In the land of a thousand hills

Early morning departure towards Rwanda's main nature reserve, the Akagera National Park. Along the route, the tracks situated between 1,200 and 1,800 meters altitude reveal great landscape diversity:

• hills covered with savanna,

• high plateaus offering clear views extending to the Virunga mountains,

• lake depressions harboring rich wildlife.
  Vast papyrus marshes, crossed by a winding river, connect a succession of lakes with calm waters. These landscapes characterize Akagera Park, which extends over approximately 112,000 hectares. You will be able to observe buffalo, zebras, elephants, elands, warthogs, as well as numerous hartebeest and impalas. The park is also home to nearly 500 bird species, including the anhinga, shoe-billed stork and gonolek.

Upon arrival, you depart for a safari (game drive) to discover the park's wildlife, before returning to your 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 Akagera National Park.
You observe up close crocodiles basking in the sun, as well as hippopotamuses that regularly emerge from the calm waters.
On the shores of Nyirabiyoro Island, you discover a great diversity of aquatic birds, among the rarest in Rwanda, making this outing a privileged moment for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. This experience gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy the landscapes and Rwandan wildlife.

Between the Akagera Park and the Southern Province in Huye, passing through Kigali, you discover the true heart of Rwanda.

The landscape unfolds in different shades of green: the bluish green of eucalyptus trees that border the plots, the dark green of cypresses lining the tracks, and the tender green of rice paddies nestled in the valley bottoms. This route offers you an overview of the Rwandan rural landscape, with its land divided into small cultivated plots, favored by a conducive climate. You observe varied crops, from coffee and sorghum to tobacco, as well as fields of beans, potatoes and corn, forming an agricultural mosaic.
As you cross these panoramas, you reach Huye for the next part of your journey.

In the morning, you start with a visit to the Huye national museum, an unmissable site for understanding African history. This museum houses the largest ethnographic collection in Central Africa, offering an insight into local cultures and traditions.

After this visit, you head towards the Nyungwe national park. This park, which spans 970 km² and rises between 1,600 and 2,950 meters in altitude, benefits from a cool climate. It is home to rich biodiversity, with over 200 tree species and more than 100 varieties of orchids, as well as 13 primate species, including the baboon, Hoest's red colobus and the grey-cheeked mangabey.
A network of maintained trails leads you to picturesque waterfalls and a high-altitude marsh. You make a stop at Uwinka for a guided canopy walk, a crossing on suspended walkways offering a view over the forest.
You then continue your journey towards Gisakura, where you settle into your lodge for the night.

This stay takes you to discover the majestic Nyungwe Forest, a preserved environment appreciated for hiking and nature observation. You have the opportunity to meet chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), primates belonging to the hominid family and among mankind's closest genetic relatives. These animals share with us physical, emotional and mental traits, as well as social behaviors that are similar, making this encounter particularly memorable.

In the afternoon, you head towards Kibuye, located on the shores of Lake Kivu. This lake, situated at 1,460 meters altitude, is distinguished by its lush shores and surrounding vegetation. A winding track runs along the lake, sometimes reaching over 2,000 meters, and offers views of the numerous islands scattered across the water. You also pass through several lively villages, in contact with local life.
Upon arrival in Kibuye, you settle into a lodge by the lake for an evening dedicated to relaxation.

A boat excursion in Kibuye Bay allows you to enjoy the waters of the Lake Kivu, while exploring the surrounding islands.

After this boat ride, you take an asphalt road that winds through vegetation composed of plantain banana trees and coffee plantations.
Along the way, you pass the volcanic chain, with clear views of the surrounding relief.
Your day ends near the Volcanoes National Park, where you enjoy the atmosphere of this region before settling in for the night.

In the Volcanoes National Park, several gorilla families have been habituated to human presence, allowing them to be observed. They are generally accessible after a walk of 30 minutes to 2 hours on steep trails. This hike can be physically demanding, so it is recommended to be in good condition.
The approach to the gorillas is made through dense tropical forest, composed notably of bamboo, lianas and lobelias. Along the way, you may encounter other species, such as forest buffalo, golden monkeys or various bird species. This immersion allows you to discover the park's biodiversity and observe these primates in their natural environment.
The park rangers, who accompany the visit, track the gorillas' movements and know their habits. Although observation cannot be guaranteed, it is rare not to locate them. The rangers also use sounds to communicate with them and encourage a calm approach.
By following their instructions, you can stay close to the gorilla family and observe them in their activities. To preserve their peace, observation time is limited to one hour.

After this encounter with the gorillas, you return to the lodge for lunch.
You then travel in the direction of Kigali, enjoying one last time the landscapes that accompany your journey.