Rwanda's Gorillas & Lakes

After landing at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide who will transfer you to Kigali Serena Hotel. Located in a secure neighbourhood just a five-minute walk from the city centre, Serena's design seamlessly blends contemporary five-star comfort with rich Rwandan heritage, art and culture. Spend the day at leisure to prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure.

After breakfast the next morning, you'll embark on a guided city tour of Kigali and visit the Genocide Memorial for a sense of Rwanda's turbulent history, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. You will then be transferred north, making your way through beautiful, terraced hillsides as you gradually ascend the base of the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes. You'll arrive at and check in to Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, located in the foothills of a volcanic mountain and a short drive from the main entrance of Volcanoes National Park.

The next morning, you’ll be guided by an experienced gorilla tracker through the Volcanoes National Park’s towering trees and weaving vines to experience a soul-stirring, face-to-face encounter with one of mankind’s closest living relatives. You'll spend an enchanting hour with a gorilla family, quietly observing their social dynamics as they go about their daily business. Young gorillas rough and tumble like wrestlers, maternal females gather in grooming groups, while the patriarchal silverback keeps a protective eye on the surroundings.

Back at the lodge, you'll enjoy a delicious late lunch while reflecting on your magical wildlife experience. Africa’s great apes survive in what remains of their natural habitat, in the last protected stretches of the continent’s central rainforests and gorilla parks. Spending time with gorillas in the wild is not only a rare privilege, but by far the most transformative and up-close wildlife experience on the planet.

The next morning, you may have the option to go on another gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. After your excursion you'll enjoy lunch at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, freshen up and take a very scenic drive to Gisenyi, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Kivu. One of the biggest freshwater lakes in Rwanda, Lake Kivu lies in the Albertine Rift (part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley) and has a secluded inland beach lined with undulating palm trees, harboured by green terraced hills.

Check into Lake Kivu Serena Hotel where you'll be greeted by a bright lobby that opens onto a private beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests. Lake Kivu Serena will embrace you with unparalleled warmth, hospitality and a level of relaxation that might make tempt you to stay in Rwanda. Spend your time exploring the area on guided tours, mountain biking trails, boat rides, jet skiing and kayaking excursions on the lake, or taking a short drive to rejuvenating volcanic hot springs. Friendly and attentive service will complement the delicious cuisine offered by the hotel in a variety of settings – from Kiyaga Restaurant with its gorgeous lake views to beachfront cocktails and snacks at Ziwani Café.

After breakfast on your last day, you will be transferred back to Kigali International Airport for your flight to your next destination.