Gorillas, Big 5 & Beach Safari

Get a Lay of the Land

Prepare your senses for an explosion of culture and emotion during today’s excursion through Kigali. Begin your day by visiting the city’s lively market places to view and purchase some of the local products. Next, travel to a location stained with Rwanda’s heartbreaking history, The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. This tragic memorial was constructed in April 2004 to honor those who lost their lives during the Rwandan Genocide.  The center was built on the site where an estimated 250 000 victims were buried.  This location serves as a place where individuals can grieve the loss of their loved ones and provide educational information regarding the genocide for future generations. Rwandans believe that although the gruesomeness and painful emotions associated with this tragedy may be construed as negative, it is extremely important that the younger citizens of Rwanda fully understand the reasons and effects of such an event on a nation.  The Center features three permanent exhibits which depict the events of 1994, as well as a children’s memorial showcasing the history of genocidal violence towards children from all over the world.

A private transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is provided. The approximate transfer time is three hours.

Venture into the Outdoors

The Volcanoes National Park is located in the Virunga Mountains, a magnificent chain of dormant volcanoes in the north of the country. This area is home to the world’s last surviving mountain Gorilla population, currently a mere 700 individuals. After breakfast, you will depart the lodge and drive for approximately 1 hour to the Park Headquarters where you will meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will provide an informative session on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. After the session, the hike into the forest begins.

A full-day trek with your guide through the park is a reasonably strenuous activity that can last the morning or all day as you seek out the gorilla families. The guide will take you to where the gorillas were seen the night before and begin to track them from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and may involve a climb to altitudes, not in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times quite muddy. Once the gorillas are located all the aches and fatigue of the trek are forgotten, as the experience is often described as finding a hidden natural treasure in the mist. Viewing time is limited to one hour, and only 8 participants are allowed per group. Visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7 meters (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Cameras and plenty of storage space are recommended. It can rain at any time in the forest, so waterproof clothing is advised for you, as well as relevant protection for your camera equipment. Please note that plastic (e.g. carrier/shopping) bags are illegal in Rwanda. Children under age 15, or people sick with a cold, flu, or other contagious illness, are not allowed to visit the gorillas.

PERMITS MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT TIME OF CONFIRMATION AND ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

A Change of Scenery

Spend the morning hiking through the dense rainforest of Volcanoes National Park in search of the golden monkeys. These beautiful, playful primates are a species endemic to the Albertine rift, with Rwanda being one of the only places on Earth where humans can observe them in their natural habitat. After a pre-trek briefing at the park headquarters, the guides lead you through the jungle to the area where the monkeys can be spotted. There are currently two groups of golden monkeys in this part of the country and they can usually be found at the foot of Mt. Sabyinyo. The golden monkeys are very inquisitive primates that are used to human presence and will usually act up in front of visitors, leaping from tree to tree as they feed on the bamboo shoots. Enjoy a rare treat watching these unique animals play and perform in the forest. The encounters are approximately one hour in duration.

A private transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali is provided. The approximate transfer time is three hours.

Onward and Upward

A private transfer between the airport and your accommodation in Kigali is provided.

Relax during this short flight departing Kigali, Rwanda, and traveling to the urban hub of Nairobi, Kenya.  The approximate flight time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Luggage restriction applicable to this flight: 2 pieces of checked luggage (23 kg/50 lbs each). A small purse/backpack is recommended as a carry-on, to keep your camera, passport, hat, sunblock, or other items you need within easy reach.

Upon arrival to Nairobi, a welcome package including travel documents and a map will be provided to you.

While in our care, your safety and security are our number one priority. As such, in the unlikely event of serious illness or injury, all guests are provided with a “Flying Doctors” insurance policy. This emergency evacuation insurance covers the cost of the evacuation flight back to Nairobi for treatment, however, does not cover the cost of any medical treatment received. We highly recommend travel insurance for full coverage.

Enjoy a private transfer between your hotel and the airport in Nairobi.

A Dazzling Drive

This morning you’ll meet up with your guide and head off to the Masai Mara. The approximate travel time is six hours. Head directly into the park for game viewing and then return to the camp for late check-in or check-in first and then head out for an afternoon game drive. Chat with your guide for their recommendation based on your arrival time and park hours.

Please note that the first half of this drive will be on paved roads and the last half will be rough & bumpy roads. 

Head out this afternoon on an exciting game viewing adventure. The locations visited will be determined by your expert guide as they have an intimate understanding of the daily routines of animals and how best to track them. On this afternoon excursion, visit several wildlife hot spots with an aim to espy elusive animals such as the leopard. These spotted cats blend almost seamlessly into the tall grass and shrubbery and are even more challenging to spot when in their favorite hangout, the trees. Exploring the region, your guide will take you to nearby watering holes where on a hot day you’ll spot many birds and mammals, including, with luck, the elusive leopard. After a thrilling afternoon game drive, you will be returned to your lodge in time to freshen up for a delicious safari dinner.

Nurtured by Nature

Just like the wildlife, your day’s adventure will begin bright and early this morning. Alongside an experienced tracker-guide, set out for the day’s first game drive and discover the dazzling biodiversity of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The most recognized animals are known worldwide as the African Big 5, and this group includes the African elephant, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, leopard, and the king of the beasts, the lion. The term “Big 5” was first coined by big-game hunters as a way to acknowledge that these species were the most difficult and dangerous to track and hunt, however, in subsequent years the term has been adopted and re-purposed by the tourism industry and painted in a patently positive light, focusing now on the preservation and protection of these magnificent creatures. Numerous other species of bird and wildlife also inhabit this dynamic region, including hyenas, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, zebras, vultures, cranes, eagles, falcons, and ostriches, many of which you’ll spot on this morning drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

On today’s afternoon game drive, the possibilities for adventure are endless! Search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover some of the region’s lesser-known animals. The Masai Mara not only has a rich mix of mammals both large and small but is also host to an incredible array of birdlife that includes approximately 450 different species, from the fierce bateleur (or short-tailed eagle) to the musical sooty chat.

Cross an item off the Bucket List

Set out in the early morning on a ”migration” inspired game drive with your tracker guide. The journey today will take you into the heart of the Masai Mara plains in search of the many grazing species that take part in the annual migration, an event that has been occurring for centuries. Massive herds of zebras, gazelles, impalas, and of course wildebeest furiously feed and thunderously march from the Serengeti and through the Mara area every year from July to October. Today, set out to spot these enormous herds for yourself, an incredible experience few will ever have the privilege of witnessing firsthand.

Set out this afternoon with your tracker guide on another exciting game drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Mara is one of only a few places left in Africa where guests can still spot free-roaming rhinos in the wild, as – troublingly – it is estimated that there are only 4,000 black rhinos left on the continent. Today your guide will take you to locations where rhino sightings have been recently reported with an aim to bring you within camera range of these lumbering, beautiful giants.

The Journey Continues…

Depart the Masai Mara Game Reserve with your guide and travel towards the Isebania border crossing. Enjoy the Kenyan countryside driving past towns and villages along the way. Please be aware that this portion of the drive can be long depending on rains as this is a dirt road. During the dry season, you can reach the border in approximately two hours.

Upon arrival to the Isebania Border Crossing, switch to a Tanzanian vehicle and continue your safari with a Tanzanian guide.

Tanzanian Visas can be purchased at the border at the cost of $100 USD for US citizens, and $50 USD for all other nationalities. Please Note: Visas must be paid in USD, and in cash. No bills can be older than 2006 as a local counterfeiting safeguard. A Single Entry Visa is valid for three months and can be used for multiple entries into Kenya and Tanzania. It is also required that you have your Yellow Fever certification handy upon crossing.

After clearing the Isebania Border Crossing, you will continue your safari to the Serengeti National Park. A portion of this drive will be partly on a paved highway and partly on a bumpy dirt road. The approximate travel time to the Serengeti is between three and five hours, depending on road conditions. As you get closer to the Serengeti National Park, have your camera handy, and enjoy a game drive upon entry into the park as you head towards your lodge or camp.

The Trek Continues

This morning, your African adventure begins with an exploratory game drive through Tanzania’s oldest and most recognized National Park, the Serengeti. A land of unparalleled game viewing, from great herds of grazing herbivores to tactically cunning packs of carnivores, life on the plains of the Serengeti truly epitomizes the “circle of life.” A paradise for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, it is all but guaranteed that you will spot giraffes and elephants feasting on shrubbery, impalas, gazelles, and buffaloes traipsing carefully through the plains to avoid being noticed by on-looking lions, cheetahs and hyenas, and spectacular range of birdlife flitting through the sky.

Get ready for an afternoon to remember as you set out in the company of an experienced tracker guide to exploring the expanses of the Serengeti. The park is world-renowned for its healthy populations of resident wildlife species, in particular the African Big Five consisting of buffaloes, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, and lions. Although sightings are considered a rarity, a small group of black rhinoceros also live within the park grounds. Heavy concentrations of topi, gazelle, waterbuck and Coke’s hartebeest ensure that local carnivores including cheetah, hyenas, and African wild dogs are ever-present. The park is also home to more than 500 species of birds, including ostriches, crowned cranes, marabou storks, and secretary birds; some of the most sought-after and photogenic birds on the planet.

Hidden Gems

Your African journey continues as you board a privately driven vehicle, accompanied by a local tracker guide, to travel to the gigantic Ngorongoro Conversation Area. Depart the Serengeti National Park grounds slowly, taking in the wildlife along the way and visit the Serengeti Welcome Center to marvel at the panoramic view afforded from the lookout point. En route to your accommodations in Ngorongoro, take a break to enjoy a picturesque picnic lunch. Approximate travel time varies between five and six hours, depending on weather conditions and the number of stops made along the way. During the peak of the rainy season, longer travel times should be expected.

The massive Olduvai Gorge, or Oldupai Gorge, is often referred to as “The Cradle of Mankind.” Beginning in the eastern Serengeti plains, the cavernous ravine is some 30 miles long and is the result of millions of years of natural erosion. The gorge features a steep-sided gully that cuts its way through the Great Rift Valley stretching along with eastern Africa, and is named after a commonly used plant by the Masai people; Sansevieria-Ehrenbergii, or Olduvai for short. This plant grows plentifully in the area and is used for making bandages, rope, baskets, roofs, and clothing. Today, discover the Olduvai Gorge firsthand alongside your expert local guide.

Treasures and Pleasures

Today, discover one of the most remarkable wildlife conservation areas in Tanzania; the Ngorongoro Crater. Departing from your camp in a privately driven vehicle alongside a local expert guide, make your way to the entrance of the park, then drive a further 20 minutes to reach the rim of Ngorongoro Crater: the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. This geological marvel was formed as the result of a gigantic explosion that caused the volcano to collapse on itself, thereby creating a massive crater. Roughly 12 miles wide and some 2,000 feet deep, the trip from the crater rim to floor takes approximately 45 minutes by vehicle. The extremely fertile crater floor has attracted incredibly dense populations of wildlife, and at present over 25,000 large animals call the crater home, including some of the world’s last remaining black rhinos. The crater floor also hosts some of the highest concentrations of carnivores in the world, featuring large pride of lions, packs of hyenas, and solitary predators like cheetahs and jackals. A keen eye paired with expertly procured search patterns from your guide is sure to help you spot a wide range of wildlife and perhaps some of the more elusive species like leopards, servals, and bat-eared foxes.

An experienced tracker-guide and private vehicle will accompany you today while exploring Ngorongoro National Park.

En Route

From Ngorongoro, your guide will drive you to Arusha. This drive will take approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Board a flight in Arusha with service to Zanzibar. The approximate flight duration is one hour and 40 minutes.

Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.

You will be transferred between the airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with a driver.

A Bit of Time on Your Own

Zanzibar provides visitors with a variety of activities to enjoy. Choose from half or full-day tours that center on Swahili culture, the historic spice routes, insightful explorations of Stone Town, and culinary courses. Other adventures while in Zanzibar include picnics at the Dolphin Sandbank, visiting Mangapwani Beach, and touring the former Slave Market. Of course, your lodging boasts a range of other activities to enjoy, including snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and reef kayaking. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find plenty of exciting and informative activities to fill your leisure time while staying in gorgeous Zanzibar.

Cultural Immersion

The spice-farm villages of Zanzibar have been renowned the world over for centuries due to their incredible variety and abundance of exotic fruits and spices. Today, join an expert guide on a private tour of a nearby spice-farm village to gain an appreciation for the regional landscape while sampling a few tasty Swahili dishes and seasonal fruits. Touch, smell and taste different spices and tropical delights while learning about local life and the history of the spice trade. Please be sure to bring sunscreen, comfortable walking or hiking shoes, and a sun hat, and note that transit time ranges from 30 to 90 minutes per direction based on the location of your accommodations.

Bon Voyage

You will be transferred between the airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with a driver.

Please Note: A Departure Tax of $49 USD per person is required to be paid on-site by all guests visiting the island of Zanzibar. Hotels will also charge a fee of $1 USD per person, per day as part of an Infrastructure Tax; this tax must also be paid on-site prior to island departure.

Board a flight in Zanzibar with service to Dar Es Salaam. The approximate flight time is 20 minutes.

Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.

A private driver will transfer you between the international airport (terminal two) and the domestic airport (terminal one) at Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar Es Salaam.