21 Days - Gorilla, Safari & Zanzibar
Kigali - Mgahinga Nationalpark - Volcanoes Nationalpark - Arusha - Lake Natron - Serengeti - Moshi - Zanzibar
Highlights
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you discover the diversity of East Africa!
Spot the ‘Big 5’ in the vastness of the Serengeti and go in search of the majestic mountain gorillas in the lush green rainforest. Then, treat yourself to a relaxing break on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar, where you can immerse yourself in the aroma of foreign spices and be captivated by the multicultural mix and eventful history of the island.
Welcome to the magic of East Africa!
Gorilla Experience
The chance to encounter the majestic mountain gorillas is one of the most incredible experiences for any animal and nature lover in Africa!
You will follow in the footsteps of the famous researcher Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to the protection and research of these impressive animals.
But before you get the chance to meet one of the gorilla families accustomed to humans, you will be briefed on tracking etiquette by an experienced park ranger at the national park headquarters. You’ll learn all about the family you’re about to visit, like the name of the silverback, which adults and young belong to the group, and whether there are any babies.Some of the hikes take you deep into the volcanic landscape, where you’ll meet ‘your’ family and spend an unforgettable hour observing the gentle giants. It’s an amazing experience!
Individual travel to Kigali in Rwanda.
Murakaza neza mu Rwanda – Welcome to Rwanda!
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your lodge. Relax from the journey and enjoy the breathtaking views of Kigali. You have an optional afternoon to explore the capital.
Later you will meet your guide for a briefing on your four day tour in Rwanda and Uganda.
After a delicious breakfast, we’re off on an adventure to the border with Uganda! En route, we’ll have the incredible opportunity to visit the Genocide Museum in Kigali, where we’ll learn more about the vibrant history of Rwanda. This memorial is a permanent tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide. This poignant centre was opened on the tenth anniversary of the genocide in April 2004 and was built on a site where more than 250,000 people are buried.
We will have lunch at the delightful Migano Cafe on the way to the border.
A scenic drive takes us towards Uganda en route with views of forests, volcanoes and lakes.
The journey from Kigali to the border is approximately 2.5 hours, and from the border to our accommodation, it’s just 15 km.
Welcome to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a World Heritage Site and one of the oldest habitats in the world!
Here, you’ll find around 400 of the amazing mountain gorillas, making it one of the best places on the planet to see these incredible creatures up close. It’s an unforgettable experience to see these endangered species in their natural habitat.
And for birdwatchers, it’s a paradise with over 350 species, including 23 of the 24 species found only in the Albertine Rift and several endangered species like the African green broadbill.
The rainy season is from March to May and from October to November, and the dry season is from December to February and from June to August.
Today is going to be amazing! We get to go gorilla trekking!
After breakfast, we’re off to the national park, where we’ll meet our awesome local ranger and guide.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Make sure you take plenty of water and waterproof clothing (it might start raining at any moment), and don’t forget protective covers for your camera.
Wear long clothes to protect your arms and legs from the bushes and shrubs in the forest.
Then, there will be a briefing, after which we will be divided into small groups of up to eight people. And then the adventure begins as we set off to find the majestic gorillas in the volcanic mountains! Seeing these gentle giants up close is an experience you will never forget.You will hike through the bamboo jungle of the national park, listening to the sounds of the forest along the way. The breaking of bamboo signals that you are very close to the gorillas and suddenly you find yourself face to face with one of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on earth. After observing the animals in their natural environment for an hour, you hike back to the starting point.
You will have time for refreshments before we leave Uganda via the nearby border and drive to Ruhengeri. The journey time from the border is approximately 50 minutes.
When you arrive at your accommodation, you’ll have time to relax and reflect on the incredible experiences of the day.
The active, lively little creatures are incredibly entertaining as they swing through the bamboo or chase each other in circles around and above you. They blend in perfectly with their surroundings and are very pretty, with their shiny red and gold backs.
Found only in the Virunga Mountains, which straddle the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, these adorable golden monkeys are an endangered species, so it’s fantastic that Rwanda and Uganda are the only two countries where visitors have the opportunity to observe them up close on a trek.
Embark on a thrilling hike through the bamboo forest to catch a glimpse of these playful primates at the foot of the mountain range, and experience the relative flatness of the terrain, which makes for an easy hike. After your hike, be sure to visit the Dian Fossey exhibition on the Ellen Degeneres Campus to learn more about these amazing creatures. The Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a recently constructed marvel, is right next to the national park, and is dedicated to the increased protection and research of the mountain gorillas: https://gorillafund.org/
After a day filled with adventure, we’ll drive back to Kigali, with an estimated journey time of 3 hours. You’ll have a night to unwind in Kigali before jetting off to Tanzania the next morning for another incredible experience: the Serengeti National Park!
In the morning, our driver will take you to Kigali Airport. At noon you will take your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania via Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro Airport.
The gorilla permit is included in the tour price and is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. This amount must be paid in full at the time of booking. The availability of the gorilla permit must be reconfirmed. The number of permits is very limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Safari in Tanzania
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you embark on an exhilarating safari through the untouched beauty of northern Tanzania! Prepare to be mesmerized by the majestic national parks of Lake Natron and the Serengeti, where an abundance of wildlife thrives in a breathtaking landscape that’s nothing short of a dream. This safari is not to be missed, especially the part where you’ll drive through the wild volcanic terrain of Ngorongoro, all the way to Lake Natron.
The endless starry sky of African nights becomes an unforgettable experience in the midst of magnificent natural paradises with a crackling campfire and the sounds of the wilderness.
In the morning, our driver will take you to Kigali Airport, and at noon you will board your flight to Tanzania via Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro Airport.
Welcome to the magic of Tanzania!
We can’t wait to welcome you at Kilimanjaro Airport, and after you have collected your luggage, we will be delighted to greet you. We will take the direct route to Arusha, which takes about an hour. We’ll check in at the lodge, where you’ll arrive and be treated to local delicacies from the country house kitchen.
Our friendly guide will welcome you for a briefing, discuss your programme with you, and explain everything you need to know about the adventure-packed time in the bush ahead of you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our friendly, courteous service!
Today, we’re setting off for an amazing adventure along the Rift Valley, all the way to the breathtaking Lake Natron. This stunning sandy track takes you through an impressive, wild volcanic landscape, where you’ll get to experience the unique culture of the Maasai people as you drive past their small villages. From a distance, you can already get a glimpse of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai’s God Mountain, which is a truly breathtaking sight to behold. In the late afternoon, you’ll meet our local guide, a Maasai, at the lodge. He will invite you on a walk through the village of Engare Sero to get a real feel for the traditional life of the Maasai tribe.
Get ready for your adventure as you spend the morning exploring the mesmerising Lake Natron! From June to November, over 2 million lesser flamingos gather here to breed, making it an incredible spectacle to behold. These flamingos nest on the small salt islands that form during the dry season and feed on the algae that grows in the salt water. Next, you’ll take an invigorating hike through a gorge to the Engare Sero waterfall, where you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing swim in the wonderfully cool spring water under a thundering waterfall from the Ngorongoro massif.
In the late afternoon, you will also go on an amazing hike to the incredible hominid footprints in the concession area. Recent research has confirmed that these well-preserved human footprints are an astonishing 120.000 years old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens footprints ever found.
Today is going to be an adventure! You’ll be setting off early in the morning for a long drive through Maasai land into the Serengeti. You’ll be treated to stunning views of the Rift Valley.
At Klein’s Gate, you’ll enter the Serengeti Conservation Area. This world-famous nature reserve is an animal lover’s dream, covering an area of almost 15.000 square kilometres and boasting wide open plains with an abundance of game. As you drive into the heart of the Serengeti, you’ll be in for a treat as you can already observe many wild animals en route. You’ll reach your tented camp in the middle of the Serengeti, where you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Get ready and soar up with the sun for a truly unique experience! Your hot air balloon safari adventure begins before the sun even rises, with a vehicle from the hot air balloon company picking you up at your lodge and taking you to the starting point. Depending on the weather conditions, departure is scheduled for 06:30. During the flight, you’ll be amazed at the vast plains of the Serengeti from an uninterrupted bird’s eye view. Your pilot will do their best to spot wildlife and will lower the balloon to give you a better view. The flight takes about an hour, depending on the weather. To round off an unforgettable morning, you will enjoy an exclusive champagne breakfast.
Freshly fortified, we set off on our game drive into the Serengeti to discover the wildlife from the safari jeep.The park is home to the Big Five all year round and has a particularly dense population of lions. You’ll be thrilled to see whole prides resting on a hill. The savannah grassland is also an ideal hunting ground for cheetahs, as it offers these fast predators perfect conditions for undisturbed hunting. Giraffes, impalas and elands use the grasslands for grazing, creating a truly amazing natural spectacle.
After a delicious breakfast, you’ll be off on another thrilling game drive in the amazing Serengeti. Then, you’ll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in the park before we head out of the national park and drive to Moshi.
You’ll have a fantastic evening in a relaxed atmosphere at your lodge in Moshi, where you can enjoy all the amenities of our service.
Your final day in Tanzania is all about the amazing world of coffee!
You’ll start your African day early with an across the lush slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the village of Materuni, perched at an impressive 1.800 metres above sea level. This region boasts the perfect blend of climate and soil, making it the perfect place for the finest coffee in Africa. You’ll have the chance to visit a coffee farm and learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed. You’ll even get to try your hand at roasting and preparing a fresh cup of coffee the Chagga way!
The day starts with a walk to the stunning Materuni waterfall, where you’ll get to see how local fruits like avocados, mangoes, lemons, and bananas grow. You’ll also learn about the local history and traditions, making it a truly immersive experience.
Zanzibar
There are places in the world whose names alone are enough to make us dream and make our longing and wanderlust grow. And if there is a paradise, then it is this island in East Africa: Zanzibar. When you hear the name, you dream of paradisiacal beaches, turquoise-coloured water, exotic spices, palm trees and friendly people. Because on Zanzibar, people smile a lot and the cheerful greeting ‘Jambo!’ can be heard from everywhere.
We drive you to Arusha airport, where you’ll catch your flight to Zanzibar. As you soar through the sky, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Tanzanian landscape, with its stunning natural beauty stretching out below you. And the icing on the cake? A breathtaking glimpse of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, a true highlight of your unforgettable safari adventure.
Upon your arrival on the spice island of Zanzibar, you’ll be greeted by our friendly driver at the airport. Then it’s off to your beach lodge, where the rest of your dream vacation awaits!
The spice island of Zanzibar – exotic, romantic, mysterious – offers you the perfect extension after your exciting safari. The former Eldorado of adventurers, explorers, traders and sailors attracts visitors with its unique cultural mix of African, Arabic, Indian and Persian influences. Kilometres of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters promise pure relaxation and recreation. Diving or snorkelling trips and sailing tours on a ‘dhow’ can be undertaken.
Enjoy the ‘Hakuna Matata Feeling’ in your lodge.
A late check-out can be arranged on this last day. Our driver will take you to Zanzibar airport. Now it’s time to say goodbye to Tanzania!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All Entrance fees
- All Meals
- Transit fees
- Crater services
- Safari car 4×4 landcruesers
- Bottle of mineral water 1.5 litres each day
- All accommodations
- Local guide and program Gorilla Trekking
- Gorilla Permit
- Flightticket Rwanda – Tanzania – Zanzibar
- Hot-Air-Ballon trip
- English speaking guide
NOT INCLUDED
- International Flight
- Travel Insurance
- Tipping
- Safari add-ons
- Other personal expenses out of the mentioned above
- Zanzibar Infrastructure Tax (up to US$5/day/person – payable directly to the hotel)
- Zanzibar Travel Insurance $44/person