigali and are met by our representative who will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure, depending on your flight time we can organise a day excursion.

Overnight at the Hotel des Milles Collines, beautifully located with a view of the city. This magnificent historic hotel boasts gorgeous views of the Kigali skyline and the lush green hills that the city extends over. Hôtel des Mille Collines prides itself on offering superb culinary and fine dining experiences. La Terrasse provides guests with all-day dining overlooking the hotel’s flourishing green gardens, while the elegant Le Panorama is Kigali’s signature dining experience complimented with breath-taking views of the city’s twinkling lights and rolling hills.

You depart in the morning, for a guided tour of the city including a visit to the Genocide Museum and lunch. Continue to the Volcanoes National Park area and reach the Virunga Lodge in the afternoon. Your meals are included during your stay.

Enjoy an early night before the morning trek to see the Mountain Gorillas. No other wildlife encounter in Africa matches the astounding experience of spending time face-to-face with wild gorillas.

Your professional guide and tracker lead you into the forest, looking for a habituated gorilla family. Once found, you’ll approach the gorillas quietly and settle down to observe them for about an hour. You can watch them while they forage and groom each other, and if there are babies around they will surely entertain you with their tumbles and play.

You will depart to reach the shores of Lake Kivu and board the Kivu Queen on a Saturday, as she sails south from Gisenyi sailing 2-nights to Nyamasheke.

Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga is a one-of-a-kind luxury expedition vessel that allows you to explore the stunning African Great Lake, Lake Kivu. This magnificent lake forms Rwanda’s western boundary and is renowned for its fishing industry, preserving the traditional methods of the Rwandan people. As you sail on the 2 night itinerary, you’ll be immersed in the splendor of the Kivu belt, filled with lush flora, diverse fauna, and enchanting nature surrounding you.

Your meals are included on board, simply sit back, and relax while you glide on the lake.

Today the boat will be moored in the bay, a Kivu Queen tender boat will board you to the public beach (no jetty) where you will meet up with your guide and vehicle and continue for the 2 nights stay nearby. You will enjoy an early night, to prepare for the encounter with the Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, the next morning. Your meals are included during your stay.

The dense canopy of trees that dominate Nyungwe Forest is home to around 500 chimpanzees, which live in troops of varying sizes. Of these, two are habituated to visitors – although they are not quite as relaxed as the mountain gorillas. With rugged terrain and dense vegetation, the trek can be quite strenuous but the pace is slow and the rainforest environment – with its array of birds and other wildlife – is captivating. Your guide will be a wildlife specialist, and you’ll have plenty of time during the trek to ask questions. You will be able to stay about 1 hour with the chimp family, once spotted.

After breakfast, you depart for the drive back to Kigali, with a lunch stop en-route and a visit to Butare's National Museum. Alternatively, depending on the day's schedule, we can assist with a flight back to Kigali (extra not included) with a local airline or a private helicopter.

Overnight at the Hotel des Milles Collines, where this wonderful trip started.

After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

It is also possible to extend the trip with a 2 or 3 nights safari in Akagera National Park with a luxury stay at Magashi Lodge. Chat to us for options.