Description
An extraordinary safari that combines the great migration, gorilla tracking, and the big game of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.Take in the highlights of Rwanda and Tanzania tracking the gorillas and big game of East Africa.
Overview
This beautiful 11 day safari explores the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater and famous Northern Serengeti, before flying to Rwanda to track the magnificent mountain gorillas. Staying in fantastic accommodation throughout, and offering some of Africa's best wildlife experiences, this is a wonderful safari for those who want to see the best bits. This highlights safari can also be done in reverse, starting in Rwanda, giving you the option of a beach extension to the stunning Tanzanian Coast or 'spice island' of Zanzibar for a bit of relaxation after your adventure.
What makes this trip extraordinary
- Combine the big game and big cats of Tanzania with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
- See the ‘big five’ on game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Witness the dramatic Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings at the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti (mid-July – November).
- Track the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda twice.
A tailor-made safari is one designed according to your specific requirements, including budget, dates, personal interests, the number of people travelling, and more. This itinerary is just an example and can be refined and altered to make it perfect for you.
Itinerary
Arusha
Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and met by your private guide and vehicle. Upon arrival at your hotel you will have a briefing and then time to relax before the start of your safari.
Overnight: Arusha Coffee Lodge (D)
Arusha - Ngorongoro Crater
Today you visit Lake Manyara National Park, packed lunch in hand, on your way to the Ngorongoro Crater, hopefully arriving in time for an afternoon crater drive. The Crater is one of the wonders of the world, a natural caldera serves as an amphitheatre for stunning game drives during which you can expect to see the Big 5. You will have a full day to explore this incredible area, before heading back to the beautiful lodge for your last night in the area.
Overnight: Plantation Lodge (B, L, D)
Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti
The stunning Mara River, filled with hippos and crocodiles, cuts through this land and is hosts to one of the greatest spectacles nature has to offer: the dramatic wildebeest crossings of the Mara River. Between mid July and November, the Great Migration typically visits the area and crosses the Mara River back and forth in search of green grass. This area does offer a truly unique safari experience; undisturbed exploration of this majestic part of the Serengeti National Park. During the next couple of days, you will enjoy shared game drives and enjoy the wonderful landscapes and wildlife in the Serengeti National Park.
Overnight: Olakira Tented Camp (B, L, D)
Serengeti - Volcanoes National Park
Today you leave Olakira Camp and transfer to the Kogatende airstrip for your afternoon flight to Kigali. Upon arrival in Kigali you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Volcanoes National Park
The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany us on our tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits and information from the previous day to locate the group’s whereabouts.
Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 9 hours before one returns to base. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This is one of the world’s truly memorable experiences – a look into one of these magnificent creatures’ eyes brings home the bond that exists between them and us. It also brings home the poignant fact that they are on the edge of extinction, and that our presence here contributes to ensuring their continued survival.
Volcanoes National Park - Kigali
This morning, enjoy tracking the golden monkeys and spend up to an hour with these cheeky critters before transferring back to Kigali for your international flight home.
Accommodation
- Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Plantation Lodge
- Olakira Tented Camp
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
Gallery
