$5,290 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
Upon arrival in Kigali, you'll be met by your Shadows of Africa driver and begin the ninety-minute drive to Musanze, Rwanda's second largest city. Located in the foothills surrounding the famous Volcanoes National Park, Musanze is a dynamic town with a variety of dining and entertainment options.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to visit the nearby Twin Lakes or pay a visit to the Iby Iwacu Cultural Village.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Wildlife in Volcanoes NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you'll proceed directly to the Volcanoes National Park's headquarters to meet your guides. After completing the briefing, you'll embark on the once in a lifetime experience of tracking the enigmatic mountain gorillas.
There is no guarantee how long or difficult your tracking experience will be as it depends on where the family of gorillas is and on weather conditions. It can take anywhere from two up to six hours of trekking through the mountain forest at relatively high altitudes. Fitness is definitely recommended for those wishing to undertake the excursion.
It's one of the most memorable experiences you're likely to ever have. You'll be allowed an hour of close contact with the gorillas once you've found them. You'll be privileged enough to come within mere metres of a family of these rare and beautiful animals, observing their family dynamics and getting to learn a bit about each gorilla's distinct personality in serene silence.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Kigali - Arusha
Kigali - Arusha
You'll return to Kigali in time for lunch in the Rwandan capital before participating in a complimentary city tour including the Genocide Memorial, the Presidential Palace Museum, and the local craft markets.
The opportunity to have lunch at the famous Mille Collines Hotel (Hotel Rwanda) is also a highlight of your day.
You'll fly to Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Airport in the afternoon/early evening and have an overnight in Arusha.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City, Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Olerai Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Arusha - Lake Manyara National Park or Tarangire National Park
Arusha - Lake Manyara National Park or Tarangire National Park
On this day, you can choose to go to Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. Depending on the time of year, each of these parks offers a different safari experience. Your guide can advise you as to which is best to visit during your safari.
Tarangire National Park
Once you've entered Tarangire, you'll begin your game drive across a rich vista of endless golden savannah that surrounds the Tarangire River. The river itself runs throughout the year and is a vital source of water for the animals of the region during the dry season. Lined with acacia and baobab trees, the river is regularly visited by the park's large elephant population as well as other herbivores such as zebras and antelopes.
Lake Manyara National Park
Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac-breasted roller.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Marera Valley Lodge
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Lake Manyara/Tarangire National Park - Serengeti National Park
Lake Manyara/Tarangire National Park - Serengeti National Park
We'll take an early breakfast, as we've got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of us!
We'll begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way, we'll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to glimpse cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth.
After a delicious lunch at the Serengeti National Park picnic area, it’s time to explore the Serengeti itself. Witness Africa’s iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains.
Dinner and your overnight stay are in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
-
Thorn Tree Camp
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro
After breakfast, we get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Crater National Park.
Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.
You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.
Dinner and your overnight stay are on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Highlands (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Marera Valley Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha
You'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you'll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.
Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world. It's a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.
From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognisable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, cape buffalos, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
