This Gorillas & Ngorongoro Crater Safari will take you to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater that is home to over 25,000 animals and over 450 bird species via the Serengeti National Park and to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda known for its mountain gorillas.
Gorillas & Ngorongoro Crater Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha to the Serengeti National Park
- Day 2: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Rim drive – Arusha and fly to Kigali
- Day 4: Kigali City Tour to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla Trekking – Visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
- Day 6: Transfer to Kigali for departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to the Serengeti National Park
Early pick up from your hotel in Arusha after your breakfast by our company representative. He will brief you about your 6 days safari and gorilla experience as you journey along to the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
Upon arrival in the park area, you will drive to your camp / lodge for check in and to have your lunch too. After, you will embark on an afternoon game drive to explore this vast wilderness. Expect to see thousands of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, elephants, buffalos, hippos among others. Retreat and drive back to your camp / lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Pre-sunrise game drive for chances of spotting the Serengeti predators (hyenas, jackals) and big cats (lions, cheetahs, leopards) feasting on their morning prey. Beautiful sunrise as you head back to your camp / lodge for breakfast and check out. Exit the Serengeti NP to Ngorongoro Crater driving through the plains along the Seronera River Valley known for having a large collection of predators and the prey.
Continue your drive to the crater rim and then make a scenic descent into the amazing Ngorongoro Crater for exploration of the crater floor, which is home to over 25,000 animals and over 450 different bird species. A natural wonder it is. Expect to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, buffalos, gazelles, hyenas, rhinos (rare sightings) among others. You will have your lunch at an allocated picnic sight with great views. Continue with your game drive as you ascend to the crater rim and then drive to your camp / lodge for check in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Rim drive – Arusha and fly to Kigali
Early morning after your breakfast, you will check out and then embark on a game drive around the crater rim of Ngorongoro Crater for chances to spot the animals not fond in the crater like the giraffes, impalas and topis.
After exploring the crater rim, you will start the journey back to Arusha to catch your flight to Kigali Rwanda. You will be received by our Driver in Kigali and taken to your hotel for rest, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Kigali City Tour to Volcanoes National Park
Your driver will pick you from your hotel / lodge after breakfast and check out and drive you to Kigali for a half day city tour before you proceed to Volcanoes National Park. Kigali is a small city but one of the cleanest and most organized in Africa. You will visit the Kigali genocide memorial center, the city markets, former presidential palace and crafts shops.
After the city tour, you will have lunch then continue your journey to Volcanoes National Park famous for the mountain gorillas. Once you reach the park, you will be taken to your hotel / lodge for check-in and refreshment. The driver / guide will come pick you and take you to visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Dinner and overnight stay back at your hotel / lodge.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking – Visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
This will be one of the most memorable days of your safari. Early morning breakfast and drive to the park head offices where you will be briefed about gorilla trekking and also allocated a gorilla family group to trek. The duration of the trek will depend on the movement of the gorillas, the condition of the trail and your physical fitness.
Once you find these great apes, you will be allowed an hour with them, keeping the recommended distances, take pictures and also ask questions if you have any. Retreat and head bag to the head offices for your trekking certificates. Your driver will drive you to your hotel / lodge for lunch and some relaxation. Later in the afternoon, the driver will take you to visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a community and cultural experience. Dinner and overnight back at your hotel / lodge.
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali for departure
Rise and shine, beautiful day, birds singing beautiful sunrise. Have your breakfast and then prepare for a drive to Kigali. You can do some final shopping for souvenirs at the craft shops. Then your driver will drop you at the airport to catch your flight back home.