Gorillas and Serengeti Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Gorillas and Serengeti Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Kigali International Airport
Hotel des Mille Collines
Set in large gardens in the heart of Kigali, the four-star Hotel des Mille Collines features in the film Hotel Rwanda. As in the film, the hotel attracts a largely business clientele, but its location also makes it a good base for exploring the Rwandan capital.
Set in large gardens in the heart of Kigali, the four-star Hotel des Mille Collines features in the film Hotel Rwanda. As in the film, the hotel attracts a largely business clientele, but its location also makes it a good base for exploring the Rwandan capital.
"Pleasant and comfortable."
Mr J & Mrs SfromStreathaArrived 18 Aug 2019, 1 night
The Hotel des Mille Collines is a relatively standard, slightly anonymous, international hotel. Efforts have clearly been made to keep it up to date, although we felt that the rooms could benefit from refurbishment. We wouldn’t always mention a hotel like this for our travellers, but it offers a good standard of comfort and service and is fairly economically priced, so is worth consideration for an overnight stop. See our full report on Hotel des Mille Collines
Activities
Cultural excursion
City & Genocide Memorial Tour
Rwanda's capital city, Kigali, is a fascinating spot. Developments which wouldn't look out of place in a much more modern city are springing up, and the country is proud of the capital's progress, both economically and environmentally. Take the time to appreciate Kigali's intricacies, both modern and historical, with a drive through the city and a visit to the Genocide Memorial and museum. Read all about Kigali City Tour
Mountain Gorilla View
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, previously called Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, is located on the slopes of Rwanda’s Mount Sabyinyo. A good mid-range hotel set in spacious grounds, it has beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes and is only a 15-minute drive from the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, which is the starting point for gorilla trekking.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, previously called Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, is located on the slopes of Rwanda’s Mount Sabyinyo. A good mid-range hotel set in spacious grounds, it has beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes and is only a 15-minute drive from the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, which is the starting point for gorilla trekking.
"The staff was great and food was very good"
Rusty HudakfromStowArrived 21 Jul 2019, 3 nights
We really like Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. It is a very comfortable hotel with spacious cottages, friendly staff and a great location. Don’t come here expecting luxury, but if you are looking for a relaxed lodge that shouldn’t break the bank, it could be a good choice. See our full report on Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Activities
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Helicopter
Primate trekking
Golden Monkey Trekking
Spend a morning trekking to find the golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park. These endangered monkeys are endemic to the Albertine Rift area and, as the name would suggest, are characterised by their golden-orange fur. You’ll be able to enjoy an hour watching them jump through the bamboo forests and hunker to chew thistles, curiously watching you, as you watch them. Read all about Golden Monkey Trekking
Gorilla Trekking Safari
Look into the eyes of a large silverback gorilla and he'll look back with a thoughtful, intelligent gaze, mindful that you're another individual. Any apprehensions or nerves you might have had during your trek will melt away the minute you see your gorilla family. Gorilla trekking safaris offer a magical encounter that transcends any other 'wildlife' experience we know. Read all about Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking Safari
Look into the eyes of a large silverback gorilla and he'll look back with a thoughtful, intelligent gaze, mindful that you're another individual. Any apprehensions or nerves you might have had during your trek will melt away the minute you see your gorilla family. Gorilla trekking safaris offer a magical encounter that transcends any other 'wildlife' experience we know. Read all about Gorilla Trekking
Hotel des Mille Collines
Set in large gardens in the heart of Kigali, the four-star Hotel des Mille Collines features in the film Hotel Rwanda. As in the film, the hotel attracts a largely business clientele, but its location also makes it a good base for exploring the Rwandan capital.
Set in large gardens in the heart of Kigali, the four-star Hotel des Mille Collines features in the film Hotel Rwanda. As in the film, the hotel attracts a largely business clientele, but its location also makes it a good base for exploring the Rwandan capital.
"Grand old hotel, very well located."
Mr & Mrs L.fromLondonArrived 3 Nov 2019, 1 night
The Hotel des Mille Collines is a relatively standard, slightly anonymous, international hotel. Efforts have clearly been made to keep it up to date, although we felt that the rooms could benefit from refurbishment. We wouldn’t always mention a hotel like this for our travellers, but it offers a good standard of comfort and service and is fairly economically priced, so is worth consideration for an overnight stop. See our full report on Hotel des Mille Collines
Activities
Cultural excursion
Nomad Serengeti Camp
Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp is a classic tented mobile camp for up to 14 guests. The camp changes location several times a year, broadly following the wildebeest migration around Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, when hundreds of thousands of animals move through the ecosystem.
Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp is a classic tented mobile camp for up to 14 guests. The camp changes location several times a year, broadly following the wildebeest migration around Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, when hundreds of thousands of animals move through the ecosystem.
"All the staff were terrific "
JanefromColneArrived 20 Sep 2018, 3 nights
Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp is a traditional bushcamp, with relatively luxurious comforts and high standards of food and service. There is a lovely balance here between immersing yourself in the wilderness, feeling truly part of the bush, and enjoying a level of luxury that is normally the preserve of a much more upmarket camp. If you want an authentic experience of bush living, while also getting close to the migration action, this would be a great choice. See our full report on Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Plantation Lodge
The privately run Plantation Lodge, first opened in 1998, lies between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park, a short distance from the bustling Tanzanian market town of Karatu. Set in three hectares (seven acres) of beautifully maintained gardens, it is staffed entirely by local residents. The lodge is mainly used by visitors travelling with their own guide and vehicle, as a base for visits to the Ngorongoro Crater and sometimes to Lake Manyara National Park.
The privately run Plantation Lodge, first opened in 1998, lies between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park, a short distance from the bustling Tanzanian market town of Karatu. Set in three hectares (seven acres) of beautifully maintained gardens, it is staffed entirely by local residents. The lodge is mainly used by visitors travelling with their own guide and vehicle, as a base for visits to the Ngorongoro Crater and sometimes to Lake Manyara National Park.
"great to return to after a long day"
Mr AfromSwitzerlandArrived 13 Feb 2020, 2 nights
We have always been impressed by the attention to detail and personal care at Plantation Lodge. It is comparatively affordable compared to many of the lodges on the rim of the crater and we feel it offers excellent value for money. Conveniently located, it makes a lovely, tranquil base from which to explore both the Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara areas. See our full report on Plantation Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Mountain biking
Ends: Kilimanjaro International Airport
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro in time to catch your onward flight.
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.
Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk
Two to three hours
Discover the intricacies of day-to-day life in the large Tanzanian village of Mto Wa Mbu with a knowledgeable local guide. This is not a village set up for tourists; Mto Wa Mbu is a real community and offers a chance to see a side of the country that many visitors pass by.
More about Village Walk
King’s Palace & Museum Visit
Half day
If your trip in Rwanda incorporates travelling south from Kigali, a visit to the King’s Palace and Museum gives an interesting insight into Rwanda’s cultural history and monarchy. It's also ideally placed to break up the long journey to Nyungwe Forest.
More about King’s Palace
Balloon Safari over the Serengeti
Three hours - approx. one hour flight
As the sun rises over the Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania, climb aboard for an extraordinary adventure. For an hour you’ll float in a hot air balloon over beautiful savannah and woodland and a diversity of plains wildlife.
More about Balloon Safari
Empakaai Crater Hike
Half day, two - three hour walk
Spend a half day hiking through the Empakaai Crater, in the Highlands area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), led by an experienced guide and accompanied by a ranger.
More about Empakaai Crater Hike
Olmoti Crater walk
Half day - two to three hour walk
Follow an ancient Maasai cattle trail on this private hike up the Olmoti Crater, led by an experienced guide and accompanied by an armed ranger. The crater may not compete in size with the neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, but the birding is good, the mountain views wonderful, and the array of ferns is a botanist’s dream.
More about Olmoti Crater walk
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Typically a full day
To drive into the Ngorongoro Crater is to immerse yourself in a renowned wildlife park. Prides of lion and clans of hyena patrol amongst herds of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle, whilst flocks of crowned cranes keep out the way of jackals. Come for elephants with big tusks, too. And then there are the rhino…
More about Ngorongoro Crater safari
Lake Manyara Safari
Half-day or full-day
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park makes a great safari destination. Here, along with elephant herds and plains game, you’ll find jungle-like forests that are home to blue monkeys, a soda lake tinged pink by flamingos and some of Tanzania’s best birding.
More about Lake Manyara Safari
Crater Rim Walk
Half day - two hour walk
For some fantastic views, and the chance to see flora and fauna up close, take a walk along the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Led by an experienced safari guide and accompanied by an armed ranger, you will be able to take in the scale and beauty of the landscape from a different perspective.
More about Crater Rim Walk
Canoeing in Rwanda
Half day - approx. 3 hours on the water
A half-day adventure in lush countryside, on a gentle river near to Musanze, Rwanda
More about Canoeing
Olduvai Gorge visit
One - two hours
See for yourself the renowned archaeological site of Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge, which lies en route between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. Famed for the discoveries of early hominin remains as well as the Laetoli Footprints, the site offers beautiful views, an engaging museum and potentially the opportunity to visit an active dig.
More about Olduvai Gorge visit
Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway
Usually one hour
Experience the forest of Lake Manyara National Park from a whole new perspective – high up in the trees. The first suspended walkway in Tanzania, it stretches underneath the canopy for 370m between the mahogany and fig trees, giving intrepid visitors a unique view of the surrounding flora and fauna.
More about Manyara Treetop Walk
Mount Bisoke Trek
Full day
For something a little different, set out on a one-day hike to the summit of Mt Bisoke in the Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas. Discover the beautiful scenery of the Virunga Mountains, spot birds and wildlife, and enjoy spectacular views from the crater lake.
More about Mount Bisoke Trek
Mount Karisimbi Trek - 2 day trek
Two days - overnight on Mt Karisimbi
Set out on a two-day hike to the summit of Mount Karisimbi, which at over 4,507m is one of the highest in Africa. This is a challenge for the adventurous! With a local guide, you’ll traverse bamboo forests and rugged terrain, then camp on the slopes of this active volcano before enjoying sunrise from the summit.
More about Mount Karisimbi Trek
Trek to Dian Fossey’s Grave
Half day, usually five hours
Dian Fossey is best known for her research and conservation work with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. She dedicated her life to researching and protecting these ‘gentle giants’ from harm, however she was tragically found murdered at her research camp in 1985. Today visitors can join a local guide to trek through the tropical forest to visit her grave, and learn about the impact of her work.
More about Dian Fossey Trek