Summary of Your Tour

Country Visits & How Long Will You Be Gone:

• Countries: Rwanda
• Tour Duration: 7 days (6 nights)
• Start & End Point: Your trip will start in Kigali and end in Kigali

Destination & Accommodation Visits:

• Kigali – 1 night at Kigali Serena Hotel
• Akagera National Park – 2 nights at Magashi Camp
• Volcanoes National Park – 3 nights at Bisate Lodge

Tour Experiences

Safari Tier Quality: Tier 1 Premier Experience

Trip Type: Private Travel

Private – Expert Tour Guide & Exclusive 4×4 Vehicle: Services will be provided by a private, expert and experienced safari guide in your own exclusive 4×4 vehicle for the full duration of your tour

Logistical Transfers: You will be transferred in a private 4×4 vehicle

Trip Theme: Wildlife & Nature, Active Adventure, Culture & History

Trip Suitability: Couple, Family Friendly (15+ years), Honeymooners, Solo

Start Date Flexibility: You can start this tour on any day you prefer

Customization Options: You can tailor-make this tour to add additional destinations in Africa, extra nights stays, make logistical changes, accommodation swaps, add-on activities etc.

DAY 1 – KIGALI (RWANDA ARRIVAL)

Private Arrival Transfer from Kigali International Airport (KGL) To Your Kigali Hotel

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, our airport guest relations’ officer will personally meet all arriving guests.

We will be standing outside the arrival section holding a signboard with your name on it. You are met and transferred to your hotel in Kigali for your overnight stay.

Kigali

Planning a trip to the beautiful, hilly country of Rwanda usually means landing and leaving from its capital, Kigali.

Surrounded by picturesque rolling hills, this city is a thriving, bustling metropolis of about a million people. Located in the center of the country, it’s the perfect springboard for travels to Rwanda’s excellent safari parks and wilderness reserves.

Whether you are spending a few days in Kigali for business or for pleasure, you will be impressed by the tranquil ambiance of the town metropolis, its cleanliness, and the well-maintained gardens set in the city squares.

Trees line the roads and avenues, and the friendly, welcoming character of the people will touch your heart.

Destination Guide: Kigali

Kigali – Kigali Serena Hotel

A superior, luxury accommodation in Kigali, well suited to the tastes of the discerning traveler; the Kigali Serena Hotel is located in the heart of the city center.

With less than eight miles drive from the Kigali International Airport, the hotel is ideal for guests visiting Rwanda for business or as a safari overnight springboard to the distinct parks and reserves.

Spend time in the plush Executive Lounge and Bar adorned with subtle Rwandan art. This lounge extends to a terrace above the swimming pool.

You can visit the Maisha Health Spa for skillful massages and relaxation or its namesake, Maisha Health Club for a rejuvenating workout session.

Kigali Serena offers guests the best of facilities and amenities in its 148 rooms. Visitors can choose from an array of specifications such as the 54 Standard Rooms, 25 Deluxe Rooms, 37 Superior Rooms, 7 Prime Rooms, 18 Studio Suites, 6 Executive Suites and 1 Presidential Suite.

One of the Standard Rooms is wisely equipped for the comfort of physically challenged guests. The air-conditioned rooms have either twin or queen-sized beds along with amenities such as hairdryer, direct dialing phone, flat screen television, minibar, electronic safe deposit box, and tea and coffee making equipment.

The Presidential Suite includes two rooms and a distinct living area. Guests looking for smoking rooms can inform AfricanMecca in advance, and the appropriate arrangements can be made.

Overnight accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel

Kigali City Tour Attractions (Optional Visits – Time Permitting)

Optional Tour Activities: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Natural History Museum – Kandt House, The Dancing Pots, Caplaki Handicrafts Cooperative, Art Galleries – Inema, Ivuka & Niyo

DAY 2 – AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Drive From Kigali To Akagera National Park With Your Private Guide & Exclusive 4×4 Vehicle

Akagera National Park

Alluring, breathtakingly beautiful, inspiring, stunning, tranquil, and resilient: wilderness vacationers use these adjectives and more to describe not just Akagera National Park, but also the wonderful spirit of the country in which it is found, Rwanda.

The park is named for the Kagera River, which runs along the eastern border of the park and spreads its life-giving waters through it, feeding Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani thus keeping the land fertile.

Intrepid holidaymakers on safari can once again revel in the sight of magnificent lions, grand pachyderms, and stalwart Maasai giraffes, among the many other species that live in the park. In 2017, conservation efforts were made to bring back the black rhino, once again, thus redeeming the only one of its kind park in Rwanda to host the Big Five.

The park is famous for the rare and elusive sitatunga, a species of antelope that inhabits the swamps, and the shoebill stork, a peculiar marsh bird.

In addition to lions, predators that may be glimpsed in the park include the hyena, side-striped jackal, leopard, and mongoose. Among herbivores, duikers, elands, zebras, waterbucks, roan antelopes, and many more roam the land.

Destination Guide: Akagera National Park

Akagera – Magashi Camp

The camp itself is constructed out of naturally-occurring materials such as treated timber, canvas, and poles intended to minimize the carbon footprint on this delicate ecosystem.

Solar panels have been installed to generate electricity for the camp though generators are also present for uninterrupted power supply on cloudy or rainy days. Eco-travelers are pleased to learn about the other efforts adopted by the management to preserve the pristine environs of Akagera Park.

The water supply is sourced from a borehole and purified using natural systems. You can spend time in the open-sided canvas-topped lounge-cum-bar with a deck in front adorned with the ethnic ‘imigongo’ murals for which Rwanda is so famous.

Plush sofas and other hand-crafted knick-knacks liven up the elegant spaces while the pool is a lovely addition for taking a dip or sunbathing.

For the duration of your safari holiday in Rwanda, you will be staying in one of the 6 grandeur tents provided by the Magashi. Of these, 3 units are furnished with a large double bed, and the other 3 have twin beds.

The twins can be converted into doubles, but do let AfricanMecca know at the time of booking your stay. The camp also makes arrangements to accommodate up to 2 private travel guides accompanying your group.

Children 6 years and above are welcome, and the staff organizes one extra bed in each tent; though, a sole vehicle use and multiple tent bookings are required for families on safari.

Overnight accommodation: Magashi Camp 

Akagera Park Activities (Magashi Camp)

Included Activities: Day game drives, night game drives, safari bush walks, fishing, and boating safaris

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drinks Are Included At This Accommodation

Specific Drink Inclusions: Soft drinks, beer & house wine

DAY 3 – AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera

Magashi Camp

Akagera Park Activities (Magashi Camp)

Included Activities: Day game drives, night game drives, safari bush walks, fishing, and boating safaris

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drinks Are Included At This Accommodation

Specific Drink Inclusions: Soft drinks, beer & house wine

DAY 4 – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Drive From Akagera National Park To Volcanoes National Park (Kinigi) With Your Private Guide & Exclusive 4×4 Vehicle

Volcanoes National Park

In the heart of the mighty African continent is a distinctive, natural utopia shared by three countries: Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. Each nation has placed its part of this region under preservation by creating wilderness parks.

In Rwanda, this kaleidoscope of natural beauty is protected as Volcanoes National Park, or Parc National des Volcans, a 160-square-kilometer reserve that includes evergreen and bamboo forest, tropical rainforest and partial grasslands, valleys, serene lakes, craggy volcanoes, and farmed foothills.

The rainforests on their slopes are home to the endangered mountain gorillas, which often travel between the three countries in the quest for eatables. Gorillas are known to feed mainly on soft bamboo shoots, wild celery, stinging nettles, and wild fruit.

Like-minded tourists who hope to see these rare primates in their native habitat can explore this tranquil, Eden-like world by following the many trails that wind through Volcanoes Park. Each of the trails allows you to experience a different facet of the forest reserve.

With a permit and the help of an expert tracker, hike to meet one of the famed gorilla families and spend time watching them as they forage for food or groom one another.

Destination Guide: Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes – Bisate Lodge

Nestled close to natural coliseum formed by an extinct volcano is a luxury haven that promises you the spectacle of Rwandan nature in all her glory. Here, Bisate Lodge, a boutique accommodation, is set on a sprawling estate that covers around 66 acres (27 hectares).

Adventure seeking, discerning vacationers are welcomed into the lounge and reception area, that along with 6 enchanting villas have been created using the architectural styles of traditional Rwandan royal palaces.

Offering you stunning views of the volcanic peaks of Mikeno of Congo, Karisimbi, and Bisoke, each rondavel villa is raised off the ground on a deck. It has a high peaked tip and is built using a range of woven materials under a thatched roof.

Eclectic artifacts and other accessories create a fabulous impression of the culture of the country while the patterned fabrics add a touch of Rwandan elegance to the interiors.

Your private luxury villa, sprawled over an area of 91 square meters offers you the very best of Rwandan hospitality with expansive rooms filled with the finest of pampering comforts for your use.

It includes a living area with the bedroom alongside an en-suite bathroom complete with handmade, high-quality toiletries. Fireplaces not only lend a cozy atmosphere to the room but also keep you warm against the cool highlands climate.

Soak for long hours in the wooden hot tub that helps you relax after your strenuous gorilla safari trek in Volcanoes National Park. Slip into the warm bathrobe and slippers before you settle down to relax in the living area.

Overnight accommodation: Bisate Lodge 

Volcanoes Park Activities

The gorilla trek is experienced the next day due to the 07:30 hours start time

Optional Activities: Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Tour & Dian Fossey Grave Shrine Tour, Mount Karisimbi or Bisoke Hike, Musanze Caves & Buhanga Forest Tour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drinks Are Included At This Accommodation

Specific Drink Inclusions: Soft drinks, beer & house wine

DAY 5 & 6 – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Volcanoes Park

Volcanoes Park Activities

Included Activities: One gorilla trek

Optional Activities: Golden monkey trek, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Tour & Dian Fossey Grave Shrine Tour, Mount Karisimbi or Bisoke Hike, Musanze Caves & Buhanga Forest Tour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drinks Are Included At This Accommodation

Specific Drink Inclusions: Soft drinks, beer & house wine 

DAY 7 – KIGALI (RWANDA DEPARTURE)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Drive From Volcanoes National Park (Kinigi) To Kigali with Your Private Guide & Exclusive 4×4 Vehicle

Kigali City Tour Attractions (Optional Visits – Time Permitting)

Optional Tour Activities: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Natural History Museum – Kandt House, The Dancing Pots, Caplaki Handicrafts Cooperative, Art Galleries – Inema, Ivuka & Niyo

Private Departure Transfer from Kigali City to Kigali International Airport (KGL)

Upon arrival in Kigali City, you are transferred to Kigali International Airport for your flight.

TRIP EXTENSIONS

Add-On Trips from Rwanda

Top Safari & Beach Extensions in Africa:

• Serengeti & Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania & Kenya
• Okavango Delta & Chobe in Botswana
• Cape Town, Kruger & Sabi Sand in South Africa
• Victoria Falls (Livingstone Town) & South Luangwa in Zambia
• Hwange & Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
• Amboseli, Lewa, Great Rift Valley Lakes (Nakuru – Naivasha) in Kenya
• Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth in Uganda
• Gombe – Mahale (Chimpanzees), Ngorongoro & Selous in Tanzania
• Sossusvlei & Etosha in Namibia
• Lake Victoria in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda
• Indian Ocean Islands & Beaches – Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mozambique, Lamu, Pemba, Mafia, Mombasa, Mauritius & Madagascar