Discover Rwanda
8 nights/9 days
Scheduled Departure Safari 
Beginning with a focus on birds and wetlands wildlife, the first stop is in the eastern part of Rwanda at Akagera. The highlight of the safari is tracking the mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in the Virunga volcanoes in the northwest. You have an opportunity to track gorillas twice. You can also climb a volcano, visit the remains of Dian Fossey’s grave and the endangered golden monkey. You continue to Nyungwe, in southern Rwanda, a massive afro-montane forest, the largest in Central Africa. The forest has 13 primate species including chimpanzee and large groups of colobus monkeys. Other attractions are 300 bird species and a variety of orchids and butterflies.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Kigali, overnight at Akagera Lodge
Day 2 Overnight at Akagera Lodge
Day 3 To Kinigi, overnight at Virunga Lodge
Day 4 & 5 Parc National des Volcans, Virunga Lodge
Day 6 To Nyungwe, overnight at Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge
Day 7 & 8 Nyungwe Forest, overnight at Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge
Day 9 Return to Kigali
Discover Rwanda - Price
Price for 2010 Departures: $5,700 per person sharing
Single supplement: $1,555
Prices include all transportation, driver/guide services, park fees, chimp permits and one gorilla permit, accommodation on a shared basis and most meals. At Virunga Lodge your alcoholic and soft drinks, laundry service, lodge activities and a complimentary massage are all included. Your safari price also includes a $100 contribution to a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation and community projects in Rwanda.
Prices exclude airfare to Rwanda, travel insurance, visa fees and airport taxes, gratuities and additional gorilla permits. At Akagera Lodge and Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge any phone calls, laundry, drinks and gratuities are not included in the safari price.
Discover Rwanda - Departure Dates
This safari starts and ends in Kigali.
2010
January 18, February 15, March 1, April 5, May 10, June 7, July 26, August 23, September 13, October 4, November 8, December 6
Discover Rwanda - Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to Kigali. You will receive a safari briefing and have lunch. Depart at 2 p.m. for Akagera where you can enjoy a game drive before sunset. Overnight at Akagera Lodge.
Day 2
You will have an opportunity to do game drives in the park or a canoe ride on Lake Ihema to see the large number of hippo, the huge Nile crocodile and birds. Overnight at Akagera Lodge.
Day 3
Set out early for Kinigi. The journey north goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome volcanoes, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. You’ll have a late lunch on arrival at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge.
Day 4
Today you will go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Overnight at Virunga Lodge.
Day 5 
You can choose to go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey's grave, or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. Overnight at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge.
Day 6
You’ll get an early start for Nyungwe. Visit the old palace in Nyanza. Drive past green hills of tea and the vast Nyungwe Forest. Overnight at Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge.
Day 7
You’ll go on an escorted walk in search of the large groups of colobus monkeys and birds including the Rwenzori turaco. The other option is chimp tracking. Enjoy a picnic lunch and return late afternoon. Overnight at Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge.
Day 8
Again you can choose to do a guided nature walk in the forest or go chimp tracking. Overnight at Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge.
Day 9
Today you depart for Kigali. Time permitting; you can go for a tour of the city including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Franco-Rwandan cultural center and a genocide memorial. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Contact Duffle & Compass to begin planning your Africa adventure.
