Planning to meet mountain gorillas of Rwanda? Starting with the friendly faces at Kigali International Airport and ending in the quiet of the bamboo forests and calm waters of lake Kivu, this safari has both exciting adventures and complete comfort. You'll see what makes Rwanda, the "Land of a Thousand Hills," so special: emerald volcanic slopes lead into misty rainforests full of life, peaceful lakeside sunsets sparkle on Lake Kivu, and friendly towns that share centuries of culture. Along the way, you'll hike with knowledgeable guides and stay in cosy houses with fireplaces to keep you warm at night.

You could be drinking rich Rwandan coffee as dawn lights up the mountaintops, smelling the sweet, earthy scent of the jungle, and hearing drums echoing through the valley in the distance. People from the area will welcome you with songs and dances, like the exciting Intore warrior dance or moving stories about how conservation efforts are going. This will make you feel as much a part of Rwanda as the call of a rare bird in the forest.

This plan is well-balanced: busy mornings are followed by calm afternoons, making sure you have both exciting things to do (like a heart-pounding gorilla walk) and relaxing things to do (like a sunset cruise on Lake Kivu).

Difficulty Level

This trip will require you to be somewhat fit. To see gorillas of Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park, you may have to hike for several hours on steep, muddy trails at a high elevation. Trekkers must be at least 15 years old and in good shape to handle rough terrain. On each day's hike, guides and porters make sure everything goes smoothly. You can take your time and stop to look at orchids or listen for birds. Most trails go through bamboo forests and rainforests. A typical trek takes two to four hours, but it can take longer if the gorilla family is farther away.

Other activities aren't too hard. For example, the nature walk in Buhanga Eco Park is easy and good for people of all ages, and boat cruises on Lake Kivu aren't too hard either. Driving between Kigali, Musanze, and Lake Kivu takes about two to three hours on beautiful roads, so you can take breaks to rest.