Welcome to Rwanda! Upon arrival into Kigali, you will be met and greeted by our Learning Journeys representatives for airport procedures and COVID-19 testing assistance as per health protocols. Once escorted to a waiting vehicle, your safari driver will transfer you to your hotel for check-in and room allocation. At the designated hotel, you’ll wait for your test results for at least 24 hours. During this period, you will be in quarantine and therefore not allowed to engage in any activity prior to the re-lease of test results. Overnight in Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar

Good morning! The early part of the day provides some time to rest and get refreshed at your base hotel as you wait for your COVID-19 test results. As soon as the results are received, you’ll be met by your guide for a briefing session about your Rwandan program! First up, it’s time to kick-off this immersive journey with visit to the emotionally evoking Kigali Genocide Museum. When touring Rwanda, it is impossible to not see or learn about the impact of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. While a remarkably moving experience, it is at the same time surprisingly uplifting, providing first-hand appreciation of how the people of Rwanda have moved forward together, positively, displaying a shining example of a success story in peace, and reconciliation to the world. The Genocide Museum in Kigali is a place of remembrance and the site of the country’s largest Genocide Memorials; a final resting place to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. During the guided museum journey, you will learn in-depth about the events that led to one of the worst excesses of mankind, while also joining hands with the rest of the world to en-sure such tragedy never happens again. You will also visit the Children memorial to pay tribute to thousands of young people who lost their lives during the Genocide, while also educating yourself about other Genocide tragedies that occurred around the world in the 20th century. Later, head back for dinner while having a glimpse at Kigali by night. Learning Experience: Kigali Genocide Museum Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar

This morning after breakfast, it’s time to head out for a walking tour with Nyamirambo Wom-en’s Centre. Nyamirambo Women’s Center (NWC), is a Rwandan NGO, launched at the end of 2007 by 18 Rwandese women living in Nyamirambo, Kigali. Together, they created a project which aims at addressing Gender-based violence, Gender inequality and Discrimination. Today, NWC’s mission is to provide education and vocational training to women - women who do not have the means to cater for such trainings on their own - so that they can gain better opportunities for employment. During this visit, you’ll immerse yourself in the corridors of the liveliest area of Kigali city, Nyamirambo. Nyamirambo is the populous Muslim quarter and one of Kigali’s oldest residential areas. Alongside the local expert guide, learn more about this pro-ject; explore this lively neighborhood, check-out local mosques, hair salons, tailoring workshops, milk bars, handicrafts shops and other locales. You will have the opportunity to savor and share a traditional, freshly cooked meal with your host family. In the afternoon, visit Gisimba Memorial Centre, which for the past 75 years has survived the famine and the Genocide. During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Damas Gisimba and an American aid worker sheltered and saved over 400 children and count-less adults in this tragic period. Following the 2012 nationwide shift from orphanages to a foster care system, Gisimba leaders created an after-school program which now anchors the sur-rounding urban neighborhoods. Across all these years, Gisimba has constantly responded to the immediate needs of its com-munity: when children are abandoned or when families struggle, the community can turn to Gisimba to feel safe, feed, and to have access to clean water and survive. The Gisimba Memo-rial Center directly supports the residents of Kigali who most need their help, sheltering or-phans, refugees, and families during their most difficult times. Currently, the Gisimba Memori-al Center is a social center dedicated to the defense and protection of the rights of the child population in Rwanda. You’ll have an onsite guided journey to meet and interact with children. You are welcome as well to leave a donation of any kind that will help sustain the day-to-day activities of the center. Evening art, painting and dance classes. Learning Experience: NGO Visit, Art / Painting and Dance Class, Gisimba Memorial Centre Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar

This morning, get an early start with breakfast and pack your bags as you gear up for a cultural immersive and fun filled day! You’ll head to the south of Rwanda, a region commonly referred to as ‘the cultural corridor’ and onward to the southwest in Nyungwe Forest. Stop by the city of Nyanza; the former traditional seat of Rwanda's monarchy where you’ll visit the King’s Palace museum, a replica of the traditional Palace of Rwanda’s former Kings; admire the parade of Inyambo - ‘The Long-horned Royal cows’ famous for their impressive horns and gentle nature. Afterwards, resume the journey to Huye; formerly known as Butare. Butare was the country’s capital until independence in 1962 and is home to several academic and research institutions. Enjoy a lunch break then experience an exciting encounter with ‘Ingoma Nshya.’ The all-women drumming troupe was created in 2004. This group - Rwanda’s first ever drumming group comprised of women defies old generational beliefs that a woman who turned into a drummer would be a curse to the society and never bear children. Ingoma Nshya Women's Ini-tiatives is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to contribute to the promotion and development of Rwandan women in the cultural and creative industries. Ingoma Nshya works to place Rwandan women at the heart of drumming and to promote the emergence of women's drumming in Rwanda. The group is mainly comprised of 1994 Genocide survivors and Genocide perpetrators, who had resolved to put cultural beliefs aside and pursue drumming as a profession that could eventually empower their families. Hear their touching story, practice drumming and local dance rhythms. Later, head to Nyungwe Forest Reserve, driving past green fields of tea and small wooden houses unique to the area surrounding Nyungwe Forest. Enjoy the winding roads and magnificent scenery all along the way. Learning Experience: King’s Palace Museum, ‘Ingoma Nshya’; an all women drumming troupe Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Kivu Marina Bay or similar

On this day, after your morning breakfast, you will take part in the ‘Crop to Cup’ tea immersion. The experience will offer many delights as you view tea plantations with their scenic views. This stop is ideal for capturing rewarding photographic images. Learn about the history of introduc-tion of tea in the region from elders who worked with colonialists. You’ll find it very educational and enjoyable to have local people guiding you as they narrate the terrain of colonial tea-makers with their unique and affectionate Kinyarwanda names. Additionally, you’ll interact with the host community and tea pickers and take part in the pick-ing of tea leaves, pounding and drying to make a refreshing cup of local Rwandan tea. Option-ally, you may visit the Gisakura Tea Factory to learn more about the tea processing chain, tea varieties and tasting a hot cup of tea. Afterwards, head to Uwinka for the start of the exhilarating canopy walk. The Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe National Park is a 70m high suspension bridge above the rainforest floor. Visitors get up and close with nature and are rewarded with spectacular views of amazing birdlife and butterflies, the evergreen mountains and Lake Kivu’s glimmering waters in the distance. Return for a short break before a scenic road transfer to Lake Kivu, driving on the splendid Kivu Belt Road. The beauty and meandering road along the lake’s corridor are nothing short of amazing! When arriving at your base lodge, check-in, have dinner and rest. Learning Experience: ‘Crop to Cup’ tea immersion, Canopy Walk Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Lake Kivu Serena Hotel or similar

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and travel to Kivumu for a traditional Coffee immersion offered by local farmers. Here you will have the opportunity to learn hands-on about coffee growing processes, and engage in activities such as mulching, pruning, harvesting coffee beans, to sorting, peeling and roasting, amongst others. The outstanding view of the Lake Kivu will make your experience even more memorable. Head back by drive to late Rosamond Carr’s former Imbabazi Orphanage - an orphanage set up right after the 1994 Genocide - and learn more about Carr’s life through her stories and her friend-ship with Dian Fossey; see where scenes from ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ were filmed, stroll through local farmlands and English gardens while enjoying the colorful flowers and birds! It is im-portant to mention that Carr – who was known to her friends as ‘Roz,’ passed away in Septem-ber 2006 at the age of 94 and is laid to rest at Imbabazi; the home where she nursed more than 400 lost or orphaned children. Lunch will be taken from the center. When the visit is finished, hit the road to Kinigi, at the vi-cinity of the Volcanoes National Park. Check-in at your lodge, dinner and overnight. Learning Experience: Traditional Coffee Immersion, Volcanoes National Park Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or similar

This morning after breakfast, we will drive to Red Rocks, a social enterprise aiming at improv-ing the quality of life of local people, for cultural immersion and community based activities such as traditional cooking, Agaseke/Basket weaving lessons, Banana beer brewery, stories tell-ing among others. Lunch will be at the center before an afternoon excursion to the Twin Lakes for a guided com-munity walk and photo-shoot experience! Photography immersion: Turn a spark of passion for the outdoors into beautiful experiential photography in this start-to-finish course. From gear and exposure to light and post-processing, master the landscape pho-tography workflow with a professional photographer. You will learn about Experiential Photog-raphy, keeping in view the hot demand of most travelers who are curious about people, places, cultures and the world we all share. The goal is to capture authentic relationships, dynamic ex-periential activities and unique experiences that evoke a sense of place as they are happening. End the frustration of being unable to capture the raw beauty of nature and capture inspiring awe-inducing views on camera. With both live instruction and on-site photography crash cours-es, you will master both the technical and creative necessities for capturing better landscape images while becoming immersed in the day-to-day richness of the cultural & wildlife experi-ences with the ability to capture images in a more spontaneous way. In addition, you’ll tackle advanced techniques including HDR and panoramas. By the end of this Course, you will be able to: • Capture great shots of landscapes, nature & wildlife • Confidently shoot in manual mode • Fine-tune your eye for composition • Master light for landscape photography • Work with HDR and panoramas • Perfect your images with post-processing in Lightroom Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Learning Experience: Red rocks; a social enterprise aiming at improving the quality of life of local people, Twin Lakes Community Walk and Photo Shoot Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or similar

Today will certainly be one of the highlights of your exciting trip to Rwanda! Breakfast and de-parture from your lodge will be at 06:30. After a briefing session at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, the trekking begins! Em-brace the amazing adventure of trekking the rare and critically endangered mountain gorillas. Indulge in the park’s fresh rainforest, colorful butterflies, and hypnotic bird songs. When you reach the gorillas, savor the moment (and take a selfie). Observe how they live, eat, play, and rest. Chilling with a silverback is one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth. Try it! Afterwards, return to your lodge for lunch. Note: Based on the location of the gorillas, trekking may involve up to eight hours of hiking through lush jungle with uneven terrain, slippery slopes and steep, muddy trails. Ensure you bring appropriate clothing and footwear. Afternoon return transfer to the capital Kigali for a leisure evening and overnight stay. Learning Experience: Wildlife Trekking Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar

Today, you will have the chance to go souvenir shopping at different souvenir outlets. After-wards, we will have a farewell lunch and later drop-off at Kigali airport for check-in and inter-national departure.