The volcanoes national park which covers an area of approximately 160sq km that is a composition of the Virunga Mountains and conservation area is within and surrounded by a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes that straddle the Ugandan and Congolese borders and protect more than half the global population of mountain gorillas within the Virungas Conservation Area, it forms part of a contiguous 433 sq. km trans frontier conservation unit that protects the upper slopes of the Virungas as a whole neighboring the southern portion of the Congolese Virunga National Park Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla National Park. The three parks function separately today, but prior to 1960 the Rwanda and Congolese sectors were jointly managed as the Albert National Park.

Volcanoes National Park is an immensely scenic and ecologically diverse ecosystem with a steep chain of free-standing mountains ranging from 7,874 feet to 414,786 feet, and linked by fertile saddles formed by solidified lava flows, ranks among the most stirring and memorable of African landscapes. On the border with DRC, Karisimbi is the tallest of the chain volcanoes, on the western part of the park, is. Moving eastwards, the other main peaks within the national park are Bisoke on the DRC border. Sabyinyo at the tripartite border with Uganda and the DRC, and Gahinga and Muhabura on the Ugandan border.

Mountain gorilla trekking is the most popular activity in Volcanoes National Park. However, a wide variety of other hikes and activities are offered, making it possible to spend several nights around the park with numerous tour activities to do. The most popular activity after gorilla tracking is a visit to a habituated troop of the rare golden monkeys, an Albertine Rift endemic whose modern range is restricted to the Virungas and can only be done here and The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Also quite popular is the hike to Dian Fossey’s former camp and grave on the forested slopes of Karisoke. Fewer visitors embark on the more demanding day treks to the summits of Bisoke crater or Muhabura, and fewer still are up for the overnight hike to the highest point in the range, the summit of Karisimbi.

Day 1: Arrival – Kigali City Tour
Upon arrival at Kigali international airport, our tour guide will welcome and take you for a briefing in the Hotel. Proceed for Kigali city tour, where you will visit the Genocide Memorial Museum, curio markets and the Kimironko fruits markets where you have a chance to meet the local people and choose your fruit basket.

The city tour will also include the old town of Nyamirambo, the new handicraft village and other shops, the Batwa pottery and dance centre and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. Lunch encountered enroute. The City tour takes a couple of hours and so interesting. Thereafter, proceed to Nyungwe National park, check-in at Nyungwe forest lodge.

Day 2: Hiking and trekking Colobus trails: Nyungwe forest N.P
Enter Nyungwe forest after breakfast to track the Nyungwe Colobus monkeys. A walk in the forest is a whole learning experience conducted by knowledgeable tour-guides well versed in botany, ornithology and interspecies relationship in this forest. There after, return to your lodge for lunch. Dinner and overnight Nyungwe forest lodge.

Day 3: Chimp trekking in Nyungwe forest & Kibuye City
After a cup of coffee, enter Nyungwe forest (0600hrs) to track the chimpanzees; return to the lodge for lunch, thereafter, connect to Kibuye for dinner and overnight in Kibuye Guest house or Hotel Centre Bethanie.

Day 4: Kibuye-Gisenyi-Ruhengeri & Kinigi (PNV)
After early break fast, proceed to Kinigi (Volcanoes National Park Head quarters) from Kibuye via Gisenyi and Ruhengeri. This is a 6hrs drive (213Km). The Kibuye-Gisenyi drive traverses the most beautiful sceneries, providing spectacular views of the tea growing countryside of Gisovu and Kayove. Brief stops are provided for photography and refreshment. A 4hrs drive takes us to Gisenyi for lunch and a brief city tour. There after drive for 2hrs to Ruhengeri and finally Kinigi; the base of gorilla tracking. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla’s Nest / Kinigi Guest House.

Day 5: Rwanda Gorillas in the Mist: Parc National des Volcans
An early morning breakfast is followed by a drive to Kinigi station – park headquarters for guide allocation and briefing on the Dos’ and Don’ts while tracking mountain Gorillas. This is followed by a drive to the trailheads where hiking and trekking up the hills to the bamboo zone begins. Hiking to the gorillas may take 2-5 hours, depending on their movements. At least an hour with the mountain Gorillas can suffice. Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 6: Day Hike to Volcanic Mountain Bisoke
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and go for hiking Mt Bisoke, with a beautiful spectacular crater lake. The trail traverses the rainforest inhabited by the endangered mountain gorillas that were the subject of the movie – Gorillas in the Mist with Dian Fossey. The hike to the Crater lake takes about 3 hours up and 2 hours down.

Put on long pants to avoid the stinging nettle plants along the trail. The Mt Bisoke hike is suitable for those who are reasonably fit! Return to the lodge for lunch and relax in the evening while discussing the day’s sightings! Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 7: PNV & Akagera National Park: Boat trip
Start a picnic drive to Kigali after breakfast, enroute, enjoy the rolling hills for which Rwanda is well known. Drive to Akagera National park, through the beautiful undulating plains, composed of dense, broad-leafed woodland, lighter acacia woodland and rolling grassland, also with an extensive series of lakes linked by papyrus swamps forming a sprawling wetland.

After lunch, proceed for a boat trip on Lake Ihema, where you will have a closer look at marine animals like Crocodiles and Hippos, coupled with large concentration of birdlife, with over 525 species identified. Unique species such as Shoe billed stocks and papyrus gonolek are part of the list. Endemics include the jacanas, ibis, sand pipers and herons. Return to Akagera safari Lodge for dinner and overnight!

Day 8: Big game drive
An early start this morning as you join your ranger in an open vehicle for your safari into the Akagera National Park. A half day game drive here will allow you the opportunity to spot a variety of wild animals such as elephants, buffalos, lions, Maasai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Butchel’s zebra, topi, bush baby, leopard and bushbuck. Have lunch and relax while having a discussion about the safari experience, and prepare for a flight back home.

Day 9: Final day in Rwanda
This is the day to say farewell to your fellow travelers, guide and to a country that has been your home for a short while. Following breakfast, you will connect to Kigali, do some shopping and latter transfer to the airport and catch your flight back home.

End of the tour