Kibeho, Rwanda: 8-day pilgrimage to listen to the Mother of the Word, November 26 to December 3, 2025

Arrive at Kigali airport, where you'll be met by your pilgrimage guide. They'll be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a sign reading "ATTRACTIVE SAFARIS". After greeting you and explaining the program of your pilgrimage, he'll take you to your accommodation. Weather permitting, daily mass in the Carmel/Kigali monastery chapel. After dinner, rest after such a long flight.

After mass and an early breakfast, departure for Kibeho. On the way, visit the Royal Court Museum in Nyanza, seat of the ancient kingdom of Rwanda before the arrival of Europeans. The royal court was the center of an intense cultural and artistic life, with poets, singers and dancers enlivening the royal evenings. During the day, Nyanza attracted merchants, herders and craftsmen. Nyanza's impressive royal palace, a gigantic dome built entirely from traditional materials, has been carefully restored to its 19th-century state and turned into a museum.

Lunch in Butare.

At 2:00 pm, continuation to Kibeho (approx. 1h45 drive), check-in and room assignment (3:00-4:00 pm).

Participation in the solemn vigil for the Feast of the Mother of the Word in Kibeho (approx. 4.30pm-9pm).

- 4:30pm: vigil mass at the apparition site in Kibeho

- 6:00 pm: torchlight procession with the statue of Our Lady of Kibeho.

- 8:00 pm: conference - sacrament of reconciliation - rosary - Marian prayer vigil

- Return to hotel for dinner (9:00 pm)

After breakfast, from 8:00am to 9:00am: discovery of the Notre-Dame des Douleurs shrine, prayer at the apparition site, Adoration chapel...

9:00 am: sacrament of reconciliation

10:00 am: Rosary of the Seven Sorrows

11:00 am: Solemn mass on the shrine esplanade.

After mass, lunch at your accommodation.

After lunch, visit the "Centre des Pères Mariaux de l'Immaculée Conception" in Nyarushishi, 2 km from Kibeho, and pray before the statue of Divine Mercy. Since 2004, a giant bronze statue of the Merciful Jesus, weighing 2 tonnes and measuring 5 metres in height, has stood in Nyarushishi, at the Marian Formation Centre of the Pères Mariaux de l'Immaculée Conception. This statue has a wonderful story to tell. Since then, a visit to Nyarushishi has become a must for pilgrims coming to Kibeho.

After breakfast, subject to confirmation, meeting and discussion with the rector of the sanctuary, followed by an interview with the Kibeho seer (Nathalie Mukamazimpaka), meditation and various prayer walks (Way of the Cross, Holy Rosary Walk, Seven Sorrows Walk).

After lunch, drive to the Benedictine monks of Gihindamuyaga. On the way back, visit the cathedral of the Butare diocese, the first Catholic church in Rwanda, built in Save in 1900, then on to the Benedictine monastery of Gihindamuyaga. Time permitting, and subject to confirmation, an evening meeting with the Benedictine monks to discuss their history and ministry in Rwanda.

Morning mass. After breakfast, drive to the Shrine of Merciful Jesus in Ruhango. The Shrine of Merciful Jesus in Ruhango was inaugurated by the Pope's envoy to Rwanda on April 27, 2014. Here in Ruhango, religious tourists from all over Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC and Uganda gather on the first Sunday of every month. Over 40,000 pilgrims come here every first Sunday of the month in search of divine grace. Site visit, conference, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. After lunch at Centre Ruhango, continuation to Ruhengeri via Gitarama. On the way, visit the minor basilica of Kabgayi.

Morning mass. After breakfast, visit to Ruhengeri Cathedral: meditation and prayer at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. At Fatima, the Virgin Mary appeared as a Mother. The children saw her as a very humble and extremely beautiful woman. As Mother, she is the protector of her children. So, since its foundation in 1954, the parish of Ruhengeri has been dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. When the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima was inaugurated in 2001, the entire diocese was dedicated to this same Mother. And on May 13, 2015, during his pilgrimage to Fatima, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ruhengeri renewed the act of consecration of the diocese to Our Lady of Fatima.

Lunch in Ruhengeri.

After lunch, visit to the volcanic region and the "Iby'iwacu cultural village", with a performance of Rwandan folk dances. A very moving experience of Rwandan tradition, culture and customs.

Return to Kigali.

Transfer time: 3 hours

At 5 a.m., departure for Akagera National Park for wildlife viewing. This park is one of Rwanda's most famous savannah reserves. On a safari through the park from south to north (approx. 7 hours), you'll see many species of animal, including the Big 5 (lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo and, if you're lucky, leopards), giraffes, zebras, antelopes, impalas, oribis and the elusive bushbuck. The elusive bushbuck, but also the graceful tsessebe tsessebe and the world's largest antelope, the majestic Cepeeland...). The park is also home to almost 500 species of bird, including the spectacular shoebill, with its incredibly massive beak, and the almost endemic red-faced bearded duck. You can also admire the park's magnificent panoramic scenery, with its hills and marshes.

Lunch at Mihindi campsite.

After lunch, continuation of the safari in the northern Akagera area.

Return to Kigali.

After breakfast, visit the city of Kigali to discover its different aspects. This guided tour will take you to the main sights of your choice, such as the Gisozi genocide memorial, the Regina Pacis church, the city's administrative and commercial districts, Richard Kandt's first residence, the Belgian paratroopers' cemetery, and much more. Farewell lunch in Kigali. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.