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Cultural Tours

from

USD

3,689

/ person
  • 1
  • 8 Days
PRICE

Marcel Walter

Mapendano Voyages

Our DMC offers the following services: <br> - Economy, standard and luxury levels of accommodation. <br> - Group tours. <br> - Budget programs. <br> - The budget frame we work with defers from 270 – 3,000+ USD per day per person. <br> - Self drive programs. <br> - We operate in Rwanda & Uganda and specializes on wildlife & nature bespoke itineraries

  • Local time:16:34

Cultural Tours

from

USD

3,689

/ person
  • 8 Days

Cultural Tours

At Azizi Life Experience, the beauty of connections: Connections that bring a fair wage to hard-working Rwandan artisans; Connections that give you a glimpse into someone else's world; Connections that put beautiful and functional art at your fingertips! Participate in local initiatives for the development of Rwandan communities working towards physical and spiritual wholeness for all. The walking journey from the southern lake kivu shores to the n

ARRIVAL KIGALI

Arrive at Kigali International airport, met and transferred to your hotel. Kigali offers a charm offensive, the people here being some of the warmest and most welcoming you could ever hope to meet. Overnight in Kigali. Approximate Travel Times: 0h 15, 10 km

Hotel in Kigali

TO AZIZI LIFE EXPERIENCE

After an early breakfast, route to Azizi and journey south to Muhanga, a hour drive along a beautiful road, over steep ridges and lush hills. Azizi Life Experiences offers visitors to Rwanda the unique opportunity to really connect and gain insight into the life of rural Rwandans and their families. Through a range of different cultural experience days, you get to not only see something of the beauty and rigor of daily life, but also experience it. It’s a truly interactive way to learn about Rwandan culture! Lunch at Azizi Life. Overnight at Muhanga Read more

Muhanga, 1 night
More Pictures

LAKE KIVU- BOAT RIDE

Follow the road as it winds through some of the many hills to the lake kivu, on the way visit Ndaba waterfall. Boat ride on lake kivu in the bay of Island up to Napoleon . Lunch on lake Kivu, in Kibuye. Continue toward to your lodge in Kinunu with stops on the route, Lake Kivu is the largest lake with its 2.699 km² and is divided between Congo and Rwanda. The lake lies on an altitude of 1.459 m and is the highest of Africa. Lake Kivu is one of a string of huge freshwater lakes which lie along Africa's Great Rift Valley. Is one of Africa’s Great Lakes and is the deepest fresh water lake in the world. Surrounded by the Rift Valley and Virunga mountains it has picturesque sandy shores and provides a beautiful setting to relax. Overnight at the lake kivu shores. Read more

Lake kivu, 1 night

CONGO NILE TRAIL

The Congo Nile Trail walking journey is an all inclusive spectacular walk from the southern lake kivu shores to the northern part through the famous Congo Nile divide watershed. To walk the entire Congo Nile Trail takes 10 days, but for this itinerary 2 days are fine. Unlike any other walk, the scenery is geographically spectacular and ever changing - village on top of hills, river, waterfalls, reefs, lake and sandy beaches. The experiences are diverse : walking, community interaction, historical tales,a magnificent scenic walk along lake kivu shores and a landscape for a thousand hills. This morning you have to wake up early as you have will have to drive for 1 hour from your hotel to Bumba, then hike for minimum 6 hours to get to Kinunu, then to Cyimbiri. Following the trail between community fields, crossing the river Coko before getting to Kibingo Health Center. Picnic lunch nearby the Gatunga Village (commercial centre, with market on Tuesday, and the climb the trail until the main Rubavu. ± 6 hours walking Overnight at the lake kivu shores. Read more

Lake Kivu, 1 night

CONGO NILE TRAIL

Today, you will hike for 6 hours per day on lake shores interacting with the local community and enjoying the surrounding and scenic views and banana plantations. Follow the trail visiting to the Cyimbiri coffee washing station, the schools,… stop for a picnic on the ledge of the lake. You can also enjoy the fisherman coming back from the tradition overnight fishing, kids playing in the lake. Continue the road up to Rubavu. Overnight at the lake kivu shores. Read more

Lake Kivu, 1 night

Local activities – Twin lake

Guided short and long walks are available for guests who are interested in visiting villages near the volcanoes and taking photos. It is an amazing and very adventurous experience, as you will see how the Rwandese live in their villages and homes. The short walk on foot takes roughly 2 hours and the longer one takes around 3 hours or more, depending on guests’ preference. With the help of our local guides, guests who want to visit community members in their homes where you will get to know local traditions such as food preparation, from lighting a fire until food is completely prepared. You will see how people grind sorghum and wheat using a grinding stone. You may take pictures freely. Lunch and check in at the lodge. Afternoon, visit twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo. Read more

Volcanoes park, 2nights

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

VOLCANOES NP: optional additional activities Options available include a second Gorilla Trek, or trek to a habituate group of Golden Monkeys ( cercopithecus mitis kandti), or visit the Karisoke Research centre built by Dian Fossey and the site of her grave, located in the Park between the Karisimbi and Bisoke Volcanoes - three hours trekking accompanied by a Park Ranger, or to climb Bisoke volcano with its superb crater lake.(all at extra cost) Tracking the Golden Monkey An Elusive Treasure in the Virunga Mountains This little known monkey is one of the most endangered primates in Africa and it is now thought that the only viable population of these monkeys is in the Virunga Volcanoes. A smaller population may exist in the Nyungwe Forest in Southern Rwanda but this has yet to be verified. The golden monkey is a distinct species of guenon - Cercopithecus Kandti and is endemic to the Albertine Rift. Or Dian Fossey's tomb: One popular hike while near the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is the one to Dian Fossey’s Tomb and the adjacent gorilla cemetery in the former Karisoke Research Camp. The Karisoke scientific base was established by Dian Fossey in the saddle area between two volcanoes; Mt Visoke and Mt Karisimbi (from which the name Karisoke is derived). The camp site stands at an altitude of around 3000m (over 9000 ft) and was abandoned during the unrest of the 1990’s. The trek involves a 30-minute drive from the park headquarters to the trailhead then a 10-minute stroll to the park boundary. From here, the ascent through the forest takes anything from 90 minutes to three hours, depending on your fitness and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery while the descent takes 2 hours. Fossey’s old living quarters – which she nicknamed the mausoleum – are now in ruins, and several other landmarks in the camp are signposted. The hike offers a good opportunity to see birds and other creatures typical of the Virungas en route. At the site you will find the house from where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985 but the more peaceful is the place where she was buried just next to her favourite gorilla, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons. The tomb’s headstone reads: No one loved gorillas more Rest in peace, dear friend Eternally protected In this sacred ground For you are home Where you belong In her journal, Dian Fossey’s final words were, “When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.” Today, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund monitors ten gorilla groups (out of 15 total) in Rwanda and have so many other projects to help conserve the gorillas and other animals in the region. This hike is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. It is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. If you find yourself in Rwanda and you’re up for a challenge, I highly recommend the hike. Or Climbing Mt Bisoke: The mountain is located within Rwandan Volcanoes National Park and Congolese Virunga National Park. The steep slopes of the peak are densely covered with equatorial rainforest and alpine meadows. The summit does not gather snow, but is often shrouded in fog. Bisoke is one of the mountains considered a habitat for the Endangered mountain gorilla, and the Karisoke Research Center founded by Dian Fossey is located in the valley to the west. Mt Visoke stands at 3700m, it has the typical conic shape of a “perfect” volcano and in its crater lies a deep crater lake. Or Gorilla trekking: Another option is gorilla trekking. Gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans, through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga range, is a magical experience. Once you reach the gorillas, you can spend an hour with them and be back at base in time for a late lunch! Diner and overnight near Volcanoes National Park Read more

Volcanoes Park

DEPARTURE

Enjoy during the early morning hours the peaceful atmosphere of the volcanoes range. Return to Kigali, stopping on busy market places and craft shops. Meet the artists and their work at the dazzling Inema Gallery in Kigali. Lunch and airport transfer depending on flight details. Approximate Travel Times: 3h, 150 km. Read more

Departure

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Kigali
Day 2
Location Muhanga
Hotel SPLENDID HOTEL
Day 3
Location Lake Kivu
Day 4
Location Congo Nile Trail
Day 5
Location Rubavu
Day 6
Location Musanze
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Kigali
Day 2
Location Muhanga
Day 3
Location Kivu Lake
Day 4
Location Congo Nile Trail
Day 5
Location Rubavu
Day 6
Location Musanze
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Kigali
Day 2
Location Muhanga
Day 3
Location Lake Kivu
Day 4
Location Congo Nile Trail
Day 5
Location Rubavu
Day 6
Location Musanze

TRIP PACKAGE

Package includes

  • Transfer from/to the airport
  • Transport during the tour
  • Accommodation
  • Local guides
  • Information services
  • Entrance fee

Package excludes

  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses
  • Visa, consular 76fees or any other formalities.
  • Tips
  • Beverages
  • Additional journeys and transfers

REVIEWS

3 Reviews

Kris de Bardia, France

Gorilla and Chimps tour : a dream trip ! Great tour, great organisation, great vehicle, great countries (Rwanda and Ouganda) and world class quality guide. We got what we came here for (Apes) but got much much more thanks to the flexibility of the management and thanks to our smart and knowledgeable guide. Thanks Mapendano ! :) Read more

Dan FAVRE, Switzerland

EXCELLENT ! I contacted Mapendano a few months before the departure. They organised everything and all was perfect in the communication (answers to my questions were quick and complete). During the trip, I visited twice the gorillas and both experiences were different and complementary. The hotels were excellent, so was the food. Samuel, guide / driver, couldn't possibly have been nicer or more helpful - he felt like an old friend by the end of the first week. He was perfect during the safari drives in the animals parks. We only got little problems with the car (2 flat tires and another problem with the transmission), it was just part of the trip and the lost of time was minimal. I highly recommend MAPENDANO for any trip in central Africa. Read more

Corinne, France

Nous avons eu la joie et la chance de tomber sur cette agence en septembre 2014. Nous avons été plus que satisfaits, vraiment enchantés par le pays et surtout par notre chauffeur guide Jean-Marie Kiguge que je recommande vivement pour ses grandes connaissances mais aussi son service impeccable. N'hesitez pas, avec Mapendano vous êtes entre de bonnes mains. Read more

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