A 10-day cultural expedition across Burundi and Rwanda
Day 1 : Bujumbura international airport Pick up and transfer to your hotel
Upon your arrival at Bujumbura International airport, you will meet our driver guide to welcome you with humility and a smile. With listening and caring, talking to you courteously, he will guide you to Safari gate hotel for check-in, and depending on your arrival time, we may proceed with Bujumbura City tour.
Accommodation: Safari gate hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Rumonge, fishing experience
After your breakfast, we will drive toward Rumonge passing along Lake Taanganyika until Rumonge. It is a 3hour car drive from Bujumbura to Rumonge but the landscape is stunning. Reaching in Rumonge, we will go checkin at Niyituronsa hotel before we go to experience the fishing along Lake Tanganyika.
Overnight: Niyituronsa Hotel
Day 3: Karera waterfall experience
After your breakfast, you will drive about 2 hours passing through great sceneries and villages toward Rutana for a visit to Karera waterfalls and then start experiencing the Karera waterfalls which are divided into 4 waterfalls. The waters from the waterfalls have healing powers that serve as medication. That is why you will find local and international visitors coming in, stepping in the water to seek for the divine healing from the water. Breathtaking sceneries that attract the attention of everyone surround the site
Overnight: Perroquet de Mw’Ishanga Hotel
Day 4: Gishora Drum Sanctuary.
After breakfast, you will drive about 2 hours to reach Gitega. You will be welcomed by royal drummers. You will be astonished by their rapidity in jumping in the air and how talented they are. You will just learn and imitate how to beat drums and dance. Later after, you will go straight to your hotel.
Overnight: Tropitel Hotel
Day 5: Transfer back to Bujumbura, Pygmy visit and fly to Rwanda
After your breakfast, we will drive 2 hour to reach the Pygmy community. This will be golden opportunity to learn about their unique culture and lifestyle. The Pygmy (Batwa) used to be discriminated from other community and live in the forest. While learning about their culture, you will join their dance before we continue our way to Bujumbura.
Later after, we will go airport airport around 2 to fly to Rwanda.
Overnight: Nobleza hotel
Day6: Kigali City tour with genocide memorial
After breakfast, you will visit the Kigali genocide memorial and get to learn the history of Rwanda. You will just get information on how the government of Rwanda has stopped genocide and how Rwanda is being constructed after such a dark period. After this, you will have a short city tour to witness the reality of the development of Rwanda after its dark period.
Later in the afternoon, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Nobleza hotel
Day 7: Golden Monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park and Diane fossey museum
This day is dedicated to the softer side of the Virunga Mountains, focusing on the endemic Golden Monkeys and the legacy of the woman who made this conservation possible.
Morning: Golden Monkey Trekking
Unlike the silent, awe-filled atmosphere of gorilla trekking, the Golden Monkey trek is high-energy and full of movement. These “Little Sun-Gods” are endemic to the Albertine Rift and live in the bamboo forests at the base of the volcanoes. You’ll watch them leap between stalks, play-fight, and expertly peel bamboo shoots.
Afternoon: Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
After lunch, head to this world-class museum and research center. It’s an immersive experience where you can walk through a 3D “Gorilla Theater,” see a recreation of Dian Fossey’s original Karisoke research cabin, and learn about the cutting-edge science protecting the park today.
Overnight: Classic hotel
Day 8: Canoeing in Lake kivu and Nyamyumba hot spring
After a week of trekking, your legs will thank you as you move toward the scenic shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes.
Morning: Canoeing on Lake Kivu
Swap the hiking boots for a paddle. Starting from Gisenyi (Rubavu), you’ll glide across the calm, emerald waters in a modern canoe. The perspective from the water is unmatched—you’ll see local fishermen in their traditional three-hulled trimaran boats and the majestic silhouettes of the volcanoes fading into the distance.
Afternoon: Nyamyumba Hot Springs Experience
Follow the lakeshore to the natural hot springs. These thermal waters are heated by the volcanic activity of the nearby Virunga chain. While the “massage” from local experts using the mineral-rich silt is a highlight, simply soaking your feet in the warm, healing waters is the ultimate way to recover from the week’s excursions.
Overnight: Kivu Paradis Malahide
Day 9: Visit the calling Islands in Kivu Lake
After breakfast, you will get in the local boat, time to explore splendid Rwanda. You will visit pass through islands and islets but mainly you will visit three of them: Napoleon Island, the blue monkey Island, and the Peace Island. You will get a chance to see Monkeys that live on the island.
Then you will ride back to Amahoro Island (Peace Island) and stop at the open peninsula for a local beer.
Later, you will start driving along the Lake Kivu belt. The way is fully panoramic, passing through thousands of hills enveloped by green tea plantations and colored by the village trails above the peaceful lake shores until Rubavu.
Overnight: Kivu Peace view Hotel
Day 10: Transfer to Kigali International Airport
Total cost: 3750$ per person
Inclusions:
Accommodations (3-4*)
All meals
Transport and
Local flight
All activities as specified
Guiding fees
Taxes
Drinking water
Not Included:
Flight
Alcohol
Everything of personal nature
Visas