9 DAYS RWANDA DISCOVERY SAFARI

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Camron McGee
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1 9 DAYS RWANDA DISCOVERY SAFARI

YOUR SAFARI AT A GLANCE 9 Days Rwanda Discovery Safari Not only is Rwanda often described as the Land of a Thousand Hills but also as the self-styled Switzerland of Africa, with enchanted views of

2 YOUR SAFARI AT A GLANCE 9 Days Rwanda Discovery Safari Not only is Rwanda often described as the Land of a Thousand Hills but also as the self-styled Switzerland of Africa, with enchanted views of Lake Kivu and the higher elevations dominated by the Virunga Volcanoes, whose peaks are forever shrouded in mist and mystery, with the tangled jumble of tropical rain forest on its lower slopes home to the world famous Mountain Gorillas. By any inference applied to its magic landscapes and rare wildlife, Rwanda is the high altitude rendering of Jules Verne s lost paradise as described in Journey to the Centre of the Earth, with the opportunity to visit the Mountain Gorilla s natural environment, or a trekking adventure to Mount Visoke in the Parc National des Volcans, alive with the cacophonous calls of varicoloured birds and the chattering of Golden Monkeys. And for those interested in the scientific work of Dian Fossey, a trek to her former Karisoke base in the saddle area between Mt. Visoke and Mt. Karisimbi adds a historic dimension to the adventure. As it is, Rwanda is also a bird watcher s paradise with more than 270 species recorded in just the Nyungwe Forest reserve and close to 700 in the larger low land savannah type Akagera National Park that borders the mighty Kagera River and Tanzania. Wether you journey to encounter the primates or the staggering variety of bird life, a visit to Rwanda is a fantasy realised, a dream come true in its unsurpassed natural beauty. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Arrival in Kigali. Transfer from airport to your accommodation. Kigali to Huye to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe Forest National Park. Optional Activities - Chimpanzee or Colobus Tracking. Optional Activities - Canopy Trek or Nature Walk. Nyungwe Forest National Park. Optional Activities - Chimpanzee or Colobus Tracking. Optional Activities - Canopy Trek or Nature Walk. Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Nyungwe Forest National Park to Lake Kivu. Optional Activities - Kayak Tour or Boat Tour. Lake Kivu. Optional Activities - Kayak Tour or Boat Tour. Lake Kivu to Parc National des Volcans. Optional Activities - Golden Monkey Tracking, Village Walk, Dian Fossey or Volcano Trekking. Scenic drive back to Kigali. Parc National des Volcans to Kigali. Gorilla tracking in the park. Kigali to Departure. City Tour and visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre. Airport transfer and departure from Kigali. 2

3 DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 - Arrival in Kigali to Parc National des Volcans On day one of your safari, our experienced driver/ guide will collect you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Kigali. Kigali Serena Hotel ***** (DBB) Kempinsky Hotel Des Mille Collines ***** (DBB) Flame Tree Village *** (DBB) Hotel Chez Lando *** (DBB) Mountain Gorilla View Lodge *** (DBB) Day 2 - Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park After breakfast you will depart for Huye (Butare) the second largest city of Rwanda which also hosts the National Museum. On your way to Huye you will visit the former Mwami's palace and the seat of the feudal monarchy. Also planned for the day are a visit to the National Museum in Huye and thereafter you will have the opportunity to view the spectacular performance of the Urugangazi group of Intore Dancers. This is probably the best group of Rwanda and their performance is regarded by many as one of the highlights of your safari! Nyungwe Forest Lodge ***** (FB) Gisakura Guest House ** (FB) Day 3 - Nyungwe Forest National Park In the southwest corner of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a vast and untouched tropical rainforest with a high, dense canopy and a spectacular biodiversity. At the heart of Nyungwe is a dense tropical forest straight from a fairy tale with tall old mahogany and ebony trees adorned with giant ferns towering above you and orchids, lichens and ferns clinging to every branch. Brightly coloured tropical birds flit about and butte flies are everywhere and you may even encounter larger forest primates such as chimpanzees, for which Nyungwe National Park is renowned. To get a sense of the scale of Nyungwe, try East Africa s highest canopy walk with bridges suspended 50 metres above the forest floor. You have the following options to consider: Option 1 - Chimpanzee Tracking: Here, you have the opportunity to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat and relish sensational views of lush green rainforests, alive with the calls of varicoloured tropical birds. In addition to chimpanzees, there are also black and white as well as red Colobus monkeys as well as hundreds of tropical bird species to discover. Option 2 - Colobus Monkey Tracking: Nyungwe forest also features one of the largest groups of Angolan Colobus monkeys, with over 250 individuals. One of these groups is semi-habituated and a guided tour with park rangers will tell you approximately where the group is located. Hiking durations may vary as the group is travelling continuously looking for food. Option 3 - Nature Walk: Alternatively you can venture on one of the longer nature trails in the Nyungwe forest such as the Umuyove, Imbaraga, or Uwinka Trails. And the opportunity to encounter any one of more than 270 species recorded, makes Nyungwe the perfect bird watcher s paradise. Option 4 - Canopy Walk: As part of the shorter Igishigishigi Trail, Nyungwe offers the highest forest canopy walk in East Africa with walkways built as high as 50 meters above ground level and the opportunity of close encounters with many rare bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco. 3

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5 Nyungwe Forest Lodge ***** (FB) Gisakura Guest House ** (FB) Day 4 - Nyungwe Forest National Park Today, you may continue the exploration of the dense tropical forests of Nyungwe and have the following options to consider. There are different beautiful nature trails to explore, such as the waterfall trail of Gisakura. And if you missed the Colobus or Chimpanzees on your first day out, you can have another try now. There are also L Hoest monkeys and Blue monkeys present and often observed around Uwinka where you can also visit the orchid garden. And for those who prefer a challenging hike, we recommend the trail that takes you to Bigugu Mountain, the highest peak in Nyungwe Forest National Park at nearly meters. Option 1 - Chimpanzee Tracking: Here, you have the opportunity to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat and relish sensational views of lush green rainforests, alive with the calls of varicoloured tropical birds. In addition to chimpanzees, there are also black and white as well as red Colobus monkeys as well as hundreds of tropical bird species to discover. Option 2 - Colobus Monkey Tracking: Nyungwe forest also features one of the largest groups of Angolan Colobus monkeys, with over 250 individuals. One of these groups is semi-habituated and a guided tour with park rangers will tell you approximately where the group is located. Hiking durations may vary as the group is travelling continuously looking for food. Option 3 - Nature Walk: Alternatively you can venture on one of the longer nature trails in the Nyungwe forest such as the Umuyove, Imbaraga, or Uwinka Trails. And the opportunity to encounter any one of more than 270 species recorded, makes Nyungwe the perfect bird watcher s paradise. Option 4 - Canopy Walk: As part of the shorter Igishigishigi Trail, Nyungwe offers the highest forest canopy walk in East Africa with walkways built as high as 50 meters above ground level and the opportunity of close encounters with many rare bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco. Nyungwe Forest Lodge ***** (FB) Gisakura Guest House ** (FB) Day 5 - Nyungwe Forest National Park to Lake Kivu Your journey continues through scenic landscapes to Gisenyi on the shorelines of Lake Kivu where you can enjoy your stay on beaches lined with tropical gardens. The ideal location for all those interested in water activities such as motor boat tours, sailing, wind surfing and fishing. There is also the local cuisine to explore as well as dance/ drum performances and other cultural activities that can be organised by your hotel. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel ***** (FB) Cormoran Lodge **** (FB) Hotel Paradis Malahide *** (FB) Waterfront Resort *** (FB) 5

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7 Day 6 - Lake Kivu Enjoy the magic landscapes around Lake Kivu with the day at your disposal. The next morning, your safari will continue to the famous Parc National des Volcans for your gorilla trekking adventure. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel ***** (FB) Cormoran Lodge **** (FB) Hotel Paradis Malahide *** (FB) Waterfront Resort *** (FB) Day 7 - Lake Kivu to Parc National des Volcans The park is known as a haven for the rare and endangered mountain gorillas and is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo peaks) which are covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was also the base for world renowned zoologist Dian Fossey. You have the following options at extra cost to consider for this day: Option 1 - Golden Monkey Tracking: You can venture into the forests of the Parc National des Volcans to track the rare and endangered Golden Monkeys. A visit to the Golden Monkeys is a very different experience from gorilla tracking as the monkeys react and interact differently, playing hide-and-seek much to the delight of the visitors. Option 2 - Village Walk: After the Golden Monkey tracking, you may continue to visit the Iby'Iwacu traditional village which is a community based tourism project that displays the traditional ways of life in Rwanda. On your way back to Kigali, several stops will be made to admire the natural beauty of The Land of the Hills. Option 3 - Volcano Trekking: And as another alternative, you can venture on an exhilarating climb of the Bisoke peak, one of the Virunga Volcanoes that are situated on the Rwandan side of the border. Option 4 - Dian Fossey Trekking: And for those further interested in the scientific work of Dian Fossey, a trek to her former Karisoke base in the saddle area between Mount Visoke and Mount Karisimbi adds a historic dimension to the adventure. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge **** (FB) Virunga Lodge **** (FB) Gorillas Volcanos Hotel *** (FB) Mountain Gorilla View Lodge *** (FB) Day 8 - Parc National des Volcans to Kigali Today, you have the sensational opportunity to venture on an exhilarating track to the Mountain Gorilla s natural habitat of shady bamboo thickets and relish sensational views of lush green rainforests, alive with the cacophonous calls of varicoloured birds. Nothing however can prepare one for the impact of encountering a mountain gorilla close up, twice the size of an average man, yet remarkably tolerant of human visitors. Drive back through the scenic and lush hills of Rwanda to Kigali. Kigali Serena Hotel ***** (DBB) Kempinsky Hotel Des Mille Collines ***** (DBB) 7

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9 Flame Tree Village *** (DBB) Hotel Chez Lando *** (DBB) Mountain Gorilla View Lodge *** (DBB) Day 9 - Kigali to Departure Any assessment of Rwanda in the context of geopolitical history and we are instantly reminded of the Genocide that devastated this tiny country in A visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre and the renowned Hotel Des Mille Collines is therefore an obligation for all those interested in historic narrative. Time to say goodbye as you transfer to the airport. SAFARI PRICE The price tables here presented are for one of the accommodation options listed in each of the two categories (4 to 5 star and 3 to 4 star as seen in the Detailed Itinerary) provided for the duration of the safari described in this document. The price options for other listed or not listed accommodation are available on request: Accommodation Option 4 to 5 stars Price Per Person (PP) Sharing in a Double / Twin Room: Transport Options 4x4 Safari Landcruiser 2 pax travelling / PP from US $ 5, (5 seater) Single supplement from US $ Accommodation Option 3 to 4 stars Price Per Person (PP) Sharing in a Double / Twin Room: Transport Options 4x4 Safari Landcruiser 2 pax travelling / PP from US $ 4, (5 seater) Single supplement from US $ SERVICES & FEATURES Services & Features Included in Safari Price All airport transfers. Gorilla tracking permit PP in the Parc National des Volcans. Return transfers using 4x4 safari vehicles inclusive of fuel. English speaking driver / guide. Meals as specified while on safari and mineral water. 9

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11 Accommodation Option 4 to 5 stars Accommodation Included in Safari Price 2 nights accommodation Kigali Serena Hotel - half board basis. 3 nights accommodation Nyungwe Forest Lodge - full board basis. 2 night accommodation Lake Kivu Serena Hotel - full board basis. 1 nights accommodation Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge - full board basis. Accommodation Option 3 to 4 stars Accommodation Included in Safari Price 2 nights accommodation Flame Tree Hotel - half board basis. 3 nights accommodation Gisakura Guest House - full board basis. 2 night accommodation Lake Kivu Serena Hotel - full board basis. 1 nights accommodation Mountain Gorilla View Lodge - full board basis. Services & Features Not Included in Safari Price All international flights, all flights not specifically listed in the itinerary. Cost of visas. Travel, medical and personal insurances. Gratuities and personal requirements. All other Optional Activities listed in the itinerary. Our commitment to furnish you with the very best in leisure travel management are defined by the objective to provide exceptional quality, intensive and unforgettable experiences as well as pleasurable moments, that in every detail and attention to superior services are a feast for the senses. Your Intek Travel Tours & Safaris Management Team TERMS & CONDITIONS Additional Notes This is a proposal only and subject to availability. If components of this itinerary are not available at the time of booking, we shall endeavour to offer suitable alternatives. Please note that Gorilla permits of US $ 600,00 per permit in Uganda and/ or US $ 750,00 per permit in Rwanda and US $ 150,00 for Chimpanzee permits in Kibale, Uganda need to be paid together with the deposit. The price for these permits is nonrefundable, however in case of cancellation, we shall endeavour to resell excess tickets through the available official channels. The appointed driver/ tour guide will accompany clients throughout the safari, assist them with check-in at accommodation and share his knowledge of flora and fauna. A language specific tour guide is available against a surcharge. Where applicable for charter or scheduled local flights, the following baggage restrictions apply: 15 kgs on all flights in small, soft-sided bags. Abbreviations for the meal plan are as follows:. Payment Terms Deposit: 25% of the total safari price within 7 days of confirmation. Balance: full balance due 45 days (6 weeks) prior to arrival. Reservations: made within 45 days or less prior to arrival: Immediate full prepayment due. Cancellations received within: 30 days before safari date 20% cancellation fee 29 to 23 days before safari date 25% cancellation fee 22 to 15 days before safari date 40% cancellation fee 14 to 08 days before safari date 55% cancellation fee 07 to 03 days before safari date 65% cancellation fee 02 days before safari date 95% cancellation fee No Show 100 % cancellation fee 11

12 Changes Without Prior Notice Tariffs quoted are valid for 2016 wherever possible. Not all service providers release or guarantee their rates well in advance and therefore the itinerary price may be subject to changes without prior notice. Factors that can not be anticipated and may influence this cost calculation include, but are not limited to, supplier increases (including gorilla permits and park/conservation fees), government tax increases, fuel price increases, unforeseeable itinerary amendments due to circumstances beyond our control, availability restrictions, etc. Contact Details HRG Uganda - Intek Travel 25 Balikuddembe Road P.O. Box Naguru, Kampala, Uganda, EAU Telephone safari@intektravel.com fly@intektravel.com 12

4 DAYS RWANDA EXPRESS SAFARI

4 DAYS RWANDA EXPRESS SAFARI YOUR SAFARI AT A GLANCE 4 Days Rwanda Express Safari Not only is Rwanda often described as the Land of a Thousand Hills but also as the self-styled Switzerland of Africa, with