Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Arrival of your flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our staff who will transfer you to Lake Duluti Serena Hotel for an overnight stay. Settle in for a good night’s rest in preparation for your safari the next day.
Accommodation at Lake Duluti Serena Hotel
Day 2: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park
After your safari briefings, depart with your guide to Lake Manyara for picnic lunch and afternoon game drive. The Lake Manyara is a beautiful little park well known for its tree climbing lions, elephants and large troops of baboons. A visit to this serene park will greatly diversify your safari experience as the lush ground water forest is a stark contrast to the other habitats you will encounter.
In the late afternoon drive to slopes of the Ngorongoro crater to stay 2 nights on the Crater rim at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. Enjoy dinner in the atmospheric split-level dining and bar area.
Accommodation at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater tour
Early morning wake-up call and travel down the inner slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater in time for the opening of the park. Spend the majority of the day game viewing and enjoying a picnic lunch in the crater before returning to the lodge mid-afternoon.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a World Heritage Site and is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. The 2000 feet high walls of the approximately 10 mile wide crater create a natural amphitheater for the densest populations of large animals anywhere. Carnivores that you will likely encounter include lion, hyena and jackal. Leopards, servals, bat eared foxes and ratels are also resident within the Crater but much more elusive.
You may like to arrange a late afternoon walk before dinner.
Accommodation at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 4: Ngorongoro – Serengeti National Park
Depart Ngorongoro Serena after breakfast and travel down the western slopes of the Crater onto the Serengeti Plains. Stay two nights in comfortable en-suite tented rooms at Mbuzi Mawe.
Widely spaced throughout the rocky glades and acacia forest each of the sixteen large custom-made canvas tents has a spacious private terrace with safari chairs and sun loungers from which to enjoy the view. Enjoy a private bush dinner with compliments of Serena Hotels.
Accommodation at Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp
Day 5: Game Viewing in Central Serengeti
Mbuzi Mawe is ideally positioned in the central Serengeti for year round game viewing. From here your guide will take you to experience the best of the Serengeti. From December to March game drive further south and east to encounter the migrating herds of wildebeest on the southern plains. In April to June travel westwards following the herds as they seek out lush pastures.
The Serengeti National Park quite simply offers the finest wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa. Unrivaled concentrations of wildlife, stunning beautiful landscapes and vast pristine areas make the Serengeti one of Africa’s best National Parks.
Accommodation at Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp
Day 6: Fly Serengeti direct to Kigali
Final morning game viewing on the Serengeti plains before saying farewell to your guide at Seronera airstrip. Depart on the 14h30 flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Clear Tanzania immigration at Mwanza.
On arrival into Kigali around 6pm you will be met and transferred to Kigali Serena Hotel to stay overnight, breakfast included.
Ideally located on one of Kigali's most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena is a relaxed yet elegant hotel. You may like to dine in the Milima Restaurant or the stylish Sokoni Restaurant renowned for its colorful cocktails, international cuisine and vibrant live music.
Accommodation at Kigali Serena Hotel
Day 7:Kigali City Tour & Lake Kivu
Breakfast in the hotel, departing by 8am for a tour of Kigali city and the Memorial Centre. The city tour includes the old town, Muslim quarter, the new handicraft village and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. The memorial is very moving.
Return to the hotel to check out, departing by 10am for the scenic drive to Gisenyi town. Arrive at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in time for a late lunch.
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel is sited on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa. It is located within three hours drive from the Rwandan capital, Kigali and an hour’s drive from the glorious Volcanoes National Park, home to the world famous mountain gorillas. The hotel overlooks its own private beach and offers a variety of accommodation and hotel facilities.
Afternoon at leisure. Make use of the swimming pool, mini-gymnasium or book a treatment in the hotel spa. Water-sports on offer include wind surfing, catamaran sailing, kayaking and jet skiing.
Enjoy a complimentary lakeside BBQ with courtesy of Serena Hotels.
Accommodation at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Day 8: Lake Kivu – Volcanoes National Park for Mountain Gorillas
Breakfast at 05:00am, then transfer to Kinigi at the foot hills of the Virungas for your Gorilla Tracking expedition. Depart equipped with the Lake Kivu Serena’s carefully sorted and packed breakfast box complete with sufficient energy giving food to sustain you throughout the tracking trip. IMPORTANT - Hikers must be prepared to walk for up to 6 hours a day and should bring along their own personal hiking gear.
At 0700am briefing and allocation to a Gorilla Tracking.
The park is best known for the Mountain Gorilla. Other mammals include: Golden monkey, Black-fronted Duiker, Buffalo, Spotted Hyena and Bushbuck. There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare. There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains.
In the afternoon return to Lake Kivu Serena Hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Rainbow recommends the Lake Kivu Serena boat excursion. Enjoy scenic views of the various islands within Lake Kivu and some panoramic views of Goma town, complete with very comfortable seats and chilled drinks of your choice on board.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
The Kiyaga Restaurant looks out over the swimming pool towards the lake and features Rwandese, African and international cuisine, and showcases a number of colorful theme nights. Ziwani Cafe, which stands just back from the beach, offers all-day cafe service, beach BBQs, poolside BBQs and evening sundowners with live music and traditional Intore dancers.
Late evenings can be spent by the beach with a bonfire and cocktails of your choice. Or drive to the Pettit barrier for views of the smoldering Nyiragongo active volcanoes
Accommodation at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Day 9: Lake Kivu – Kigali
Breakfast and check out. A day at leisure while enjoy a refreshing stroll along the 1 kilometer lake shore track or down the boulevards outside the hotel or set off for a cycle along the winding lanes of Gisenyi.
We recommend the Lake Kivu Serena boat excursion. Enjoy scenic views of the various islands within Lake Kivu and some panoramic views of Goma town, complete with very comfortable seats and chilled drinks of your choice on board.
Depart mid afternoon for the journey by road to Kigali International Airport for your evening flight on KLM.
Tour includes:
· Bed & breakfast basis on town of Arusha and Kigali
· Flight tickets from Serengeti to Kigali
· Accommodation on a full board basis on safari
.· Gorilla Trekking Permits
· All park entrance fees
· All museums entrance fees
· All meals as stipulated in the itinerary
.· Full time English speaking driver guide
· Ground transportation by 4x4 wheel drive
· Mineral water in the car during the safari (3 bottles per person per day)
· Relevant government taxes
· Medical evacuation insurance
· Airport transfers
Tour excludes:
· International flight
· Visa entry
· The cost of obtaining visas (Rwanda visa can be obtained with ease at Kigali International Airport for $ 30 per person (Passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond period of stay).
Expenses like laundry, beverages, bar bill, telephone, Hotel mini bar etc
.· Tips (Tipping guideline $ 10 per person)
In case of non-availability, we may have to reroute and provide alternative accommodation at lodges/hotels of similar category.
Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris as our vehicles have limited luggage space
· All the passengers must have identification Card/Passport with them throughout their Travel.