Enjoy this 8 days Rwanda and Zanzibar beach safari where you will be able to tour two east African countries as you explore their beauty. Trek the remaining mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and also take a game drive, boat cruise and visit the Ibyiwachu cultural village all in Rwanda.
Also, visit the Zanzibar beaches and enjoy activities like dolphin tour, swimming, spice tour, stone town tour among others. This safari can be enjoyed as a family, or friends gate together safari.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali and drive to Akagera national park
Welcome to the land of a thousand hills – Rwanda. Our safari driver guide will welcome and transfer you to Akagera national park in eastern Rwanda that is characterized by savannah, swamps, woodland, and low mountains. It covers an area of 1,122 square kilometres and established way back in 1934, which makes it to be one of the oldest conservation areas in Rwanda. This park got its name from Akagera River which flows south words from Tanzania.
This park is a home of large and small wildlife and among others include giant elephants and buffalos, spotted hyenas, leopards, Giraffes, zebras, antelopes like the chestnut-coated impalas, Oribis, bushbucks and Cape elands. It also has over 520 bird species and these among others are, raptors, papyrus gonolek, shoebill stocks, and migrant birds such as the lesser kestrel.
On your arrival, you will be served with dinner and then check in your room for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Half day game drive and boat cruise
Enjoy a morning game drive where you will spot a number of wildlife and after head for a midmorning breakfast which will be followed up with lunch after relaxing and then a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Lake Ihema has one of the largest concentrations of hippos in the region and has numerous crocodiles as well.
You could also see some elephants as they make their way to the water to have a drink, and to bathe. You will also see various water birds while on a boat safari on the lake Ihema. Among other animals that will be spotted on this day are oribis, elands, impalas, leopards, spotted hyenas and bushbucks.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes national park. Ibyiwachu cultural village tour
After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to volcanoes national park the home of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas. The park is situated in north-eastern Rwanda and it covers an area of 160 square kilometres.
It is also located in the Virunga mountains and it neighbours five of eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo. while in this park, expect to see animals like buffalos, black and white colobus, white colobus, baboons, black-fronted duikers, bushbucks, bush pigs, spotted hyenas and red-tailed monkeys and many more. It is also a birders hub with over 200 bird species and among others include White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, barred long-tailed cuckoo, White-bellied Robin-chat and Albertine Owlet.
On arrival, you will take lunch and then head out to visit the Ibyiwachu cultural village that will teach you about the Kinyarwanda culture and this is done through a walk in the community as you meet the elderly people who will narrate to you stories of long ago, enjoy traditional dances, meals and also meet the local brewers. In the evening you will return to the lodge after experiencing this adventure.
Day 4: Rwanda gorilla trekking. Spend the evening at L. Kivu.
Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the lodge and then transfer to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a short instruction to guide you will trek the endangered mountain gorillas. Among another guideline to follow include; do not feet wild animals, do not use a flashlight for cameras, do not make noise and always keep in track.
You will be assigned a park ranger guide who will escort you as you search for the great apes. On locating them, you will be given an hour as you take memorable adventurous photos. Then after, trek back after 3-4 hours to the park office and you will be awarded a certificate of mountain gorilla trekking. And then head to lodge for mid-morning lunch as you transfer to lake Kivu for evening relaxation. Spend a night on one of the booked resorts.
Day 5: Return to Kigali and take a flight to Zanzibar
On the fifth day, relaxed breakfast will be served at the resort as you enjoy the sea breeze followed by a check out and then transfer to Kigali city. In case of time allows you will have a short city excursion where you will visit the national museum, Rwanda genocide memorial centre, among others.
You will head to Kigali international airport to board a flight to Zanzibar. You will be welcomed by our tour representative who will transfer you to the hotel or beach resort.
Day 6: Relaxation: Stone town and spice tour
Enjoy a cup of tea and then tour the stone town. It is only placed on the coast of the Indian Ocean where many historical events are manifested. Visit Zanzibar museum, Zanzibar ruins, the former cathedral and mosques.
You will have the chance also to visit the market. In the afternoon, take a tour in spice farm and you will be able to spot plants like Cloves, Cinnamon, Black pepper, Nutmeg, Tumeric root. They are actually growing in the plantations. Furthermore, you will see plants like Henna bushes, Lipstick tree and Lemon grass. Later on, return to the resort for your dinner.
Day 7: Dolphin tour and visit the Jozani forest, a sunset cruise on a dhow, etc.
Enjoy breakfast and then visit the Jozani forest where the only national park in Zanzibar. A high water table has given rise to a unique groundwater forest that is filled with Uzi and Chwaka bays.
Also, take a swim in the Indian ocean with blue waters to enjoy the dolphins. You can first take small boats and the start enjoying these beautiful creatures. In the evening, you will enjoy a sunset cruise as you are returning to the resort for your dinner.
Day 8: Departure.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and then board your flight back home which will be the end of your tour.
