14 days in Rwanda - Adventure and discovery circuit

After breakfast, you head towards Butare/Huye, with a first stop at the Royal Palace of Nyanza, also called Museum of Ancient Rwandan History.
Housed in the former palace of King Mutara III, in Nyanza, this site immerses you in the world of Rwanda's traditional monarchical system. The palace has been reconstructed identically with local materials, as it appeared in the 19th century, and comprises three traditional huts.
Among the striking features of the museum, you discover the royal cattle with long horns, called Inyambo, symbols of royal prestige in Rwandan culture.
Near the traditional palace is also the modern palace built in 1931, where King Mutara lived until his death in 1959. This building includes several rooms with distinct functions, notably a living room, a dining room and a cellar.

After this visit, you continue on the road to Butare, an important town in the Huye district, where you discover the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda.
This museum plays a central role in research and education in Rwanda. It is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the country's ethnographic and archaeological collections, offering an insight into Rwandan history and traditions.

After breakfast, you take the road for approximately two and a half hours towards Gisakura.
On the way, you make a stop at Uwinka for a guided walk of approximately one hour on the Canopy Walkway, a suspended walkway 60 meters above the ground. This structure, unique in East Africa, crosses the treetops of the forest and offers viewpoints over the wildlife and flora of the Nyungwe National Park.
Composed of three towers, this walkway is among the largest structures in the region and allows you to explore the forest from above.

After this immersive walk, we get back on the road for approximately 45 minutes before arriving at the village of Gisakura, where we settle in for a well-deserved lunch and a moment of relaxation at the lodge.

In the afternoon, we set out for a guided walk in the surroundings, through the picturesque tea plantations that border the village, for an authentic discovery of the local way of life.

This stay takes you to discover the majestic Nyungwe Forest, a natural space recognized for its ecological richness and its hiking trails.
You have the opportunity to observe chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), primates belonging to the family of hominids and considered to be mankind's closest genetic relatives. These animals display physical, emotional and mental traits close to our own, as well as comparable social behaviors, which makes their observation particularly interesting in their natural environment.

In the afternoon, you take the road towards Kibuye, located on the shores of Lake Kivu.

This lake, situated at 1,460 meters altitude, is known for its hillside landscapes and vegetation that border its shores. The winding road follows the lake and sometimes rises to over 2,000 meters, offering views of the numerous islands that dot the water's surface.

Along the way, you pass through several villages, where the passage of travelers often attracts the attention and curiosity of the inhabitants.

At Kibuye, you board a small motorboat to discover Nyamunini Island, recognizable by its shape evoking Napoleon's hat.
There, you observe the bat colonies that inhabit the island and enjoy the clarity of the lake's waters. This boat ride also allows you to admire the small bays and islands that surround the lake, in a peaceful natural environment.

The Congo-Nile Trail is a route following the shores of Lake Kivu, which offers hikers views of the lake landscapes and surrounding hills. The route crosses dense vegetation and rolling hills, characteristics of Rwanda, often called the "land of a thousand hills".
In the early morning, you enjoy a picnic breakfast, before taking the road for approximately two hours in the direction of Musasa.

This is where you meet your local guide to begin a guided walk through the region's landscapes.
The hike, lasting approximately 5 to 6 hours, takes you into the heart of nature, with views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
For participants wishing to reduce walking time, the vehicle remains nearby throughout the route, offering flexibility and comfort during the activity.

The morning begins peacefully on the shores of Lake Kivu, where you enjoy the calm of the lake shores.
You then take the road towards Gisenyi, a town located on the northern shore of the lake.
The journey crosses tea and coffee plantations, as well as banana fields, while passing through several villages. Along the way, you discover the lush and rolling landscapes of the Rwandan countryside.

You arrive in Gisenyi in the early afternoon. This town, located near Goma and on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a lively place where inhabitants and travelers meet.
During your visit to Gisenyi, you discover its local markets, where you can observe the daily life of the inhabitants, as well as the surroundings of the border with the DRC. This discovery allows you to explore the town while enjoying its location on the shores of the lake.

After breakfast, you head towards Musanze.
On the way, you stop at Pfunda for a visit of approximately two hours to a tea factory. This visit allows you to discover the different stages of tea leaf processing and better understand the production of one of Rwanda's important agricultural products.

You then continue your journey towards Musanze, a town located at the foot of the Virunga volcanic chain, which strongly shapes the region's landscapes.
Upon arrival, you have lunch in a local restaurant, before taking a small track leading to the twin lakes Ruhondo and Burera.
These lakes are surrounded by fishing villages, and a canoe excursion allows you to discover this natural environment. As you navigate, you observe water birds and enjoy views of the volcanic landscapes in a peaceful atmosphere.

Today, the day begins with an early wake-up, followed by breakfast. You then meet your driver-guide at the lodge for a short journey of approximately 30 minutes to the entrance of the Volcanoes National Park.
Upon arrival, you attend a park presentation and receive essential instructions regarding the hike and observation of mountain gorillas. This is also when the gorilla group that you will track is assigned to you.

Accompanied by an experienced guide and trackers, you set out in search of these primates in their natural environment. The mountain gorillas live in family groups of 8 to 20 individuals, comprising an alpha male known as silverback, adult females and several young. This male can weigh up to 250 kg and measure approximately 1.70 meters. Despite their imposing size, these gorillas remain calm and peaceful, pursuing their activities in the forest during your observation.
The duration of the hike depends on the location of the group, and can vary between 2 and 6 hours.

After this experience, you visit the Iby'Iwacu cultural village. This community, formerly linked to poaching, today participates in gorilla conservation efforts by raising visitors' awareness of their protection.

A second gorilla visit can be considered for those wishing to extend this experience.
Alternatively, you can choose the golden monkey trek (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), a species living in the bamboo forests of the park.
It is also possible to opt for climbing Mount Bisoke, which allows you to discover the volcanic landscapes of the region.
Another option is to visit the tomb of Dian Fossey, a primatologist known for her work dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas.

After your trekking or excursion, you head back on the road to Musanze, before continuing with a transfer of approximately two and a half hours to reach Kigali.

You depart early in the morning towards Rwanda's main nature reserve, the Akagera National Park.
As you progress, the trails located between 1,200 and 1,800 meters altitude reveal a great diversity of landscapes:

• hills covered with savanna

• high plateaus offering viewpoints towards the Virunga mountains

• lake areas where varied wildlife develops.

Upon arrival, you set off on a safari (game drive) to discover the park's wildlife.
After this exploration, you return to the lodge for lunch, followed by a moment of relaxation.

In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Ihema, one of the largest lakes in the Akagera National Park.
During this outing, you can observe crocodiles resting in the sun on the banks, as well as hippopotamuses that regularly emerge at the water's surface.

The day begins with a final morning safari (game drive) in the Akagera National Park, offering another opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

After this outing, you return to the lodge for lunch, before heading back towards Kigali.

Along the way, you enjoy one last time the Rwandan landscapes. The valleys are composed of small cultivated plots, where coffee, sorghum and tobacco crops succeed one another, as well as fields of beans, potatoes and corn, forming a patchwork of colors across the countryside.
You arrive in Kigali in the late afternoon, marking the conclusion of this journey through the landscapes and wildlife of Rwanda.