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Amahoro Tours

Rwanda

Northern

Musanze

Ruhengeri

87, Ruhengeri, Rwanda

+250 788 65 52 23

+250 788 68 74 48

amahorotours@gmail.com

info@amahoro-tours.com

The team of Amahoro Tours welcomes you to the 'Land of a Thousand Hills'. We invite you to discover Africa's best kept secret - an exciting natural and cultural experience of a still widely unspoilt part of the continent.

We are the established leader in community-based tourism and ecotourism in Rwanda. Our tailor-made tours guarantee a maximum of interaction with the local population and intimate experiences with Rwanda's beautiful nature. We cooperate with an extensive network of community organisations, international NGOs and likeminded private companies.

Our primary goal is to promote a high-quality visitor experience in an environment which benefits an increasing number of local people directly, as our partners, yet without compromising the very assets upon which the destination depends; namely, a spectacularly beautiful natural environment amid a largely unspoilt cultural environment.


The Amahoro Initiative

Our work is centred on the Amahoro Tourism Association, a network of local communities, co-operatives and individuals who would like to participate in tourism activities, but often lack the knowledge or means to do so. Tourism plays a major role in the intiative because we believe in its ability to be a tool for sustainable development, the alleviation of poverty and promotion of peace.

The majority of Amahoro Tours' activities focus on visits to our many partners such as the traditional healers, brickmakers and the banana bark weavers. They guarantee a unique experience for the visitor and, where possible, even a chance join in and get your hands dirty.

We discussed with the leaders of each group or association how we could best contribute to ensure their continued growth. In many cases we agreed upon a financial contribution to a community account, knowing that even the weakest member of such groups, together with his or her family, will benefit directly from such an arrangement. This little additional income often opens up the opportunity to send another child to school or to buy equipment that significanctly raise the productivity of the group. Whilst other groups may receive assistance in the form of professional promotion and the direct marketing of their activities. In this way we ensure the largest number of local people benefit from our activities and are actively encouraged to offer their own ideas for the form their recompense takes.


Mission Statement

Responsible Tourism & Eco-Tourism

Through our activities we support the conservation of the natural environment and the preservation of cultural assets. Furthermore, we aim at contributing to the sustainable development of local populations by sharing economic benefits, and by helping to nurture a sense of pride and awareness that someone cares. Join hands with Amahoro Tours and help us to make a difference!

Rwanda Tours

Rwanda Gorilla Direct! (2 nights / 3 days)
…tracking made easier…

Day 1 – Met on arrival by your Driver Guide at Kigali Airport and be transferred to Musanze, home town to the Mountain Gorillas. Overnight at Musanze.

Day 2 – An early wake in readiness for eagerly awaited event of the day and drive to Kinigi, the home to Volcanoes National Park Offices, where you are briefed before commencing the once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Overnight at Musanze.

Day 3 – After breakfast be transferred back to Kigali for a city tour of one of the friendliest African Capitals before returning to the Kigali Airport for your onward flight.
One More Time-“GORILLAS” (3 nights / 4 days)
…as close as a friend…

Day 1 – Warm welcome awaits you at Kigali International Airport by your Guide, proceed to Musanze town, the second largest town with a stunning backdrop scenic mountains.
Overnight: Musanze.

Day 2 – An early breakfast and head to Kinigi for a brief on the Gorilla tracking formalities. Thereafter start and enjoy moments admiring the apes and their behavior.
Overnight: Musanze

Day 3 – Enjoy your second gorilla trek followed by an afternoon transfer back to Kigali. Overnight: Kigali.

Day 4 – Time for some last minute shopping in Kigali City. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
More Than Gorillas (4 nights / 5 days)
…experience the difference…

Day 1 – Be met on arrival by your Driver Guide for a transfer to Kigali Hotel for overnight.

Day 2 – Breakfast and thereafter enjoy a guided city tour including the Genocide Memorial site.

Lunch and drive to Musanze for overnight.

Day 3 – Breakfast and drive to Kinigi, the home to the Volcanoes National Park Offices where you are briefed before commencing the unique experience of mountain gorilla tracking. Overnight: Musanze

Day 4 – This day is set out for Golden Monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park returning to Musanze in good time for lunch. Afternoon transfer to twin Lakes – Bulera and Ruhondo, enjoy the lakes sceneries and boat rides. Late afternoon transfer back to Musanze for overnight

Day 5 – Breakfast followed by transfer to Kigali Airport for departure.
History Will Tell! (5 nights / 6 days)
…immense yourself in the intriguing past…

Day 1 – Meet and greet with your guide on arrival at Kigali International Airport and be transferred to Kigali Hotel for overnight.

Day 2 - Enjoy your breakfast and leave the Hotel for Kigali City tour giving a chance to visit the Genocide Memorial sites of Ntarama and Nyamata outside Kigali city. Return to the city for lunch. Thereafter drive to Musanze for overnight.

Day 3 - Early start in readiness for eagerly awaited event of the day and drive to Kinigi, home to Volcanoes National Park Offices, where you are briefed before commencing the once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Overnight: Musanze

Day 4 – This day is set out for Golden Monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park returning to Musanze in good time for lunch. This afternoon have spectacular encounter with the traditions and culture of the Rwandan community i.e. Banana beer production and Basket weaving done right in the village where you get to mix, participate and learn more. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 5 – Take breakfast and drive to Gisenyi, the largest port on the Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu. Enjoy a full day in Gisenyi gives you time to enjoy a swim in the lake, explore the town enjoying the hustle and bustle of the local market or wander through the leafy streets admiring the old colonial buildings. Or just relax and admire the view from your hotel. Overnight: Gisenyi.

Day 6 – Transfer back to Kigali Airport for your onward flight.
Face The Locals! (7 days / 6 nights)
…people to people…

Day 1- Arrival at the airport, meet your driver guide, transfer to your Hotel.
Overnight: Kigali.

Day 2- Kigali city tour, including a visit to Ntarama church where almost 5000 people were killed in the church, learn more about the unity and reconciliation commission. Afternoon visit to UBURANGA Art studio , appreciate the transition. Overnight: Kigali

Day 3- After breakfast , drive to Byumba, visit the tea plantation of Kinihira, get to know why Rome Dareli wrote the book , shake the hands with the devil, by visiting one of the guest house he used to stay in, continue to Musanze. Overnight: local home stay Musanze.

Day 4- Take a village walk, walk along the twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, if possible enjoy the canoe with the local fishermen on the Lakes. Visit a cinema hall to catch a movie in the evening overnight: Musanze

Day 5- Look into the Rwanda’s education by visiting local schools and participate in either teaching or play games with the children, that way they appreciate tourism, visit Iby iwacu cultural village in the afternoon for the cultural stories, dances and drama. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 6- Gorilla trekking, evening visit to the Kagano community village as you get to know why the community left the park and when was that. Evening you will be introduced to the Rwandese way of telling nighttime stories of our past and present. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 7- After break visit the fishermen in Gisenyi, take a walk to the Hot springs, lunch, afternoon drive to Kigali. Overnight: Kigali
Meet The People (9 days / 8 nights)
…exchange of cultures…

Day 1- Arrival at the airport, meet your driver guide, transfer to your Hotel. Overnight: Kigali.

Day 2- After Breakfast , drive to Byumba, visit the tea plantation of Kinihira, get to know why Rome Dareli wrote the book , shake the hands with the devil, by visiting one of the guest house he used to stay in, continue to Musanze. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 3- Take a village walk, a long the Lake, if possible, enjoy the canoe with the local fishermen on the Lake. Lunch and over night: Musanze

Day 4- Drive a long the beautiful compellingly twin lakes BULERA & RUHONDO, make some stop over on the way to visit schools and Markets. Don’t miss the church music if the any going and enjoy the singing and dancing from the church. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 5- Gorilla trekking, later in the evening visit the Kagano community village, get to know why the community left the park and when was that. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 6- Enjoy Golden Monkey trekking, later in the afternoon transfer to Gisenyi. Overnight: Gisenyi.

Day 7- After breakfast enjoy a boat ride to one of the islands in lake Kivu, take a walk to the Hot springs, lunch and afternoon drive to Kigali. Overnight: Kigali

Day 8- Kigali city tour, including a visit to Ntarama church where mass killings occurred during the 1994 genocide, more than 5000 people were killed in the church, learn more about the unity and reconciliation commission. Overnight: Kigali

Day 9- Breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Rwanda On The Spot! (10 nights / 11 days)
…explore the best…

Day 1 – Meet on arrival and be transferred to the Hotel in Kigali City. Overnight: Kigali.

Day 2 – After breakfast drive to Kigali for a free afternoon in the city, Get to know more on this land of a thousand hills. Overnight: Kigali.

Day 3 – Enjoy breakfast and drive to Nyungwe National Park. Visiting enroute, the famous National Museum at Butare and the ancient King’s Palace at Nyanza. Overnight: Nyungwe.

Day 4 – Your visit today is to see the primates, with 13 species resident in Nyungwe forest you report early in the morning to the Park’s offices before heading off to trek chimpanzee. Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of montane forest in East and Central Africa and it is an incredibly rich area of biodiversity. Overnight: Nyungwe

Day 5 - Returning to the National Park, you will have the opportunity to do a nature walk, visiting Kamiranzovu waterfall. The forest comprises amongst many things at least 200 tree species over 280 bird species and more than 100 different types of colorful butterfly which make it a true feast of the senses for the nature lover. Overnight: Nyungwe.

Day 6 – Enjoy a morning drive along beautiful Lake Kivu as you head to the picturesque town of Kibuye. After lunch take a relaxing boat trip to either Napoleon’s (it’s shaped like his hat) Island or Amahoro (peace) Island. Overnight: Kibuye.

Day 7 – Transfer to Gisenyi the largest port on the Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu. Take a swim in the lake; simply explore the town, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the local market or wander through the leafy streets admiring the old colonial buildings. Or just relax and admire the view from your hotel. Overnight: Gisenyi.

Day 8 – Take a trip to nearby Rubona to see the local hot springs before heading to Musanze town via lush tea plantations and numerous small villages. The afternoon is spent exploring the second largest town in Rwanda with a stunning backdrop of three volcanic mountains. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 9– An early breakfast, transfer to Kinigi the home to the Volcanoes National Park Offices where you are briefed and allocated a group before commencing the once in a life time experience of trekking mountain gorillas. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 10 – Returning to Volcanoes National Park today you participate in a very different experience, tracking the rare golden monkey. Overnight: Musanze.

Day 11 – Transfer to Kigali Airport for your flight home.
Great Lakes Primate Safari (11days/10nights)
…Expand your horizons…

Day 1 - Arrive Kigali, city tour of Kigali thereafter drive to Ruhengeri

Overnight: Ruhengeri

Gorillas Nest Hotel,or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge,Virunga Safari Lodge

Day 2 - Gorilla trekking

Overnight: Ruhengeri

Same Hotel Choices

Day 3 - Gorilla trekking

Overnight: Ruhengeri

Same Hotel choices

Day 4 - Drive to Goma, city tour of Goma town thereafter drive to Rumangabo

Overnight: ICCN Campsite

Camp under the stars

Day 5 - Gorilla Trekking, thereafter drive to Goma

Overnight: Goma

Day 6 - Take a speedboat to Bukavu - city tour of Bukavu Town

Overnight: Bukavu

Orchids Safari Club Hotel

Day 7 - Lowland Gorilla trek

Overnight: Bukavu

Orchids Safari Club Hotel

Day 8 - Enter Rwanda, proceed to Nyungwe forest, afternoon Monkey trek

Overnight: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Day 9 - Chimp and Monkey trekking - afternoon Monkey trek or canopy walk

Overnight: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Day 10 - Chimp and Monkey trekking, afternoon drive to Kigali,

Overnight: Kigali Serena hotel.

Day 11 - Transfer to the airport to catch flight.


Nature & Adventure

Amahoro Tours can organise a variety of exciting activities for your visit to Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park

All activities are offered in cooperation with the ORTPN park authorities, and tours will be accompanied and guided by park staff and guards).

1/2 day mountain gorilla trekking (including a guaranteed 1 hour with the great apes) [please note that children below 15 are not allowed to trek the gorillas]
1 day hiking and mountain climbing (Mt. Bisoke - 3,711m)
2 days hiking and mountain climbing (Mt. Karisimbi - 4,507m, overnight camping)
Golden Monkey trekking
Visit to the Karisoke Research Centre
Visit to the tomb of the legendary Dian Fossey
Nature walk (volcano flora and fauna)

Nyungwe National Park

All activities are offered in cooperation with ORTPN park authorities).

Chimpanzee trekking
Colobus monkey trekking and nature walk (13 species of primates, 300 species of birds, 250 species of trees, hundreds of different flowering plants including 100 species of orchids)
Camping

Lake Kivu

Lake cruises between popular resort towns such as Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi
Water sport facilities in Kibuye
Nature discovery tours around the many deserted islands with largely unexplored natural attractions
Napoleon's Hat Island: Climb to the top of Napoleon's hat and experience of thousands of bats darkening the sky
Island of Peace: Swimming, relaxing, beach volleyball, eating and drinking, watching the sunset

Hot Springs

Hot springs near Gisenyi (boiling of eggs while taking a swim in the heated waters of the adjacent Lake Kivu)
Hot springs of Bugarama (springs bubbling up into a large green pool)

Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo / Musanze Cave

Nature discovery tours in traditional canoes (breathtaking landscape, wetland habitat, water birds)
Exploration tour to the Musanze Cave (near Ruhengeri): The lava flow from an earlier volcanic eruption formed a natural bridge

Culture,, Life & People

Brick Making

Pure clay soil is mixed with water and covered with banana leaves or grass for 2 days. A piece of timber functions as frame for the bricks. After the frame has been filled with the soil-water-mixture, the newly formed brick is detached from the frame with another piece of timber and some water.

Amahoro regularly visits the clay fields of particular brick makers' associations near Ruhengeri where about 15 people earn a living. Their bricks are sold to private and public construction projects. During our visits a member of the association explains the art of brick making and answers questions about the life of the association members. After every visit a pre-arranged part of the benefits are handed over to the association leader so that every member of that community will benefit from the activity.
Bee Keeping

Members of various bee keeping associations produce bee hives that they place in swamps or forest areas rich in certain types of plants. Depending on what kind of honey is desired, these plants for example could be banana trees or certain flowers. Honey is an important means to cure a number of local diseases, so that it is shared with traditional doctors. The remaining honey is sold to local people and the benefits are shared with the other association members.
Traditional healing and the Medical garden

The Rwandan traditional healers use a total of 138 different types of local herbs. Among the 23 diseases that they regularly treat are ulcers, skin diseases like scabies, complications with the monthly period of females, breast pain after delivery, allergies, snake bites, sexual problems, and even heart attacks.

During a visit to the local traditional healers you can learn about the use of different herbs and certain treatments, or simply listen to the rich stories of these interesting people.
Fishermen at Lake Ruhondo

People living around Rwanda's many lakes try to make a living out of what these lakes have to offer. As an example, we co-operate with a group of local people who use traditional fishing methods at the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo.

These people are eager to pass on their traditional knowledge and experience and to clue somebody in the secrets of Rwandan fishing methods. Highlights of every visit to these people are fishing competitions with children, and a trip on the lake in one of the shaky traditional canoes.
Handicraft production

The production of local handicrafts is one of the few sources of income generated through tourism at the moment. The formidable crafts are sold as souvenirs in shops or at stalls in Kigali or Butare. Among the various products are, among others, beautiful African wood carvings, baskets, pots, saucers, old masks and swords, as well as the famous Rwandan banana leaf cards.
Kagano community

With a lot of local and international help, various Batwa groups (native Rwandans) have started pottery projects around the country. The production of pots and other items is always accompanied by traditional singing, drumming and dancing, so that every work session also is a cultural event.

Amahoro offers to visit the workshop of one of these groups in order to witness the joy with which the Batwa sing, dance and produce pots and other items.
Sustainable farming

Over the centuries farmers in Rwanda have developed their own special methods of sustainable farming processes. Some selected plantations are regularly visited by our groups, and visitors are always impressed by the comprehensive thoughts given to the activities and the sophisticated traditional methods used. Farming products include fruits such as bananas, as well as vegetables such as manioc, sweet potatoes or millet.
Traditional dancing

The famous Rwandan dancing troups are known under the name Intore. Various local groups in different regions of the country have specialised in performing traditional dances. Two of these groups are, for example, the troups at Ruhengeri or Akagera National Park. Apart from regular shows for the local people, special presentations for visitor groups can be booked.
Tea Planting

Tea is one of the very few export commodities that Rwanda has to offer. Most of the plantations are situated in the western parts of the country near Lake Kivu. On our itinerary from Volcanoes National Park to Gisenyi at Lake Kivu, we offer the possibility to visit one of them and to learn about the planting, picking and processing methods. Members of a local association are happy to explain their activities, and interested visitors will have the chance to 'get their hands dirty', too.
Coffee planting on Gishamwana Island

Similar to the tea plantations, coffee is cultivated in some parts of Rwanda. The plantation that we suggest to visit is located on a beautiful little island in Lake Kivu. Gishamwana Island is easily accessible via a short boat ride from Gisenyi, and coffee is certainly not the only point of interest for this trip.
Town tours, village tours and visits to local markets

Our guides are familiar with all the major towns and villages in Rwanda. Special tours can be organised, for example, in Kigali, Butare or Ruhengeri. These tours usually include visits to the local markets - most often one of the highlights of every African experience.

If desired, short visits to the homes of local families can be organised. In the case of small groups, further experiences such as eating with a family are possible.
Genocide memorial sites, and accounts of this tragic part of Rwandan history

Many visitors to Rwanda are divided on whether to actually visit a genocide memorial site or not. Most people believe that such a visit is mandatory given the tragic history. Nevertheless, a lot of thought should be given to the desirability of seeing particular skull- and bone-filled sites. Your guide can give you more information on what you should expect from each site, so that you can make your own decision whether you want to participate in a certain visit or not.

8am–5pm Mon–Fri
9–12 Sat.