5 Days Remarkable Rwanda -Volcanoes Experience

Day 1: The Retreat by Heaven, Kigali

Kigali

Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.

Day Itinerary

• TBA: Arrival flight time at Kigali International Airport

• TBA: VIP meet & greet assistance through immigration.

• Pick up from Kigali International Airport for a 25 minutes transfer to Retreat Heaven Boutique Hotel.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Overnight: The Retreat by Heaven

Town & Country and The New York Times call The Retreat in Rwanda one of the top new hotels in the world in 2019. The American owners of Heaven Restaurant created The Retreat, a 12-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined street steps from Kigali City Center and 20 minutes from the airport. 8 new luxury pool villas are under construction and will be open by December 2020. The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally-crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation room, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with jacuzzi and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness center. Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offer delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through the Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu. The Retreat is the perfect choice to host guests for 1 night or several days as it offers innovative, curated cultural experiences and exciting activities in and around Kigali. From public health to hospitality, co-owners Alissa & Josh Ruxin created Heaven Restaurant in 2008 to provide jobs and vocational training in hospitality, to date, Heaven and The Retreat have trained over 1000 Rwandans in hospitality skills.

Day 2 : One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face to face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main draw card, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the Crater Lake on Mount Bisoke.

Day Itinerary

• 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.

• 0900: Transfer and visit the Genocide memorial centre.

• 1030: Transfer to Volcanoes. Travel time 2.5hrs.

• 1300: Arrival at One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.

• 1350: Lunch for the day and spend the rest of the afternoon on relaxation.

• 1500: The rest of the afternoon is for relaxation around the lodge.

• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at the One &Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Overnight: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest

Located in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is an excellent option for a nature vacation. The surrounding area offers attractions and activities such as embarking on a safari in the National Park and gorilla spotting in their natural habitat. The hotel features a selection of comfortably furnished rooms and suites to ensure guests enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable stay.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Activities

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum

Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The centre is an extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.

The memorial hosts a tour which is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.

Day 3: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Day Itinerary

• 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.

• 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing.

• 0800: Start the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

• 1200: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.

• 1230: Transfer back to the Lodge.

• 1300: Lunch at the Lodge.

• 1500: Visit to Iby’ Iwacu cultural village. 

• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at the One &Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Activities

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some taking the better part of the day.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Offering an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Vulcans. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you home stay with the community and become part of their family.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 : One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Day Itinerary

• 0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.

• 0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for the golden monkey trekking briefing.

• 0800: Start Golden monkey trek.

• 1130: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.

• 1200: Transfer back to the lodge.

• 1300: Lunch at the Lodge.

• 1500: Afternoon relaxation and sightseeing at the Lodge.

• 1800: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Activities

RDB Golden Monkey Tracking

Located in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, RDB Golden Monkey Tracking offers visitors a unique experience of catching a glimpse of the endangered Golden Monkey. These striking primates with their bright orange fur contrasting the green rainforests of the Virunga Mountains is a photographers dream. The Golden Monkey can be found in very few places outside of Volcanoes National Park, and their vibrant colours, energetic demeanour, and sizeable troupes of up to 30 individuals are indeed a sight to behold.

Basis

Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Day 5: End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

• 0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.

• 0900: Transfer back to Kigali.

• 1200: Estimated arrival at Kigali.

• 1300: Lunch in Kigali at Fusion Restaurant Kigali Retreat before they head to the airport.

• TBA: Transfer to Kigali International Airport.

• TBA: Check in for your outbound flight to your next destination.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast & Lunch