Arrive in 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. 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.
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Travel
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by an Akagera Aviation representative, who will assist you with customs and immigration procedures then escort you to the airport exit hall to meet your driver/guide and transfer to Kigali Serena hotel for overnight. – Dinner on own account.

Accommodations
Kigali Serena Hotel
Ideally located on one of Kigali's most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centres on the Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating.

Rooms
Prime Rule
Varying slightly in size between 25 and 30 sq metres, these rooms offer either twin or king-sized beds and a luxury bathroom with both tub and shower.
Includes air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, mini-bar, satellite TV, 24-hour on-call doctor, work desk

Inclusions
Bed and Breakfast

Activities & Interests
Swimming, room service, world-class restaurants, poolside dining and bar

Akagera National Park is central Africa's largest protected wetland and the last refuge for savannah-adapted species in the country. Bursting with a rich biodiversity, the park features a variety of rare species, as well as a plentitude of mammals and hundreds of bird species.
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Travel
After breakfast (0800hr) drive from Kigali to Akagera North gate (about 3 hours). On arrival at the north gate you will be met by a professional guide from Magashi camp and proceed on a game drive en route to the camp site in an open roof Safari vehicle.

Accommodations
Magashi Camp
Overlooking scenic Lake Rwanyakazinga, Magashi Camp is situated in the productive and phenomenally diverse north-eastern corner of Akagera National Park.

Rooms
Double Tent
Canvas tented accommodation on an elevated deck with elevated wooden walk ways connecting tents to the main areas. Guest also enjoy outside deck with seating area.
Please note, there is no air-conditioning, however, a pedestal fan is set up in each tent. Rooms do include complimentary wifi, complimentary laundry service, Mini Bar.

Inclusions
All meals, all local drinks (excludes premium imported brands and champagne), transfer from the entrance gate of Akagera National Park to the lodge, all lodge activities (guided game drives, boat cruises, walking safaris), park fees, laundry, local Government taxes. In the event of a change in local taxes or the introduction of additional taxes, these rates will be adjusted accordingly.

Activities & Interests
Game Drives, Predator Viewing, Exploring the Savannah, birding (520+ species)

Note from Bert :
"Stretching across a vast expanse of low-lying mountains and savannah plains, the park takes in the rolling highlands woodlands, swamp-fringed lakes, and wetlands of the Kagera River along the way. Crocodiles and hippos wallow in the park's watery basins, predators prowl through its acacia groves, and elephant, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and other animals roam across its grassy plains.
"Our core purpose in Akagera is to help conserve Rwanda’s last protected savannah ecosystem, and species like black rhino and the rare and elusive shoebill; furthermore, our presence here will contribute towards enabling it to become economically self-sufficient for the first time."

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Hotel Amenities include pool & bar.

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.
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Travel
After breakfast depart from the camp to the Akagera north gate for a transfer back to Kigali. On arrival in Kigali you will be met by your driver/guide with lunch at a local restaurant on own account. Thereafter drive north 3 hours to arrive at Bisate lodge in time for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 Departure: Scheduled road transfer back to Kigali for your departing flight.

Accommodations
Bisate Lodge
Bisate Lodge is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone and has dramatic views of the peaks of the volcanoes Bisoke and Karisimbi rearing up through the Afro-alpine forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park. Six luxurious en-suite villas maximise comfort and views while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of rural Rwanda. Each guest contributes to Bisate’s biodiversity conservation and local community projects – making a far-reaching impact on an iconic Critically Endangered species: the mountain gorilla.

Rooms
Double
Bisate’s sophisticated architectural and interior design is rooted in Rwandan building tradition as exemplified in the design of the Royal Palace of the traditional monarch. This spherical, synthetic thatched structure echoes the thousands of hills that dot the Rwandan landscape, while the richly detailed interior exhibits surfaces and screens made from a variety of woven materials with strong resonance in Rwandan culture.
Each 91 square metre Forest Villa consists of a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception space and bathroom, all warmed by a central fireplace and with breath taking views out across your private deck towards Mount Bisoke. With only six villas, the real generosity in the Rwandan context is the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds Bisate, cosseting it in a rare natural landscape brimming with Albertine Rift biodiversity and beauty.
Complimentary wireless internet connection in villa only. Mini bar available with complimentary local brands

Inclusions
All meals, all local drinks (excludes premium imported brands and champagne), lodge activities on property (guided nature / birding walks in forest on property, guided nursery visit and indigenous tree planting, guided walk and vegetable picking at organic fields, guided walk to pyrethrum fields, self-guided running trail) lodge activities off property accessed by walking (guided visits to Bisate reforestation site, guided visits to Bisate primary and secondary schools, guided visit of Bisate village), enjoy sundowner drinks on the lodge balcony or the private balcony of your villa, laundry, complimentary in-room welcome massage (**additional massages would be for guests own account), Gym in a bag concept per guest, wireless internet connection in villa only, local Government taxes. In the event of a change in local taxes or the introduction of additional taxes, these rates will be adjusted accordingly.

Activities & Interests
Gorilla Trek, Golden Monkey Trek, Meet the Community, Guided Walks to Volcanoes Nat'l Park, Nursey Vist, Tree-planting, Hike to Dian Fossey's Grave & Karisoka, Birding, History, Culture, Nature, Wildlife.

Note from Bert :
On a recent visit, we found Bisate to be every bit as good as advertised. It is small and intimate with only 6 villas; great for getting everybody in camp together in front of the fireplace, before dinner. The design features are amazing, we loved the room (ideal size & lay-out and the double sided fireplace was super effective). Food & all-round hospitality excellent too; I enjoyed chatting with the young manager - very forthcoming and relaxed.
The community walk/tree planting ceremony with local guide Aline Umutoni (who happens to be a good birder) was a highlight for both my wife and I. To be sure, there are many steps around the lodge. I don't think it will be much of an issue for most people, but for guests who have mobility issues it might very well be. The work that is being done to rehabilitate the hill & surrounding area is amazing and very visible, already.

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While the gorilla’s are without a doubt the main drawcard, 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.

You will be collected from Bisate and taken on a Gorilla Tracking adventure. On the day of your gorilla trekking, you’ll set off very early in the morning to track to the apes from the edge of the forest. Your driver/guide will take you from your lodge to the park headquarters in Kinigi village. The guides here speak excellent English and are very good.
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They will be taking you to a specific group of 'habituated' mountain gorillas, which they know well and are used to human visitors.
You’ll be divided into parties of 8 and after a briefing on safety and gorilla trekking etiquette, you'll be driven to the start of the trail to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your guide will then lead you along generally clear paths up into the forest, in radio communication with the trackers that stay with the group so that they can be located. The altitude is over 2,500m, so although the pace is unhurried, the hike is tiring and can be steep in parts, taking from 30 minutes to a few hours. Don’t be surprised if you feel a bit breathless at this altitude – this is perfectly normal.
Aside from tracking one of the several habituated gorilla groups, activities include visiting nearby natural attractions, hiking to Dian Fossey’s grave, and observing the Park’s group of Endangered endemic golden monkeys. Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme.

Day 7
Optional second gorilla trek

Note from Bert :
"The Virunga Mountains that straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are home to around 480 mountain gorillas, more than half of the world’s entire population (the rest live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda). In Volcanoes National Park, the Rwandan part of the Virungas, ten gorilla groups are now habituated for gorilla safaris, more than anywhere else in the world.
Look into the eyes of a large silverback gorilla and he'll look back with a thinking, intelligent gaze, mindful that you're another individual. Any apprehensions or nerves you might have had during your trek will melt away the minute you see your gorilla family. Gorilla trekking safaris offer a magical encounter that transcends any other 'wildlife' experience we know.
On the day of your gorilla trekking, you’ll set off very early in the morning to track to the apes from the edge of the forest. Your driver/guide will take you from your lodge to the park headquarters in Kinigi village. The guides here speak excellent English and are very good. They will be taking you to a specific group of 'habituated' mountain gorillas, which they know well and are used to human visitors.
You’ll be divided into parties of 8 and after a briefing on safety and gorilla trekking etiquette, you'll be driven to the start of the trail to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your guide will then lead you along generally clear paths up into the forest, in radio communication with the trackers that stay with the group so that they can be located. The altitude is over 2,500m, so although the pace is unhurried, the hike is tiring and can be steep in parts, taking from 30 minutes to a few hours. Don’t be surprised if you feel a bit breathless at this altitude – this is perfectly normal.
Most trekkers are a little apprehensive – a large silverback male gorilla can weigh up to 200kg, or three times the weight of the average man, but the apprehension usually vanishes when you see the group. Often the gorillas will be spread around a small area of dense vegetation. They'll continue with their feeding and interactions, nonchalant about their visitors, though watching you with interest. Occasionally one, often a playful youngster, will approach you with curiosity – sometimes coming so close that you'll have to move away."

8 day / 7 night safari
$8,350 pp ( Includes Gorilla Trekking Permit cost of $1,125pp per trek )

Inclusions
All accommodation on a shared basis.
Meals as specified.
Excursions and transfers as included in the quote.
Services of the camp/lodge guides and staff.
Relevant park fees and entrance fees as specified in the quote
Drinks as specified – drink inclusions may differ between camps/lodges
Laundry can be done at most camps/lodges and hotels. In some cases this is included in the rate as quoted
Air transfers as specified, including Departure Taxes.
Accommodation taxes, the applicable Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax (VAT) or Government Sales Tax (GST). Emergency evacuation services within East Africa.

Exclusions
Meals not specified in the quote such as lunch and dinner in city hotels
Any drinks, park fees, entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified in the quote
Any scheduled commercial flights and related taxes
Cancellation, baggage and medical insurance
Staff gratuities
Any new Government Taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control
Visa fees where relevant. Should a visa payment be required, this will need to be made in US Dollar cash. Departure Taxes unless specified in the above.

Notes
Price based on minimum 2 persons traveling.
No single room supplement for any season.