This is a vacation to two of Africa’s most interesting safari destinations; Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Ngorongoro crater in the Republic of Tanzania. You arrive anxious and return excited, with each day offering an opportunity of encountering something new, writing a story and relaxing.
You will spend an hour uncovering lives of Rwandan gorillas; man’s closest relatives with over 95% similar genes after tracking them in their natural habitat. A game drive in the savannah park of Ngorongoro is also unforgettable, with lots of wildlife to encounter. Other activities include a city tour, cultural adventure, a visit to the twin lakes, hiking and birding among others.
Day 1: Arrival, Kigali city excursion and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Upon landing at the airport, then meet your guide for this unforgettable 7-day vacation. He will brief you about the entire experience, in addition to offering a lip-smacking glass of Juice. The safari starts with a Kigali excursion, where you will visit the genocide memorial site; a point where over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Hutu and Tutsi rebellion were buried and commemorated.
Other place to visit is the local markets to buy some souvenirs and then lunch thereafter, before a rewarding drive To Volcanoes National Park – north of Rwanda. The drive lasts for approximately 2 hours from the city and then late check-in to the lodge for dinner and a nap.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking tour
Start your day with a cup of coffee, and then head to the park headquarters for early morning registration and briefing the park rangers. The rangers will explain the trekking dos and don’ts, allocate members to the gorilla family of their choices, and then start the tracking exercise. Gorillas are our relatives, and live deep into the Jungle, thus you ought to expect to move.
The first place of the search is where they were last seen, then following the broken leaves, and the jungle sounds. The trek can last for approximately 1-6 hours, plus an additional hour of photography, and studying the apes. Return to the lodge for lunch, and then visit the Twin Lakes in the evening. Dinner and overnight bring the day to an end.
Day 3: Return to Kigali and fly to Arusha – Tanzania
After a relaxed breakfast meal at the lodge, you will check out for a regional flight to Arusha City in northern Tanzania. Documents verification will be done at the airport late in the evening and later transfer for dinner and a nap at your hotel.
Day 4: Arusha City tour and Ngorongoro crater
This day, enjoy a yummy breakfast at the lodge and then check out for Ngorongoro crater; an epic drive through a tarmac and maram road while enjoying cool weather, the views of the captivating landscape, and scattered homesteads in the countryside.
The city tour will enable you to mingle with the local natives and also do some transactions in the local markets. Lunch is provided whereas dinner and overnight are at the Lodge.
Day 5: Game drive and Top of the crater hike
Start your day with a lip-smacking breakfast meal and then enjoy a rewarding Game drive; an activity that can run for approximately 3-4 hours, as you seek to find the African big5 family; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes, zebras, several Antelope species, warthogs, hyenas and cheetahs among others.
Following the game drive is top of the crater Hike, as you explore one of the world’s largest calderas, several mammal hideouts, and the breathtaking landscape. When all is done, enjoy a sunset drive to the lodge for dinner and a nap.
Day 6: Morning bird watching and Masai Cultural encounter
At daybreak, you will join your birder guide for a rewarding 3-hour bird-watching experience. This befits those who are even not bird lovers but interested in Mother Nature and botany. You will Lookout for the over 350 bird species here, notably; the love birds, Turacos, egrets, ostrich, and many more on the tree branches and designated trails.
You will thereafter return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an evening visit to the Maasai community; renowned herdsmen, and most authentic cultures. Late in the evening, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Departure
After a relaxed breakfast early in the morning, you will check out of the lodge for an epic drive to the airport for departure. If time allows, you can have an early morning game drive, to catch up with some of the mammals you missed out on the first day of the game drive.
End of safari
