Let Yampu guide you to Volcanoes National Park, part of the Virunga Conservation Area that covers more than 125 square kilometers. This popular park is home to five Virunga volcanoes, with the highest being Karisimbi. Next you will visit Lake Kivu, the ideal destination for rest and recuperation. The Rwanda Riviera town of Gisenyi is the perfect place for sunbathing, swimming and water sports.

The Virunga ecosystem is composed of 4 major vegetation zones: bamboo at the lowest altitude, Hagenia and Hypericum forest around the bottom of the volcanoes, Sub-alpine in the higher altitudes, and Afro-alpine at the highest altitudes. The mountain gorillas spend most of their time in the hagenia woodlands and bamboo forests. During the rainy season when new bamboo shoots are growing, the gorillas spend more time foraging in the bamboo forests. The climb to the natural habitat of bamboo forest and Hagenia woodlands offers fantastic views.

Lake Kivu provides the ideal place for rest and recuperation, as well as for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Lake Kivu is an extraordinarily beautiful lake enclosed by steep, green terraced hills, where fishermen ply the water in dugout canoes unchanged in design for centuries, while colorfully dressed women smoke traditional wooden pipes, and where troubadours strum sweetly on traditional string instruments that are much like guitars. The birdlife is fantastic; flotillas of pelicans sail ponderously across the open water, majestic crowned cranes preen their golden crests in the surrounding swamps, while jewel-like malachite kingfishers hawk silently above the shore.

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3, 4, and 5 star hotels.
Our 3 star option in Kigali is Hotel Chez Lando, with 82 quaint rooms each with their own individual patios, which face the expansive gardens. Enjoy the serenity and privacy of your quarters, tucked away in a remote area of the Chez Lando gardens, or step into the social life of our popular dining and dance areas.
Our 4 star option in Kigali is the Hotel des Milles Collines, a four star hotel with a fine setting and personalized service situated in a large exotic garden in downtown Kigali. It became famous as the building was a refuge for over a thousand people during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, and it was used as the basis of the film Hotel Rwanda. The hotel features 112 rooms, a restaurant overlooking the city, swimming pool, tennis court, two bars and a health club.
Our 5 star option in Kigali is the Serena Kigali Hotel, ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, this hotel is built around a polished granite atrium which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centers on the Executive Lounge & Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool.
Our 3 star option in Parc National des Volcans is the Gorilla View Lodge, with 20 individual cottages constructed out of brick and tile, with plain plastered walls on the inside. These cottages are simple but comfortably furnished, each with their own en-suite bathroom and shower. Because the lodge is at a higher altitude, it often gets colder, so each cottage is equipped with a fireplace with wood or charcoal provided at request. It should be noted that electricity and hot water are supplied by a generator which does not run all day.
Our 4 star option in Parc National des Volcans is the Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, a comfortable eco-lodge located on a hillside overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. The breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views around the lodge make it one of the top lodge destinations in Africa. Eight bandas with private verandas offer their own views over the lakes and volcanoes. Open fireplaces in the lounge and dining room are a warm welcome after a ay dof tracking the mountain gorillas. This lodge uses solar lighting and bush showers.
Our 5 star option in Parc National des Volcans is the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, with its own stunning views of the folding hills and rolling landscape that defines this part of Rwanda. It is considered one of the most luxurious lodges is the area, and sat so close to the start of the gorilla trek trail, its is perfect for a high end gorilla safari. It is a great base to explore this beautiful and unique corner of Africa. The lodge itself is elegant and homely with a contemporary Rwandan ambiance, and the hillside location provides a great opportunity to walk around and explore some of the local villages and farms.
Our Lake Nivu 4 star option is the Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel, located on the banks of Lake Kivu, set in lush green gardens. All 35 rooms have en-suite bathrooms with shower or bathtub along with beautiful panoramic views of the lake. The ‘Ubwato’ restaurant offers local as well as international dishes. Other facilities include a bar, terrace, swimming pool and free wifi is available.
Our Lake Nivu 5 star option is the Serena Lake Kivu Hotel and sits serenely on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa, surrounded by extensive tropical gardens. It overlooks its own private beach and offers 66 luxury rooms, executive suites and family accommodation, a panoramic restaurant, indoor and beachside bars, and a luxury swimming pool. There is also the ‘Maisha’ Health Centre which offers an extensive range of health and beauty regimes, boating, swimming, volley ball, tennis, fishing, hiking and trekking.

Additional information on this trip:

• Days of Week the Trip can Start:
  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Visited Cities:
  Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Lake Kivu