Helicopter Volcanoes & Nyungwe Tour, Rwanda Helicopter Safari

Helicopter Volcanoes & Nyungwe Tour (6 days) gives you the best part of the Rwanda safari experience. Have a moment of convenient transfer between the two parks with a scenic tour over the two of Rwanda’s great biodiversity parks. Volcanoes are home to mountain gorillas and Golden monkeys. Nyungwe forest is famous for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and the Canopy walk. A wonderful itinerary for you and your family while on safari to Rwanda conveniently and safely while you enjoy and create memories while staying at One & Only Resorts in Rwanda. Speak to our luxury consultant for your quote regarding our helicopter Volcanoes & Nyungwe tour. BOOK NOW

Day 1: The Retreat by Heaven, Kigali

Kigali

Rwanda’s capital and biggest city stretch across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa and is definitely worth a visit.

Day Itinerary

TBA: Arrival flight time for your helicopter Volcanoes & Nyungwe tour.
TBA: VIP Meet and greet through immigration.
TBA: Pick up from Kigali International Airport for a 25 minutes transfer to Retreat Heaven Boutique Hotel.
TBA: Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Overnight: The Retreat by Heaven

Town & Country and The New York Times called The Retreat in Rwanda one of the top new hotels in the world in 2019. The American owners of Heaven Restaurant created The Retreat, a 12-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined street steps from Kigali City Centre and 20 minutes from the airport. 8 new luxury pool villas are under construction and will be open by December 2020. The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally-crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation room, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with Jacuzzi and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness centre. Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offer delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through the Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu. The Retreat is the perfect choice to host guests for 1 night or several days as it offers innovative, curated cultural experiences and exciting activities in and around Kigali. From public health to hospitality, co-owners Alissa & Josh Ruxin created Heaven Restaurant in 2008 to provide jobs and vocational training in hospitality, to date, Heaven and The Retreat have trained over 1000 Rwandans in hospitality skills.

Basis

Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face-to-face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main draw card, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the Crater Lake on Mount Bisoke.

Day Itinerary

0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
0900: Visit Genocide memorial centre.
1015: Transfer to Kigali Airport for your helicopter flight to Volcanoes.
1100: Helicopter flight to Musanze Airstrip (Fly with A119 Or A109)
1130: Estimated time of land Musanze airstrip
1140: Transfer to One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.
1210: Arrival at One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.
1240: Lunch for the day and spend the rest of the afternoon on relaxation.
1500: The rest of the afternoon is for relaxation around the lodge.
1800: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Overnight: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest is situated right in the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park, creating the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime rare personal encounter with a majestic mountain gorilla. Hidden amongst the trees this hotel is unique, surrounded by flourishing wildlife. The cabins and suites are more than cosy, each with an elegant and luxurious interior is fitted with a minibar, a flat-screen TV and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests may enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning, there is also an on-site restaurant serving only the best cuisine. There are activities available at the establishment such as guided gorilla treks and wellness workshops.

Activities

Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum

Located just outside of Kigali City Centre in the Gasabo district, Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum was created by a joint partnership of the Kigali City Council and the UK-based Aegis Trust. The centre is extremely moving, challenging, educational and ultimately inspiring as well as a great place to understand the cause, tragedy and successful rebuilding post-genocide.

The memorial hosts a tour which is transparent and educational but very sombre and humbling when guests realise that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Volcanoes National Park

Day Itinerary

0600: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
0630: Transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing.
0800: Start the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
1200: Estimated time of returning from the jungle.
1230: Transfer back to the Lodge.
1300: Lunch at the Lodge.
1500: Visit Iby ‘Iwacu cultural village.
1800: Dinner and overnight stay at One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Activities

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Iby ‘Iwacu Cultural Village

Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity of discovering the 10 families of gorillas that live within the national park. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee before the trek starts and will be separated into groups of 8 depending on their physical abilities. Each group is guided by a guide and two scouts who are well trained in emergency situations. The amount of time set aside per trek is different depending on where the gorilla family is situated. Some trips may take as little as half an hour and some take the better part of the day.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Offers an adventurous stay in a traditional rural, Rwandan village that has existed for centuries living with and next to mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcanos. Iby ‘Iwacu Cultural Village gives you a rare chance to meet local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime as you home-stay with the community and become part of their family

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: One & Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Situated in southwestern Rwanda, the Nyungwe Forest National Park is known for its exceptional biodiversity and its wide range of endemic species. The park is composed of lush tracts of rainforest set high up on fertile mountain slopes. It is one of Africa’s most ancient forests and the home of Rwanda’s sole remaining chimpanzee population, as well as 85 additional mammal species, 43 reptile species, nearly 300 bird species and over 1000 plant species. Visitors can enjoy spotting Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees hiding in the trees, hiking on a well-maintained network of trails passing through lush equatorial rainforest and catching a glimpse of a beautiful array of colourful birdlife. Don’t miss the thrilling Canopy Walk, it is one of its kind in Africa and offers impressive views of the forest.

Day Itinerary

0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
0830: Prepare to take a helicopter flight to Nyungwe Forests.
0900: Helicopter departs Musanze for Nyungwe. (Fly with A119 Or A109)
0945: Estimated time to arrive at Nyungwe forests.
1000: Transfer to One & Only Nyungwe House.
1200: Take on an early lunch at the Lodge.
1600: Take part in the Complimentary Lodge activities.
1800: Overnight and dinner at One &Only Nyungwe House.

Overnight: One & Only Nyungwe House

One&Only Nyungwe House is set amongst the rich tea plantations of Gisakura, In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border. The property is set on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe National Park, which covers approximately 1020 square kilometres of rainforest, bamboo, and swamps. The accommodations at this lodge provide a sense of tranquillity with a fireplace and picturesque private deck. All rooms include breakfast, lunch, and dinner while featuring tea and coffee facilities and an en-suite bathroom with an indoor shower, wilderness-view shower and stand-alone bath.

The One&Only Spa provides relaxing treatments, while the One&Only Gym allows guests space and equipment for a refreshing workout. Additionally, guests can relax in the infinity pool while having a snack and drink and enjoy a meal by the trees with a picnic or at an elegant restaurant.

Basis

Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk -Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day Itinerary

0500: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
0530: Prepare for transfers to Park headquarters for Chimpanzee trek briefing.
0530: Start the Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forests.
1230: Estimated time to return from the jungle.
1330: Lunch at the Lodge and entire day relaxing and winding at the Lodge.
1500: Take on a Canopy Walk experience
1800: Special Dinner arrangement in the Tea Plantation

Activities

Nyungwe Forest National Park Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking

Canopy Walk

Nyungwe Forest National Park Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking

Located within the Nyungwe National Park, the Nyungwe Forest National Park Cyamudongo Forest Chimpanzee Trekking provides visitors with a unique chimpanzee experience. Visitors will follow a path through the lush vegetation to a point where they will be able to witness the chimpanzees acting out their daily activities, such as waking up, eating and socialising within their natural environment.

Canopy Walk

Suspended above a ravine amidst the lush vegetation and montane forest of the Nyungwe National Park, Canopy Walk offers participants an exhilarating perspective atop the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 160 meters long suspended bridge is accessible as a part of a guided hike along the Igishigishigi trail or those hiking the Imbaraga and Umuyove trail.

Basis

Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Day 6: End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

0800: Begin the day with a morning breakfast.
0830: Relaxing and chilling at the hotel.
1200: An early lunch at the Lodge.
1300: Prepare for a return helicopter transfer to Kigali
1400: Helicopter departs Nyungwe for Kigali (Fly with A119 Or A109)
1445: Estimated time of arrival at Kigali Airport and end your helicopter Volcanoes & Nyungwe tour
1500: Check-in for your outbound flight to your next destination.

Basis

Breakfast and Lunch

Key
HB: Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
B&B: Bed and Breakfast
FB: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
FB+: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Included in our 6 Days Helicopter Volcanoes & Nyungwe Tour

Meet and greet assistance on arrival
•   Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day
•   Accommodation at the Retreat Kigali on Half board basis
•   All activities as highlighted in the itinerary
•   All Helicopter transfers, Kigali-Volcanoes-Nyungwe-Kigali.
•   One & Only Nyungwe House includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, minibar, non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic house beverages with meals and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice).
•One & Only Gorilla Nest Lodge includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, minibar, non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic house beverages with meals and two activities per person per day (as defined by the Resort and subject to change without notice).
•1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 1500.-)
• 1 Chimp trek permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 90.-)
•Canopy walk permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 60.-)
• Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser 4×4 with WI-FI in receptive areas
•Services of a professional, experienced English Or French-speaking guide.
•Village/ Cultural Visit in Volcanoes.
•Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
•Emergency Medical Evacuation Services.
•Our assistance.

Excluded in our 6 Days Helicopter Volcanoes & Nyungwe Tour

International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,
All extra activities, visits, entrances and extra meals/drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Entry visa fees,
Optional extras whilst in Kigali
Drinks throughout the trip,
Tips and gratuities,
Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.