Day 1 - Arrival into Rwanda

Check-in - 14:00 - Heaven Boutique Hotel

Heaven Boutique Hotel is a popular four star hotel with 30 rooms located on two separate properties in a peaceful, residential area of Kigali. Heaven Boutique Hotel features local Rwandan décor, warm hospitality, delicious breakfasts at Heaven Restaurant, and access to a solar-heated salt water swimming pool, outdoor yoga deck and fitness center.

Day 2 - Kigali to Akagera National Park

Start at 08:30 - Umusambi Village Trail Biking & BBQ Lunch Celebration

Umusambi village nature trail is about experiencing beautiful sceneries and exploring local villages around Kabuga hill. Starting and finishing at Umusambi Village this 22km trail is an exhilarating experience of fun and adventure through local villages with spectacular mountain views. The biking and BBQ package offers you the chance to experience the incredible freedom that two wheels can offer. After lunch, you might do an optional visit to the village as a way of supporting conservation works done by this amazing organization. Entry fee will be paid directly, US$15 per person.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is one of Africa's most remarkable success stories. Now home to lions, rhinoceros the Big-Five and so much more there are over 13,000 large animals including a rapidly growing number of apex predators, it is one of the best places for game viewing in Africa. However, what makes Akagera special is its conservation. Just over 20 years ago it was on the verge of being lost forever, however, visionary leadership from African Parks has built a story of prosperity and hope where wildlife is flourishing.

Check-in 14:30 - Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Ruzizi is a luxury eco-lodge located on the banks of Lake Ihema. The nine tents are set back from Ihema’s serene shores and hidden among swaying palms and fruiting fig trees. They flank a thatched reception and dining area, and wooden walkways lead to a stunning deck that hangs over the lake. It contains a central fire pit and is the perfect spot for a morning cup of coffee or post-dinner digestif. With a 20-guest maximum, Ruzizi is an intimate retreat. Each tent boasts an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water, a bathtub or outdoor shower, a dressing area, and a cozy queen bed (alternatively, guests can request two beds). All of Ruzizi’s tents enjoy shaded verandas containing chairs, a tree-trunk table, and a hammock. The lodge was designed to blend in with its surroundings to ensure guests connect with nature. During construction, trees and vegetation were left undisturbed when possible. Some natural elements have been incorporated into the structure, and many of Ruzizi’s decorations and furniture were hand-crafted by local artisans and cooperatives. The lodge is powered by solar energy and prides itself on being environmentally conscious.

Start at 16:30 - Akagera: Lake Ihema boat trip

The Lake Ihema boat trip is a superb way to experience the abundant wildlife of Akagera. Led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide, the motorboat will take you to a nearby island and along the forest-fringed shores where you are certain to see many species of birds. Sightings of the iconic African fish eagle crowned cranes, raucous colonies of cormorants along with hippos, crocodiles are common and occasionally there are also sightings of elephants, antelope and other herbivores. The longer trip at sunset is the perfect way to end the day as the sun dips behind the hills. Boat trips are scheduled at the following times: 07:30 – 08:30 09:00 – 10:00 15:00 – 16:00 16:30 – 18:00 (sunset trip)

Day 3 - Game viewing in Akagera National Park Day 1

Start at 09:00 - Akagera: Full-day game drive

Set off early to find the best wildlife and explore the low-lying plains, savannah, woodlands, wetlands and some of the dozen lakes that comprise this special place. With common sightings of zebra, giraffe, buffalo, topi, and lots of impala, you'll also be keeping a lookout for elephants, rhinoceros, defassa waterbuck, roan antelope, eland, duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer and bushbuck. On the plains, you'll probably find spotted hyaenas and may see lions. Leopards are usually seen in the scrub and woodlands, whilst serval - a wild cat, side-striped jackal and several species of mongoose may also be spotted - if you're lucky.

Start at 17:30 - Akagera Night drive

A night drive takes you on a journey to discover the nocturnal wildlife that is hidden in the day. You'll likely to see birds and small primates in the trees however, if you're lucky you may also find some of Akagera's preditors as they are often more active at night. Nigh drives operate from Karenge Bush Camp by their experienced guides - Self-drive and other un-guided safari options are not allowed. You will be start at 5.30pm and end the activity around 8 – 8.30pm.

Day 4 - Game viewing in Akagera National Park Day 2

Start at 08:00 - Akagera: Full-day game drive

Set off early to find the best wildlife and explore the low-lying plains, savannah, woodlands, wetlands and some of the dozen lakes that comprise this special place. With common sightings of zebra, giraffe, buffalo, topi, and lots of impala, you'll also be keeping a lookout for elephants, rhinoceros, defassa waterbuck, roan antelope, eland, duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer and bushbuck. On the plains, you'll probably find spotted hyaenas and may see lions. Leopards are usually seen in the scrub and woodlands, whilst serval - a wild cat, side-striped jackal and several species of mongoose may also be spotted - if you're lucky.

Day 5 - Kigali to Musanze

Start at 12:00 - Lunch at Five Volcanoes

Start at 14:00 - Mukungwa River Canoe Trip

Set in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, discover this special way to journey though the countryside in our modern canoes! Soak up impressive views, spot abundant birds, look out for the otters and meet friendly communities. Led by an experienced Kingfisher Journey’s activity leader, this river is mostly very gentle and flat with one short, easy rapid and one section where the water goes quite fast. The start is a 15 minute transfer from central Musanze (add about 15 minutes from Kinigi). Here your activity leader will give you a briefing on the riverside before you get on the water. The first section is a flat and easy opportunity to learn how to steer your canoe as you float gently downstream. After about 20-30 minutes you will pull over for a short additional briefing about the small rapid, where helmets must be worn. Then as you continue deep into the countryside, you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of rural Rwanda. You’ll be given an additional briefing about the approximately 200m section where the water speeds up as it goes around a few corners. After about 2.5-3 hours on the water the end of the trip is just after a road bridge. It takes about 20 minutes to drive back to Musanze and a further 15 minutes to Kinigi.

Day 6 - Golden Monkeys and Lake Ruhondo

Start at 07:00 - Golden Monkeys

Today you will head out into the forest to track an endangered species of monkey known as the Golden Monkey. Spend 1 hour watching the monkey families play in the forest! This is a wonderful wildlife encounter as the proceeds from tourists visiting goes towards the research into the protection of this species and how to preserve their environment so that they do not become extinct. And if you're into birds then make sure to ask your guides to point out the species that you may find on the trails, which if you're really lucky may include the rather impressive Blue Turaco! Meet at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at 07:00 and at 08:00 you will begin hiking through the forests to spend an hour with a troop of 40-100 playful golden monkeys who are jumping and running all around. This rare species is listed as endangered and there are currently two troops of monkeys of around 80 members, that have been habituated to visits by tourists in the park. You will trek to find the golden monkeys in a similar way to the gorilla trek, in a small group of no more than six people, spending one hour with the monkeys once you have found them. They are very sprightly creatures, leaping from tree to tree which is really entertaining to watch as they get on with their daily activities.

Start at 11:30 - The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

To visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is to see gorilla conservation in action. Building on Dian Fossey's pioneering work, now that gorilla populations of the Virunga Volcanoes are slowly increasing and their habitats are being protected, this centre is a highly recommended, remarkable place to visit. Mountain gorillas have been monitored and studied closely since Dian Fossey began her work with them in 1967, after establishing the Karisoke Research Center. She started the process of habituating them to the presence of human observers so that she could closely observe and document their behaviors, status, movements and other important information. Today, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund trackers and researchers protect and study roughly half of all the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, with the other half protected by the Rwandan national park authorities.

Day 7 - Mountain Gorillas - Your Finale:

On arrival, everyone will be split into groups of up to 8 people – and maybe joined with other tourists – before being allocated a ranger. You will then drive a short distance to the start of the trail, from where you will trek in the forest for around 1-3 hours or so to meet the gorillas. When you find them, the hour you spend with these incredible primates is a true lifetime experience that you will never forget. To see – and walk amongst – a family of mountain gorillas is a wildlife encounter unlike any other on Earth. You’ll be so close to the individual gorillas. Boisterous adolescents will be misbehaving whilst playful children are constantly demanding the attention of their parents as aunts and uncles wander together in an extended family group under the watchful eye of the silverback. You may only be a visitor, but you will briefly be part of their family in a really remarkable way. Once you have returned to the Head Quaters, head back to your hotel for a celebration lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure to relax or visit the local community projects in the area.

Day 8 - Return to Kigali and departure