Circuit 4: Kigali-Nyungwe-Bukavu-Idjwi-Kibuye-Gisenyi–Volcano - 12 Days

South Kivu (DRC) and RWANDA

KIGALI – NYUNGWE – BUKAVU lowland gorillas – IDJWI ISLAND - KIBUYE – GISENYI – VISOKE Volcano

12 days / 11 nights

Discover a land of incredible beauty, as rich in wildlife and flora as it is in the hospitality of its inhabitants and the only place in the world where one can approach gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural environment and admire the Visoke volcano water lake crater at 3711 m high.

This responsible travel itinerary will make you discover or re-discover beautiful areas while participating in the development and revival of this region. A journey that is secure and organised by specialists of the region !

Day 1 : Kigali

You will be welcomed and greeted at the Kigali airport. Registration and dinner in Lando hotel ** or at the excellent and very known “Mille Collines” hotel **** a magnificent area filled with exciting history located in the capital of Rwanda.

Day 2 : Kigali - Nyungwe

Road to Nyungwe, visiting on the way Nyanza royal city, Butare national museum and Murambi memorial.

Lunch at Murambi.

Registration, dinner and overnight at the Gisakura Guest House* or at the very luxurious Nyungwe Forest Lodge***** located at the edge of the forest. (http://www.nyungweforestlodge.com).

Day 3 : Nyungwe

Take a walk through the vast tea fields till you reach the primary forest where you’ll be welcomed by a group of 50 colobus (a 1h walk).

Lunch at the lodge.

On the afternoon, take a walk through the Nyungwe forest or rest in the luxurious surroundings of this high quality lodge where you’ll enjoy a great “Spa” environment! Dinner and overnight at the Gisakura Guesthouse or at your luxurious Nyungwe Forest Lodge.

Day 4: Nyungwe – Cyangugu – Bukavu

Road to Cyangugu, to visit the chimpanzees at Cyamudongo. Great experience !

Crossing the border to DRCongo.

Registration at « Chez Esperance »** guesthouse or at the nicest hotel in Kivu « Orchids Safari Club »****, a true jewel amongst hotels in Kivu that reserves the very best of tables in east DRC! (www.orchids-hotel.com)

Day 5: Lowland gorillas trek

Early departure by jeep to Kahusi-Biega national park (west of Bukavu). After a trek in the middle of tropical forest, unforgottable instants with a lowland gorillas family. You'll approach them and almost touch them!

Picnic along the lake and return to Bukavu by pirogue if time and weather allow. Dinner and accommodation at “Chez Espérance” ** or at the Orchids Safari Club ****.

Day 6: Bukavu – Idjwi island

Departure to Idjwi island by boat. Discover beautiful lanscapes and authentic african villages. Pirogue tour around the small islands, walk around the village to meet local people and visit pinapple, manioc, quinquinat tree plantations.

Registration at « Congo Mani »* hotel. Dinner accompagnied by pygmee dancers.

Day 7: Idwji

Great moto taxi tour of the island to visit pygmees and tradionnal villages. Meet a snake trainer.

Before sunset, sail with the traditionnal fishermen.

Dinner and accomodation at « Congo Mani »* hotel.

Day 8: Idjwi – Kibuye

Early departure to reach Bukavu by boat and cross the border to Rwanda. Transfert by jeep up to Kibuye by the wonderful track along the Kivu lake.

Kibuye is a nice and restful town in lake Kivu coast. Registration on late afternoon at « Bethany Center »** or at the wonderful « Cormoran Lodge »***. It’s entirely built of wood and offers a stunning view on the lake and the surroundings islands. www.cormoranlodge.com

Day 9: Kibuye

Have a peaceful walk in what people call here « Rwandan Ha Long bay ». Free afternoon. Extra possibility of water sports such as waterskiing, kayaking and boat.

Dinner and overnight at « Bethany Center »** or at « Cormoran Lodge »***.

Day 10: Kibuye – Gisenyi

Way to Gisenyi by pirogue if the weather allows it. Registration and installation at Palm Garden hotel** or at « Serena »****

(www.serenahotels.com/serenalakekivu).

Enjoy the famous private white sand beach of the Serena Hotel and the Gisenyi sightseeing tour. Dinner with the traditionnals « Intore » dancers.

Day 11: Visoke volcano trek

Very early departure to Visoke volcano. 3-hours sportive trek in the middle of the forest to reach the summit.

Wonderful sight on the water lake crater and on the Virunga volcanos range. Have a pic-nic on the top before to go down.

After climbing the volcano, take a rest at « Kinigi guesthouse »* or at Bambou Gorilla Lodge *** or at the very luxurious « Sabyinyo SilverBack Lodge » *****

Day 12: Back to Kigali

Way back to Kigali by jeep. Lunch at Kigali and visit of the very moving memorial of the 1994 genocide. Transfer to the airport and flight back.

Useful tips

Climbing the volcano requires an excellent physical condition as well as visiting the gorillas and the chimpanzees. Also, trekking equipment is required (see “Infos” on our website).

Our prices include everything mentioned in the program in full board but exclude the visa fees, drinks, tips and any other personal expenses. The visit to the gorillas, Chimpanzees, Colobes and Volcano trek are also included in the prices. They can be changed at any time until receiving a firm booking with advance payment.

Events beyond our control may still lead us to modify our programs even on last minute. Any changes will be made in your best interest and, if possible, with your prior agreement.

To add a special touch to your journey, several extensions can be organized on demand:

in DR Congo, the Garamba park with its multiple and varied fauna and the Rwenzori, the 3rd highest African moutain; in Rwanda, the Akagera park with its wonderful birds island, and in Burundi, the lakeside town of Bujumbura and its relaxing white sand beaches along lake Tanganika.

An amount of $10 per travel day will be given by Kivu Travel to a development project visited and chosen by each traveller.