MURAKAZA NEZA

Welcome to Rwanda!

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you’ll transfer to the city’s leafy Kiyovu neighborhood and check into the elegant Retreat Hotel. Our home for the night is Rwanda’s first eco-conscious luxury boutique hotel, a serene base for exploring the city’s fascinating sites. With just 20 individually styled rooms and suites, it offers an atmosphere of quiet elegance rooted in authenticity.

Welcome cocktail on the hotel terrace

Enjoy a glass of South African bubbles and get to know your fellow travelers.

Dinner at the hotel restaurant

Our evening unfolds at the hotel’s acclaimed Fusion restaurant, where, in an intimate, refined setting, we’ll be served a beautifully crafted dinner that reimagines traditional African flavors with contemporary elegance.

CITY TOUR & LODGE LIFE

Check out and depart for an expert-led Kigali tour

Check out after breakfast and set off on a guided exploration of Kigali. Accompanied by an expert local guide, we’ll discover the energy of Rwanda’s vibrant capital while gaining rich insight into its history, culture, and remarkable transformation.

Transfer to the luxurious Singita Kwitonda Lodge

After our tour, we’ll drive to the Singita Kwitonda Lodge. A nurturing sanctuary on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, where more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas find refuge, Kwitonda’s unrivalled position puts life changing gorilla trekking experiences within easy reach.

Rest and relaxation

Dinner at the Lodge’s restaurant

This evening we gather for our first meal at the lodge’s exceptional restaurant, where many ingredients are sourced directly from the property’s organic garden within the National Park. We will enjoy authentic Rwandan cuisine thoughtfully paired with outstanding South African wines and fascinating conversation with our special guests, two Rwandan gorilla veterinarians.

GORILLA TREKKING PART I

Embark on our first gorilla trek

After a fresh breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park for your first gorilla trekking experience, journeying into the mist-shrouded Virunga Mountains alongside expert trackers for Part I of an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Lunch at the Lodge

Behind-the-scenes tour of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus

Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the Ellen DeGeneres campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund with a senior staff member, including the Conservation Gallery and a rare behind-the-scenes visit to the scientific laboratories – an illuminating look at the cutting-edge research and multifaceted efforts dedicated to protecting mountain gorillas.

Silverback Sundowner on the campus

We’ll then move to the Virunga Overlook Lounge for an intimate conversation with gorilla experts, who share field experiences and answer questions while we enjoy a fine selection of non-alcoholic beverages, wine and light refreshments.

Rest and relaxation at the Lodge

Dinner at the Lodge’s restaurant

We reconvene at the lodge’s exceptional restaurant for another authentic Rwandan meal thoughtfully paired with outstanding South African wines.

GORILLA TREKKING PART II

Return to the National Park for our second gorilla trek

After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for Part II of this extraordinary adventure, once again venturing into the mist-shrouded Virunga Mountains with expert trackers for another intimate, unforgettable encounter with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Lunch at the Lodge

Rest and relaxation or optional visit to a local village

If you choose to join us for this fascinating visit to the nearby village of Gasura in the Kinigi sector, you’ll enjoy an intimate cultural experience that offers a genuine window into rural Rwandan life. We’ll meet local artisans weaving baskets and carving gorilla-trekking sticks, learn traditional techniques for processing cassava and sorghum, and spend time with families in their homes — a warm, personal encounter that reveals the rich traditions and daily rhythms of the community surrounding Volcanoes National Park.

Dinner at the Lodge’s restaurant

We reconvene at the lodge’s exceptional restaurant for another authentic Rwandan meal thoughtfully paired with outstanding South African wines.

GOLDEN MONKEYS & GOURMET ADVENTURES

Return to the National Park for a Golden Monkey trek

We’ll set out after breakfast to track these lively, endangered primates through the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains – a playful and captivating finale to your wildlife encounters in this remarkable landscape.

Cooking class at the Singita Community Culinary School

Enjoy a hands-on cooking experience at this cooking school in Musanze, where graduates share traditional techniques and contemporary skills while guiding you through the preparation of authentic local dishes. This special experience directly supports the school’s Student Scholarship Fund – allowing guests to contribute meaningfully to community empowerment while soaking up the culture and flavors of Rwanda.

Lunch at the Lodge

Afternoon Wine Tasting with the Lodge sommelier

This elegant afternoon wine tasting will be led by the Lodge’s expert sommelier, who will guide you through a curated selection of exceptional South African bottles — highlighting both renowned estates and intriguing discoveries – in a relaxed setting that invites conversation, and learning, along with fun!

Farewell dinner at the Lodge

Gather for a memorable final evening at the lodge’s restaurant, where a beautifully prepared menu, exceptional wines, and the warmth of the Virunga Mountains provide a fitting celebration of the extraordinary experiences and connections forged during your Rwandan journey.

MURABEHO

Departures via Kigali International Airport

**Vines itineraries are highly unique and customized, and the overall schedule, events and timing are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
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