Arrival in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Kiriri Residence Hotel or similar. BB

Breakfast. Today we will drive to the heart of the Tutsi Kingdom of Burundi. The Tutsi monarchy ruled Burundi hilly territory from the 16th Century until 1966. Members of the royal family still live in the country and there is even a monarchist political aprty, lead by the daughter of the last king of Burundi. Drive to Muranvya, one of the royal towns in Burundi. Here we will visit the palace built in colonial style and some structures built in the Tutsi vernacular architectonic style. After the visit, drive to Gitega, epicentre of the Kingdom until 1966 when the last king left the country forever. In Gitega we will visit interesting colonial buildings from the German period (1990-1918) and from the Belgian period (1918-1960). An old German brick construction out stands on the main road and from the Belgian period we have the Court of Appeal with beautiful art work on the walls, the national museum, and the ‘Champignon’ house, from 1946, an amazing modernist- style home. Lunch in a restaurant and in the afternoon, a member of the Burundi Tutsi royal family will accompany us to Gishora Drum Sanctuary. Burundi’s last independent ruler, King Mwami Mwezi IV, founded the sanctuary in celebration of a victory over a rebellious chief in the19th century. Since its founding, the Gishora Drum Sanctuary has been a place to practice and teach specific ritual drumming techniques. Drumming in Burundi is an ancient practice that mixes combat-style dance, specific rhythms, religious rituals, epic poetry, all into one. Historically, drumming rituals were part of the enthronement of kings, agricultural sowing festivals, and funerals of kings and queens. Local men, known as Abatimbo who descend from the ancient lineage of Abanyigisaka, have always run the sanctuary. They are the descendants of Animist priests who held senior positions within the royal court. After experiencing this unique cultural ceremony, we will take some photographs with the prince and the Abatimbo priests.

Accommodation in Hotel Tropitel. HB (lunch)

Breakfast. Depart from Gitega to Bujumbura. On the way, stop in a traditional Tutsi pastoral community to learn more about the daily life of this cow herders. The Tutsis’ most precios value are cows. In the old times they only had long horned Ankole animals but nowadays these are rare to see. Picnic lunch. Arrival in Bujumbura and boat ride along the shores of Lake Tanganyika to meet a Hutu fishing community.

Accommodation in Kiriri Residence Hotel or similar. HB (lunch)

Breakfast. Drive to the DR Congo border. Paperwork and drive through beautiful scenery towards Bukavu an old Belgian colonial city on the shores of Lake Kivu, the deepest lake in Africa. Picnic lunch on the way. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Elila Hotel or similar. HB (lunch)

Early breakfast. Drive to Kahuzi Biega National Parks headquarters. Introductory talk about the trekking and observation of the Eastern Lowland Gorillas on the wild. The trekking can last between 2 to 5 hours and there is steep walking. For those travellers not willing to trek, we will organise some cultural activities around Bukavu such as village and market visits. Picnic lunch. After the trekking and observation of the biggest species of African gorillas, we will drive back to Bukavu for some rest. In the afternoon we will do a walking tour around the city’s colonial quarter and we will visit the Art Deco church.

Accommodation in Elila Hotel or similar. HB (lunch)

Breakfast. Drive to Bukavu lake port to take a private motor boat to Goma. On the way we will stop in Idjwi Island, governed by a Tutsi king and visit a fishing community. Picnic lunch. After the visit, we will continue to Goma, DR Congo’s second largest city. We will visit Goma’s lava tongues from Nyiragongo Volcano and check for the peculiar robot lights in some street junctions.

Accommodation in Hotel Cap Kivu or similar. HB (lunch)

Breakfast and transfer to the airport. We will take a domestic flight to the capital. Arrival in Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo and the fastest growing city in Africa, with almost 20 million inhabitants. Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation at: Stella Hotel or similar. BB

Breakfast. Last visits and shopping. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport to take your international flight back home. BB