Destination: Rwanda
Rwanda is famous for a good birding destination. This itinerary takes you through altered national parks and interesting sites of Rwanda precisely for doing the activities of bird watching. Believe from this trip the service of a highly experienced birding guide who will make sure that guests have a life time culture experience.
DAY1
Arrival in Kigali
On arrival at Kigali International Airport you will be welcomedu and transfered to the hotel, Flame Tree Village Hotel for the overnight in BB. And where time is available, sightseeing will be arranged in Kigali. BB nn
Overnight at: Flame Tree Village Hotel for the overnight in BB
Day2
Kigali – Akagera National Park
After breakfast, proceed to Akagera National Park which is in the east of Rwanda, this countryside gives way to savannah with masses of acacia mixed with open grassland. The drive is roughly two and a half hours. Lunch and birding in the afternoon along the lakeside.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Akagera Lodge / Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Full Board
DAY 3
Akagera National Park
All day birding in the park and alongside Lake Ihema. The park registers 550 species including unique species such as Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) and the Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri). Among the endemic species, there are the ibis (Threskiornithinae), jacanas, herons, Plovers (Charadriidae), Sandpipers, Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata), Hawk and many others. After lunch, in the afternoon take a canoe ride on Lake Ihema to see the large number of hippos, the huge Nile crocodile and birds.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Akagera Lodge / Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Full Board
Day4
Akagera – Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, proceed to Volcanoes National Park. The journey drives through the beautiful terraced hillsides that portray much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the overwhelming volcanoes Virunga, sometimes with as many as five peaks visible. The gorillas’ habitat, in the mountainous north, is the string of magnificent Virunga peaks that range from 2500 to 4500 meters: Karismbi, Bisoke Mikeno, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhubura volcanoes.
This splendid environment host to over half the world’s wild mountain gorillas. The exciting climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fanciful views in all directions and explores the rich bionetworks of unification evergreen and bamboo forests, open grass lands, swamps and health. Late lunch on arrival at Volcanoes National Park.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Five Volcanoes Hotel (C) or Muhavura Hotel / Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge (E). Full Board
DAY 5
Volcanoes National Park
In the morning we propose the activity of the mountain gorilla tracking (optional). It is honor to spend an hour watching the gorillas as they go about their daily routine, feeding, playing and resting- as you ask your instinctive existence and release the wonder that kept Dian Fossey living in the forest for almost 18 years. Later return back at the base in time for a late lunch.
Some of the gorilla families though are more mysterious and tracking can take a full day, mainly when it is wet and muddy. An alternative (optional), you can take another trekking in Volcanoes National Park like the golden monkeys trekking or Old Karisoke.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Five Volcanoes Hotel (C) or Muhavura Hotel / Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge (E). Full Board
Day6
Volcanoes National Park – Lake Kivu
After breakfast go for bird watching in the Volcanoes National Park where you are likely to grasp species like the rare Kivu Ground Thrush, Rwenzori Turacco, Graur’s Warbler, White Starred Robin, Reagal Sunbird and many others. In the afternoon proceed to Gisenyi on Lake Kivu.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Kivu Serena Hotel (C) or Malahide Hotel (E). Full Board
DAY 7
Nyungwe Forest National Park
On this day begin your journey from Gisenyi for Nyungwe Forest National Park located in the South east corner of Rwanda. As you take your drive, bird watching on the road through the forest will raise the chances of seeing the rare and shy Handsome Francolin. Lunch en route.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hotel (supplement for One and only Nyungwe Forest Lodge) (C) or Emeraude Guest House (E). Full Board
Day8
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Take an escorted walk in search of the large groups of colobus monkeys and birding where you will be able to see the bird species in this forest. Another activity is the canopy bridge for observation and birding.
The list of bird in Nyungwe includes: Great Blue Turaco, Ruwenzori Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Rosss Turaco, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Crowned Eagle, Forest Buzzard, Handsome Francolin, Olive Pigeon, Cinnamon-breasted Bee-eater, White-headed Wood Hoopoes, Blue-Headed Sunbird, Stuhlmanns Sunbird,Black-Beaded Waxbill, Olive Thrush, Slender-billed Chestnut Wing Starling, White-necked Raven, African Saw-wing, Mountain Wagtail, Cape Wagtail, Red-throated Alethe, White-starred Robin, Equatorial Akalata Or go chimp tracking. Lunch at the hotel. Evening birding along the lodge.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Hotel (supplement for One and only Nyungwe Forest Lodge) (C) or Emeraude Guest House (E). Full Board
DAY 9
Nyungwe Forest National Park – Butare / Huye
After breakfast, use this chance of arranging an extra day activities in the biggest mountain tropical forest in East Africa. You can also go for chimpanzee trekking, which starts very early. In the afternoon, after lunch, continue to Butare. Stop over can be arranged in Gikongoro at Murambi genocide memorial. Butare is a pretty town where you have the possibility to find the best artisan shops in Rwanda and to visit the national cultural museum.
Overnight at: Dinner and overnight at Ibis Hotel. Full Board
Day10
Kigali
Start your drive to Kigali in time for lunch. In the afternoon you might have time to take a city tour including a visit to the market, a pottery project, handicraft shops, the Fashion Museum and a genocide memorial. Reserved for transfer to the airport. BB
The price includes:
- Trekking and activities in Nyungwe National Park
- Entrance fees, taxes
- English speaking Birding Driver/Guide
- All the transfer in private means 4×4 ordinary Land Cruiser
- Accommodation in full board treatment
- Airport transfer