16 Days Rwanda's Heart & East Africa Safari

About the destination: Kigali is the national capital of Rwanda, placed in the center of the country, with a population of approximately 851.024 inhabitants.Founded in 1907 during the German control, the city turned into the capital of the country after obtaining the independence in 1962. Before the independence, in 1962, Belgium was administering the country from the current capital of Burundi, Bujumbura. The traditional capital of Rwanda was the headquarters of the king mwami in Nyanza and the colonial power had headquarters in Butare, so called Astrida at the time. With the independence Kigali was chosen, thanks to his position in the geographical center of the country. Since it is the capital of Rwanda, the population of Kigali has grown notably. The number in the sixties was about 5.000 inhabitants approximately. It is built in a zone of hills, with an altitude that changes among 1.433 to 1.645 meters, which makes it have a rugged relief. The landscape of Kigali has a lot of variety of trees and plants. Among the important buildings we highlight the building of the airport and the Chinese embassy. One of his tourist attractions is the Craftsmen's Market, where it is possible to admire how they elaborate different typical utensils. Another place of importance is the Episcopal Church. It possesses diverse hotels, someone of them of luxury, and restaurants where you can try the African food. Also it has his cultural part in the Cultural French Center were they are in the habit of organizing exhibitions, cycles of cinema, documentaries and other cultural activities.

About the destination: Volcanoes National Park, which is located in Kinigi, Rwanda, is one of the best places in the world to track mountain gorillas. In addition to being recognized for being the setting for the book and film "Gorillas in the mist", it is home to approximately 400 specimens of this endangered species, here they live in peace and tranquility. This park is the oldest in Africa, and has 16,000 hectares, it offers you a once-in-a-lifetime experience; Here you will venture through the dense jungle, with golden monkeys swinging among the trees and under the watchful eye of chameleons, in search of these huge primates. If you like birds, you will also like this place, since it has more than 180 different species of birds registered. Apart from tracking the monkeys, this place offers activities related to hiking and some guided walks. Diane Fossey spent twenty years of her life in this place studying mountain gorillas, it is believed that if that had not happened, today it would not be what it is. Thanks to her this species is kept out of the reach of poachers. The best time to travel to this place is from March to May, and October and November.

About the destination: The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 ft). "Bwindi" is derived from the Runyakitara word "Mubwindi" and means "a place full of darkness". This name comes from the extensive stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods. The bamboo and thick ground cover of ferns, vines, and other plant growth severely hinder direct access on foot. Also known as the "Place of Darkness",[citation needed] the forest is on the edge of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, only a few kilometers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of the Virunga Mountains. The forest is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth,[citation needed] where half the world's population of the highly endangered mountain gorillas live in its jungles. The forest has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site for its biological significance. The forest has been described as "Riven by disputes and crosshatched by historical, political, and biological borders" by researcher Craig Stanford, co-director of the park's Jane Goodall Research Center. In 1991, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established, adjacent to the strife-torn Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC border region.

About the destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park is a national park in Uganda. The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park. It was renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth National Park occupies an estimated 1,978 square kilometres (764 sq mi). The park extends from Lake George in the north-east to Lake Edward in the south-west and includes the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its wildlife, including African buffalo, Ugandan kob, hippopotamus, giant forest hog, warthog, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimpanzee. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males sport black manes. Poachers killed six elephants in the park in 2015, triggering both anger and frustration within the Ugandan conservation community. Queen Elizabeth National Park together with the adjacent Virunga National Park is a Lion Conservation Unit. The area is considered a potential lion stronghold in Central Africa, if poaching is curbed and prey species recover. The park is also famous for its volcanic features, including volcanic cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes, such as the Katwe craters, from which salt is extracted. Services in the park include a telecenter run by Conservation Through Public Health and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, neighboring the Queen's Pavilion, park lodges, game and scenic drives, and boat launches.

About the destination: Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, situated on the Nairobi River, the city is not only the largest and fastest growing city in Kenya, but one of the largest in Africa. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa and a great place to tune into modern urban African life. Nairobi is known as the safari capital of Africa, however the city has still managed to keep up with modernization. Unlike other cities, Nairobi is surrounded by plains, cliffs and forest that makes up the city’s Nairobi National Park. The city is filled with many things to do during the day and the night. Tourists can have their pick from numerous safaris, ecotourism tours, restaurants, culture, shopping and entertainment. Stay in Nairobi and you'll find a town full of hustle and bustle, which gives you a chance to experience a very real part of Africa.

About the destination: The Maasai Mara, located in southwestern Kenya, is a world-renowned wildlife reserve celebrated for its stunning landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity. Part of the Serengeti ecosystem, the Maasai Mara offers vast savannahs, rolling hills, and meandering rivers teeming with wildlife. It is best known for the Great Migration, an annual event where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores traverse the plains in search of greener pastures, attracting predators like lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Visitors can experience thrilling safaris, hot air balloon rides, and cultural encounters with the Maasai people, who share their rich traditions and way of life. With its breathtaking scenery and unparalleled wildlife experiences, the Maasai Mara provides an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers and safari enthusiasts.