Family Friendly Activities All our activities can be adapted for children and young people from age 5 up to 18. It’s best to book ahead so we can make sure we can cater for your group and learn more about your interests. Family groups or adults are also welcome to arrange special activity sessions too if you would like to explore more! Each activity session costs 10,000 Rwf in addition to the Umusambi Village entrance fee. Looking After Cranes Have you ever wondered how the cranes are looked after at Umusambi Village? Join one of our experienced wildlife veterinarians for a behind the scenes tour of the sanctuary. You will find out about the work of the vets and the equipment they use to examine and treat cranes, as well as getting up close to some of the cranes. You will learn about the different body parts and how cranes differ from people as well as what they need to be healthy. We will use binoculars to check on the cranes at Umusambi Village and learn how some of them came to be at the sanctuary. We have a wide variety of games and activities to suit different age groups. Day: Only available on Fridays. Duration: 1hour 30 Seeds, Plants and Trees Plants and trees are so important to our environment. Would you like to know more about special plants and trees in Rwanda and find out about some of the stories behind them? At Umusambi Village we have a tree nursery where we grow trees from tiny seeds to small trees. During this experience you will accompany our staff who work at the nursery, collecting all different types of seeds, and helping them prepare them ready for planting. You will learn about the life cycle of a tree and have the chance to get your hands dirty at every step of the process from planting to watering. You can even take a tiny sapling home to care for and plant in your garden. Day: Available on Mondays and Wednesdays Duration: 1 hour 30 Butterflies, Bugs and Creepy Crawlies Explore our nature reserve high and low and discover a host of different butterflies, bugs and creepy crawlies. We will catch some, observe them and learn about their different lifestyles and the important roles they play in nature. During these hands-on activities you will become a biologist, using the same equipment that scientists use to identify different insects both in water and on land. Day: Only available on Thursdays Duration: 1hr 30min Marsh Inspired Arts and Crafts Be amazed at what materials nature can provide for you. Marshlands are full of different grasses and plants that are often used to make things in Rwanda. During this fun and creative experience, you will explore the nature reserve to find the right plants, and learn how they are used to make different arts. It can be weaving mats, making fishing rods or ropes, or turning seed pods into musical instruments. We can even dig up your own clay to play and create with. You can follow instructions from our staff or let your creativity run away from you and create your own masterpiece! Day: Available on Tuesdays and Saturdays Duration: 1 hour 30 Nature Games and Adventure If you are full of energy and fun, this is the activity for you. Enjoy being outside and in nature while taking part in a wide range of games and fun activities at the same time as exploring the nature reserve. Scavenger hunts, insect themed colouring games, competitions and lots more. While having fun, you may also be surprised to find you also learn something about nature and our environment! Day: Only available on Fridays. Duration: 1 hour 30 Introduction to Birdwatching Have you ever wanted to know more about birds? Have you seen birds in your garden but not sure what their names are? Umusambi Village has over 100 species of birds including our wonderful Grey Crowned Cranes. If you’re up for an early morning, grab some of our binoculars and take a walk around our nature reserve to see how many different birds you can spot and find out more about them. At that time of the morning Umusambi Village is alive with bird song and we can often spot birds’ nests including the famous weaver birds and the Hamerkop, which makes the biggest nest in the world! Day: Available Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.30am Duration: 2 hours. Biking If you love bikes or have always wanted to learn, take the opportunity to rent a bike from Umusambi Village and ride around the adjacent grounds. Catering for both adults and children, we have bikes of all sizes and can even provide a coach if you need a bit of extra encouragement. A great add on activity after exploring our nature reserve. Day: Available everyday Duration: 1 hour Price: Bike hire is 5,000 Rwf per hour for self-riding, 10,000 Rwf an hour with a coach. This activity takes place adjacent to Umusambi Village. Entrance fees to Umusambi Village will apply if you choose to enter the nature reserve..