Walking Among Giants

Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick to Kigali.

Day 2 You will be welcomed by your guide, who will transfer you to the Retreat by Heaven for your overnight stay. Afternoon city tour and visit to the Genocide museum. (B, D)

Day 3 Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park and transfer to the One and Only Nyungwe House for a two night stay. Nyungwe Forest National Park protects the largest single tract of Montagne forest remaining in Africa. Boasting a remarkably rich center of biodiversity, with 86 mammal species, 280 birds species and almost 100 varieties of orchid. It is the most important birding site in Rwanda. Take a canopy walk to enjoy the birdlife, look out for the Rwenzori Turacco, black and white casqued hornbill, also be on the lookout for large troops of colobus monkeys. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Enjoy a morning chimp trekking in Nyungwe Forest. The National Park is treasured for its primates, with a remarkable 13 primate species resident in this lush rainforest, including man’s closest living relative, the chimpanzee, as well as the delightful L’Hoest’s monkey and numerous fun-loving troops of Black and White Colobus. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Transfer to Magashi Lodge, in Akagera National Park for two nights. Our lodge overlooks beautiful Lake Rwanyakazing, and the park borders fine-looking rising and falling plains, solid broad leafed forests and brighter acacia woods that are favoured by wildlife and visitors alike. Enjoy a game drive from the park entrance, Akagera is home to elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and more than a dozen types of antelope, most commonly the handsome chestnut-coated impala, but also the diminutive oribi and secretive bushbuck, as well as the ungainly tsessebe and the world’s largest antelope, the statuesque Cape eland. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Morning game drive, teeming with plains game, after a 20-year absence, Akagera now boasts a healthy population of lion and black rhino, reintroduced into the park in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Magashi also has a good density of leopard. In the afternoon take a boat ride on lake Ihema. Along the water’s shore pass numerous giant hippos and crocodiles, some in the shallows, others basking on the shore. Lining the lakes are some of the continent’s densest concentrations of water birds, while the connecting marshes are the haunt of the endangered and exquisite papyrus gonolek, and the bizarre shoebill stork. (B, L, D)

Day 7 After breakfast, return to Kigali and take the panoramic flight into Parc National des Volcanoes, covering an incredible 8,000 sq. kms, this stunning area protects five of the nine staggeringly beautiful Virunga Mountains. Travel across the beautiful terraced hillsides to the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range, home of the endangered mountain gorillas and rare golden monkeys, with a mosaic of montane ecosystems, landing at Virunga Lodge for your two night stay. Sitting high on the ridge of a lush green hillside, it is the ideal base for gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. Blending well with the surrounding landscape, the property overlooks the sprawling lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, affording impeccable views of the Virunga volcanoes, with its own helicopter landing pad. In addition to mountain gorillas, the park is a sanctuary for spotted hyenas, buffaloes, golden monkeys, elephants, bushbuck, black-fronted duiker as well as more than 170 species of birds. Afternoon at leisure or you may wish to take the opportunity to explore the town of Ruhengeri. (B, L, D)

Day 8 An early start for our adventure, trekking Gorillas, following a briefing at the ORTPN offices we set off into the forest. Enjoy a thrilling trek through the refined foothills of the Virungas led by an experienced ranger guide. The rainforest is alive with calls of colourful birds and the chattering of golden monkey. Gorilla trekking can be a strenuous activity but so worthwhile when you encounter these gentle giants. Spend an hour with the troop in their environment, watch the adults feeding their young, brushing, grooming and resting as the youngsters play from vines and tumble through the forest foliage. In the afternoon visit the Karisoke Research Centre, established by Dian Fossey. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Morning trek in search of the endangered Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti) endemic to the high altitude bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor Later drive to Kigali for our final night at The Retreat By Heaven. (B, L)

Day 10 Return Flight to London. (B)

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner