Overnight Akagera Game Lodge - lunch and dinner
It is a lovely 3 star hotel overlooking Lake Ihema and Nyabarongo river (Red Nile).

Day 2: Akagera National Park
Full day with game drives in the park.
Optional boat trip on Lake Ihema.
Named after the river that runs along the eastern boundary, the Akagera National Park is Rwanda's answer to the famous savannah reserves of East and Southern Africa. The park supports an extensive network of wetlands; a complex of a dozen lakes linked by papyrus swamps and winding water channels fed by the mighty Akagera river. Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodlands to drink at the lakes and lucky visitors might come across a leopard, spotted hyena or lion. Giraffe, Zebra and more than a dozen type of antelope, including the world's largest antelope, the Cape Eland inhabit the park. The lakes support some of the highest concentration of hippo you'll ever find anywhere in Africa, while outsized crocodiles soak up the sun with their massive jaws menacingly agape. Lining the lakes are some of the continents densest concentration of water birds while the connecting marshes are the haunt of endangered and exquisite species like the papyrus gonolek and the bizarre shoebill stork - the later being perhaps Africa's rarest bird.

Overnight Akagera Game Lodge - all meals

Day 3: Akagera National Park – Butare – Nyungwe Forest Reserve
After breakfast, we drive South-East for 4 hours to Butare. This small town is the
cultural and intellectual centre of the country. Just before Butare, we will visit the traditional King's Palace in Nyanza (capital of Rwanda's former kingdom). In Butare, visit the beautiful National Museum with its famous " Intore" dancers. Lunch is at Ibis Hotel. Afterwards drive via Gikongoro (optional visit to a genocide memorial site) to Nyungwe Forest.

Overnight Gisakura Guest House – all meals
(This is the only real accommodation in Nyungwe; the 2-star guesthouse is basic and simple, but comfortable).

Day 4: Nyungwe National Park
After an early breakfast, enter the Nyungwe Forest Reserve in search of primates.
Nyungwe Forest Reserve extends across the majestic hills of southeast Rwanda. This Forest reserve is the largest mountain forest remaining in East Africa. Of the larger mammals, primates are the most visible with 13 recorded species, representing 25% of the African primate checklist, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, grey-checked mangabey and redtailed monkey. Nyungwe is also home to more than 275 bird species.

Overnight Gisakura Guest House – all meals

Day 5: Nyungwe National Park – Lake Kivu
After an early breakfast, return to the Nyungwe Forest Reserve in search of more primates. The trekking will take you until around 13.00hrs. Enjoy lunch at the Guesthouse.

OPTION 1: In the afternoon, from Nyungwe Forest, drive to Kibuye, on the shores of Lake Kivu (3 hours on a very good road).

OPTION 2: In the afternoon, drive west to Cyangungu on the shores of Lake Kivu and from here, proceed by speedboat to the lake resort town of Kibuye, also on the shores of Lake Kivu (cost of the speedboat is separate)

Overnight Centre Bethanie – all meals
(This is a simple guesthouse right at the waterfront with spectacular lovely views of the lake. There is no luxurious accommodation in Kibuye)

Day 6: Lake Kivu
Spend the morning at the lake before driving along the lake with spectacular sceneries to its northern part, Gisenyi. Gisenyi is another lake resort at the border with Goma (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Overnight Serena Lake Kivu Hotel – all meals
(This is a nice 4-star hotel built right at the lake shores)

Day 7: Lake Kivu – Volcanoes National Park (Mountain Gorillas) – Kigali
After an early breakfast, we drive to Ruhengeri/Kinigi, main base town for gorilla trekking. The drive will take approx. 1 hour on a relatively good paved road through the countryside with its beautiful terraced hills that characterize the rural Rwanda.
Arrive at the park's Headquarters at around 0730hrs for registration and briefing by the park's guides before a morning in the forest tracking the gorillas.

NB: we cannot guarantee seeing the Gorillas

In Rwanda, there are 7 habituated gorilla groups that can be viewing by tourists. Each group can be visited by a maximum of 8 people per day and the visit lasts only 1 hour.
The trekking can take from 3 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film is recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film.
As the famous Diane Fossey put it: "In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, are great, old volcanoes towering almost 15,000 feet and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas (or Volcanoes)".

Day 7 continued:
Lunch at Gorillas Nest Lodge before proceeding back to Kigali where we will arrive at around 1800hrs.

Overnight Novotel Umubano / Hotel Des Mille Collines – all meals

Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at the Hotel. Use of room until 10.00hrs only. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Included:

Arrival and departure airport transfers as per itinerary
All other transfers as per itinerary
Accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
Transportation on safari in 4x4 vehicle, driven by English-speaking driver/guide (exclusive use of vehicle)
Park entrance fees
Mineral water while trekking in the forest
Gorilla tracking permit