Rwanda Gorillas & Serengeti Safari
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro
- Seize the chance to get up close with mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
- Experience an expert-led trek at the foot of Mt. Sabyinyo to observe playful golden monkeys.
- Venture across the vast Serengeti plains in search of the legendary Big Five with expert insights.
- Enjoy a wildlife safari in the Ngorongoro Crater with an expert tracker, then visit Olduvai Gorge.
- Enhance your Serengeti stay with a photographic safari tailored by your Destination Expert.
- Please note: USD per person, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.
A travel experience like no other
This sample itinerary was created by experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose.
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Day 1KIGALI You've arrived
- Private Airport Transfer
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance
- Dinner (Not Included)
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Day 2KIGALI TO VOLCANOES A Journey Back in Time
- Half-Day Kigali City Tour & Genocide Museum
- Transfer - Private - Kigali - Volcanoes National Park [3 hrs] - 4X4/Guide
- Lunch (Included)
- Dinner (Included)
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Day 3VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK Nurtured by Nature
- Private Vehicle & Guide - 4X4/Guide
- Gorilla Trek
- Lunch (Included)
- Dinner (Included)
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Day 4VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK TO KIGALI Dazzling Drive
- Golden Monkey Trek
- Transfer - Private - Volcanoes National Park - Kigali [3 hrs] - 4X4/Guide
- Dinner (Not Included)
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Day 5KIGALI TO SERENGETI Onward and Upward
- Private Airport Transfer
- Air - Kigali - Serengeti [5-6 hrs ] - Seronera 6:00 - 10:30
- Airstrip Pick Up & Game Drive - Private - 4X4/Guide
- Lunch (Included)
- Afternoon Game Drive
- Park Fee - Included
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance
- Dinner (Included)
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Day 6SERENGETI Venture into the Outdoors
- Morning Game Drive
- Lunch (Included)
- Afternoon Game Drive
- Park Fee - Included
- Dinner (Included)
- Transfer - Private - Bwindi-Volcanoes National Park Private Transfer
- Rwanda Emergency Evacuation Insurance
- Lunch (Included)
- Dinner (Included)
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Day 7SERENGETI The Trek Continues
- Morning Game Drive
- Lunch (Included)
- Afternoon Game Drive
- Park Fee - Included
- Dinner (Included)
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Day 8SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO The Journey Continues…
- Transfer - Serengeti - Ngorongoro [6-8 hrs] - 4X4/Guide
- The Cradle of Mankind: Olduvai Gorge Visit
- Park Fee - Included
- Optional Activities
- Dinner (Included)
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Day 9NGORONGORO Hidden Gems
- Private Vehicle & Guide
- Tour of the Ngorongoro Crater
- Lunch (Included)
- Park Fee - Included
- Dinner (Included)
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Day 10NGORONGORO TO KILIMANJARO Jet Off
- Transfer - Ngorongoro - Kilimanjaro [3 hrs (JRO)] - 4X4/Guide
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Day 1
Kigali
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Day 2
KIGALI TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
A Journey Back in Time
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 to provide educational information regarding the genocide for the 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.
Where you’ll be staying
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Day 3
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
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 populations, 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 which 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.
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Day 4
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK TO KIGALI
A
Dazzling Drive
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.
Where you’ll be staying
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Day 5
KIGALI TO SERENGETI
Onward and Upward
A private transfer between the airport and your accommodation in Kigali is provided.
Board a shared charter flight from Kigali to the Serengeti. The flight duration is approximately 5-6 hours including a brief landing in Mwanza, Tanzania for Customs and Immigration processing. The flight will then continue to the Serengeti where it will make multiple stops to drop passengers at the airstrip closest their camp.
Luggage restriction applicable to this flight: 32lb (15kg) per person, for both carry-on and checked luggage. Your checked luggage needs to be soft-sided - no wheels / no spine, a duffel bag is recommended. 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.
An expert guide will meet you at the airstrip. Once your luggage is safely secured, you will begin the drive to your lodge, making a detour en route to discover some of the surrounding region on your first game drive in the Serengeti. After an introduction to this incredible land, you will be dropped off at your safari lodge.
Get ready for an afternoon to remember as you set out in the company of an experienced tracker-guide to explore 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 dog 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.
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.
Where you’ll be staying
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Day 6
SERENGETI
Venture into the Outdoors
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 a spectacular range of birdlife flitting through the sky.
Immerse yourself in one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles: the Great Migration. Witness vast herds of wildebeest accompanied by zebras and Thomson’s gazelles as they traverse the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. Their movements, driven by the availability of food and water, make each game drive a unique and unpredictable experience. Predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas follow close behind, creating dramatic scenes that highlight both the beauty and harsh realities of life on the plains.
Where you’ll be staying
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Day 7
The Trek Continues
One of the most well-preserved national parks on Earth, the Serengeti today looks much like it did thousands of years ago. Here, the patterns of life, death, adaptation and migration are as old as the hills themselves. Set out in the morning to explore this magnificent park and to track animals while taking in the breathtaking beauty of this abiding landscape of rolling plains, acacia trees and outstanding biodiversity.
On today’s afternoon game drive, the choice is up to you: search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover something different. The Serengeti not only has a rich mix of animals – it also has an incredible array of bird life with almost 450 different species.
Where you’ll be staying
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Day 8
SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO
The Journey Continues…
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 seven hours, but can reach up to nearly nine hours depending on the location of your accommodation. Transfer times also depend 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 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.
During your stay at Ngorongoro there are many optional activities available to you. Depending on which lodge you're staying at, activities may include nature walks, cultural village visits, a hike to the Endoro waterfalls, bicycle tours, coffee plantation tours, and more. Many of these activities can be arranged in advance by your Destination Expert while others must be booked directly with the lodge upon arrival; please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.
Where you’ll be staying
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Day 9
NGORONGORO
Hidden Gems
An experienced tracker-guide and private vehicle will accompany you today while exploring Ngorongoro National Park.
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 which caused the volcano to collapse on itself, thereby creating the massive crater. Roughly 12 miles wide and some 2,000 feet deep, the trip from 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 is also host to some of the highest concentrations of carnivores in the world, featuring large prides 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.
Where you’ll be staying
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Day 10
NGORONGORO TO KILIMANJARO
Jet Off
Your guide will drive you from the Ngorongoro Conservation area to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The drive will take an estimated three hours.
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Day 1
ENTEBBE
Hotel Number 5
Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe, Hotel Number 5 offers stylish, boutique accommodations to discerning travelers visiting this part of Uganda. From the moment you arrive, you are warmly welcomed and cared for by the attentive staff of Hotel Number 5. With all sumptuous rooms opening onto the garden and swimming pool, this is a great option for travelers looking for an intimate stay in a tranquil setting. Make yourself at home – unwind beside the swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment, or work up a sweat in the hotel gym. For one of the most flavorsome dining experiences in Entebbe, carefully planned menus are paired to an international wine list and served with pride. Attention to detail and excellent guest experience are synonymous with Hotel Number 5, making it the perfect choice for a restful stay in this bustling city.
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Day 2
ENTEBBE
Hotel Number 5
Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe, Hotel Number 5 offers stylish, boutique accommodations to discerning travelers visiting this part of Uganda. From the moment you arrive, you are warmly welcomed and cared for by the attentive staff of Hotel Number 5. With all sumptuous rooms opening onto the garden and swimming pool, this is a great option for travelers looking for an intimate stay in a tranquil setting. Make yourself at home – unwind beside the swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment, or work up a sweat in the hotel gym. For one of the most flavorsome dining experiences in Entebbe, carefully planned menus are paired to an international wine list and served with pride. Attention to detail and excellent guest experience are synonymous with Hotel Number 5, making it the perfect choice for a restful stay in this bustling city.
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Day 3
BWINDI
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
High on the Nteko Ridge, above the swirling clouds, above the deep emerald, Impenetrable Bwindi Forest where the rare and wonderful mountain gorillas of Uganda make their home, lies a luxury retreat for visitors to the national park. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is the first of its kind here, part of the IGCP’s tri-national program that benefits both the local community and a vital conservation program working hard to ensure the gorillas’ survival. Located in the southern part of the park, the lodge is just steps away from the trailhead for tracking the Nkuringo gorilla family (the largest and friendliest of Bwindi’s accessible troops), making it an ideal base for travellers.
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Day 6
WILDERNESS SABYINYO
Wilderness Sabyinyo is a luxury retreat nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the mist-shrouded Virunga Massif. As you step into this remarkable haven, the spirit of conservation and rehabilitation envelops you, creating an unparalleled sense of connection with the natural world. With a selection of nine luxurious lodges and suites, Wilderness Sabyinyo offers an intimate and exclusive experience, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the wonders of the surrounding wilderness. At Sabyinyo, the commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of your stay, including the culinary journey. Meals are meticulously crafted with a focus on sustainability and health,embracing the bountiful harvests from the lodge's organic vegetable gardens. The chef's artistry transforms these ingredients into a vibrant menu that blends traditional dishes with cosmopolitan flair. Experience Wilderness Sabyinyo, where luxury, conservation, and community intertwine harmoniously, offering an extraordinary escape that promises cherished memories that will endure forever.
Made to order
- Choose from a range of places to stay, from impeccable five-star hotels to equally outstanding boutique ones.
- Tailor your trip to include a wide variety of activities, from the must-see’s to the lesser-known, local experiences, and even the exclusive ones you may not know about.
- With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can explore on your terms.
- Whether you’re celebrating one of life’s big moments or looking to fulfill a personal journey, we always work with you to ensure we’re creating a trip-of-a-lifetime.
What’s included
- A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
- 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
- All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
- A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver – your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
- Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
- A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
- Breakfast each morning at your hotel, plus any meals indicated in the itinerary
- One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What’s not included
- Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you’d like to receive pricing from our Air Team
- Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you’ve booked your tour
- Visas (unless noted)
- Tips for services and experiences
- Lunches, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
- Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
- Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
- Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
- Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
- Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Protect your travel
We recommend travel protection. Between missed connections, lost or delayed luggage, or medical emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected.
No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a travel protection plan before you travel. Still unsure? Consider these frequently asked questions.
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