Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, meet-and-greet assistance is provided, followed by a private transfer to the hotel. After check-in and time to rest, a gentle cultural orientation is conducted in Kigali, introducing the city’s layout, social rhythm, and contemporary character.

The afternoon is reserved for a guided visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is presented through well-curated exhibitions, archival documentation, and landscaped memorial grounds. The visit is conducted at a measured pace, allowing space for reflection and understanding. Dinner is arranged at the hotel or a selected local restaurant, with the evening kept at leisure.

Accommodation options (Kigali):
Mid-range: Hotel des Mille Collines
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel or The Retreat by Heaven

After breakfast, a more detailed Kigali city tour is undertaken. Visits are made to local craft markets, cultural centers, and historical neighborhoods where Rwanda’s artistic expression and community life are experienced firsthand. Time is allocated for guided interactions that explain traditional craftsmanship, storytelling practices, and the role of culture in national rebuilding.

Lunch is served at a reputable local restaurant featuring contemporary Rwandan cuisine. The afternoon is intentionally unhurried, allowing optional visits to art galleries or quiet walks through selected districts. The evening is spent at leisure, preparing for the transition to northern Rwanda.

Accommodation: Same as Day 1

Following breakfast, departure is scheduled for northern Rwanda with a scenic drive toward the Volcanoes region. The route passes through cultivated hills, terraced farmland, and rural communities, offering insight into Rwanda’s agricultural backbone and daily life.

Arrival near Volcanoes National Park is planned around midday. After lodge check-in and lunch, the afternoon is reserved for rest and acclimatization. A detailed briefing is conducted by the guide, outlining gorilla trekking procedures, conservation rules, and physical expectations. Dinner and overnight stay follow in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes.

Accommodation options (Volcanoes area):
Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Bisate Lodge

An early morning start is arranged, with breakfast served before transfer to the park headquarters for registration and ranger briefing. Trekking groups are allocated according to fitness levels and gorilla family movements to ensure responsible visitation.

The trek proceeds through bamboo forest and montane vegetation under the guidance of experienced rangers and trackers. Trek duration varies depending on gorilla location. Upon locating a gorilla family, a strictly regulated one-hour viewing session is permitted, during which natural behaviors such as feeding, play, and social interaction are observed in silence and under controlled conditions.

After the trek, return to the lodge is arranged for lunch and rest. The afternoon is left flexible for relaxation or light cultural interaction near the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay are provided at the lodge.

Accommodation: Same as Day 3

After breakfast, the day is dedicated to cultural heritage experiences in the Volcanoes region. A guided visit is arranged to community-based initiatives such as Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where traditional leadership systems, music, dance, storytelling, and rural livelihoods are presented in an educational and respectful format.

Lunch is served locally or back at the lodge. The afternoon is reserved for rest, scenic walks, or photography, allowing the cultural insights of the morning to settle. Dinner and overnight stay conclude the day.

Accommodation: Same as Day 3

Following breakfast, departure is scheduled for the return journey to Kigali. En route, brief stops may be made at artisan centers or scenic viewpoints. Arrival in Kigali is timed according to onward flight schedules, with a private transfer provided to Kigali International Airport for departure.