RWANDA

DAY 1
KIGALI ARRIVAL
You will be arriving at Kigali international airport. We would welcome and met by airport representative and assisted through immigration and with baggage
You will then be handed over to our ground handler driver waiting at the arrivals gate.
Airport transfer (approx. 20-minute transfer pending traffic)
Note that Friday evenings in Mille Collines is usually a free traditional music & dance show for the guests – enjoy your dinner whilst watching.
Overnight accommodation: Hotel Mille Collines

DAY 2
EXPLORING KIGALI
Early breakfast then approx. 8am transfer to our favourite women’s project for your briefing and introduction to Rwanda!
Guided traditional Rwandan cooking lesson by wonderful women’s cooperative – see the amazing women’s sewing project they have developed and meet their master chef who will teach you how to make some popular yummy Rwandan traditional vegetarian dishes.
Includes vegetarian lunch at the home of your Chef.

From here we transfer to visit a wonderful local fashion house filled with African fabric clothing and homewares for the whole family. If we are lucky this well-known Kigali designer will be on hand to answer any questions (or perhaps you want a customised order) Plus enjoy a behind the scenes tour and see where and how these gorgeous creations are made.
We then transfer to Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay our respects and learn what really happened during the dark days of Rwanda’s genocide. This memorial is one of many across the country but acts as the main information centre for visitors to the country.
A comprehensive audio guide is included for up to 3 guests. For 4+ guests they offer guided group tours. The tour usually takes around two hours. Please note there is the option to take photos and video inside the memorial – this is not included in your package and should be paid at reception.
Optional donations to support the amazing work the Ageis Trust continues to do for the survivors and the documentation of the genocide are welcomed at the centre, but not compulsory. There is an on-site café with great cappuccinos as well as a gift store with books and items to purchase should you wish to do so. Spend as little or as long as you like here, taking your time to learn about this sad part of the nations’ history and reflect on just how far they have come!

From here it’s time to lighten the mood and transfer to a nearby children's community centre and art gallery. Being an afternoon, we have a good chance of seeing the youth from the surrounding community practising their traditional Rwandan dances. Feel free to join in and have a mini drum lesson or head inside and see the wonderful collection of contemporary art on display by the some of the country’s leading painters.
Coffee Master Class
You are probably in need of a coffee right now?! So it’s time to head across to our favourite sustainable harvest coffee store. Here you will learn from the experts the different ways to roast, brew and taste test different coffee beans. Guests will be taken through a short coffee history lesson, harvest cherries from the trees in their garden, taste coffee from all over Rwanda and leave with a bag of your own custom blend. Become a coffee connoisseur after this workshop!

Freshen up at your hotel or head straight across town to enjoy a delicious dinner near the nation's iconic, “Kigali convention centre”.
Approx 10pm transfer back to your hotel for a well-earned rest!
Overnight accommodation: Hotel Mille Collines – Standard twin/double
Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch only excluding drinks

DAY 3
Village encounter & King’s former glory
Early breakfast and transfer to the outskirts of Kigali to our women’s cooperative HQ for your briefing and to meet your local guide (approx. 45 minute drive).
Transfer to the assigned local village to meet your Mama and her family as well as local cooperative members. These women open their hearts and homes to allow you to see what life is like in rural Rwanda. Choose to participate or observe – it’s up to you. You can choose to learn how to make the mud bricks for their homes, traditional weaving using sisal plant or learn how to make the traditional banana brew. A traditional Rwandan vegetarian meal will be prepared for you to enjoy with the family – best Avocado and beans we have ever tasted (and we aren’t even bean fans!) This experience is one of our most favoured by guests!
Around 2pm it's time to bid your new Rwandan family farewell as we head back another 45 minutes' drive further south along Rwanda’s cultural belt.
Enjoy a guided tour of the King’s palace – in this former Royal capital of Rwanda. Aside from the original architecture and learning about many of the traditions that took place in this location, this is your chance to get up close to the royal horned cows – the biggest horns in the region. See how their herder communicates to them with songs and poetry – a highlight for many guests.
Time to head back to Kigali – opt to head straight out for dinner or choose to relax in the hotel tonight.
Overnight accommodation: Hotel Mille Collines
Meals included today: Breakfast and lunch only

DAY 4
CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Post breakfast transfer to the north of Rwanda for a tea estate visit, stop at the estates’ HQ for your briefing and to meet your guide (approx. 1hour drive from Kigali). We spend around one hour here with the opportunity to taste the different types of teas and buy directly from the plantation.
From here we transfer further north to Musanze (foothills of Volcanoes National Park region for your Rwandan cultural village experience (approx. 1hr drive).
Guests can see what life used to be like in Rwanda during the time of the King. Demonstrations in traditional medicine, hunting techniques, weaving, visit a replica King’s palace, learn about the customs and enjoy the traditional Rwandan music and dance with an amazing view of the Virunga Ranges in the background. All fees go directly to supporting this community, some of whom were former poachers in Volcanoes National Park and now through your support they are the protectors of the Gorillas and national parks wildlife.
Once you have finished your cultural village experience, we take you to a very special lodge with wonderful views overlooking the twin lakes and volcanoes national park region while enjoying your lunch.
Once you have finished your lunch, we drive approx. 1 hour to the lakeside town of Rubavu in time for your 16.30 reporting time for a magical guided sunset kayak experience on Lake Kivu. Suitable for all levels and including life jacket and internationally certified instructor guests enjoy the best view of sunset and if they are lucky a close-up with the local singing fishermen heading out in their traditional boats to set nets for the night ahead. Their voices are magical across the waters with this postcard image!
Approx 18.30 transfer to your lakeside hotel for a well earnt shower and dinner!
Overnight accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel – Superior twin/double
Meals: All excluding drinks

DAY 5
AIRPORT TRANSFER
Breakfast at leisure with the option to arrange a local hike or have your driver take you for a drive around town. Lunch at the hotel before your transfer back to Kigali (approx. 4.5 hrs drive on good, sealed roads).
We suggest clients check in at the airport 3 hours prior to flight departure to allow for security checks and any traffic delays which are common in Kigali.
Some guests may like to leave Rubavu early in order to stop at the Dian Fossey museum in Musanze.
Dian Fossey Museum – entry by donation (Mon – Sat only)
A humble museum dedicated to the woman who started it all – Dian Fossey and her beloved Gorillas. A simple tribute but a short and convenient option for guests who are interested to learn more about Gorilla conservation.