Rwanda: Land of a Thousand Hills

This evening, arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you are met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative and transferred to your hotel.

The Rwandan capital of Kigali underwent a significant renaissance as it emerged from the horrors of the 1994 genocide, a tragedy that shook the city’s very foundations. This morning, pay an emotional visit to the Genocide Memorial Site, and learn how the country has dealt with its past and recovered to stand today as a testament to humankind’s resilience. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore Kigali’s emerging fashion scene as you meet with a local designer. Tour her workshop to learn about her creative process and mix of traditional and modern influences. Then, pick out your favorite material and get fit for your very own, custom-tailored garment.

After breakfast, drive south to Nyanza, the historical seat of the Rwandan kingdom, to visit the King’s Palace Museum. Continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a pristine, biodiverse rainforest filled with intriguing wildlife. After lunch, experience the park’s Igishigishigi Trail and Canopy Walkway adventure, taking in views from walkways set 130 feet off the forest floor.

Early this morning, partake in a chimpanzee tracking excursion. Home to one of East Africa’s last intact chimpanzee populations, Nyungwe is an ideal place to observe chimps in their natural habitat. They are most active in the morning, making for an exhilarating encounter with the chimps playing free in the wild. Return to your lodge for lunch and the remainder of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, drive to your hotel in Gisenyi. This resort town is set on serene Lake Kivu, one of the deepest lakes in the world. Relax and enjoy your hotel’s amenities and sandy, tree-fringed beach.

This morning, drive to Volcanoes National Park, one of precious few remaining sanctuaries for the region’s endangered mountain gorillas. This afternoon, meet with scientists at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Karisoke Research Center for a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing gorilla research and conservation activities. A senior gorilla expert leads you through the exhibits and into the lab, where you can meet with scientists at work.

After breakfast, begin your trek through the park’s dense vegetation in search of families of mountain gorillas. Your experienced trackers use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits to locate their whereabouts. Upon sighting the gorillas, you stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily lives feeding, playing, resting and raising their young. Afterward, drive back to your lodge for lunch and the remainder of the day at leisure.

Return to the forest for a golden monkey tracking excursion. These endangered creatures love to frolic and chatter among the tree branches, their infectious playfulness making them a joy to watch. Return to your lodge for an afternoon at leisure.

Drive back to Kigali and transfer to your hotel. Later, visit a coffeehouse for a tour and tasting. Transfer to the airport for your departure.