Tanzania & Rwanda

Depart today towards the Ngorongoro Crater. On the way you will pass small villages and towns with friendly residents; watch as the landscape changes from dry to green and lush as you approach the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. Accommodation for the next two nights at Gibb’s Farm Cottages.

Karatu is located in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves.

Your game drive today will be like no other as you visit one of the most dramatic safari destinations in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater. Descend to the crater floor in search of the Big 5 with the steeply sloped forest covered crater walls surrounding you, creating stunning back drops for your wildlife photographs. Travel through the Lerai Forest looking for leopard and onto the plains where the wildebeest and zebra graze whilst cheetah and lion lay and watch. Old elephants pass your vehicle whilst further afield rhino wander and hippos hide in the pools. A picnic lunch is provided so you can maximize your day in the crater.

Today you will be transferred to Lake Manyara Airstrip for your scheduled flight to the Serengeti National Park, one of the wonders of the world. As you cruise through the air keep an eye out of the window and take in the incredible, ever changing, landscape below you. On arrival at Seronera Airstrip you will be met and transferred to Lemala Nanyukie Lodge for a three-night stay.

The rich acacia-dotted plains of the Eastern Serengeti are home to abundant wildlife. Visitors flock here to view the world-renowned wildebeest migration. Some of the best game-viewing can be experienced from Lobo on the eastern edge of the Serengeti National Park along the Grumeti River.

Optional Popular activities (supplements apply): a guided walk through the spectacularly scenic terrain of the wild Serengeti, hot air balloon safari, picnics in the bush, and learning about Maasai culture and history. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the world-famous Gol Kopjes for the best cheetah viewing in Africa.

Two days exploring the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is not only famous for the great wildebeest migration that passes through the park every year from October to July, but also for the large number of animal species that reside in the park throughout the year. The concentration of predators in the Serengeti is high, with large prides of lions, numerous hyena clans and regular sightings of cheetahs and leopards. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and antelope can also be found on the fertile plains as well as some lesser-known species such as aardwolves, mongooses, caracals, servals and hyraxes. If you want to make the most of your game viewing time, you can take a picnic into the park and dine in the vast savannah before returning to your lodge later in the day.

Optional Activity (supplement applies): Balloon Safari  
A balloon safari offers an opportunity to see the wildlife areas from a unique perspective. Take in the wilderness below as you silently float over the vast plains (in whichever direction the wind takes you). Follow a large herd of wildebeest, see a lion stalk its prey or just marvel at the magnificent scenery before touching down for a bush breakfast like no other. If you only take one balloon flight in your life, this is the place to do it.

This morning you will be transferred to the Seronera Airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Keep an eye out of the window for the snow-capped peak of the mountain as you come into land. On arrival you will be met and assisted with your scheduled flight to Kigali International Airport.

Welcome to Rwanda. On arrival at Kigali International Airport you will be met by your driver/guide and set out for the Volcanoes National Park which lies on the northern border of Rwanda. This pretty drive will take you through the farmlands and villages of Rwanda, giving you a glimpse into life in this wonderful country. As you near your destination look out for the soaring peaks of the Virunga Mountain Chain. Accommodation for the following three nights at Wilderness Sabyinyo.

Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face to face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, with the beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke being a particular highlight. Make sure to visit the fascinating Karisoke Research Centre and the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey.

After an early breakfast you will be driven to the Gorilla Tracking HQ to meet the guide, porter and the other people tracking your gorilla family.  

Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is often described as “life changing” and with good reason. With only an estimated 1,000 gorillas left in the world, to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat is a truly unique moment. Gorillas make their homes in and amongst the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains in the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. Trek to see them and you’ll be introduced by your expert trackers and guides to one of the fully habituated families of mountain gorillas and you can stay with them for an awe-inspiring hour, often crouching just a few feet away, whilst the gorillas go about their daily lives.

Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours+ depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel at seeing the gorillas!

Expert guides give a pre-trek briefing on specific protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas that live within an altitude of 2500 and 4000m. Porters (supplement applies) are available to help carry backpacks and cameras, as well as helping you with your footing along your hike which can be hard work, but well worth it.

Today you have the day at leisure to explore the Volcanoes National Park with a huge array of activities (supplements apply) to choose from, the most famous of them being the gorilla tracking. However there is also golden monkey tracking, visits to the ex-poachers village, the Musanze caves to explore and the many lakes and boats to walk around and paddle on.

Optional Activity (supplement applies): Kingfisher Journeys Mukungwa River Canoe Trip
This short excursion near to Rwanda’s famous gorillas is the perfect way to see the lush countryside for which this beautiful country is so famous! Peacefully spending 2½ - 3 hours on the water, you’ll be surrounded by numerous species of birds, meet friendly communities and witness rural life as you pass by. And if you are lucky, you may also see the otters. Most of the trip is on gentle, flat water that is perfect for relaxing and soaking up the scenery. There is just one small rapid (that can be easily walked around) and a short section of faster moving water that add a little excitement to make a fun and enjoyable trip.

Located near Musanze, 30 minutes from the Volcanoes National Park and 2½ hours from Kigali, en route to Lake Kivu, this activity is a superb way to enhance your client’s experiences in Rwanda. Suitable for children from seven years.

Today, you bid farewell to the Volcanoes National Park and drive back to the capital of the city, Kigali. This is a wonderfully scenic drive through the farmlands and rolling hills and gives you time to reflect on the wonderous adventures you have had here. At Kigali International Airport you will be assisted with your onward flight.

• Meet and assist at all airports/airstrips
• Transfers with English-speaking driver/guide
• 6-nights' accommodation and meals as specified in itinerary

  • Arusha Coffee Lodge: Bed & Breakfast  
  • Gibbs Farm Includes: Room, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; farm based and local cultural activities as per activities sheet, Wi-Fi & Laundry, non-alcoholic beverages, standard drinks, standard spirits, local beer and house wines
  • Lemala Nanyukie: house wines and spirits, local beers, soft drinks, juices, water, laundry and, Wi-Fi. TDL game drives whilst on safari using the lodge Safari land cruiser on a shared basis
• Park entrance fees
• Internal scheduled shared flights: Lake Manyara Airstrip/Seronera Airstrip (SEU); Seronera Airstrip (SEU)/Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO); Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)/Kigali International Airport (KGL)

  • Baggage allowance of 15kg/33lb in soft bags inclusive of hand luggage and camera equipment. The flying times are approximate as the service could land at additional airstrips en-route, depending on passenger demand
• Government taxes and levies
• 24/7 service and full local backup throughout Tanzania
• Africa Travel Notes - issued by Innovative Travel

• International flights and electronic travel authorisation (eTA)
• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Drinks unless specified in itinerary – excludes premium drinks (including champagnes, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, cigars)
• Touring and excursions not specified
• Park fees, entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified in itinerary
  Gorilla permits quoted separately. These need to be prepaid to secure, and are non-refundable once purchased)
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Departure taxes
• All items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, curio shop purchases
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Travel and Medical Insurance
• Visas (clients are responsible for obtaining their own visa where appropriate and should check entry requirements). Should a visa payment be required, this will need to be made in US Dollar cash
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above