R W A N D A T H E A F R I C A H U B

T r u s t e d i n s i d e r k n o w l e d g e f r o m h a n d p i c k e d e x p e r t s

B I G G A M E & P R I M A T E S

I N P A R T N E R S H I P W I T H T H O U S A N D H I L L S A F R I C A

Kigali, Akagera National Park, Guide Price From $11,002 pp 8 nights *Based on 2pax sharing See final page for inclusions

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Older Families | Groups of Friends | Active Individuals | O V E R V I E W Photographers | Birders & Naturalists | Outdoor Enthusiasts H I G H L I G H T S

2 nights | Park Inn by Radisson Kigali Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial & local markets 3 nights | Magashi Akagera National Park - view a range of wildlife on 3 nights | Bisate Lodge expertly-guided game drives, walks and boating trips Volcanoes National Park - enjoy a trek & one hour with these majestic creatures, Experience ’s volcanoes and Experience a Golden Monkey hike, spending one hour savannah in this unique 08-night with these beautiful endemic primates itinerary. You will get to enjoy some phenomenal primate activity in the Volcanoes National Park where you will W H E N T O G O ? set out to trek for Gorilla and Golden

Monkey, and experience savannah Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec mega-fauna like lion and elephant in Akagera NP Akagera National Park.

Nyungwe NP

Volcanoes NP

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T H E A F R I C A H U B W W W . T H E A F R I C A H U B . C O . U K D A Y 1

Arrive: Kigali International airport, Kigali Transfer: By car to local hotel Depart: Kigali airport | Arrive: Park Inn by Radisson Kigali 2 nights at Park Inn by Radisson Kigali Inclusions: Breakfast

After landing at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by a local representative who will assist with customs and immigration. You will then be led to the VIP lounge to enjoy refreshments while your luggage is collected for you. Your driver/guide will meet you once all has been collected and transfer you to the Park Inn Hotel, your home for the next two nights.

Welcome to Kigali… Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in and is definitely worth a visit.

Park Inn by Radisson Kigali fast facts: Prime city centre location just 25 minutes from the international airport Near key buildings including the Presidential Palace and the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre A choice of restaurants and bars including an outdoor Pool Bar and the stylish Live-Inn Room restaurant

D A Y 2

Kigali City Tour…. This tour includes a visit to the Genocide Memorial as well as the opportunity to visit the different markets and art galleries of Kigali. The Kigali Genocide Memorial includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the way the country has come through that dark time. Visitors can experience the Education Centre, Gardens, and Genocide Archive of Rwanda before setting out to experience the sights and sounds of the city. The markets in Kigali are lively, colourful places for visitors to engage with the wonderful locals who will share their stalls full of handicrafts and souvenirs, plus clothing and of course fresh fruit and vegetables. Finally, the galleries. Art has played a vital role in the recovery of the country post-genocide and you’ll get the chance to visit some of Kigali’s top art scenes including one of East Africa’s major art galleries, the Inema Arts Centre.

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Transfer: By car to Akagera National Park Depart: Park Inn by Radisson Kigali | Arrive: Magashi Camp 3 nights at Magashi Camp Inclusions: Full Board

After breakfast at your hotel, your driver/guide will pick you up from hotel and take you to the Akagera North Gate, a 3-hour drive, where you will be met by a camp vehicle. You will then enjoy a game drive on your way to camp which will take roughly one hour.

There are plenty of activities included in your stay here. Magashi is in the only private access area in Akagera and therefore they can offer exclusive night game drives and walking safaris in addition to their day-time game drives. The camp also offers boating in eight- seater swamp cruiser which is an excellent way to view the water birds and many other aquatic animals seen around Lake Rwanyakazinga, and fishing on a catch and release basis is also possible.

Welcome to Akagera National Park… Bordering Tanzania in eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park is central Africa's largest protected wetland and the last refuge for savannah-adapted species in the country. Stretching across a vast expanse of low-lying mountains and savannah plains, the park takes in the rolling highlands woodlands, swamp- fringed lakes, and wetlands of the Kagera River along the way. Crocodiles and hippos wallow in the park's watery basins, predators prowl through its acacia groves, and elephant, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and other animals roam across its grassy plains. Bursting with a rich biodiversity, the park features a variety of rare species, as well as a plenitude of mammals and more than 500 bird species.

Magashi Camp Fast Facts: Small, intimate luxury tented camp with just six tents Located in the only private access area in Akagera Stunning views out over the scenic Lake Rwanyakazinga The architecture and interiors pay homage to traditional Rwandan culture

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Transfer: By car to Volcanoes National Park Depart: Magashi Camp | Arrive: Bisate Lodge 3 nights at Bisate Lodge Inclusions: Full Board

After breakfast, you will game drive to the North Gate in your camp vehicle and drive to Kigali, a 3-hour drive. You will then connect with another driver to take you to Bisate Lodge, another 3-hour drive through beautiful scenery.

Activities included during your stay at Bisate Lodge are vast. You can embark on many guided excursions including birding and nature walks, nursery visit and indigenous tree planting, a visit to the community beehive project that is support by the lodge, and walks to the surrounding communities. Also available complimentary are a self-guided running trail, gym in a bag at the villas, wine tasting, explanation from guide on biodiversity on the property, and documentary film screenings.

Welcome to Volcanoes National Park… Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face-to-face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic . Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke.

Bisate Lodge fast facts Located in the natural a natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone Dramatic views of the peaks of the volcanoes, Bisoke and Karisimbi, rearing up through the Afro- alpine forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park Just six luxurious en-suite Forest Villas all reflecting the culture of rural Rwanda Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme.

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Today you’ll be setting out on your gorilla hike! After an early breakfast, your driver/guide will pick you up from the lodge at 06h30 to take you to the park office for a briefing prior to your gorilla trekking adventure. After your gorilla trek, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge or enjoying activities on offer at the lodge.

Introduction to Gorilla Trekking… During your briefing at the park office, you will be put into a group of a maximum of 8 people and assigned a gorilla family to trek to, as well as a park guide who will be with you for the rest of the day. There are ten gorilla family groups in the Volcanoes National Park, all habituated and comfortable with a human presence. After your trek briefing, you will set out to your starting point to begin your hike – this may involve a drive to get to the best spot possible. You may find that your gorilla family is just 30 minutes away from your starting point, however some hikes can take as long as 7 hours depending on where the groups are and what the terrain is like to reach them. Once you find your gorilla family, you will get to enjoy one precious hour with them as they interact, feed and take care of their young.

D A Y 8

After an early breakfast, your driver/guide will pick you up from your lodge at 06h30 and take you to the park office for your briefing prior to your Golden Monkey Trek. After your trek you can relax at the lodge or once again enjoy some of the activities on offer.

Introduction to Golden Monkey Trekking… A rare and endangered species, Golden Monkeys are special primates who have unique characters and are endemic to the Virunga Mountains. There are currently two habituated groups which can be visited, both with roughly 80 individuals. After your briefing, you will set off with your park guide in a group of no more than 10 people. The monkeys live toward the base of the volcanoes sticking close to their preferred bamboo forests. Golden Monkeys are very photogenic with golden- orange backs and beautiful expressive faces, and once you find the troop, you will get to spend one hour with them while they jump spritely from branch to branch, play with one another playing and feed.

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Transfer: By car to Kigali Depart: Bisate Lodge | Arrive: Kigali International Airport

After breakfast, you will be collected by your driver/guide and set off back to Kigali. You will enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive back to the city before arriving at Kigali airport in time to connect with your international flight home.

Includes: Full board accommodation at Bisate & Magashi Bed and breakfast Park INN Permits: Gorilla, Golden monkey Conservation Levy fee Vehicle and driver guide for 9 days Airport Meet and assist Kigali City tour

Excludes: Flights Visa fee for entry in Rwanda COVID test cost Gratuity Extra activities not mentioned in itinerary

I N P A R T N E R S H I P W I T H T H O U S A N D H I L L S R W A N D A Thousand Hills Africa is a bespoke luxury travel and concierge service based in Kigali, Rwanda, offering bespoke itineraries around Rwanda using their intimate knowledge and infectious love for the country. H E L L O @ T H E A F R I C A H U B . C O . U K | W W W . T H E A F R I C A H U B . C O . U K