Description

Day 1 Arrive Kigali, Rwanda (D)
Upon arrival at Kigali International airport, with a warm welcome you will be assisted through immigrations and have a short briefing and introduction, later transferred to your hotel in Kigali with a great night view of the panorama Kigali city, having a sight of the beautiful Kigali streets, Convention center, and later check in at your hotel, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2 Kigali – Kamembe – Nyungwe National Park (B/L/D)
Wake up, have your relaxed morning buffer breakfast, and transfer to Kigali airport for flight from Kigali to the Kamembe Airport. On arrival, transfer to Nyungwe National Park which takes approx. 45 minutes. You will later, meet your guides, who will be waiting for you at the airport, to transfer you to your booked accommodation, catch up with lunch, and in the afternoon, By afternoon, you should be in the green trees of Nyungwe National Park – home to one of the oldest rainforests on the continent. With 374.5 square miles to explore you won’t be able to do it all today, but the easy stroll out to the Canopy Walkway from the Uwinka reception center offers a chance to marvel at the views from 230 feet above the rainforest floor. Listen for the sounds of 13 species of primates and more than 300 types of birds. Sleep tonight knowing you’ll meet some of the noisemakers in the days ahead. Experience the rainforest from a dazzling new perspective on the famous Canopy Walkway.

Day 3 Nyungwe National Park – Chimpanzee trekking
Today’s agenda includes chimpanzee trekking deep in the forest.

After your early morning breakfast, you will drive to the park reception for the early morning briefing before head top the forest in search of the chimpanzee. During the briefing, grouping of the trekker’s is done, and you will be put into a group of 8 member’s per group, depending on the number of trekkers, you may be less. Make your way to Cyamudongo in the dark with a local park ranger who knows the forest’s deepest secrets. Follow him to the home of the chimps. Watch the animals wake, stretch, and start their day in the forest. Snap your photos while you can. Once they’re on the move, catching up to them among the tall trees and thick brush is a feat of athletic prowess. This once in a lifetime experience deserves your full attention: Remember the feeling of the mud beneath your hiking boots, the pitch of the primate calls echoing through the trees and the moment you locked eyes with a chimp in one of the few places in the world where you still can.

These cousins to humans can be found and tracked in Nyungwe National Park. A beautiful guided hike through the forest will lead you to these fascinating creatures where you can watch them play and interact up close. Chimpanzee tracking can be done year-round in Nyungwe, rain or shine, and while it is never guaranteed that you will see them, sightings are very common and guides are skillful in tracking them. The experience differs from gorilla tracking as the chimps move through the canopy, so the so the sightings are a bit more sporadic and exciting, but worthwhile nonetheless. Observe them playing, wild and free, hooting and dashing through the trees. You will later return back to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you may opt to relax at your lodge balcony, or head for a tea plantation experience, to visit the beautiful Gisakura tea gardens. Develop a new appreciation for the golden liquid in your cup, later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 Nyungwe National Park – Volcanoes National Park (B/L/D)
The adventure continues by an overland drive from Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park, by way of the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu. (Travel time + 4 hours).

This beautiful Kivu belt road, rewards you, with unwinding countryside experience, of the rolling hills, and great view of the beautiful Lake Kivu. You can opt for a 2 hour’s boat ride on the Lake Kivu, to explore this great Lake patched with number of beautiful islands, and later have en route lunch. Take a lunch break to table restaurant on the water’s edge where you can stroll through the guava and avocado trees on route to the restaurant high above. Soon, you’ll swap this paradise for another. On route to Musanze, wave to the school kids making their way books in hand, and the ladies balancing woven baskets on their heads.

Day 5 Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking Experience (B/L/D)
Enjoy your buffer breakfast at the lodge the lodge by 0630 hours, and later jump on to your jeep and drive to the park headquarters’ in Kinigi for briefing by 0700 hrs: Registration is a simple process where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the gorilla trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening. There are a total of 96 gorilla permits available each day with a maximum of eight trekkers visiting any one group. You guide would have asked you, about your trekking fitness, and interest, so as to choose a gorilla group that matches your interest to join for the day.

Once the trekkers are put into groups, each group’s Lead Guide briefs the trekkers of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. After the briefing, trekkers return to their respective vehicles for the drive up the mountain to the starting point.
Trekking can take from two to six or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way.

Our exhilarating trek in the footsteps of the rare and critically endangered Mountain Gorillas, the largest living primate on earth, starts in the cultivated foothills of the Volcanoes National Park with stirring views in all directions.

Upon entering the park, with paths carved by the mountains’ elusive buffalo and elephant, trekkers will be immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with colourful bird calls, butterflies and more. Through gaps in the canopy, the magnificent Virunga peaks, among the highest in Africa yet easily accessible, are glimpsed, beckoning an ascent.

Weaving through overhanging vines, moss-covered hagenia and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate, our experienced trackers, who spend their entire lives in or close to this forest, bring you up close with the gorilla family.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback is one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth. You will later return back to your lodge, catch up with lunch, and in the afternoon, you can opt to relax at your lodge or visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Karisoke Research Center this afternoon to better understand the efforts and sacrifices that led to your magical moment.

Day 6 Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkey Trek – Kigali (B/L/D)
Have a sweap of African coffee, and head for a Golden monkeys trekking experience that, takes place in Volcanoes national park and at the same time 7:00 just like gorillas. These rare species are also listed as endangered – and Volcanoes national park currently has two habituated golden monkeys’ troops that are available for visiting by tourists in the park, both of which make about 50 members. The golden monkey trekking, takes same procedure as the gorilla trekking, however less, strenuous compared to gorilla trekking.

Golden monkeys in Rwanda live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes and habituation has helped them to overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists. Trekking golden monkeys and gorillas is a similar experience – in a small group of no more than eight people, and you can spend one hour with the monkeys once you find them. The endangered species are very active creatures, and jump from tree to tree which is really interesting and a little difficult to photograph!, you will return and head for hot lunch at a local restaurant and later drive to Kigali. Take a Kigali City Tour which includes a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and crafts markets, try to know the local people and understand their past.

The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for a hundred years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare. Since then, the city has seen major economic development resulting in what it is today; a vibrant African city of more than one million residents with wide boulevards, world-class hotels and restaurants, crafts & curio shops as well as a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Tour old Kigali and the craft markets, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi to learn about Rwanda’s history, the Genocide against the Tutsi as well as other mass atrocities around the world.
This tour will allow you to experience life in the country today and Rwanda’s remarkable recovery – a true testament to humankind’s resilience.

Day 7 Kigali – Entebbe (B/D)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Entebbe.

On arrival in Entebbe, transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 Entebbe – Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary (B/L/D)
Take a boat cruise out on Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and have a chance to view chimpanzees feeding. You will also be treated to sights of monitor lizards, birds, and photographic opportunities.

Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you will be directed to our visitor’s center where you will be introduced to the project, its history, our residents and their plight.

You will receive a personal orientation by a chimpanzee caregiver and view a feeding of the chimpanzees from the visitors’ raised platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence.

Day 9 Entebbe – Mabamba swamp tour and shoebill viewing (B/L/D)
You will be picked at the hotel very early in the morning after having your breakfast. Packed lunch with a few drinks will be bought and then we set off for your birding tour.

At Mabamba swamp, you will meet your birding guide who will advise and take you in a motorized traditional canoe passing through the channels as you search for the Shoebill wading through the papyrus

On your trip, you have opportunities for many other bird species at the swamp.

Mabamba swamp is a wetland and a bay on one of the fingers of Lake Victoria located near a village called Kasanje. Mabamba Swamp is the natural habitat for the rare Shoebill Storks in Uganda.

Not only is the swamp a home to the Shoebill but to a variety of other birds such as Crested crane, Swamp flycatcher, African purple swamp hen, African water rail, Mara kite, Pallid Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler and the Blue Swallow Common moorhen, African jacana, African pygym Goose, White-faced whistling duck, Squacco heron, Blue Breasted Bee-eater, Winding cisticola, Goliath Heron and other species.

After the tour you will be dropped back at your hotel.

Day 10 Entebbe – Mombasa – Diani Beach (B/L)
This morning, a city tour of Entebbe.

Visit to one of Uganda’s few UNESCO heritage sites – the Kasubi tombs. This is the burial place of Buganda Kings.

Continue to Baha’i Temple, Africa’s only Baha’i temple, a stop at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine in namugongo to venture the history of the strong Christians that were burnt for the faith.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mombasa.
On arrival, transfer to you hotel in Diani beach

Day 11 Diani beach (B)
Full day is free at leisure.

Day 12 Diani beach (B)
Full day is free at leisure.

Day 13 Mombasa – Nairobi – Lake Nakuru National Park (B/L/D)
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Nairobi.

Upon arrival at the airport, We will drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, en-route driving down the scenic Great Rift Valley with breathtaking views of Mt Longonot and Lake Naivasha while you proceed to Lake Nakuru to arrive for late lunch. Afternoon proceed on a game viewing drive circumventing Lake Nakuru. The lake is situated in the heart of the Rift Valley and is one Kenya’s most famous soda lakes. A major feature of this park is the bird life and it is world renowned as the home for millions of Flamingos.

A rhino sanctuary also provides the opportunity to see the greatly endangered black rhino

Day 14 Masai Mara Game Reserve (B/L/D)
After breakfast depart for Kenya’s famous game reserve. You start the day venturing through the Great Rift Valley travelling to the northern most extension of the Serengeti Plains and one of the richest wildlife Game Reserves, the Masai Mara. The Mara is home to the awesome black-manned lion, the elusive leopard, stately giraffes, vast herds of elephants, rhino, thundering herds of zebra, migrating wildebeest and numerous other plains game. You arrive at the camp/lodge for a late lunch. After lunch depart for an afternoon game-viewing drive.

Enjoy dinner and overnight at the camp/lodge.

Day 15 Masai Mara Game Reserve (B/L/D)
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and a full morning’s game viewing drive to return for lunch. Experience the friendly atmosphere where the Masai community lives in harmony with wild game. After lunch visit a traditional Masai Manyatta (off the beaten track) and experience the culture of this world famous community. The Masai still live as they did for centuries – Interact with these nomadic people and experience their way of life as you learn about their customs and traditions. Continue with the afternoon game viewing as you return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Today’s adventure begins just before dawn. Flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crew inflate their craft. (USD 450 per person paid at spot)

The first, pink tongues of sunlight flicker across the skies and the hot air balloon fills then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a game-viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective. Apart from the occasional hiss of the burners, a lion’s roar, elephants crashing through the bush, baboons perched in the tips of the trees startled and screeching to see something above them, the flight above the Masai Mara plains is magically silent. At the end of the flight, the passengers are treated to a champagne breakfast in the bush, complete with flowers. China and crystal are set out on the table that is placed under a convenient acacia tree. The finishing touch to the flight is a game drive back to the camp, and the possibility of seeing the same pride of lions, or herd of elephants that had been viewed while ballooning. A flight certificate is issued on completion of the balloon safari. Back at Camp/lodge enjoy a sumptuous lunch and a well deserved rest.

Day 16 Masai Mara Game Reserve – Nairobi (B/L)
This morning we enjoy our breakfast then check-out. We bid farewell to our wonderful lodge manager and his team then depart back to Nairobi. Not empty handed though. With us are photographs – a capture of the special moments we have had on this tour to immortalize the experience.

On arrival in Nairobi, our guide driver will transfer you to the Carnivore restaurant for lunch then drop you at the airport for flight home

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