On the Road in Rwanda: Exceptional Lodges and Nature from a Wide Angle

Just like the country, Kigali is hilly. There are avenues formed of green landscaped spaces and covered by buildings of astonishing modernity. The Rwandan capital is fascinating and intriguing.
Included in the itinerary: Discover the city's Rwandan fashion. Kigali is packed with creative workshops and boutiques, dedicated to promoting African identity with a modern twist. This private tour offers a glimpse into the world of 'Made in Rwanda', from fabric markets to Rwandan fashion and design shops. In the evening, dinner will be in a trendy location in Kigali: Afro-chic decor, jazzy music, and good cuisine.
Optional - A day learning about the 1994 Tutsi genocide with a knowledgeable guide: a visit to the memorials outside of Kigali, a visit to President Habyarimana's former home and a stroll in the city past various landmarks.

Meet your driver guide who you will be sharing the road with for the next six days. The driver guide's comfortable 4x4 is the best way to explore Rwanda's roads. Head south-west to Nyungwe Forest National Park and spend two nights in a beautiful lodge. Its natural setting is jaw-dropping: it's as if the lodge has been laid on a thread between the hills of the forest reserve and tea plantations that have been cracked by the property's winding trails. Take time for a stroll and explore the area.

Included in the itinerary - Follow in the footsteps of chimpanzees , accompanied by a ranger. Not fierce, but completely wild, monkeys have inhabited this primary forest since the start of time. They have a complex social system that fascinates international specialists and curious visitors. It is difficult not to be in awe of their handling of tools or their sometimes human-like behaviour. When looking for the group of monkeys, you can lose your gaze in the shaded green forest, where more than 200 species of trees and plants shape the horizon.
Optional - Explore Nyungwe Forest via its bridges hanging above the canopy. Over 600ft long and over 160ft above the ground: dizzying proportions and magnificent sight.

Head north along the banks of Lake Kivu to the northern tip at the Congolese border. Overnight accommodation on the Gisenyi coast with a lovely and panoramic view of the water. Comfort awaits with a tennis court, a fitness room and a swimming pool. The sixth largest lake on the continent provides the opportunity to go swimming and sailing. Any remaining free time can be spent exploring the area.

On route to Volcanoes National Park, we leave the shores of the lake and continue north to explore. At the crossroad between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda, this vast protected territory is home to five of the eight volcanoes that form the Virunga Range: Karisimbi, Visoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. Culminating at between 6,500ft and 13,100ft above sea level, these giants volcanoes cover a lush forest landscape and are inhabited by the last mountain gorillas in the world. In the heart of this sumptuous natural setting, pack your bags for two nights in an exceptional lodge whose decoration blends traditional elements and contemporary comfort.

Included in the itinerary - See the gorillas, accompanied by an experienced ranger. Only the rangers know the habits of our distant cousins, it's prohibited to venture into the forest without being accompanied by a specialist. It's not easy to get close to Virunga's mountain gorillas as they are always moving around looking for leaves, stems and other roots which make up their daily diet. It's not unusual to spend more than two hours on the fairly steep slopes of the national park before coming across a group. Your patience will be more than rewarded as you spend time with the largest primates of all.