Be part of our 7 days Volcanoes National Park & Zanzibar Safari for a once-in-a lifetime opportunity of encountering the mountain gorillas within one of their popular habitats-Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in addition to exploring the beautiful Zanzibar Archipelago. This trip starts from Kigali City with a tour of popular tourist sites and ends from Zanzibar.
Day 1: Travel from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Pick-up from any location in Kigali and continue to Volcanoes National Park, in the northwest of Rwanda. This journey takes only about 3 hours but comes after a brief City tour focusing on the historical and cultural tourist sites including Museums and the genocide memorial sites, finally with a stop at the craft market where you will be lost for choice because of the assortment of numerous beautiful African artifacts, sandals, clothing and hats from all East African countries.
Your journey begins after Lunch and ushers you in the northwest of Rwanda in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trek and mesmerizing cultural retreat
Connect to the Park Headquarters after breakfast at your Lodge for a brief orientation from Park Officials on the rules and regulations of trekking these endangered Great Apes. Trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park starts differently from other gorilla Parks, because visitors are first driven for about 20 minutes to the trailhead at the border of the Park.
However, the trek for gorillas takes between one and five hours, depending on their location and terrain of the trail to their home range. Visitors are given strictly one hour to watch and take photos of these Great Apes living their peaceful lives.
In the evening after a hefty Lunch and relaxation, head for a cultural retreat at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (now Gorilla Guardian Village) for one of the best cultural performances, a perfect way to spend your evening after a hectic gorilla trek and by the time you retire to your Lodge, you will be lost for words.
Day 3: Travel back to Kigali for a flight to Zanzibar Airport
Have breakfast and travel back to Kigali City, followed by a flight to the Airport in Zanzibar. Your driver will be ready to receive you at the Airport and transfer to the Hotel for meals and overnight stay.
Day 4: Tour the Stone Town
Your Zanzibar trip starts with Tours of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar set within Unguja Island (the largest and most popular Island of the Archipelago). These tours involve spice tours leading through vanilla, clove and turmeric plantations and through markets to learn about the hundreds of spices and how they are used. Learn about plants used for making natural cosmetics and perfumes.
Enjoy Lunch within one of the Hotels/restaurants for Zanzibari cuisines. Make stops at historical buildings in Stone Town that will only be limited by time.
Some of these historical structures include House of Wonders, Hamamni Persian Baths, Forodhani Gardens, Slave Trade ruins at Old Fort, old dispensary, Palace Museum, Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church and St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cathedral among others. End your Stone Town Tour with shopping for souvenirs, African wear and even spices.
Day 5: All day relaxation at Nungwi Beach
You will have a chance to explore Nungwi Beach for the whole day. This Beach boasts of pristine white sand beaches, beautiful turquoise waters as well as exotic animals, birds and flora species. Venture into the deep waters through scuba diving to encounter different marine life such as dolphins, Green sea turtles and Tropical fish species.
There are a number of restaurants dotted along the tranquil Nungwi Beach and you will taste some of the Zanzibari delicacies.
Tours of Nungwi Beach also involve undertaking dhow cruises with champagne and beautiful sunset views to look-out for. Before nightfall retire to your Resort for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Boat ride to the Prison Island
Start day 6 with breakfast, followed by a boat ride to the Prison Island, a hidden gem popular for its giant Aldabra giant Tortoises. Some of these beautiful Tortoises are more than 100 years and were originally gifted by British Governor of Seychelles in 1919.
Learn about the history of the Island and why it was named “Prison Island” and retire to your Resort for typical Zanzibari dining and overnight.
Day 7: Drive back to Zanzibar Airport. Departure
Enjoy a deliciously spiced Zanzibari breakfast and drive back to Zanzibar Airport. This marks the end of our thrilling 7 days Volcanoes National Park & Zanzibar Safari.
