6 DAYS: EXPLORING NORTHERN -WEST CORRIDOR

Depart from Kigali in the morning to Gisenyi. You will drive in rolling hills of Northern-West corridor; enjoy the best view of five Mountains which is the home of endangered mountain Gorillas, magnificent landscapes and scenery. On the arrival you will check in the Hotel and have lunch while enjoying the fresh air from Lake Kivu. In the afternoon, you will do guided Gisenyi city tour, visit to the border of Republic Democratic of Congo, enjoy the view of Congolese active mountains, and visit to Rubona hot water spring to mention but few.

After your breakfast at 8:00 am, you will drive to the starting point of Nengo hill hiking. This local hill is known in the history of Rwanda to have been used as a military base of Germans solders when they were fighting with Belgians. It is about 1587m above sea level. On top of this hill you will enjoy the best view of Goma Town from DRC, the cousin town to Gisenyi, a panoramic view on Lake Kivu and surrounding areas. After relaxing on the top you will slow down to the Grave of Germans and Belgians to learn more about the First World War then after you will drive for 10 minutes to the first house that were built in Gisenyi to learn more about Richard and his discovery of the farthest source of Nile. Drive to the Hotel for lunch and check out.

Depart at the Hotel after breakfast at 8:00am for Mount Rubavu hiking, you will pass by Grave of Germans and Belgians who were killed during the First World War the guide will tell more about this World War.
This is the beautiful hill which will give you the stunning view on Gisenyi town, Lake Kivu, the best view on Goma the town from DRC; you will also enjoy the view active mountains of Congo, beautiful view of landscapes with banana plantations in the area known as Ubugoyi. After lunch, you will go for Rugerero Village to interact with the local people through dancing and pottery activities. Also, this is an opportunity to learn more about history of pottery in Rwanda.

In the morning, after breakfast at 8:00 am you will go for a guided experience. You will visit the Beer processing Factory the first one to have recognized in Rwanda, you will learn more about local beer making from the first process until the last one and tasting. After this visit you will go to hot water spring where you will learn the historical belief about this water, from the hot water spring you will do short hiking to enjoy the beautiful view of this magnificent area.

Leave your hotel at 8:00 am in Gisenyi and drive for 20 minutes to the starting point. On your arrival to starting point you meet the local guide for briefing and go for hiking Rubona hill. You will hike through different plantations while enjoying the stunning view on Lake Kivu, beautiful landscapes and scenery, at the top of the hill you will start your tea tour experience from nursery to cupping. This tour will take about 3 hours after you will go back for lunch then enjoy your afternoon at leisure.

Gisenyi boasts three sandy beaches around Lake Kivu.These beaches are good for swimming, boat rides and sun bathing, as well as a variety of water sports (canoeing, kayaking, etc) or even taking a long stroll along beach front.

A magnificent scenic route stretching along the shores of Lake Kivu in the Western Province from Rubavu district through Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke to Rusizi districts this trail is about 202 kilometers. For one day hiking, you will leave your hotel in Gisenyi at 7:00 am after breakfast and arrive at the starting point by 7:30 am. Along this spectacular walk you will enjoy diverse experiences: hiking, community interaction, historical tales, and magnificent scenic walk along Lake Kivu shores. This walk will take 5hours round trip including stopovers.