On arrival at Kigali International Airport you will be met by our representative and, unless you require some last minute shopping for essentials, will set off north towards the sleepy border town of Gisenyi. En route you will be able to stop at handicraft shops, bustling villages, and scenic viewpoints to soak in the crafted beauty, entrepreneurial spirit and natural splendour of Rwanda. This short 3-hour drive will soon have you admiring a myriad of volcanic cones towering all around you, and before you know it you will be gazing onto the blue placid waters of Lake Kivu. On arrival at your accommodation for the night (Paradis Malahide Hotel) you will have a chance to freshen up, maybe take a swim in the lake, enjoy the sunset and indulge in a delicious home-cooked dinner at the lake’s edge. Before you retire, our DR Congo aide will come meet you at the hotel in order to debrief you on border crossing proceedings and a debrief on the hiking logistics involved the following day.