Compare Mountain Gorillas, Craters & Serengeti Explorer by Rothschild Safaris vs Mountain Gorilla Safari: Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda 2021 by Tauck

Day 1: Rwanda: Kigali - Kigali Serena Hotel, Standard Room

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel

A special meet & greet has been arranged for your arrival to assist you through customs, immigration and to collect your bags. Please look out for an airport representative with your name on a signboard. You will be assisted to meet with your driver for your private road transfer to your Kigali accommodation.

Accommodation

Ideally located in a secure area on one of Kigali's most charming boulevards, Kigali Serena Hotel is conveniently situated in central Kigali Rwanda, just 6 miles (10 km) from Kigali International Airport and a 5 minute walk from the Central Business District. With a selection of rooms ranging from Standard, Superior, Deluxe to Junior Suites, Prime, Executive, and Presidential Suites, you will be spoilt with choice. All rooms are en-suite and have air conditioning. Facilities include a swimming pool, numerous bars and restaurants, health club, events center and gift shop.

Inclusions:

Your 1 night stay includes:

Activities:

City tour of Kigali. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 2 to 3: Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park - Virunga Lodge, Standard Room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Virunga Lodge

This morning, you will be picked up at your accommodation for your Kigali City Tour. After your tour, you will be transferred to your next accommodation.

Accommodation

Virunga Lodge is located about 1 hour's drive from the headquarters of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, Virunga Lodge is currently one of the area's top lodges. It certainly has one of the most spectacular locations of any camp in Africa – high on a ridge overlooking the twin lakes of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo. The magnificent Virunga Lodge consists of 10 Bandas. Each en-suite Banda has its own terrace, and bathrooms include toilets, double vanity, shower with hot and cold running water. The camp is run on solar power to maintain a crucial sensitivity to the environment.

Inclusions:

Your 2 night stay includes:

• Local beverages (house wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks)

• Laundry - Please allow 24 hours for your laundry to be returned to you

• WiFi - Signal strength can be intermittent

Activities:

Visit to Mwiko Primary School. Optional activities for an additional cost: Golden monkey trekking, visit Dian Fosseys grave, volcano hikes. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 2: Kigali Museums and Art Experience

Visit the Genocide Memorial Museum. The memorial was built in 2004 on the burial site of 250,000 genocide victims. The site includes an exhibit documenting the genocide, a children’s memorial and an exhibit on the history of genocide around the world. Visit the Kandt House Museum, the first part presents Rwandan life in all its aspects: social, economic and political – before the colonial period. The second part of the museum traces the experience of the Rwandan people during the colonial period and the third part covers the history of Kigali, before, during and after the colonial era. Visit to The Parliamentary Campaign against Genocide Museum which contains well researched and documented history of the Campaign Against Genocide. The Inema Art Center is a collective of Rwandan creative artists, which provides artists to explore their creative talent. Specializing in contemporary African Arts, Crafts, Music, and Dance. The Center is home to programmes, projects, and initiatives that expand creative arts in Rwanda. Take part in workshops, trainings, and hands on classes, providing a space to fuel creative expression. (some entrance fees payable direct)

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking

During your stay enjoy gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Each day begins with a delicious full spread breakfast and a hot cup of Rwandan coffee. You then venture into the park just minutes from your lodge for gorilla trekking - one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in the world. Meet up with your guides and trackers to begin your trekking excursion. The trek can take from one to six hours and you can reach altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike can be physically demanding at times, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make it all worthwhile. Once you locate the gorillas, you will be overwhelmed by the whole experience as you get to enjoy one intimate hour with them. Time permitting, you can visit Ruhengeri and its bustling market or the Dian Fossey research center later in the afternoon.

Day 4: Rwanda: Kigali - Kigali Serena Hotel, Standard Room

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel

This morning you will be met by your guide for a day of gorilla trekking. After the trek, you depart for the 2 hour drive back to Kigali and your accommodation for the evening.

Accommodation

Ideally located in a secure area on one of Kigali's most charming boulevards, Kigali Serena Hotel is conveniently situated in central Kigali Rwanda, just 6 miles (10 km) from Kigali International Airport and a 5 minute walk from the Central Business District. With a selection of rooms ranging from Standard, Superior, Deluxe to Junior Suites, Prime, Executive, and Presidential Suites, you will be spoilt with choice. All rooms are en-suite and have air conditioning. Facilities include a swimming pool, numerous bars and restaurants, health club, events center and gift shop.

Inclusions:

Your 1 night stay includes:

Activities:

City tour of Kigali. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking

After breakfast, take a short drive to Park Headquarters for your second day of gorilla trekking. You will meet the excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. You will then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point.

Day 5 to 7: Tanzania: Serengeti National Park - Olakira Mobile Camp, Luxury Tent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Olakira Mobile Camp

This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to Kigali Airport for your flight out.

Kigali - Serengeti National Park, Scheduled Flight

On arrival, you will be transferred by road from the local airstrip to your accommodation.

Accommodation

Olakira Camp follows moves twice a year between carefully chosen campsites, allowing for superb game viewing at all times. Whilst Olakira is known for its superb locations during the Migration, the camp has one more surprise that awaits you – stargazing tents. This camp captures the essence of classic mobile tented safaris with 9 spacious and comfortable tents. Each tented room features an en-suite bathroom with running hot-water showers and flushing toilets.

Inclusions:

Your 3 night stay includes:

• Local beverages (house wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks)

• Laundry - Please allow 24 hours for your laundry to be returned to you

• WiFi - Signal strength can be intermittent

Activities:

Morning and afternoon game drives, bush breakfast and picnics, cultural visit. Optional activities for an additional cost: Hot air balloon safari. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 8 & 9: Tanzania: Ngorongoro Crater - Gibb’s Farm, Cottage

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Gibb’s Farm

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your flight to Lake Manyara, then by road to your next accommodation.

Serengeti National Park - Lake Manyara, Scheduled Flight

On arrival, you will be transferred by road from the local airstrip to your accommodation.

Accommodation

Gibb's Farm is a charming rustic working farmhouse built in 1929 is surrounded by fields of crops. Each of the 18 spacious cottages overlooking the abundant quaint gardens. All cottages have private patios, indoor and outdoor showers. This stunning working farm boasts an on-site dairy, acres of organic produce, herbs and fresh coffee. Enjoy local and seasonal farm-to-table produce daily, bakery-fresh breads and ingredients straight from the field making mealtimes extra special.

Inclusions:

Your 2 night stay includes:

• WiFi - Signal strength can be intermittent.

Activities:

Morning or afternoon game drives, farm life experiences, bread making, coffee roasting, vegetable harvesting, afternoon high tea, walks (including a farm walk, medicinal walk, forest walk, and village walk) and Tloma Primary School Visit. Optional activities for an additional cost: Hippo Pools sunset drive, crater walk, waterfall & elephant caves hike, village cycle tour, mountain biking, town tour, spa treatments. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater Drive

Today you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact, unflooded caldera in the world. The crater is a World Heritage Site, commonly considered the 8th Wonder 0f The World. The enduring charm of Ngorongoro Crater stems from its overwhelming physical beauty and the abundance of wildlife that permanently reside on the crater floor.

Depending on the season, populations of approximately 25,000 to 30,000 large animals live in the crater. This includes, reputedly, the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa. An astonishing 55 different species of mammal have been counted in the crater together with over 400 species of birds, so your wildlife viewing is going to be spectacular. Aside from herds of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest, the crater is home to the "Big Five" of rhinoceros, lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Hyenas are the most numerous predators and are constantly at war with the lion. There are also ongoing skirmishes between buffalo and lion.

Day 10

This morning you will transfer to the local airstrip for your flight to Arusha. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Rivertrees Country Inn where you will have a day use room to refresh and relax as well as lunch. Later this evening you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro in time to connect with your international departure flight.

Lake Manyara - Arusha, Shared Charter flight

Day 1 Arrive Arusha, Tanzania

Tour begins: Gran Meliá Arusha. A transfer is included from Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Gran Meliá Arusha Hotel in Arusha, a safari gateway city at the foot of Mount Meru.

LODGING : Gran Meliá Arusha

PORTOFCALL : Arusha, Tanzania

Day 2 Birds of Lake Manyara National Park

The vast Serengeti beckons as you begin your safari in Tanzania. Take your first game drive through Lake Manyara National Park, where you might get your first glimpse of giraffes, baboons, hippos, and elephants along with hundreds of species of birds. Arrive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, populated by an estimated 30,000 large mammals. Your lodge for the next two nights is on the Ngorongoro Crater rim overlooking the caldera below, an excellent spot for our welcome reception and dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Arusha, Tanzania

Day 3 A Garden of Eden in Ngorongoro Crater

Thought by some to be Africa’s original "Garden of Eden," Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest calderas in the world and contains a variety of ecosystems and an astounding concentration of birds and animals. Your four-wheel-drive vehicle, built exclusively for Tauck, provides an excellent mobile viewing platform when encountering massive herds of zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles. This area affords an opportunity to spot the Big Five – elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater today.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Day 4 Flying to Serengeti National Park

Today, you'll hop a morning flight from Lake Manyara to the heart of Serengeti National Park. As you do, you'll fly over Oldupai Gorge, where, over 50 years ago, archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of some of the earliest known human species, an estimated 1.8 million years old. Arrive at your Four Seasons safari lodge in the Serengeti for a three-night stay. Following an afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park, join us this evening for a special barbecue dinner in your lodge's Boma Grill, enhanced by a Maasai traditional dance performance.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Day 5 Endless Plains in Serengeti Nat’l Park

Look for wildlife in the heart of the vast savanna of the Serengeti today on both morning and afternoon game drives. Sightings might include lions, zebras, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, jackals, gazelles, and giraffes. When the sunset paints the sky in the evening, watch the show from the luxury of your lodge in Serengeti National Park, and enjoy dinner tonight at your choice of restaurants at the lodge.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Day 6 Kenya’s Amboseli National Park

Spend another glorious day in the spectacular Serengeti as you head out into the grasslands aboard safari vehicles for game drives in the early morning as well as the afternoon. In between, you'll have free time to relax and enjoy the amenities of your Four Seasons safari lodge, where you'll dine at your choice of restaurants tonight. 

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Day 7 On to Kenya’s Amboseli National Park

Leave the Serengeti behind as you fly to Arusha, Tanzania en route to Kenya. Dominating the skyline, majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro peaks over surrounding landscapes from more than 15,000 feet up. After landing in Arusha, enjoy an early lunch at the Cultural Heritage Center before continuing overland into Kenya to begin a two-night at your safari lodge in Amboseli National Park, where herds of free-ranging elephants and other wildlife like to roam. Enjoy a private lecture on the elephants of Amboseli and anti-poaching efforts in Kenya prior to dinner at your leisure at the lodge this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Day 8 Private game drives and more in Amboseli

Tauck's private safari game drives in Amboseli National Park offer ample opportunity to view the elephants, hippos and buffaloes that seek out the park's natural watering holes and the graceful antelopes that graze in the flat grasslands. An early morning visit to a Maasai village precedes a morning game drive, after which you'll return to the lodge for breakfast. Spend some down time at your lodge prior to lunch, then another game drive, and time to spend as you please at the lodge in the afternoon. Dinner is at your leisure at the lodge this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Day 9 Fly to the Equator & Sweetwaters

A morning flight brings you to Sweetwaters Serena Camp, set in Ol Pejeta Conservancy on the Equator, your home for the next two nights. Following lunch and an Equatorial demonstration, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the amenities and surroundings at this fabulous tented safari camp.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Sweetwaters Serena Camp

Day 10 Rhinos & chimpanzees, village crafts & more

An exciting day begins at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the largest resident black rhino population in East Africa and other members of the Big Five. It is also home to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, founded by Jane Goodall, which gives lifelong homes to orphaned and abused chimpanzees, and which you'll visit this morning. While at Ol Pejeta, enjoy Tauck's special access to visit a compound where endangered black rhino are bred. After lunch at your hotel, take a look at local life on a private visit to a nearby village, where villagers spin colorful tales into their handmade wool rugs, sweaters and shawls right before your eyes. Return to your celebrity resort late afternoon. Tonight, attend our private barbecue dinner held under the stars at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

 

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Sweetwaters Serena Camp

Day 11 The Masai Mara & an evening game drive

Pack your Tauck duffle bag and fly to the Masai Mara National Reserve in southern Kenya, where you'll be welcomed by Maasai warriors. Have lunch upon your arrival at the luxurious Fairmont Mara Safari Club, where an elegant tented camp is your home for the next two nights. Spend the afternoon relaxing, swimming, taking in the views and otherwise becoming acquainted with the Safari Club and your luxury tented camp accommodations, evoking the classic safaris of yesteryear. Embark on a late afternoon game drive across the plains of "the Mara" in search of animals that make their homes here; perhaps you’ll see lions, antelopes, elephants and zebras in their daily rituals. Return to camp for a briefing on tomorrow's hot air balloon flight, followed by dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont Mara Safari Club

Day 12 Ballooning over the plains of the Masai Mara

Today will be one that you’ll always remember, as you arise before dawn to board a hot air balloon* and float over the Masai Mara's awakening plains below as the sun rises. When you land, a special champagne breakfast will be awaiting you right there in the bush! Spectacular isn’t quite strong enough a word to describe such an experience, a Tauck Exclusive on your Kenya safari! Back on the ground, look for lions, impalas, cheetahs, giraffes, and the other animals you’ve come to love as you return overland to the camp for lunch and an afternoon at leisure – and later on an evening game drive in the bush. After returning to your tented camp, join us for dinner in the boma of the Fairmont Mara Safari Club.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont Mara Safari Club

Day 13 Fly to Kigali, Rwanda

Fly this morning to Kigali airport in Rwanda, home to Volcanoes National Park and the forested habitat of endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. A late afternoon arrival at your Serena Hotel is followed by dinner at leisure.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kigali Serena Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Kigali, Rwanda

Day 14 Kigali coffee & Dian Fossey's gorilla legacy

Embark this morning on a drive through the countryside to the city of Ruhengeri at the base of Volcanoes National Park, where eight ancient volcanoes watch over the wildlife that thrives here. Check into your grass-thatched traditional Rwandan lodge, nestled under the eucalyptus trees at the foothills of the Virunga Volcano range, and have lunch before visiting the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Museum. Learn insights and observations about gorilla behavior in preparation for tomorrow’s trek, as well as hear the fascinating story of Dian Fossey’s unforgettable quest to save the mountain gorilla.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : One&Only Gorilla's Nest

Day 15 Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park

Rise early for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you’ll not soon forget. Drive to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park where a briefing by your expert mountain guides answers any questions you may have about your trek into the wilderness and a dance performance as you eat your boxed breakfast whets your appetite for today’s gorilla adventure. Climb aboard a safari vehicle as you make your way to the trailhead where your gorilla trek begins. You will be assigned a porter who will help carry your provisions and cameras and lead you to the gorilla family you are here to meet. Once the gorillas are located, you will have the rare opportunity to watch them interact with each other, and you if they choose! When your hour-long visit is up, head back to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. A local expert presents an informative lecture this afternoon about the endangered mountain gorillas you were privileged to see. Join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner at the lodge.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : One&Only Gorilla's Nest

Day 16 Journey Home

Tour ends: Kigali. Depart your hotel after breakfast for your journey back to Kigali, stopping en route to visit the Genocide Memorial Museum. Pay tribute to the 800,000 Rwandans who lost their lives during the atrocities of 1994 and discover how Rwanda was able to come together, heal and move forward into the future with hope and resilience. Continue to the Kigali Serena Hotel where Tauck has reserved day rooms for you until your flight home this evening. Airport transfers are included from Kigali Serena Hotel to Kigali International Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check in at the airport.

MEALS : B, L

PORTOFCALL : Kigali, Rwanda