In less than two weeks, I'll be exploring the Rwandan countryside in the heart of Africa.
Yeah, I still can't get over that, and probably won't until I'm actually there, and then I'll still feel like I'm in a surreal dream.
I'm a big believer in dropping oneself in another country with a guidebook and without a plan, but when time is limited, and countries are on the less developed side of the spectrum, an organized tour can be a welcome thing.
I learned that first hand when I took package trips to Kruger Park in South Africa, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and on a cruise ship down the Nile River in Egypt.
Here's what my schedule looks like, minus all the airplane rides.
Day 1 - March 20th
- Arrival in Kigali
Day 2 - March 21st (Kigali - Ruhengeri)
- Kigali City tour (4-hour tour around historical sites of Kigali, view latest developments, visit the Kigali Genocide memoriam)
Day 3 - March 22nd (Ruhengeri - Gisenyi)
- Trek to see Mountain Gorillas
- Afternoon visit to Iby'Iwacu Village
Day 3 - March 23rd
- Tour of Gisenyi (L.Kivu, Paradis Malahide, Akeza Island, Bralirwa, Amashyuza)
Day 4 - March 24th
- Boat Ride to Nyungwe stopping at Cyangugu
- Visit Interpretation Center/ Trek to see Colobus monkeys
Day 5 - March 25th (Nyungwe)
- At 4am - Track Chimpanzees at Cyamudongo Forest
- Canopy Walk, Visit Dubai World Hotel /waterfalls
Day 6 - March 26th
- Drive to Kigali, Visit National Museum
I have a 7th day and night in Kigali to do whatever I want before I head home.
Rwanda is a small country, however I still have a feeling the days will be long, especially when we're waking up early to track gorillas and chimps in the forests.
Is there any aspect of the trip you'd like to see covered more than another?
Food, wildlife, local people, safety situation, genocide, political climate, etc?
