Highlight

Welcome to a once-in-a-lifetime 13-days journey that combines the breathtaking wildlife experiences of Tanzania with the majestic mountain gorillas encounters in Rwanda. This curated adventure takes you through some of East Africa’s most iconic destinations, blending the thrill of the safari in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania with the serenity of trekking through lush forests of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Brief Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE KILIMANJARO AIRPORT/ TRANSFER TO ARUSHA

DAY 2: ARUSHA CITY TOUR/ TRANSFER TO NGORONGORO CRATER

DAY 3: ON SAFARI IN NGORONGORO CRATER

DAY 4: TRANSFER TO CENTRAL SERENGETI

DAY 5: ON SAFARI IN CENTRAL SERENGETI

DAY 6: TRANSFER TO NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN SERENGETI DEPENDING ON THE SEASON

DAY 7: ON SAFARI IN NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN SERENGETI

DAY 8: ON SAFARI IN NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN SERENGETI

DAY 9: FLY BACK TO ARUSHA

DAY 10: ARRIVAL IN KIGALI RWANDA

DAY 11: KIGALI CITY TOUR/ TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK REGION

DAY 12: MOUNTAIN GORILLAS TREKKING/ RWANDAN CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

DAY 13: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING/ TRANSFER BACK TO KIGALI CITY DEPARTURE FLIGHT

 

Detailed Itinerary

 DAY 1: ARRIVE KILIMANJARO AIRPORT/ TRANSFER TO ARUSHA

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our wonderful team, after a short safari briefing, you will be transferred to you lodge in Arusha, relax at your lodge and familiarize yourself with the new environment.

DAY 2: ARUSHA CITY TOUR/ TRANSFER TO NGORONGORO CRATER

Today you will do a guided city tour in Arusha, have lunch, and then transfer to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa the (Ngorongoro Conservation Area). the world’s largest volcanic caldera which covers 1,968 feet (600 m) in depth and 100 sq miles (260 sq km). the crater is one of the few places in East Africa where visitors are sure to see black rhinos, on arrival you will check in your lodge, enjoy the relaxed late afternoon at the lodge.

DAY 3: ON SAFARI IN NGORONGORO CRATER

Today we will Explore The world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife, the famous Ngorongoro Crater with high chances of encountering the big five including: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos and a year-round haven for zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes as you descend into the vast caldera. Have a picnic lunch and visit the nearby Maasai village, Interact with the Maasai community and have an insight into their cultures and traditions. Then after go to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: TRANSFER TO CENTRAL SERENGETI

Today after breakfast you will vacate Ngorongoro crater and transfer to Serengeti, the journey from the Ngorongoro Crater to Central Serengeti is as much a part of the safari adventure as the destinations themselves, en route, You might like to visit the World Heritage Site of Olduvai Gorge where there’s a museum of the fossils of the earliest known human remains. You continue with a game-viewing drive as you start arriving in the central Serengeti, check in your safari lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: ON SAFARI IN CENTRAL SERENGETI

A full day in the Serengeti National Park is an immersive journey into one of Africa’s most iconic wildernesses, where the rhythm of life unfolds in its raw and captivating form, this is a day to connect with the wild, where every turn of the game track offers the chance to create unforgettable memories in one of the world’s most celebrated landscapes. Lunch will be served at the lodge, whether you’re witnessing a pride of lions on the hunt, marvelling at the acrobatics of leaping gazelles, or soaking in the serenity of a hidden kopje, a full day here is a testament to nature’s splendour and resilience, you will end the day with a sunset game drive and go back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: TRANSFER TO NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN SERENGETI DEPENDING ON THE SEASON

Today If you’re travelling in Calving Season (January – March), you will be heading to the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu and Salei Plains), where the herds gather on the nutrient-rich grasslands to give birth to thousands of calves daily and predators like Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas thrive during this time, preying on the vulnerable young ones. This is A time of renewal and dramatic predator-prey interactions.

And if you are travelling in River Crossings season (July – September) you will be heading to the Northern Serengeti and Mara River. This is the most dramatic phase, with herds braving crocodile-infested waters of the Mara and Grumeti Rivers. This time big cats and crocodiles lie in wait, creating intense wildlife drama.

DAY 7: ON SAFARI IN NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN SERENGETI

Today if you are travelling in River crossing season (July – September) you will Witness one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles as wildebeests and zebras risk their lives to cross the crocodile-infested Mara River. The crossings are unpredictable and can last from minutes to hours, offering edge-of-your-seat while Watch herds face challenges from predators like crocodiles, lions, and leopards.

And if you’re travelling in Calving Season (January – March), you will witness hundreds of thousands of wildebeests gather to give birth to their young ones and large number of predators, including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, eager to prey on vulnerable calves, watching these interactions between predator and prey is both intense and thrilling, offering unmatched wildlife moments. After this never-ending struggle part of nature. Go back to the lodge for refreshments and overnight. Lunch, dinner, and breakfast at the lodge.

DAY 8: ON SAFARI IN NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN SERENGETI

A second full day in Northern or Southern Serengeti to appreciate the complexities of the river crossing (Migration) or Calving season in all its raw might. It’s emotional, you can’t help but be awed by the scale of what you see, yet there’s time to witness individual scenes as well as the macrocosm. Your guide knows the area intimately and takes great pride and pleasure in making sure you get the very best out of your time in this special place. Tonight, you will enjoy your last dinner of the safari as you recall its many highlights.

DAY 9: FLY BACK TO ARUSHA

Today you will enjoy the breakfast at the lodge, pack your bags and transfer to the airstrip for the flight to Arusha, where you will catch a connecting flight to Kigali Rwanda for the Majestic Mountain Gorillas Trekking

DAY 10: ARRIVAL IN KIGALI RWANDA

Up on arrival at the Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our wonderful team and transferred to your accommodation in Kigali.  Please take your time to rest from your flight, walk around the hotel to familiarize yourself with the new environment.

DAY 11: KIGALI CITY TOUR/ TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK REGION

After Having your Breakfast, check out of the lodge, your driver guide will take you for a guided Kigali city tour, here you will visit Kigali Genocide Memorial site where you will learn more about the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda, visit the car free zone area of Kigali, visit the local markets of Kigali, and then go for Lunch in one of the best restaurants in Kigali.

After lunch, you will vacate Kigali City and start heading to Volcanoes National Park region which is about 2-3 hours drive enjoying the beautiful landscape of Rwanda the land of thousand hills. Arrive at your accommodation, get rest preparing for the once in a lifetime experience of Mountain Gorillas Trekking in the next morning.

DAY 12: MOUNTAIN GORILLAS TREKKING/ RWANDAN CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Today you will have an early breakfast and at 6:30 am you will be picked by your driver guide and head to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters, arrive at the park headquarters around 7 am, meet the ranger guides and other visitors whom you will go together for the Mountain Gorillas Trekking.

Have a briefing about the Mountain Gorillas family you are going to visit, how you should behave with them and then drive to the Mountain Gorillas Trekking starting point, start trekking at around 8am which takes approximately 3-6 hours depending on how the gorillas are moving, after you have found the Mountain Gorillas you will spend 1 full hour with them, learning more about them and taking pictures (remember to mute your devices and switching off the flashlights). after this you will exit the Volcanoes National Park and head back to the starting point.

your driver guide will be waiting for you at the starting point and will take you to back to the Lodge for Lunch and Refreshments and later in the evening, go for the Rwandan Culture Experience at Ibyiwacu culture village, later on come back to your accommodation for rest and another night stay.

DAY 13: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING/ TRANSFER BACK TO KIGALI CITY DEPARTURE FLIGHT

Today also you will have an early breakfast and at 6:30 am you will be picked by your driver guide and head to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters, arrive at the park headquarters around 7 am, meet the ranger guides and other visitors whom you will go together for the Golden Monkeys Trekking.

Have a briefing about Golden Monkeys, how you should behave with them and then drive to the Golden Monkeys Trekking starting point, start trekking at around 8am which takes approximately 2-4 hours depending on how the Golden Monkeys are moving, after you have found the Golden Monkeys, you will spend 1 full hour with them, learning more about them and taking pictures (remember to mute your devices and switching off the flashlights). after this you will exit the Volcanoes National Park and head back to the starting point.

your driver guide will be waiting for you at the starting point and will take you to back to the Lodge for Lunch and Refreshments, after that your driver guide will bring you back in Kigali drop you at Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of 13 days Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Tanzania Safari & Rwanda Mountain Gorillas Trekking.

Where to Stay

 Arusha:

Luxury: Kibo Palace Hotel Arusha, Lake Duluti Lodge, Gran Melia Lodge, Four Points by Sheraton Arusha

Midrange: Karama Lodge, Green Mountain Hotel, Equator Hotel, Kutoka lodge

Budget: Swahili villa, Savannah house, Mufasa city hostel,

Ngorongoro Crater:

Luxury: AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, The Highlands Lodge, Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp

Midrange: NGORONGORO WILDLIFE LODGE, NGORONGORO FOREST TENTED LODGES, OCTAGON LODGE

Budget: Simba campsite, Jambo rooms, Sumawe Suites, Rhino lodge.

Central Serengeti:

Luxury: Singita Grumeti, AndBeyond Grumeti, Asilia Namiri Plains Camp, Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.

Midrange: Melia Serengeti Lodge, Nyikani camp central Serengeti, Nimali Central Serengeti

Budget: Seronera Campsite, Serengeti Wild Camp, Kati Kati Tented Camp, Nyani Campsite

 Northern Serengeti:

Luxury: MARA MARA TENTED LODGE, SINGITA MARA RIVER TENTED CAMP, UBUNTU MIGRATION CAMP (ASILIA AFRICA), ANDBEYOND SERENGETI UNDER CANVAS, SERENGETI WILDERNESS CAMP

Midrange: NYIKANI MIGRATION CAMP, SERENGETI BUSHTOPS CAMP, NIMALI MARA

Budget: Lobo Campsite,

Southern Serengeti:

Luxury: SERENGETI WILDERNESS CAMP, UBUNTU MIGRATION CAMP (ASILIA AFRICA), LEMALA NDUTU CAMP, ANDBEYOND SERENGETI UNDER CANVAS

Midrange: LAKE NDUTU LUXURY TENTED LODGE, NYASI MIGRATIONAL CAMP, NDUTU SAFARI LODGE, NYIKANI MIGRATION CAMP

Budget: public campsite

Kigali City Rwanda:

Luxury: The Retreat Rwanda by Heaven, Kigali Serena Hotel, Radisson Blue hotel, Four Points by Sheraton

Midrange: Hotel Des Mille Collines, Eagle View Lodge, Hotel Chez Lando, Urban City Blue Hotel

Budget: Rwandeka guest house, Nyumbani cottages

Volcanoes National Park Region:

Luxury: One and Only Gorillas nest lodge, Singita Kwitonda lodge, Sabyinyo silverback lodge, Bisate lodge, Virunga lodge.

Midrange: Sambora Kinigi, Virunga Inn Resort, Mountain Gorilla view lodge, Davinci Gorilla Lodge

Budget: Muhabura Hotel, Fatima hotel, Best View Hotel