Rwanda gorillas & Tanzania wildlife – 9 days
$5,038
Prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime! Your journey kicks off in the captivating city of Kigali, Rwanda. Immerse yourself in the tragic yet integral history of the Rwandan people at the compelling Rwanda Genocide Museum. The next destination is the renowned Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll have the incredible opportunity to track majestic mountain gorillas.
After an unforgettable experience with the gorillas, you will fly to Tanzania to explore its world-famous wildlife parks, including Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. These parks are home to East Africa’s diverse wildlife, from the African “Big Five” to countless other fascinating animals. Brace yourself for the awe-inspiring landscape between Ngorongoro and Serengeti – it’s a sight unlike any other!
Prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime! Your journey begins in the captivating city of Kigali, Rwanda, where you’ll explore the Rwanda Genocide Museum, a powerful memorial that shares the tragic yet defining history of the Rwandan people. From there, venture into Volcanoes National Park for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of tracking the majestic mountain gorillas.
After your unforgettable encounter with the gorillas, fly to Tanzania to explore its world-renowned wildlife parks—Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. These iconic landscapes are home to the African “Big Five” and countless other fascinating species. Between the sweeping plains of Serengeti and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, every moment promises awe-inspiring scenery and extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive in Rwanda Kigali – Transfer to your hotel
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), your safari guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, just 20 minutes away in Kigali town. In the evening, your guide will provide a full briefing on your itinerary, share essential tips for the journey ahead, and answer any questions you may have before you set off for Volcanoes National Park the next day for your unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.
Heaven Boutique Hotel
This charming 4-star hotel, adorned with authentic Rwandan décor, features 28 rooms spread across two properties on a quiet residential road. Guests can relax in its lush tropical gardens while enjoying sweeping views of Kigali town.
Kigali city tour – Volcanoes National Park
Today begins with a guided tour of Kigali city, where you’ll explore the bustling local market and visit the Genocide Memorial site and museum. After enjoying lunch in town, you’ll head north to the Ruhengeri region, nestled at the foothills of the Volcanoes Mountains and near Volcanoes National Park.
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, located in the Musanze district—one of Rwanda’s most visited cities—sits conveniently along the road to Volcanoes National Park, just 20 minutes from the park’s headquarters. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for exploring the park. The hotel offers 13 rooms, including standard double and twin options, all overlooking beautifully maintained gardens.
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
You’ll begin the day with a briefing on gorilla trekking regulations before setting off on a thrilling trek to meet the magnificent gorillas and take in breathtaking views of the Virungas. During your one-hour encounter, you’ll observe these gentle giants as they play, feed, and interact within their natural habitat. Afterward, return to your hotel for lunch, relaxation, and the option to enjoy a range of additional activities.
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, located in the Musanze district—one of Rwanda’s most visited cities—sits conveniently along the road to Volcanoes National Park, just 20 minutes from the park’s headquarters. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for exploring the park. The hotel offers 13 rooms, including standard double and twin options, all overlooking beautifully maintained gardens.
Fly to Tanzania
After breakfast, you will be driven to Kigali Airport (KGL) for your international flight to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). Upon arrival, our representative will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may attend a safari briefing at our Arusha office before proceeding to the lodge for an overnight stay. For late arrivals, the briefing will take place the following morning.
Arusha Serena Lodge
Extraordinary natural beauty, sweeping views of Lake Duluti, lush gardens, and the charm of a colonial-era coffee farm distinguish Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa as one of Tanzania’s most serene and timeless retreats. The property features 42 rooms styled as stone cottages, each echoing a classic country house with tiled floors, leaded windows, and French doors that open onto beautiful vistas of the gardens and the lake.
Tarangire National Park
Today, you will be driven 2.5 hours southwest to Tarangire National Park, famed for hosting the largest concentration of elephants in Northern Tanzania. Alongside these giants, the park teems with lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and many other remarkable wildlife species. Bird enthusiasts will also be delighted, as Tarangire is home to more than 550 species, including the world’s largest bird—the Maasai ostrich. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Farm House
This midrange exclusive hotel is set on a 1,235-acre coffee farm nestled within a picturesque woodland area, just 2.5 miles (4 km) from the entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Designed to evoke the charm and comfort of a bygone era, the hotel features 48 ground-level cottage rooms, each with a private terrace or balcony overlooking the lush gardens or surrounding coffee plantation.
Serengeti National Park
Let yourself be inspired by the beauty and wonder of the Serengeti, where acacia trees and granite kopjes rise above endless waves of grass. Your time will be dedicated to exploring the heart of the Central Serengeti, a region that offers daily opportunities to encounter Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife. Expect to witness large prides of lions, swift cheetahs, elephants, leopards, towering giraffes, abundant hippos, and a dazzling array of birdlife.
Signature Serengeti Camp
Signature Serengeti Camp is nestled in the Makoma Hills of Central Serengeti, offering an ideal setting for immersive wildlife experiences. The camp features 10 spacious luxury safari tents, each elevated on wooden platforms to maximise views of the sweeping landscape and passing wildlife. Guests can unwind on expansive viewing decks, and the camp is designed with accessibility in mind, including wheelchair-friendly facilities.
Ngorongoro Crater Tour
The Ngorongoro Crater, just 10 miles (16 kilometers) wide, was formed around three million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed. Today, it stands as the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is home to over 25,000 resident animals, making it one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth. In the grass-covered steppes and acacia forests, you can spot nearly every species found in the East African savanna—including the iconic African Big Five.
The Retreat at Ngorongoro
Themed around nature with indigenous trees, lush gardens, thriving bushes, and abundant birdlife, The Retreat at Ngorongoro features 27 spacious guest cottages designed to accommodate singles, couples, and families. Nestled in a local village near Karatu town, this peaceful lodge is perfectly located for a day trip to the Ngorongoro Crater, just a short drive from one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.
Departure day with optional activities
Today, enjoy a leisurely morning with breakfast and a delicious hot lunch at your beautiful lodge before heading to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your outbound flight. It’s an emotional farewell for us—but only with the hope that you’ll return one day!
If you’d like to make the most of your final day, you may opt for one of the following activities before your departure:
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Lake Manyara biking adventure and local community visit
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Maasai Cultural visit with traditional hot lunch