BURUNDI – DRC – RUANDA

DAY 1: departure from Italy on connecting flights to Bujumbura

DAY 2: Arrival in Bujumbura, the former capital and largest city of Burundi, a country known for its extraordinary cultural richness and warm hospitality. Customs formalities for visa issuance (it may become the most colorful stamp in your passport!) and meeting with the local team. Transfer and check-in at the hotel on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in Africa. Transfer to Rusizi National Park for a first introduction to Burundian traditions: the royal drum ritual dance (umwisho w’ingoma), inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Boat excursion in Rusizi National Park, where hippos rest along the banks of the Rusizi River as it flows into Lake Tanganyika. Dinner and overnight stay in Bujumbura.

Morning: Bujumbura, a relaxed lakeside capital with a unique atmosphere shaped by African, colonial, and modern influences. Visit the lively local market, known for its orderliness and vibrant everyday life, where colorful stalls showcase local products and traditions. Continue exploring the city’s main landmarks, including Independence Square, the Livingstone–Stanley Monument, and the National Unity Monument. Lunch on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Afternoon: relaxation on the beach along the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Evening: dinner and night out in Bujumbura.

Morning: breakfast and departure towards Bukavu. Crossing the Burundi–DR Congo border and continuation through the breathtaking valleys and landscapes of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with several scenic stops along the way.

Afternoon: arrival in Bukavu and check-in at the hotel. Depending on arrival time, city tour or boat excursion on the waters of Lake Kivu.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Bukavu.

Morning: breakfast and departure towards Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Pre-trekking briefing with the park rangers before entering the rainforest trails in search of one of the gorilla families inhabiting the park. Depending on the location of the gorilla group, the trek may vary in duration and difficulty. Once the family is located, time dedicated to observing the gorillas in their natural habitat, an extraordinary and deeply emotional wildlife encounter. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Afternoon: return to Bukavu and relaxation in hotel

Evening: dinner and evening in Bukavu

Morning: boat transfer across Lake Kivu and arrival in Goma, one of the most fascinating and complex cities in Central Africa, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Virunga volcanic region. .

Afternoon: hotel check-in followed by a short city tour of Goma.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Goma.

Morning:early wake-up and crossing of the Grande Barrière border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Continuation towards Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests.

Afternoon: lunch on the shores of Lake Kivu before continuing to Gisakura. Check-in and time to relax at the hotel.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Gisakura.

Morning: sunrise entry into Nyungwe National Park for a chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by park rangers, we will follow forest trails in search of chimpanzee families living within one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Once located, time dedicated to observing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Lunch and continuation towards Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Along the way, Rwanda’s iconic rolling green hills, coffee plantations, and terraced landscapes reveal the remarkable beauty that has earned the country the nickname “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Arrival in Kigali and check-in at the hotel.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Kigali, with the possibility to explore the city’s lively atmosphere.

Morning and afternoon: early wake-up for a day dedicated to discovering Kigali, Rwanda’s modern and remarkably clean capital city. Wide boulevards, green spaces, and carefully maintained public areas reflect the country’s ambitious vision for development and sustainability. Despite its extraordinary transformation, Rwanda’s recent history remains deeply present. Visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance dedicated to the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history. Continuation with a visit to local markets and the vibrant neighborhoods of Kigali.

Evening: dinner and night in Kigali.