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Rwanda Photography and Cultural Safari-The Lens of Life

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Program Overview

Learning Journeys partners with IED - Institute of Entrepreneurial Design- for a exclusive program focusing on deep responsible cultural immersion and experiential photography.

Rwanda is a small country boasting a special remoteness and hilly terrain. It was one of the last places to come into contact with the rest of the world. The current leadership’s strong embrace of globalization and ‘modern’ values has led to a fascinating mix of old and new, of traditions and change.

It is our responsibility, desire and pleasure to offer you a deep and very personal insight into this unique environment that will challenge your perceptions of Africa and the world in general.

This immersive journey is a one-in-a-lifetime chance to meet genocide survivors, spend time with the local communities, visit NGO’s to give back to the community, trek amongst the wildlife, and go on a photography immersion like no other.

Here, your instructor will take you into the field to take landscape photos in real-time, providing trainer-trainee interaction, discussing wildlife photography and engaging in countless cultural immersions along the way.


Rwanda Photography and Cultural Safari-The Lens of Life


June 18, 2023 days and June 26, 2023 nights

Your Curriculum

At A Glance

DAY 1: Welcome to Rwanda!

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.

DAY 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial

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!

DAY 3: Gisimba Memorial

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.

DAY 4: Cultural Corridor: South West Rwanda

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.

DAY 5: “Crop to Cup” Tea and Canopy Trail Hike

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.

DAY 6: Coffee Experience and Roz Carr Former ‘Imbabazi Orphanage’

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.

DAY 7: Cooking Class / Banana and Sorghum Beer Experience / Photography Immersion

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!

DAY 8: Mountain Gorilla Trek / Transfer to Kigali

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.

DAY 9: Shopping / Departure

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.


Why Learning Journeys?

At Learning Journeys we believe in a new kind of vacation. Our unique journeys help you explore and develop your skills and interest, travel the world, give back to the community and ultimately re-connect with yourself.


The destinations are chosen specifically to make practicing that skill more accessible, and more fun. Typical skills offered are health and wellness, cooking, photography, art, birding and wildlife, language study, architecture, music, dance and more. Programs range from beginner to professional certification. You will even have the opportunity to attend off the beaten path festivals in your specific area of interest which will take your learning immersion to new heights!

Brand Pillars

Transformation

The quest for knowledge as we open our hearts and minds to new experiences can transform us. As we see the world through the eyes of others, the communities we visit and touch are also transformed. This cycle of positive change is at the heart of every Learning Journeys experience.

Education

Learning Journeys is designed to nurture that ember of curiosity inside you into a flame of life-long discovery. Continued learning ensures continued growth, whether pursuing any number of interests that intrigue you or a passion you have honed over the years.

Exploration

Truly, the world is your classroom. Exploring the rich and varied cultures of the destinations you visit multiplies the value of your educational pursuits, and the exploration of yourself. The journey itself – to a new place and new you – is what truly matters.

Self-reflection

Through reflection, we bring learning to life. Pausing from the chaos of our daily lives allows us to sort through experiences to create meaning, from which we learn more deeply about ourselves. Understanding what truly moves us leads to rich and profound actions that shape our lives.

Community service and sustainability is at the core of the Learning Journeys mission. In addition to hands-on interactive classes, we work in the local communities, helping to improve lives and our planet. Destinations are chosen for their exceptional beauty, abundant wildlife, accessibility to expert practitioners, and generally fun places to visit! The destinations are near and far-North America, Latin and South America, Europe, India, Asia, Australia and more.

Finally, just as you remember specific meals from a trip taken many years ago, your ability to recall information is enhanced when combined with a unique setting. “Learning Journeys” are an excellent value for money and an investment.


Departure

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<p> Learning Journeys partners with IED - Institute of Entrepreneurial Design- for a exclusive program focusing on deep responsible cultural immersion and experiential photography. </p>
<p> Rwanda is a small country boasting a special remoteness and hilly terrain. It was one of the last places to come into contact with the rest of the world. The current leadership’s strong embrace of globalization and ‘modern’ values has led to a fascinating mix of old and new, of traditions and change. </p>
<p> It is our responsibility, desire and pleasure to offer you a deep and very personal insight into this unique environment that will challenge your perceptions of Africa and the world in general. </p>
<p> This immersive journey is a one-in-a-lifetime chance to meet genocide survivors, spend time with the local communities, visit NGO’s to give back to the community, trek amongst the wildlife, and go on a photography immersion like no other. </p>
<p> Here, your instructor will take you into the field to take landscape photos in real-time, providing trainer-trainee interaction, discussing wildlife photography and engaging in countless cultural immersions along the way. <p>
</html>

What You Will Learn/Do

Why We Love This Traveling Classroom

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<p> •See first-hand how Rwanda is now a modern nation with a fast-growing economy and is consistently rated as one of the most competitive, cleanest and safest countries in Africa. </p>
<p> •Learning about Rwanda’s true cultural from the locals </p>
<p> •Trek through nature in the “Home of the Gorillas” and connect to the wildlife with a professional photographer </p>
<p> •Journey through the Kigali Genocide Museum with an educational lens of reparation and rebuilding of society </p>

</html>

How This Program Benefits The Local Community

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<p> •NGO visit to Nyamirambo Women’s Centre </p>
<p> •Creates Social Economies Local Guides </p>
<p> •NGO Ingoma Nshya Women's Initiative </p>
<p> •Red rocks; a social enterprise aiming at improving the quality of life of local people </p>

</html>


Program

DAY 1: Welcome to Rwanda!

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


DAY 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial

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


DAY 3: Gisimba Memorial

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


DAY 4: Cultural Corridor: South West Rwanda

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


DAY 5: “Crop to Cup” Tea and Canopy Trail Hike

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


DAY 6: Coffee Experience and Roz Carr Former ‘Imbabazi Orphanage’

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


DAY 7: Cooking Class / Banana and Sorghum Beer Experience / Photography Immersion

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


DAY 8: Mountain Gorilla Trek / Transfer to Kigali

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


DAY 9: Shopping / Departure




Program Registration Fees

All itinerary prices are listed in USD

Per person for Single Supplement $950.00

Per person for Standard $9,875.00


Program Departure Dates:

Services Included

•    Meet & Greet at Kigali International Airport
•    Return airport transfers
•    PCR COVID-19 test
•    8-night accommodation in lodge properties
•    Daily meals-Breakfast m Lunch & Dinner
•    Soft drinks & Fruits assortment
•    Guided journey at Kigali Genocide Memorial
•    Photography & Filming permit at Kigali Genocide Museum
•    Kigali walking tour & Cooking class
•    Art, Painting & Dance class sessions
•    Guided tour at Gisimba Memorial Centre
•    King’s Palace Museum entry fees
•    Ingoma Shya ‘All women Drumming troop‘
•    Tea & Coffee immersions
•    Guided tour at the former Imbabazi Orphanage Centre
•    Cultural immersion (Local beer brewery)
•    Community & village tour at the Twin Lakes
•    Ground transportation, 4WD van, with fuel inclusive
•    English speaking driver guide
•    Professional Photographer instructor
•    Mountain Gorillas trekking- one trek per person
•    Canopy walk permit per person
•    Mineral drinking water
•    All Government and airport taxes
•    Certificate of Completion
6/18/2023 8:00:00 AM

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/0waxfup6024rhas/Women%20Drummers.jpg?dl=0,https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/h84ue1m1wcmkud4/uwanda%20photo%20and%20safari.JPG?dl=0,https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5isc3ymuk9uilse/Visit-Rwanda-Volcano-1920x1280.jpg?dl=0,https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/k849pwoxyvr8i55/Mountain%20Gorilla.jpg?dl=0

Program Type

Adventure Learning
Ancient Traditions
Arts-Crafts-Textile
Birding and Wildlife
Bucket List Learning
Dance
Fashion
Gastronomy
Genealogy
Language
Music
Photography
Theater Arts
Unplugged Learning
Wellness and Spirituality
Wine and Spirits
Woman's Focused
Writing and Literature

Learning Level

Explore an Interest
Pursue a Passion
Change My Life!

Activity Level

Difficult


What You Will Learn/Do

•Photography

•Cultural immersions

•Kigali Genocide Museum Journey

•Art, Painting & Dance class sessions

•Tea & Coffee immersions

•Photography from a professional

•Mountain Gorilla Trekking

•NGO visits

•History of introduction of tea in the region


Why This Program Is Unique

•See first-hand how Rwanda is now a modern nation with a fast-growing economy and is consistently rated as one of the most competitive, cleanest and safest countries in Africa.

•Learning about Rwanda’s true cultural from the locals

•Trek through nature in the “Home of the Gorillas” and connect to the wildlife with a professional photographer

•Journey through the Kigali Genocide Museum with an educational lens of reparation and rebuilding of society


How This Program Benefits The Local Community

•NGO visit to Nyamirambo Women’s Centre

•Creates Social Economies Local Guides

•NGO Ingoma Nshya Women's Initiative

•Red rocks; a social enterprise aiming at improving the quality of life of local people


Program Itinerary

Start/Finish City:

Open All Days


DAY 1: Welcome to Rwanda!

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

DAY 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial

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

DAY 3: Gisimba Memorial

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

DAY 4: Cultural Corridor: South West Rwanda

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

DAY 5: “Crop to Cup” Tea and Canopy Trail Hike

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

DAY 6: Coffee Experience and Roz Carr Former ‘Imbabazi Orphanage’

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

DAY 7: Cooking Class / Banana and Sorghum Beer Experience / Photography Immersion

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

DAY 8: Mountain Gorilla Trek / Transfer to Kigali

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

DAY 9: Shopping / Departure

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.


Program Registration Fees

2023 Departures & Fees 4 Departures

Date Double Occupancy Single Supplement Additional
April 16, 2023
Reserve Online
$12,837.50
Per Person
$1,235.00
Per Person
May 07, 2023
Reserve Online
$12,837.50
Per Person
$1,235.00
Per Person
May 28, 2023
Reserve Online
$12,837.50
Per Person
$1,235.00
Per Person
June 18, 2023
Reserve Online
$12,837.50
Per Person
$1,235.00
Per Person
Dates & Fees: View 2023
Final pricing will be displayed on the summary page.

Services Included

• Meet & Greet at Kigali International Airport • Return airport transfers • PCR COVID-19 test • 8-night accommodation in lodge properties • Daily meals-Breakfast m Lunch & Dinner • Soft drinks & Fruits assortment • Guided journey at Kigali Genocide Memorial • Photography & Filming permit at Kigali Genocide Museum • Kigali walking tour & Cooking class • Art, Painting & Dance class sessions • Guided tour at Gisimba Memorial Centre • King’s Palace Museum entry fees • Ingoma Shya ‘All women Drumming troop‘ • Tea & Coffee immersions • Guided tour at the former Imbabazi Orphanage Centre • Cultural immersion (Local beer brewery) • Community & village tour at the Twin Lakes • Ground transportation, 4WD van, with fuel inclusive • English speaking driver guide • Professional Photographer instructor • Mountain Gorillas trekking- one trek per person • Canopy walk permit per person • Mineral drinking water • All Government and airport taxes • Certificate of Completion

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