Detailed Itinerary

Day 1:   ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT – TRANSFER TO HOTEL IN KIGALI

On arrival at the Kigali International Airport, you will meet and greet your guide from Palms Travel. You will receive a briefing from the guide and then transfer to your hotel in Kigali for an overnight (approx. 30 km; about 30 minutes´drive). Dinner is not included.

Overnight at Hotel Lemigo (standard deluxe rooms) (-/-/-)

Day 2:  KIGALI (CITY TOUR) – TRANSFER TO AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast at the hotel, you will go for a city tour. You will have a chance to see the Parliament and walk through the commercial area of Kigali City. You will then proceed to the crafts village for handcrafts/souvenirs shopping. Afterwards, you will visit the genocide memorial center in Gisozi. After the memorable experience, we will have lunch and then proceed to Akagera National Park for an overnight (approx. 3 – 4 hours; approx. 108 km).

Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 3:        AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

With our packed breakfast, we will go for an early morning game drive (is approximately 6-7 hours) in the northern area of the park, where we will have a chance of spotting some nocturne animals like hyenas, leopards, etc and warthogs, buffalos, giraffes, hartebeests, Oribis, bushbucks, waterbucks and many other antelopes. We will return to the lodge for lunch and relax for a few minutes. In the afternoon we take a boat cruise on Lake Ihemba on a look out for schools of hippos Maasai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Butchel’s zebra, topi, bushbaby, leopard and bushbuck, crocodiles and numerous bird species (about 550 species) like Goliath heron, pelican bee– eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork.

Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 4:        AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK – TRANSFER TO NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

After very early breakfast, we will depart to Butare the second largest city of Rwanda (approx. 5-6 hours’ drive; approx. 243 km). Butare is famous because it houses the National research Institutions and the National University. It is regarded as the academic city of Rwanda. The traditional Ballet of Rwanda is one of Africa’s longest established and least exposed musical traditions. In fact, the art form was refined over centuries in the courts of the Rwandan Mwami (kings). In Butare, you will also visit the famous national dance group “The Intore Dancers”. This is the best dance group you should not miss. The ‘Dance of Heroes’ is performed by men wearing grass wigs and carrying spears. The background is a dance performed by returning warriors, celebrating victory in battle. You will visit the Mwami´s (kings) palace and the National Museum which is regarded as the best Museum in East Africa before proceeding to Nyungwe Forest National park (between 1½ – 3 hours’ drive from Butare; about 88 km). 

Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 5:        NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Early breakfast and drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park headquarters for briefing before setting off to track the chimpanzees. You should be at the briefing point at least 06:00hrs. Nyungwe Rainforest boasts of 13 rare primate species, the World’s largest ever recorded arboreal troop of black/white colobus monkeys, I’hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed and gray– cheeked mangabey, etc; over 300 species of birds and 100 types of orchid.  Return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon you can take a walk in the tea plantations.

Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 6:        NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK – TRANSFER TO KINIGI

Early breakfast and transfer to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga Mountains. We will drive via Kigali city (approx 8-9 hours; approx. 383 km) where we have lunch and then proceed through the stunning scenery of lush green hills and valleys (Rwanda is commonly referred to as “the Land of a Thousand Hills” and sometimes as the “Switzerland of Africa”) to Kinigi (approx. 2½ hours; approx. 133 km).

Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 7:    KINIGI – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Early breakfast and transfer for about 10 minutes to Volcanoes National Park headquarters at the base of the base of Sabyinyo Mountain (Sabyinyo means “old man’s molar teeth”) for briefing before setting off for mountain gorilla trekking. The guides and ranger are very experienced. They will brief you on the behaviors of the mountain gorillas as well as the strict rules that you are supposed to obey. Each habituated group is supposed to be visited by only 8 people a day and once you have located them, you only have one hour to take photos. Thereafter, you will walk back to the starting point. Note, you are supposed to carry with you repellants, use trekking shoes, carry a rain jackets since it’s a volcanic area, it can rain at anytime, no flashes are allowed and each person must carry a minimum of 2 litres of mineral water. Since we cannot tell where the mountain gorillas will be waiting for you, you are also requested to take packed lunch (the hike can take between 3 – 8 hrs, in altitudes exceeding 7.400 feet).

Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (B/L/D)

Optional activity (price not included):

You can go for aguided eco village walk (gifts/presents are expected by the villagers visited) as well as visit the cultural centre. You will have the chance of meeting some of the members of the Batwa, also referred to as Pygmies (they are the original inhabitants of the Great Lakes region). NOTE that the possibility of realizing this activity will depend on the time the gorilla trekking takes. (Cost per person US$30)

Day 8:  KINIGI – TRANSFER TO KIGALI (DEPARTURE)

Breakfast and transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight (about 2½ hours’ drive; approx. 133 km). We recommend departure flights after 13:00hrs to avoid inconveniences. (B/-/-)

 ****End of services provided by PALMS TRAVEL BUREAU LTD****

Services Included

EXTENSION: GISENYI/LAKE KIVU

 Day 8: KINIGI – GISENYI/LAKE KIVU

Breakfast and transfer to Gisenyi/Lake Kivu. Check in and in the afternoon you will enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Kivu to some of the interesting areas around the lake. Return to the hotel for an overnight.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu (B/L/D)

Day 9: GISENYI – KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DEPARTURE)

Breakfast and transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight (about 3- 4 hours’ drive; aprox. 187 km). We recommend departure flights after 13:00hrs to avoid inconveniences. (B/-/-)

TRANSPORT
We have got Comfortable 4WD vehicles that are specifically designed with large windows, comfortable seats, and large open roof so that you don’t miss that special moment on your safari. Our Land Cruisers offer seats for 5-6 people to ensure that everybody has a window seat and that luggage can be stored well. Besides the Land Cruisers, we also own several 4WD minibuses which take up 20 people to cater for those groups that would like to travel together and not in separate small vehicles.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             A 4×4 safari vehicle driven by an English speaking driver/guide. Exclusive use of vehicle.

– Back up vehicle

– Mountain bikes

GUIDES
We know the guide is the key to a great safari. we also have a team of highly Qualified and professional in house tour guides that speak fluent English, French, Spanish and Germany. They have an extensive knowledge of the country, its culture,flora and fauna. They know the hidden places of unparalleled beauty. Above all, they are sensitive to your needs and will take care of you meticulously. You will notice that within a short period of time, they will not only be your guide but have become

Uganda has a wide range of standards when it comes to places to stay – from five star hotels and first class luxury lodges to rustic bush camps and guesthouses. We carefully select the most suitable accommodations for your itinerary, based on location, facilities, atmosphere and personal touch. But no matter how different in style and location these accommodations might be, they all have one thing in common: a genuine warm and hospitable welcome that a visitor to Uganda is entitled to experience!
So it is important for the client let us know the category of accommodation they wish to stay in.

Services Included

1. All activities and park entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
2. A gorilla and chimpanzee permit as indicated in the itinerary
3. A 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser driven by an English speaking driver/guide. Exclusive use of vehicle.
4. Mineral en route except during meals.
5. Pick up and drop off at the airport.
6. All transfers as per the itinerary
7. All the accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary

Services not Included

1. International flights in and out of the country.
2. All services not indicated in the itinerary (any of the optional activities).
3. Drinks: sodas, wines, whiskies, brandies, beers, etc
4. Entry visas to Rwanda. A single entry visa costs US$30 and an online pre visa MUST be applied for before the date of travel (the pre visa takes a minimum of 3 working days to be processed) and a photocopy submitted to the immigration office (entry point) for your visa to be processed . Citizens of South Africa, USA, German and England do not need visas to enter Rwanda BUT South African citizens need to apply for the pre visas (the visa is cost free).
5. Medical and travel insurance
6. Tips, telephone expenses, etc