This morning we will embark on a city tour of Kigali including the Genocide Memorial site a grim reminder of a senseless massacre of innocent’s lives in 1994. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience.

After this depart with your guide to drive to Nyungwe Forest Area. Nyungwe National Park is one of the oldest and largest forests in Rwanda. With its astonishing Afromontane forests, bamboo thickets, open woodlands and glassy waterfalls, journeying through Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park is an otherworldly experience.

Check into One & Only’s Nyungwe Forest House, a one-of-a-kind escape, bordering one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Situated in five striking wooden villa clusters, the treetop-skimming, luxury suites and rooms are secluded in wonderfully untamed surroundings, accommodating all adventure seekers and paying homage to Rwanda’s beauty and heritage. Enjoy exceptional dining and beverages included in your stay.

This morning you will set out in search of Nyunwe’s Chimpanzees. At the break of dawn, your expert guide will lead you into the heart of the jungle, on the trail of chimpanzees. A rustle of leaves, and then, through the branches, you’ll spot a chimpanzee gazing down from the fig trees. Or perhaps you’ll see a troop of tree-dwelling chimps catapulting off through the canopy. Every trek is different, and the jungle’s charismatic chimpanzees are full of surprises.

Enjoy lunch at the lodge and some rest before heading to the Nyungwe Canopy Walk. Teeter across the tops of trees and behold the rainforest from a fresh perspective. The Canopy Walk is the only treetop walkway in East Africa; the awe-inspiring platforms are elevated between giant trees, appearing to float 60-metres above the forest floor.

Return to the lodge to rest up and enjoy the facilities.

This morning you will depart the park to drive back via Kigali and on to a scenic drive northwestwards through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda’s landscape. Arrive at Musanze, the base for Gorilla trekking at the Parc National des Volcans. The town itself, located only 25km from Uganda boarder, is relatively a small city of about 70,000 people. The constant flow of humanity is quite remarkable.  

Check into the luxurious and intimate One & Only Gorilla’s Nest for a two night stay. Surrounded by swaying eucalyptus trees, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest awakens a wild spirit of adventure. A place that encourages you to gaze into the mirror through eye opening encounters with majestic mountain gorillas and experience the story of Rwanda. Experience an undisturbed connection with the vast forest beyond, lounging in your luxurious king-sized bedroom, sound tracked by the soothing crackle of local wood in the fireplace. Watch the floor-to-ceiling glass disappear and let the scents and sounds of nature flow in. Follow them out to your secluded open-air viewing deck, enjoy an invigorating al fresco shower or spend precious time relaxing in your standalone bath with undisturbed private views.

After your morning wake-up call and breakfast transfer by road in a 4WD Land Cruiser and report to the park headquarters, for gorilla trekking formalities and briefing by the Volcanoes National Park’s guides on the gorillas’ etiquette. The gorilla group that you will visit will depend on the assignment of travellers to the ten habituated gorilla groups. Park rangers have already left to locate the ten habituated Gorilla groups that are accessible to visitors. You will be assigned to a specific group of gorillas. Groups of trekkers will have a maximum of eight visitors per gorilla family. Your trek will vary in length depending on which gorilla group you have been assigned to and will commence at about 7,000 feet of altitude in the upper terraced slopes of the volcano.

Soon you will enter the forest of bamboo and thick undergrowth. You follow paths and the walking is steep but not overly strenuous. Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully grown silverback gorilla: up to three times as bulky as the average man, yet remarkably peaceful and tolerant of human visitors. There are no words to describe the thrill of recognition attached to staring deep into the liquid brown eyes of these gentle giants, which share some 97% of their genes with humans. After locating your assigned Gorilla group you will spend one hour in their company before retracing your steps back down the volcano slopes.

Lunch at the lodge and relaxation for the rest of the afternoon.      

It’s a leisurely breakfast and check out this morning before you drive back to Kigali and on to Kigali International airport for your onwards departure.  You may wish to extend your stay by adding another night in the park along with the opportunity to do a second Gorilla trek visiting a different family than the day before.