Overview

5 days’ tour into Nyungwe Forest National Park which has the only canopy walks in all East African Parks. One night stay in Kigali City, a 35 min flight on RwandAir from Kigali to Kamembe Airport then on to One & Only Nyungwe House for next 3 nights. This Park is known for being the only one with Canopy walk in East Africa, a Botanist haven and location for 15 trails.

One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, rich in biodiversity and spectacular beauty. Last day you have an option of an approx. 6-hour drive from Nyungwe Forest back to Kigali with a stop at Huye for lunch before a transfer to the airport for your out bound flight.

Trip Highlights

Kigali Highlight Kigali Genocide Memorial standing amid beautiful rose gardens and fountains. It also plays a vital role in educating Rwanda’s new and future generations about the genocide.
Rwanda, known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, is one of the best places to see mountain gorillas.
Kigali a city once under German colony, was founded in 1907, and gained independence in 1962.
Rwanda was awarded among the 10 top safest countries in the World and the safest in Africa for solo traveler’s.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and a Botanist haven with 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids.
Nyungwe House is the perfect view for astronomers and stargazing novices alike.
Nyungwe National Park is the only park in East Africa with a canopy walk on a suspended bridge 70m high above the great Nyungwe forest.
Visit of Tea Plantation.
Primate Tracking.
Home to East Africa’s rare chimpanzee populations.
Birdwatching among the best in Africa with 322 bird species.
75 known mammals include Mongoose, Congo clawless Otter, Western Tree Hyrax and leopard to mention a few.
Home to Troops of Colobus Monkeys.
Nyungwe is the major catchment area in Rwanda, supplying 70% of water to the country.
Nyungwe has 15 trails

Day 1 :

Arrival – Kigali

Met on arrival at the Kigali International Airport by our partners in Rwanda, you will be transferred to The Retreat a 20min drive away, this 20-room luxury boutique hotel created by the American owners of Heaven, designed by Italian architects, brought to life by an extraordinary team of Rwandan builders and technicians. This will be your overnight stay. Once assisted to check-in, you have the afternoon at leisure, dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Overnight at the Retreat.

Day 2 :

Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park

Early morning departure from the hotel with a snack box to the Kigali International Airport for your RwandAir flight (one flight in a day) to Kamembe Airport. Our partners from One & Only Nyungwe House will at the airport to meet you and transfer you to One & Only Nyungwe House a 54 min (36.5 km/22.6 mi) drive away.

Arrive at the House for a light breakfast and check-in, followed by lunch. A brief siesta before your transfer to the park headquarters for a tour briefing at 14h30 before the Canopy walkway at 15h00. The Canopy walkway is (1.5 -2 hrs.) consists of three bridges and three towers total of 200m in length.

This is embedded in a guided tour along the Igishigishigi Trail, the specialized Park Guide will show you the forest canopy and explain why it’s an integral part of the tropical rainforest ecosystem.

Here you will learn what the major characteristics of rainforest and its canopy are and the importance of Nyungwe Forest for Rwanda. Return to the House for dinner.

Meals: lunch, dinner and overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House

Day 3 :

Full Day Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, at 07h30 you will set off for the park headquarters with the house driver guide, in time for a briefing before the waterfall hike begins at 09h00. The Trail is about 10.6 km long and takes 4-5 hours to complete the hike, starting from Gisakura side of the park, you will be rewarded with wildlife, bird species, beautiful views and the Iumo waterfalls.

The waterfall is the biggest highlight of this hiking experience, ending down steep hillsides through primaeval looking ‘Hollywood’ style rainforest, where trees are festooned in vines and the air is heavy and damp. Ascend the waterfall at midday, as you walk back to the park office to rejoin your driver-guide at the park office and return to the House for lunch with a siesta following.

Another guided walking tour begins at 15h00 to the Gisakura tea plantation where you discover what makes the perfect cup of tea, experience and learn the art of picking the leaves with a chance to sample some beautiful black tea grown in this area. Return to the House where you will participate in a tea ceremony. Dinner at the House.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House

Day 4 :

Full Day Nyungwe Forest National Park

*If you choose to return by road, it’s a 7-hour drive we will have our partner’s driver leave Kigali a day before to Nyungwe (empty run).

An early rise at 05h00 with a drive to the park headquarters in time for the guided chimpanzee walk at 06h00. The park is rich in biodiversity and spectacular beauty, with mountainous region teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees, 12 other primates and the L'Hoest's monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift. The two chimp communities are in Cyamdungo and Uwinka.

Chimpanzee tracking is popular in Nyungwe during the summer when the park’s trees are in full bloom. The well-trained guides will lead you through the forests, however to see the chimpanzees are not guaranteed, you will enjoy learning about them and their natural habitats.

After the trail is over, you will proceed to the House for a late breakfast, lunch at the House and relaxation by the outdoor pool. Take part in one of the complimentary activities like Boot camp spear throwing, Conservation Walk, Umuganda Community Participation, exploring on bicycle or Nyungwe Nocturnal Walk. Dinner at the House.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at One & Only Nyungwe House.

Day 5 :

Nyungwe Forest National Park – Kigali

Breakfast at the House and check-out, our partners’ driver will pick you on a 2 hr 50 min drive to visit the Ethnographic Museum in Butare, a gift from Belgium’s King Badouin in late 1980s. The Museum now houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections giving visitors a rich insight into Rwandan culture.

Lunch in Huye at either The Boni Consilii or Stanford Restaurant 3mins drive(1.3km). Proceed on to Kigali International Airport a 3 hr 7min (135km/83.8mi), our partner’s driver will bid you farewell as you check in for your out bound late flight.

Road trip from Nyungwe Forest National Park to Kigali International Airport is approx. 6-7 hrs. drive.