Rwanda Culture: Kigali, Communities & Gorillas

Today you explore the heart of Kigali in depth. You begin at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving and beautifully presented tribute to the more than a million lives lost in 1994 and to Rwanda's extraordinary journey of reconciliation; it is a profound, essential experience that gives real understanding of the country today. Then you turn to the vibrant, creative side of the capital: the Inema Arts Centre, where contemporary Rwandan artists work and exhibit; craft cooperatives where women weave the beautiful agaseke peace baskets; and a coffee roastery, where you taste celebrated Rwandan beans at source. You explore lively markets and enjoy the city's excellent cafes. The emotion, creativity and warmth of Kigali are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, moved and inspired. Rest well tonight, for tomorrow you journey into the hills to meet communities and see the living culture of Rwanda.

Today you journey north from Kigali towards Volcanoes National Park, through the glorious Land of a Thousand Hills, stopping to meet the people and living culture at the country's heart. You visit a community cooperative and a reconciliation village, where survivors and former perpetrators now live and work side by side, hearing their moving stories of forgiveness and rebuilding, and take part in community life and craft-making. Along the way you drink in the endless terraced hills, banana groves and neat villages, perhaps stopping at a coffee cooperative to taste the results at source. On arrival near Musanze, you settle into your lodge at the forest edge, the misty Virunga volcanoes towering above. As the day ends, you dine at your lodge, moved by the day's encounters and filled with anticipation. Rest well tonight, for tomorrow brings an unforgettable morning with the mountain gorillas.

Today brings the natural crown of your cultural journey: tracking wild mountain gorillas. After an early breakfast and a briefing at park headquarters, you set out with expert rangers and trackers into Volcanoes National Park, climbing through bamboo, nettles and dripping montane forest on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. The trek can be short or strenuous depending on where your gorilla family is feeding, and a porter is a worthwhile hire that also supports the local community. When you reach the group, your permitted hour begins: a mighty silverback at rest, mothers cradling infants, youngsters tumbling and playing just metres away. You also learn the moving story of Dian Fossey and her Karisoke conservation legacy. As the day ends, you return to your lodge, elated, perhaps enjoying a traditional Intore dance performance. Rest well tonight, moved by an unforgettable day among the volcanoes.

This morning you visit a community-run cultural village at the forest edge, where you are warmly welcomed into a vivid recreation of traditional Rwandan life: you witness the electrifying Intore dancers, whose leaping, drumming performances are among the most spectacular in Africa, join in song, dance and drumming, learn about traditional customs, medicine, dress and cuisine, and meet the community whose work helps protect the gorillas. In the afternoon you drive down to beautiful Lake Kivu, one of Africa's Great Lakes, through more glorious terraced scenery, arriving at a lakeside town such as Gisenyi. You settle into your lakeshore lodge as the sun sinks over the water and fishermen paddle home singing. As the day ends, you dine by the water, reflecting on Rwanda's rich living culture. Rest well tonight amid the beauty of Lake Kivu, ready to return to Kigali tomorrow.

After a relaxed morning by Lake Kivu, perhaps a swim in the warm, safe water, a lakeside coffee or a short boat trip among the islands, you begin the scenic drive back to Kigali through the Land of a Thousand Hills, winding past terraced ridges, misty valleys and busy roadside markets, a final immersion in Rwanda's glorious green scenery and rural life. On arrival in the capital you have time to explore a little more, revisiting the craft markets for the beautiful agaseke peace baskets, other crafts and Rwandan coffee, or relaxing at your hotel. This evening you enjoy a final dinner in one of Kigali's excellent restaurants, reflecting on the memorial, communities, culture and gorillas you have experienced. As the day ends, you gather your impressions of this moving, resilient and welcoming country. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow, carrying warm memories of the soul of Rwanda.

After a final morning in clean, calm Kigali, perhaps a last coffee or some final souvenir shopping in a craft cooperative, you are transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward departure. You leave having explored the heart, soul and remarkable story of Rwanda: the moving Genocide Memorial and story of renewal, the communities and reconciliation villages, the vibrant arts, crafts and coffee, the electrifying traditional dance, and an unforgettable morning among wild mountain gorillas, all amid the emerald scenery of the Land of a Thousand Hills. The images stay vivid long after you land: the dignity of the memorial, the smiles of the people you met, the leaping Intore dancers, and the calm eyes of a silverback. Rwanda offers meaning, culture, warmth and wonder in abundance, and you depart profoundly moved, already dreaming of a return to this remarkable and beautiful land.