In the Land of a Thousand Hills

Airport pickup by your driver-guide, then transfer to your hotel.

You arrive at the Chez Lando hotel for room check-in. You then enjoy your dinner on-site, before spending the night at the hotel.

You leave early in the morning heading towards Rwanda's main nature reserve, the Akagera National Park.

As you progress, the trails located between 1,200 and 1,800 meters in altitude reveal great landscape diversity:

• hills covered with savanna;

• high plateaus offering views towards the Virunga mountains;

• lake areas where varied wildlife develops.

Upon arrival, you set off for a safari (game drive) to discover the park's wildlife.

After this exploration, you return to the lodge for lunch, followed by a time of relaxation.

In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Ihema, one of the largest lakes in 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.

Between the Akagera park and the Southern Province in Huye, passing through Kigali, you traverse the heart of Rwanda.
The landscapes display different shades of green: the blue-green of eucalyptus trees that structure the plots, the dark green of cypress trees lining the tracks, and the softer green of rice paddies nestled in the valley bottoms. This route offers you an overview of the Rwandan rural landscape, marked by land fragmented into small cultivated plots, favored by a climate conducive to agriculture.

You observe varied crops, from coffee and sorghum to tobacco, alongside fields of beans, potatoes and corn, forming an agricultural mosaic characteristic of the country. As you traverse these panoramas, you reach Huye, ready to continue your journey.

In the morning, you begin with a visit to the Huye National Museum, an essential step to better understand Rwanda's history and cultures. This museum houses an important ethnographic collection from Central Africa, offering a detailed overview of local traditions and ways of life.

After this visit, you travel towards the Nyungwe National Park. Spanning 970 km² and situated between 1,600 and 2,950 meters altitude, this park benefits from a cool climate. It is home to rich biodiversity, with over 200 tree species and over 100 varieties of orchids. It also provides habitat for 13 primate species, including baboons, Hoest's red colobus, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
A network of maintained trails provides access to waterfalls and a high-altitude marsh. In the heart of this forest, you stop at Uwinka for a guided walk on the canopy. This crossing on suspended walkways offers you a different perspective on the forest environment.
Following this activity, you 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 family of hominids and among the closest genetic relatives of humans. These animals share with us physical, emotional and mental traits, as well as social behaviors close to ours, making this encounter particularly striking.

In the afternoon, you take the road towards Kibuye, located on the shores of Lake Kivu. This lake, perched at 1,460 meters altitude, is distinguished by its verdant shores and the vegetation surrounding them. A winding track runs along the lake, sometimes reaching over 2,000 meters, and offers views of the numerous islands scattered on the water. You also cross several lively villages, in contact with local life.
Upon your arrival in Kibuye, you settle into a lodge on the edge of the lake for an evening devoted 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 outing, you take an asphalt road that winds through vegetation composed of plantain trees and coffee plantations.
Along the way, you pass by the volcanic chain, with clear views of the surrounding landscape.
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 takes place through a 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, follow the gorillas' movements and know their habits. Even if 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 tranquility, observation time is limited to one hour.

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

After this urban immersion, a transfer will take you to the airport for your return flight, thus closing your Rwandan adventure.