For those who want a more complete overview of what makes Rwanda such a wonderful country, our Complete Rwanda tour covers a mixture of its natural beauty and its fascinating culture.
This tour really does have it all. Not only do you get to see Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, but you also get to mix in engaging cultural experiences and your choice of a variety of optional activities to make the trip your own.
If you’re looking to soak in as much of Rwanda’s stunning natural beauty as humanly possible, The Complete Rwanda is the tour for you.
Your Journey Mapped Out
Ready to set out? Your adventure awaits!
- DAY ONE – KIGALI – NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
- DAY TWO – NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
- DAY THREE – NYUNGWE – LAKE KIVU
- DAY FOUR – LAKE KIVU – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
- DAY FIVE – GORILLA TREKKING
- DAY SIX – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – KIGALI
- DAY SEVEN – KIGALI
The trip will be broken up with a number of stops,. You'll pay a visit to Nyanza, where you can visit the former palace of the last Rwandan king. Further you will make a stop the Butare National Museum.
After lunch, you'll proceed to Nyungwe, passing through the forest along the way. You'll have the chance to see playful primates playing by the road as you travel.
You'll arrive at your Nyungwe accommodation in time for dinner and a good night's rest.
Even if you aren't lucky enough to spot a chimpanzee, the national park is a wonderfully diverse place that you'll get a chance to explore both in the morning in your hunt for chimpanzees and after lunch.
In the afternoon, you'll go in search of another of the park's primate residents - the cheeky black and white colobus monkey. These playful primates are an easier hike than the chimpanzees, and you'll delight in their antics.
Both offer a unique perspective on this beautiful park, and you'll find a new appreciation for Rwanda's natural beauty as you move through this dense forest.
After your morning activity, you'll make your way to Karongi on the shores of Lake Kivu. The drive to this beautiful city takes you along one of the most scenic stretches of road you'll ever encounter - wending your way through hills and valleys along the way
After a sumptuous lunch, you'll continue on to Musanze on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park, where you'll pay a visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village to learn more about Rwanda's pre-colonial past.
There is no guarantee how long or difficult your tracking experience will be as it depends on where the family of gorillas is and on weather conditions, It can take anywhere from two up to six hours of trekking through the mountain forest at relatively high altitudes. Fitness is definitely recommended for those wishing to undertake the excursion.
One of the most memorable experiences you're likely to ever have, you'll be allowed an hour of close contact with the gorillas once you've found them. You'll be privileged enough to come within mere metres of a family of these rare and beautiful animals, observing their family dynamics and getting to learn a bit about each gorilla's distinct personality in serene silence.
Get your last minute shopping done, and then it's off to the airport for your onward journey
The Trip Cost Includes
- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Transportation to and from!!
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Trip Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Hotel Expenses(In Kathmandu, some packages do include hotel expenses)
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Food and accommodations in Kathmandu
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
