Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Kayaking Tour

*Please note that the following information is meant to provide a general overview of your tour. The specifics of your trip will be contained in a pre-trip letter you will receive prior to your confirmed departure.

Important Trip Details:

MEETING PLACE: Kigali Hotel
MEETING TIME: 7:00 PM
RETURN TIME: Evening of Day 12
THE LAST SUPPER: Kigali Hotel
TRIP LENGTH: 13 days
AGE LIMIT: 12 years
NEAREST AIRPORTS: Kigali International Airport 

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Kayaking Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day

Fly into Kigali and make your way into town where an orientation meeting and group dinner will be held.

• Meals Included: Dinner
• Accommodations: Heaven Boutique Hotel or Similar

Day 2: Kigali Day Tour

Overcome any jet lag with a relaxed morning at the hotel, followed by a tour of Kigali. This modern capital city is undergoing a rapid transformation, despite its traumatic past. Visit the Nyamirambo Women’s Center and stroll through the surrounding neighborhood to get a glimpse into daily life and learn about some of the social enterprises working here. 

Then pay a visit to the Genocide Memorial, which is a poignant reminder of the country’s past and a reminder of how far it has come. While the exhibits can be confronting, being aware of this history is important for understanding Rwanda and the people you will connect with along your journey. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Heaven Boutique Hotel or Similar

Day 3: Nyanza King’s Palace and Nyungwe National Park

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll depart Kigali and drive south to the Nyanza King’s Palace to see a royal residence dating from the 19th century. Learn about the leadership of King Yuhi V Musinga, then continue to the National Ethnographic Museum in Huye to explore what is one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections. Gifted to the country by Belgium in 1987 to celebrate 25 years of independence, the collection offers a fascinating insight into Rwandan culture, with exhibits related to geology, agriculture, music, and arts.

Refuel during lunch in Huye before continuing west to Nyungwe National Park, which is home to 13 species of primates and a population of around 500 chimpanzees. Established in 1933, the park encompasses two of Africa’s largest rivers - the Nile and Congo - and protects the largest remaining area of montane rainforest in eastern Africa. Nyungwe is a biologically rich region, with hundreds of plant and animal species recorded here, 15% of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Aside from chimpanzees, various species of colobus have also been observed within the forest, together with more than 300 bird species, 100+ butterfly species, and five different chameleons. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Nyungwe Top View Hotel

Day 4: Nyungwe National Park

Begin the day with a naturalist-led walk to see black and white Ruwenzori colobus monkeys, with Nyungwe’s troop of around 350 thought to be the largest group of arboreal primates in Africa. Watch as they swing in the trees and socialize with one another in their natural environment. 

After the morning walk, we’ll visit a nearby tea plantation to see how the leaves are processed from harvest to teacup and how the industry contributes to Rwanda’s economy. Then continue along the Igishigishigi Trail’s spectacular canopy walkway, which is situated 100-120 feet (30-40 meters) above the forest floor. Suspended between huge trees, it stretches for about 600 feet (200 meters) and offers a bird’s eye view of the surrounding forest.

In the late afternoon, we’ll return to our hotel to enjoy its picturesque grounds and forest views. 

Activity: Morning walk 1-3 miles. Afternoon 1-3 miles.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Nyungwe Top View Hotel

Day 5: Chimpanzee viewing and Lake Kivu

Rise early for a morning hike to view some of Nyungwe’s chimpanzees, with their loud calls often heard before these primates are seen. Described by Jane Goodall as the “pant-hoot”, they use these calls to identify one another through the dense forest foliage. Spend time observing and photographing these fascinating animals with which we share 95% of our DNA!

We’ll then drive for a couple of hours to the shores of Lake Kivu, which is surrounded by blue-hued mountains and verdant surrounds. It’s one of the deepest freshwater lakes in the world, with its sandy beaches and scalloped shoreline making it a popular kayaking destination. After lunch at our lodge, we’ll enjoy a walk along the Congo Nile Trail as it follows the shores of Lake Kivu, chatting with locals we meet along the way as they work in their agricultural fields. We’ll return to our lodge to rest and prepare for the following day’s kayaking. 

Activity: Morning walk 2-4 miles. Afternoon 2-3 miles. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Cormoran Lodge or Similar

Day 6: Lake Kivu

After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll be guided through a kayaking orientation and safety talk before beginning our paddle north along the shores of Lake Kivu. We’ll stop along the way as our interests dictate, with a picnic lunch served accompanied by spectacular scenery.

Activity: Kayaking: 8 miles (this can be extended if some wish to paddle more).

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Rwiza Village Lodge

Day 7: Lake Kivu’s “Bay of Islands”

Today will be spent paddling along the shores and between the islands of Lake Kivu, keeping our eyes peeled for African fish eagles, monkeys and Congo clawless otters. We’ll stop for lunch on one of the islands and embark on a short walk to its summit for panoramic views across the lake. 

In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive at our island camp, which will be prepared for our arrival and allows you to be immersed in the lake’s tranquility. A highlight of the evening will be paddling out into the lake to hear the fishermen singing, with their voices resonating across the water. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Fully Catered Island Camp

Day 8: Paddle north to Kinuni

Begin the day with a short paddle along the shores of Lake Kivu before arriving in time for lunch at our lodge. The afternoon will be spent walking with a local guide who will introduce us to some of the nearby villages and their inhabitants to learn about life in Rwanda. 

Activity: Kayaking 5 miles (this can be extended for those wanting a longer paddle) / Walking 2-4 miles with 300-400 feet elevation gain.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Rushel Kivu Lodge

Day 9: Kayaking to the Village of Cyimbili and Coffee Plantation Tour

Begin our final day of kayaking by paddling to the small village of Cyimbili, perhaps stopping in the market village of Nkora along the way. Originally established as a planned community, Cyimbili has now become a hub for coffee plantations, with the opportunity to learn about the process on a tour of one.

After a village lunch, we’ll return to the lake for a motorboat transfer to the northern end of Lake Kivu. Here we’ll base ourselves in the lovely fishing village of Rubona, a satellite settlement of bustling Gisenyi, which has become a popular resort area. Enjoy an evening stroll around the village, with the opportunity to mingle with the locals in one of the breweries. 

Activity: Kayaking 7.5 miles / Walking 1 mile.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Paradise Malahide Lodge

Day 10: Musanze and Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center

We’ll depart our beach resort in the morning for the 1.5-hour drive to Musanze, Rwanda’s third-largest city and the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Situated at 6,000 feet (1,850 meters), it features a dramatic, mountainous backdrop and a pleasant climate. We’ll visit an inspiring weaving project called Handspun Hope where marginalized women have found employment producing woven art, then refuel over lunch. 

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Karisoke Research Center to learn about the work of Dian Fossey, as well as ongoing gorilla conservation and research. See manuscripts and diaries from her early days spent researching the gorillas, then learn about the lives of gorillas and their biology during a special presentation. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Ingagi Park View Lodge or similar

Day 11: Morning walk to see golden monkeys and afternoon hike at Lake Ruhondo

Rise early and prepare for our morning trek to see golden monkeys, an endangered species that is native to Africa. Witness these agile forest dwellers swinging through the forest canopy and perhaps even walking right by us along the ground.

Around noon, we’ll return to our lodge for lunch before embarking on a short walk around the shores of Lake Ruhondo. Watch the fishermen on the lake and spot birdlife while chatting with locals along the way. Once you’ve had enough, a motorboat will pick the group up for a late afternoon cruise to soak up the scenery, which includes views of all five Virunga volcanoes. 

Activity: 2-4 miles walking for golden monkey trek. Walking 3-5 miles at Lake Ruhondo

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Ingagi Park View Lodge or similar

Day 12: Tracking mountain gorillas and return to Kigali

Our day begins early at the headquarters of Virunga Volcanoes National Park where we’ll start our trek to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Numbering around 1,000 individuals in total, there are approximately 500 living in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 500 in the Virunga Volcanoes area, which straddles the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These peaceful primates spend much of their day on the forest floor and trackers will radio ahead to notify our guides of their approximate location. 

You’ll spend an unforgettable hour with the gorillas, with time limits imposed to protect the troupes from habituation with humans. Mountain gorilla tourism provides a vital role in their conservation, however, as without the funds it generates, there may not be any of these primates left in the world. 

Upon our return to the park headquarters, we may visit a community project called the Gorilla Guardians Village before returning to Kigali for a farewell dinner. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodations: Heaven Boutique Hotel or Similar

Day 13: Free day in Kigali  

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to transfer to the Kigali International Airport for your flight home or onward travel. 

Travel to Kigali, Rwanda

You can fly from most major international airports to Kigali (KGL). Numerous airlines fly into Kigali including KLM, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, and Ethiopian. United Airlines partners with Ethiopian so you can likely book a flight to Kigali on United Airlines and use miles and points if applicable. You can book round trip tickets as our tour begins and ends in Kigali. Most flights arrive in Kigali in the evening and we have our trip orientation meeting at 7:00 pm on day 1 of the itinerary, so plan your flights accordingly.

Rwanda Weather

• It's warm and "spring like" all year round!
• Temperatures are about 74 – 85 F (24-34°C) in the daytime and 60-65 F(17-20°C) at night.
• Short thunderstorms that almost always pass within an hour or so can occur at anytime of year.
• Rwanda is a great place to visit at anytime of year however, the nicest months are December to February, June and October as there is a lot of sunshine and the landscape is also lush and green.

Adventure Unbound Physical Requirements  

Here at Adventure Unbound our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose. 

All of our trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions. Adventure Unbound is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip. We ask that you consult your doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:  

• Wear all protective and safety equipment that are required by Adventure Unbound and recommended/required by industry wide standards.
• Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for Adventure Unbound activities.
• Reach the water access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.
• Enter and exit a raft, kayak and/or inflatable kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.
• Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft, canoe, kayak or inflatable kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.
• Float on their back when entering moving and still water. The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while under water.
• Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a swim.
• Climb into the kayak, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the water.
• Make progress toward the shoreline or a boat by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the water and ascend the shoreline once reached.
• Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of trip. 
• Move about the campsite on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight camping and/or lunch.

Physical Preparedness

Whether you are an avid sea kayaker, or it is your first time, you’ll enjoy these incredible trips, and share in our passion for adventure, commitment to conserving the environment, and relishing unique experiences. For those new to the sport, kayaking is easy to learn in the sheltered waters that we visit, and we provide all of the camping gear, kayaking equipment and guidance needed. In addition, we keep our groups small to allow you to not only travel intimately among nature, but to ensure you receive the necessary attention from our guides.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Kayaking Tour Packing List

Overview

The packing list outlined below is meant to serve as a guide to help you plan, prepare and outfit yourself for your upcoming travels. We have provided our best recommendations and suggestions. These suggestions are broken down by your tour type and are based on the outlined itinerary, the geographic region, our knowledge of Rwanda, and our personal experience. We hope you find this list helpful, use it as a guide and feel free to amend it with your favorite travel items too!

Luggage Recomendations:

In general it is in your best interest to bring as little as possible when traveling internationally, you'll be able to be more mobile and less fatigued. So pack lightly. A good test is to take you bag for a walk around your block and see how you do. Small luggage racks with wheels are helpful too. Put out what you think you need, and then take half!  Keep in mind you can almost always buy whatever you may have forgotten.  This is especially true of clothing items. Some things, as noted below, are best brought from home.  A small day pack is very useful for carrying books, a camera, etc. Be sure to label your luggage with your name and address, inside and out.

Essential Items:

• Passport - must be valid for at least six (6) months after the date of your arrival
• Visa - Visas are available online in advance or on arrival to all nationalities. If you are also visiting neighboring countries during your trip, make sure to buy a multiple entry visa for Rwanda. (*Easy to get at airport on arrival. Bring $30 US cash)
• Money belt to carry your passport, travel documents and money, concealed under your clothes
• A photocopy of your passport, inside a ziplock bag and stowed elsewhere in your luggage (As an additional precautionary measure, consider leaving a photocopy with family or friends at home as well)
• Copy of your air tickets with ticket numbers, placed elsewhere in your luggage
• Cash for gratuities (see more information below)
  • USD cash is widely accepted in tourist establishments.
  • (GBP, EUR and most other major currencies can also be changed at hotels and banks however exchange rates can be unfavorable.)
• Credit and/or Debit/ATM card that works internationally, ideally with a chip technology (Before leaving home, notify your bank of your travel to help prevent any fraud detection holds on your card)
  • Local currency is easily obtained from ATMs at the airport and in all towns and cities. (*Alert you credit card company online that you are traveling.)
• Watch or small travel clock with alarm (if you are taking a phone, this can serve as your alarm clock)
• TSA-accessible lock for luggage security when not on your person (optional- can buy at any travel or outdoor recreation store)
• Phone – Most people bring a phone to also use as their camera. You might want to check with your carrier about plans for Rwanda.
  • If you want to use your cell phone for photos, bring a special plastic waterproof case (available in soft plastic for under $15 or so). If you bring a camera, also bring a quality waterproof bag or case. While we do supply ‘dry bags’ for you to use to carry your belongings inside the kayaks, we do not guarantee that they are 100% waterproof.

Personal

• Personal medical kit & toiletries
• Insect repellent
• Waterproof sunscreen (SPF 50 recommended)

*If you plan on packing any toiletries in plastic, please note that single use thin plastic bags are illegal (reusable bags like for use in a freezer are allowed)

Clothing

• Sun hat (suitable for use on the water)
• Sun glasses (with retainer when kayaking)
• Short sleeve shirts
• Short trousers
• Long trousers (for village visits / cultural sites)
• Long trekking trousers & long sleeve top  (Light colors best when on safari)
• Light weight fleece for cooler mornings / evenings
• Light raincoat (except from July to mid-August)
• Bathing suit (for use when staying at a lodge with a pool)
• Evening wear – for Kigali and towns.  Light dresses for women are nice.
• Light pants and shirts for men.
• Strap on sandals (ideally waterproof for kayaking & canoeing)
• Walking boots or good walking shoes for trekking
• Socks, underwear
• Lightweight shoes (for evening wear and to guard against mosquitos)

For Canoeing and Kayaking

• Swim shorts / quick drying T-shirt
• Strap to tie on glasses / sunglasses if worn
• Paddling gloves (optional – help with sun protection too)
• Sandals (for wearing when getting in and out: Note that they will get wet)

Accessories       

• Electrical adaptors
  • (Rwanda uses a random combination of 230V UK and European plugs)
• Refillable water bottle (1 liter minimum, wide mouth so easy to refill)
• Headlight or flashlight
• Binoculars – optional but nice for watching animals far away
• Camera with memory card and extra batteries, etc.
• Day pack to use when out during the day on hikes, to keep things handy in vehicle, etc.
• Umbrella – Sometimes a small travel umbrella is a nice alternative to a raincoat, especially in towns.
• Personal security wallet / dry bag (for important documents)
• Reusable stuff sacks and containers

On the one night at the island, tents have simple beds with sheets and blanket, pillows, etc. Nothing special is needed.

Adventure Unbound Recommended Rwanda Reading List

Reading about Rwanda before you go will enrich your journey.  Here are a few suggestions with some available in Kindle format and others not. You might also consider a good map of the country and a guidebook by Bradt, Lonely Planet or similar. We would consider these essential:

• We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families, Stories From Rwanda - Philip Gourevitch

The gut-wrenching story of Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda, looking backward from the horrific genocide of 1994 to deep-seated historical causes (and Western inaction). Gourevitch offers both an insightful chronicle and extraordinary stories in this award-winning report.

• Gorillas in the Mist - Dian Fossey, Dr.

Fossey’s highly personal, detailed account of the ecology and behavior of the mountain gorilla of Virunga is based on her 13 years among “the greatest of the great apes.” (The movie is good as well.)

Also Recommended

• The Scramble for Africa: White Man’s Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876 to 1912  - Thomas Pakenham

Absorbing and meticulously researched, this in-depth history of the Victorian land grab in 19th-century Africa includes excellent portraits of the egomaniacal personalities who overran the continent.

• A Thousand Hills to Heaven - Josh Ruxin

One American couple’s inspiring memoir of healing a Rwandan village, raising their three children near the old killing fields and building a restaurant named Heaven overlooking Kigali. Ruxin is director of the Millennium Villages Project in Rwanda.

• Land of a Thousand Hills, My Life in Rwanda - Rosamond Halsey Carr

Carr’s thrilling memoir is a testament to her life in Rwanda – a love affair with a country and a people that has spanned half a century. Following 1994’s Hutu-Tutsi genocide, the author turned her flower plantation into a shelter for the lost and orphaned children.

• Baking Cakes in Kigali - Gaile Parkin

Cake baker and secret keeper Angel Tungaraza’s kitchen provides solace for the residents of Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda with nearly one million citizens, in this heart-warming novel full of intrigue.

• Our Lady of the Nile - Scholastique Mukasonga

Mukasonga’s plot unfolds behind the gates of an upper-crust girls’ school where political tensions heat up, friendships end, racial animosities form and Rwanda marches inexorably toward genocide. A debut novel that quickly rose through France’s best seller list.

This article is worth a read and has a few more recommendations: https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/four-essential-books-on-rwanda

You might also consider a wildlife and/or bird guide, depending on your interests. Of course there are many other books to read, but this will get your started!

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