Upon arrival at Kigali airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by your guide at the arrivals hall. From there, you'll be transferred to the luxurious Kigali Serena Hotel.

Nestled along one of Kigali's picturesque boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel boasts an elegant design centered around a stunning granite atrium adorned with Rwandese cultural art. Featuring an Executive Lounge and Bar with a spacious sundeck overlooking the newly renovated swimming pool, the hotel offers a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance. Indulge in a variety of dining options at the renowned Milima Restaurant, serving an extensive all-day buffet, or unwind at the casual Sokoni Café with indoor and outdoor poolside seating, both offering delightful views of the pool.

At 9 am, you set out for a half-day city tour, which includes a visit to the genocide museum/memorial. Enjoy lunch at Hotel Mille Collines. In the afternoon, explore the Kimironko markets and the Inema Art Gallery.

Opened in April 2004 on the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre stands as a solemn tribute to the 250,000 people buried on its grounds. Serving as a permanent memorial, it provides a place for people to mourn their losses. Additionally, it serves as an educational facility, aiming to impart the tragic history of the genocide to younger generations who did not experience it firsthand but are still impacted by its legacy. The Centre features three permanent exhibitions, including the largest one documenting the events of the 1994 genocide. It also includes a children's memorial and an exhibition on genocidal violence worldwide. With its Education Centre, Memorial Gardens, and National Documentation Centre, the memorial offers a profound homage to the victims and serves as a vital educational resource for future generations.

After an early breakfast, journey southward to Nyungwe Forest National Park, situated in Southeast Rwanda. Encompassing approximately 1000 square kilometers, Nyungwe Forest is renowned as the largest montane forest block in East Africa, featuring a diverse array of vegetation ranging from towering trees to vibrant marshlands. The forest boasts an exceptional flora diversity, showcasing over 200 tree species, magnificent giant lobelia, and a myriad of colorful orchids. Nyungwe Forest is a haven for fauna, housing 86 mammal species, 14 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift. With 14 primate species, including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, and the endangered golden monkey, it stands as a hotspot for primate enthusiasts. Additionally, the forest resonates with the melodies of 280 avian species, making it a vital ornithological site in Rwanda, with 26 Albertine species and 121 specialized forest species.

Along the journey, visit historically significant sites, such as Nyanza King’s Palace, once the residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, and the National Museum of Butare, offering insights into Rwanda's pre-colonial history. Lunch is served en route, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience.

Very early in the morning at 4:30 am, you'll depart your hotel with a packed breakfast, heading to the starting point. The actual trek in the forest starts at 5 am. You'll navigate through the forest in search of the chimpanzees. If you encounter them, you'll have the opportunity to spend 1 hour observing them before returning to the starting point. Meeting and seeing the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park is not guaranteed, which is why starting the trek early increases your chances of spotting them.

Later this afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to experience the forest from a Canopy Walkway. After a 45-minute walk into the forest, you'll traverse above the treetops on a suspended bridge. This offers excellent views of one of Africa's largest temperate rainforests and provides the chance to observe primates and birds at eye level.

After breakfast, you'll venture into Nyungwe forest to track the black and white colobus monkeys. Along the way, you'll have the chance to spot thirteen species of primates, including chimpanzees, Rwenzori colobus, and l’Hoest’s monkeys. The colobus monkeys live in large groups, with a four-hundred-strong semi-habituated group believed to be the largest troop of arboreal primates in Africa. Alternatively, you can opt for the forest waterfall walk. In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to unwind at the lodge and partake in the inclusive lodge activities or go birding in the area.

After breakfast, you'll journey up-country to Volcanoes National Park via Kibuye, bringing along a packed lunch. The scenic drive spans approximately 6 hours, tracing the stunning shores of Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu, nestled in the west of Rwanda, is embraced by magnificent mountains and boasts deep emerald green waters across a surface area of 2,700 km2. It stands as Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth largest in Africa. The road to Musanze is paved, offering picturesque vistas of the hills and valleys of this verdant and lush country, providing excellent views of the entire Virunga range.

After breakfast, take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with the local guides and trackers. They'll provide essential insights into gorilla trekking etiquette before you venture into the forest, tracing the path where the gorillas were spotted the previous night.

The trek can span from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes of up to 8,858 feet. Expect rough and occasionally muddy terrain, though the breathtaking beauty of the forest and its surroundings makes the journey immensely rewarding. Once you encounter the gorillas, any fatigue dissipates, as this encounter is often described as one of the most profound natural experiences in the world.

Picnic lunches are provided, and it's crucial to carry an ample supply of water. Given the unpredictable weather, waterproof attire, including a waterproof zip-lock bag for cameras, is essential. Please note: plastic bags, such as carriers or shopping bags, are prohibited in Rwanda.

On the second day, you have the option to venture on another thrilling adventure, either gorilla trekking or golden monkey trekking. Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon at leisure or opt for a visit to one of the lodges supported by SACOLA projects.

For those opting for golden monkey trekking, the day begins with a transfer to the park headquarters at 6:40 am for a briefing. From there,  set out to explore Volcanoes National Park in search of the elusive golden monkeys. The park is home to two habituated groups of these rare primates, with one group numbering around 80 to 100 members residing at the base of Mt. Sabyinyo. Similar to gorilla treks, golden monkey treks occur in the mornings, allowing visitors a precious hour to observe these fascinating creatures. Groups are limited to 32 visitors to ensure minimal disturbance to the monkeys and their habitat. An additional gorilla trek can be pre-arranged today, discuss options with your trip planner.

Following an early breakfast, venture on a scenic road transfer to Akagera National Park North Gate, a journey of approximately 5 hours. At 2 pm, you'll be greeted by a Magashi safari vehicle for an exhilarating game drive to the lodge, where a delicious lunch awaits.

Akagera National Park spans 2500 km2 of picturesque savannah west of the Kagera River, nestled in the northeast of Rwanda. Boasting a rich diversity of wildlife, the park is home to over 500 species of birds. Here, herds of elephants and buffalo gracefully emerge from the woodland to quench their thirst at the lakeshores, while elusive predators like leopards, spotted hyenas, and lions may also be encountered. Giraffe and zebra dot the expansive savannah, complemented by over a dozen species of antelope.

The afternoon offers an array of lodge activities to choose from, including guided game drives, invigorating walking safaris, or a leisurely boat cruise, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience.

Spend the day enjoying shared lodge activities, such as guided day or night game drives in 04 x Toyota Hilux vehicles, boating in 02 x 08-seater swamp cruisers with 'double-decker' seating for elevated game viewing, fishing on a catch and release basis all year round, birding or participating in a cultural nomadic dinner, island picnic, star dinner, or Bush Rolex (chapati) with a menu based on seasonal Rwandan fare. Guests can participate in the Olympus Photo Hub experience or become 'Citizen Scientists' by joining predator identikits and movement studies.

Enjoy a morning game drive to the North gate, followed by a pick-up at 11 am by a vehicle for a scenic road transfer to Kigali, a journey lasting approximately 3 hours. Enjoy a delightful lunch in town before being transferred to the airport for your international departure flight.