What an amazing offer this is! 7days of encountering what can only be found in Africa. The endangered Mountain gorillas hosted in Volcanoes national park, Rwanda; and the great wildebeest migration witnessed at Serengeti national park, Tanzania.
This safari involves tracking the gorillas; mans closest relatives, sharing approximately 98% human DNA and similar behaviors, and also watching the natural spectacle; the wildebeest migration, accompanied by thousands of gazelles, zebras, and impalas among others, through the Serengeti- Mara ecosystem, where they will face tough obstacles such as the Grumeti and Mara Rivers, both infested with millions of crocodiles and hippos, plus predators at neighborhood which in turn becomes the safari highlight because of the drama and survival for the fittest.
Other activities include a rewarding city tour, nature walk, cultural experience, photography and hiking.
Detailed safari.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon landing at Kigali international airport, you will receive a very warm welcome to the land of a thousand hills from our expert guide who will take you through a detailed briefing about what you should and shouldn’t expect in your safari before hitting the road to your hotel around the city for refreshment, dinner, and overnight. However, there is an option of engaging in a nightlife experience if you desire.
Day 2: City tour and drive to Volcanoes National Park
You will check out of the lodge after breakfast for a journey to Volcanoes national park though starting with a Kigali city tour; the smartest city in east Africa. You will visit the local markets to test your bargaining ability, exchange the money to local currency, and buy some souvenirs, before driving to the Genocide memorial site to pay tribute to over 25,000 innocent people who lost their lives during the Tutsi and Hutu conflict in 1994.
Thereafter, you will have lunch around the city, followed by a 2-3 hours’ drive to Volcanoes national park, traversing the rolling hills, scattered homesteads, and green flourishing flora. Arrival will be in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking – cultural adventure
Glad on long-sleeved attire, good hiking boots, with a camera, binoculars, tracking permit, and water, depart your lodge very early in the morning after breakfast to the volcanoes national park headquarters, for a pre trekking briefing, and document verification by the park rangers. The briefing commences at 08:00hrs, with the park rangers showing you some documentaries, and telling you how to conduct yourself while in the Jungle. There are slightly over 10 Gorilla families in Volcanoes N/P, of which you will track one of them with the guidance of the park ranger for 1-6 hours, depending on your speed and how far the apes have gone.
Upon locating them, you will be rewarded with one hour of asking questions, taking photos, and observing the Apes as they feed, relax, play and rest.
Thereafter, you will drive back to the lodge for lunch, followed by a rewarding cultural experience at Ibyiwachu cultural village, where you will learn of the Rwandese culture, dances, and outfit before enjoying a sunset drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Dian Fossey grave hike and transfer to Serengeti national park
At dawn, you will have a hefty breakfast, followed by a hike to Dian Fossey graveyard; a famous primatologist and author of “Gorillas in the Mist” who devoted who entire life to the preservation of the Gorillas that we visit today, only to be mercilessly murdered by unknown assailants.
This visit enables you to learn more about her life, the importance of primate trekking and enjoy the amazing landscape before departing Volcanoes N/P to Kigali, and fly to Serengeti national park in Tanzania.
Upon arrival at Arusha airport, you will meet our expert driver-guide who will brief you on your safari in Tanzania, before driving to your lodge in Serengeti national park, crossing undulating hills, scattered homesteads, and thriving vegetation.
Day 5: Witness the wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park.
At sunrise, you will depart the lodge after breakfast for a full day game drive around the Seronera area; a host to a large concentration of mammals such as the wildebeests, plus zebras, gazelles, elephants, buffaloes, and several others not forgetting the predators such as the lions, leopards, and hyenas among others, roaming during the migration.
You will tick off almost all the big five while watching numerous herds of wildebeests, forming a line towards the Mara region for fresh pasture and water. Thereafter, you will have a picnic lunch, before visiting the Grumeti River, where you will witness the real drama, fight for the survival while facing the furious hippos and crocodiles. You will end your day with dinner and a nap at the lodge.
Day 6: Game drive and afternoon transfer to Ngorongoro crater
On this day, you will depart the lodge very early in the morning to catch-up with the earliest migrants heading towards the north The migration is so exciting, with thundering sounds, confusion, and observation of all sizes and colors of mammals.
Thereafter, you will have bush breakfast, before driving back to the lodge for lunch and transfer to Ngorongoro crater for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Top of the crater hike and departure
At sunrise, you will enjoy energy-giving breakfast, before heading for a guided hike to the crater rim; the world’s largest caldera and one of Africa’s seven wonders.
You will enjoy photography, glancing at the magnificent landscape and stealing a distant sight of the hideouts of several mammals, primates, birds and reptiles, with a chance of spotting if not all, the most of Africa’s Big five namely; the Rhinos, Buffalos, lions, leopards, and elephants, plus several antelope species, giraffes, Zebras, and many more.
After spending two to three hours, you will have a rewarding game drive which offers the opportunity of witnessing hundreds of wildebeests on their way towards Serengeti and eventually to Masai Mara.
You will return to the lodge for refreshment and lunch before departing to the airport for your flight to the next destination.
End of 7 days Rwanda gorillas and Serengeti national park safari.
