$9,876 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
After breakfast in Kigali, meet your safari guide for a city tour, beginning at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and Rwanda’s journey towards reconciliation and recovery.
Continue northwest through scenic countryside, passing terraced hills, traditional villages and rural communities en route to Volcanoes National Park, with views of the magnificent Virunga volcanoes.
Upon arrival, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, subject to opening hours and availability, to discover mountain gorilla conservation and Dian Fossey’s legacy. Afterwards, experience Rwandan traditions at Gorilla Guardians Village through cultural performances, demonstrations and community activities.
Later, check in at your lodge and enjoy dinner amid the beautiful volcanic landscapes of northern Rwanda.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Wildlife in Volcanoes NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Golden Monkey Trekking or Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Then Transfer to Uganda
Golden Monkey Trekking or Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Then Transfer to Uganda
After breakfast, head to Kinigi park headquarters for your primate adventure in Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy golden monkey trekking, following experienced park guides through bamboo forests to observe these endangered primates feeding, playing and interacting in their natural habitat.
Alternatively, upgrade to mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda for an additional permit cost of US$1,500 per person, subject to availability and confirmation at booking. This offers an unforgettable encounter with a habituated gorilla family on the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains.
After your trek, return to the lodge area for lunch before crossing into Uganda. Complete immigration formalities and continue to the Lake Mulehe and Mgahinga region of southwestern Uganda.
Arrive at your lodge, settle in and enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery as you prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga, Uganda
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga, Uganda
Today brings one of the highlights of your East African safari: mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda.
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers on gorilla behaviour, trekking guidelines and conservation. Depending on your confirmed permit, trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, accompanied by experienced guides and trackers.
Follow forest trails through dense vegetation in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek may take several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location and terrain. Once you find them, enjoy up to one hour observing these remarkable primates as they feed, groom, rest and interact in their natural habitat, following park regulations.
After this unforgettable encounter, return to your lodge to relax, enjoy dinner and take in the peaceful mountain scenery of southwestern Uganda.
- Main Destination:
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Gorillas)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Transfer from Bwindi or Mgahinga to Lake Bunyonyi
Transfer from Bwindi or Mgahinga to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, depart the gorilla trekking region and travel to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most beautiful highland destinations.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda, passing terraced farmland, banana plantations, rural villages and lush valleys. Along the way, admire the landscapes and observe local life.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and take in the breathtaking views of Lake Bunyonyi, with its tranquil waters, scattered islands and surrounding green hills.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the lakeside or enjoying optional activities, such as a canoe excursion, boat trip or community visit, depending on availability.
Lake Bunyonyi provides the perfect opportunity to unwind after your gorilla trekking adventure before continuing your East African safari.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Arcadia Lodge Lake Bunyonyi
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Lake Bunyonyi, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest and Transfer to Mbarara
Lake Bunyonyi, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest and Transfer to Mbarara
After breakfast, leave Lake Bunyonyi and travel towards Kalinzu Forest Reserve, an important forest habitat in southwestern Uganda known for its chimpanzees and diverse wildlife.
Upon arrival, meet your local forest guide for a chimpanzee tracking excursion. Follow established trails through the tropical forest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. Along the way, listen for calls echoing through the canopy and look out for other primates, colourful forest birds, butterflies and distinctive forest vegetation.
Chimpanzee tracking offers a different perspective on Uganda's primate diversity, complementing your mountain gorilla experience with an opportunity to observe our closest living relatives in a forest environment.
After the excursion, continue to Mbarara, a major town in southwestern Uganda surrounded by farmland, rolling hills and traditional cattle-keeping communities.
Arrive at your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
- Main Destination:
- Kalinzu Forest Reserve (Chimps)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Emburara Farm Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Road Transfer to the Uganda–Tanzania Border, or Flight to Mwanza
Road Transfer to the Uganda–Tanzania Border, or Flight to Mwanza
Begin with an early breakfast before departing Mbarara at approximately 06:00 for the journey to the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania. Travel through scenic countryside and rural settlements towards Lake Victoria, enjoying views of the surrounding landscapes.
At the border, complete immigration and customs formalities before continuing into Tanzania towards Bukoba, subject to your confirmed transport arrangements. From Bukoba, take a domestic flight to Mwanza, depending on the flight schedule and ticket availability.
Upon arrival in Mwanza, meet your local representative and transfer to your lakeside accommodation. Famous for its impressive granite rock formations and sweeping views of Lake Victoria, Mwanza offers a relaxing introduction to Tanzania.
Spend the evening at leisure, unwinding at your accommodation and enjoying a beautiful sunset over the lake, weather permitting, before your safari adventure continues.
- Main Destination:
- Mwanza (City, Tanzania)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Malaika Beach Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Mwanza to Serengeti National Park – Beginning of Your Tanzania Safari
Mwanza to Serengeti National Park – Beginning of Your Tanzania Safari
After breakfast, depart Mwanza and travel towards Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
Your route and park entry point will depend on the season, road conditions and, where possible, the location of the Great Wildebeest Migration. As you enter the park, begin game viewing, looking out for lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and various antelope species.
Enjoy wildlife sightings and photography stops along the way as your guide seeks out the best available viewing opportunities. The Serengeti is renowned for the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras across its vast grasslands, with wildlife movements varying throughout the year.
Later, arrive at your tented camp, settle in and enjoy dinner beneath the spectacular African sky, surrounded by the wilderness of the Serengeti.
- Main Destination:
- Western Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Kontiki Kogatende Camp
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Full-Day Game Drives in Serengeti National Park
Full-Day Game Drives in Serengeti National Park
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park on morning and afternoon game drives with your experienced safari guide.
Set out early when wildlife is most active, searching for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and various antelope species. Your guide will also help identify smaller mammals and birdlife while sharing insights into the Serengeti’s remarkable ecosystem.
Depending on the season and herd movements, you may encounter large numbers of wildebeest and zebras migrating across the plains in search of fresh grazing and water. River crossings occur only in certain locations and periods, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive through open grasslands, rocky outcrops and wooded riverbanks, each offering unique wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Return to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and relaxation beneath the African sky after an unforgettable day on safari.
- Main Destination:
- Northern Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Kontiki Kogatende Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Morning Game Drive in Serengeti and Transfer to the Ngorongoro Highlands
Morning Game Drive in Serengeti and Transfer to the Ngorongoro Highlands
Rise early for a morning game drive in the Serengeti, making the most of the cooler temperatures and the opportunity to observe wildlife as the day begins.
Continue exploring selected areas of the park, looking for predators, grazing herds and other animals that inhabit the savannah. Your route will depend on recent sightings, the distance to your exit gate and the conditions of the park tracks.
Later, leave the Serengeti and travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, the scenery gradually changes from open plains to rolling hills and the greener landscapes of the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy time to relax before your crater safari the following day. The highland setting provides a beautiful contrast to the expansive Serengeti plains and prepares you for another exceptional wildlife experience.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
-
Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Transfer to Karatu
Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Transfer to Karatu
After breakfast, travel to the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable wildlife safari in one of Tanzania’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
Descend into the vast volcanic caldera, exploring its grasslands, woodlands and wetlands in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, spotted hyenas and hippos. The crater is also an important habitat for the endangered black rhinoceros, although sightings cannot be guaranteed. Look out for flamingos and other waterbirds around suitable wetlands.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site before continuing your game drive through this remarkable ecosystem, surrounded by dramatic crater walls and abundant wildlife.
In the afternoon, ascend from the crater and travel to Karatu, a charming highland town surrounded by fertile farmland. Check in at your lodge and relax after a rewarding day exploring Tanzania’s extraordinary wilderness.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Marera Valley Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Tarangire National Park Game Drive and Departure
Tarangire National Park Game Drive and Departure
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, the final wildlife destination on your Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania safari.
Tarangire is renowned for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and seasonal concentrations of wildlife around the Tarangire River. During your game drive, look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, lions and a wide variety of bird species.
The park's scenery offers a fitting finale to your East African adventure, with open savannah, woodland and distinctive baobab-studded landscapes providing excellent opportunities for photography.
After your game drive, continue towards Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, depending on your onward flight arrangements.
Your 11-day journey concludes with unforgettable memories of mountain gorillas in Uganda, golden monkeys in Rwanda, chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest and the iconic wildlife of Tanzania's celebrated national parks.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
