Luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda with Tanzania safari and beach

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Kigali 
• 3 nights Volcanoes National Park 
• 1 night Arusha 
• 2 nights Tarangire National Park 
• 2 nights Ngorongoro Crater
• 2 nights Serengeti National Park 
• 4 nights Fanjove Island 

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Kigali 

On arrival in Kigali, you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for one night. Spend the afternoon and evening unwinding at your peaceful hotel, enjoying delicious food and preparing for the adventures that start to tomorrow. 

Included: Transfers, The Retreat

Day 3: Travel to Bisate Reserve in Volcanoes National Park 

Enjoy an early breakfast before a poignant and essential visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, offering a profound understanding of Rwanda's history and its remarkable path to peace and reconciliation. After lunch, you'll begin the journey through Rwanda's rolling hills towards Volcanoes National Park. On arrival at the famous Bisate Reserve, you'll check into your lavish villa at Wilderness Bisate, your home for the next three nights. Spend the rest of your afternoon relaxing, sipping on a cocktail and enjoying the panoramic views from the lodge.

Included: All meals, transfers, Wilderness Bisate Lodge

Day 4: Volcanoes National Park & Gorilla trek

Another early start, you’ll be driven over to Volcanoes National Park where you’ll register for your gorilla trek. Here, the park staff will determine which group of gorillas you will visit. You will be put into groups and receive a trekking time, based on the gorilla’s location within the park the previous evening. There is a maximum of 96 gorilla permits available each day, with 8 trekkers in each group.

You’ll receive a briefing from your guide, learning of all of the ‘do’s and don’ts’ while in the presence of gorillas, before heading up into the mountains to begin the hike. Trekking can take from two to six hours, as the gorillas sometimes move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. You’ll be able to stop frequently for a chance to rest and take photos as you go.

Your encounter with the gorillas will be so special – coming so close to these magnificent animals is a joy. Whether you meet the majestic silverback or see some baby gorillas playing in the jungle, it will be an hour you’ll never forget.

After your experience, you’ll head back to the lodge for an evening of chilling by the fire, telling stories of your day and tucking into a sensational dinner. 

Included: All meals, guided gorilla trek with permit, Wilderness Bisate Lodge

Day 5: Golden Monkey trekking 

Today you'll head out into the volcanic rainforest and bamboo thickets to track the endangered golden monkeys that are endemic to the Virunga Massif. This energetic primates leap playfully between branches, offering incredible photography opportunities. The rest of the day is yours to indulge at Bisate Lodge, whether you're enjoying some wine tastings, heading to the spa for a wellness treatment or simply reading a book on your deck. 

Included: All meals, guided golden monkey trekking, Wilderness Bisate Lodge

Day 6: Fly to Arusha 

Enjoy a final peaceful morning at Bisate Lodge, soaking up the misty peaks of the Virungas, before heading back to Kigali. You'll be dropped at the airport to board the short flight over to Arusha in Tanzania. On arrival, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, checking in for one night before heading off on your safari tomorrow. 

Included: All meals, transfers, international flights, Legendary Lodge

Day 7: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, you’ll set off in your 4x4 safari vehicle with your expert Nomad Tanzania guide towards Tarangire National Park. The journey will take you through the heart of Tanzania’s Maasai country, so you’ll see daily life unfolding as you drive. You’ll also stop for lunch along the way.

As soon as you enter Tarangire National Park, your safari will begin. When it comes to National Parks in Tanzania, Tarangire is something of a hidden gem. Far less famous than Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, it feels like a true untouched wilderness. Here, amongst the striking baobab trees, it’s common to see herds of elephants in their hundreds, as well as wildebeest and zebra gathering in huge numbers.

Towards sunset, you’ll arrive at Kuro Tarangire, where you’ll spend the next 2 nights in a thatched safari tent with ensuite facilities. Set within a grove of trees on the banks of the Tarangire River, Kuro is a beautiful camp. After an atmospheric evening meal, you can fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush.

Included: Safari guide and vehicle, accommodation at Kuro Tarangire, all meals, all safari activities.

Day 8: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a full day of safari activities, beginning a with a bushwalk straight from the camp. Kuro Tarangire has special permission to walk within the National Park, so you’ll set out on foot along the banks of the Tarangire River, spotting wildlife as you walk.

Next, you’ll climb into your safari vehicle for a game drive through the bush. Tarangire is second only to the Serengeti when it comes to the concentration of wildlife. Look out for leopards in the baobab trees, lions sleeping in the afternoon shade, zebras grazing in the grasslands and elephants crossing the meandering rivers.

In the evening, you’ll set out again on a unique night safari, looking for nocturnal species that are tricky to spot during the day. You might spot anything from hyenas to porcupines and a whole host of night predators, so keep your binoculars close at hand.

Included:  Safari guide and vehicle, accommodation at Kuro Tarangire, all meals, all safari activities.

Day 9: Tarangire National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

This morning, you’ll leave Tarangire National Park and travel to the rim of the iconic Ngorongoro Crater. On the way, you’ll take a game drive through Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and the pink flamingos that flock to its soda ash lake.

In the afternoon, you’ll head up into the lush Ngorongoro Highlands, eventually arriving at Entamanu Lodge, your home for the next two nights. This spectacular lodge is perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater itself, with breathtaking views of the caldera.

After settling into your heated room with guaranteed Crater views, you’ll take a private sunset walk on the crater rim with a local Maasai guide, giving you a chance to soak up the unique atmosphere and dramatic scenery.

Included: Safari guide and vehicle, accommodation at Entamanu Lodge, all meals and safari activities

Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater

You’ll descend into the crater early this morning for a full day of game drives in one of the most famous safari spots on the planet. Staying right on the rim of Ngorongoro gives you a huge advantage, as you’ll reach the Crater far earlier than most safari providers. For the first couple of hours, you’ll feel almost like you have this wildlife paradise to yourselves.

Formed 2.5 million years ago and covering a whopping 260 square kilometres, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera on Earth. Its lush grasslands, forests and wetlands are home to over 30,000 animals, making it an African ‘Garden of Eden’. There’s nowhere quite like it.

Included: Safari guide and vehicle, accommodation at Entamanu Lodge, all meals and safari activities

Day 11: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you’ll embark on the stunning drive to northern Serengeti. This is a long journey by 4x4, but you’ll be constantly surrounded by staggering scenery and gorgeous wildlife along the way. Descending from the Ngorongoro highlands, you’ll see the seemingly endless Serengeti Plains spread out around you. It’s one of the most beautiful road trips in the world.

In the afternoon, you’ll reach Lamai Serengeti, your home for the next 3 nights. Perched on a kopje above the Serengeti Plains, this award-winning camp has astonishing views from all sides. Every room has a large veranda and, if you travel in summer, you may even see migrating herds of wildebeest thundering across the Plains below you from your room. Magic!

Included: Safari guide and vehicle, accommodation at Lamai Serengeti, all meals and safari activities

Day 12: Serengeti National Park              

Today, you’ll explore the northern Serengeti with your expert driver guide, setting out on game drives to spot the famous Big Five. The Mara River, one of the famous crossing points during the Great Migration, is very near to your camp and draws wildlife to its shores by the thousand. This is also lion country, so you’ll look for prides of lions stalking through the grass or lounging in the shade.

In addition to game drives, you can also take guided bush walks from Lamai Serengeti, hike to scenic viewpoints and learn about ancient Maasai culture. During your free time, you can cool off in the open-air pool while you soak up the iconic landscape of the Serengeti all around you.

Included: Safari guide and vehicle, accommodation at Lamai Serengeti, all meals and safari activities

Day 13: Fly to Fanjove Island

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to nearby Kogatende airstrip, where you’ll board a small Cessna plane for the flight to Songosongo (via a touchdown in Dar Es Salaam). This flight is an unforgettable scenic flight experience, giving you a bird’s eye view of the Serengeti Plains. On arrival in Songosongo, you'll be taken by boat to nearby Fanjove Island, where you'll settle into the relaxed vibe and check in for four nights. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, boat transfers, Fanjove Island

Days 14 - 16: Fanjove Island 

Spend a few blissful days on Fanjove Island, a tiny tropical escape off the coast of Tanzania, where you'll find white sands, turquoise waters and swaying palms. Slow down and embrace island life, whether you fill your days with swimming, snorkelling or simply sinking your toes into the sand. This is the perfect place to switch off completely after your busy safari and gorilla trek, the perfect end to your idyllic African holiday. 

Included: All meals, Fanjove Island

Day 17: Depart Tanzania 

After breakfast, you'll be taken by boat back to Songosongo, where you'll hop on the short flight to Dar Es Salaam. From there, you'll catch your international flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 18: Arrive UK