Get ready for an 18-day adventure that will create travel memories most people only dream about. Whether it’s spending time with a Hadzabe community in Tanzania, witnessing a majestic silverback gorilla in its natural habitat, or descending 600 meters into the volcanic Ngorongoro Crater, this journey has it all. Explore Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in pursuit of some of the planet’s most legendary creatures. Along the way, you’ll meet locals and experience the diverse cultures of East Africa, from Kigali’s cool Nyamirambo neighborhood to the villages around Queen Elizabeth National Park and the traditional Masai tribespeople.
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Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda’s bustling capital since 1962. This vibrant city is a hub of culture and history, with bustling markets, lively cafes, and welcoming people. Despite its tragic past, Kigali has blossomed into a city full of hope and resilience, offering much for the adventurous traveler. At 6 p.m., you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travelers to kick off this incredible journey.
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After breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, a place of remembrance and learning about the genocide against the Tutsi. This powerful museum provides deep insights into Rwanda’s history and the resilience of its people. In the afternoon, travel to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to gorillas and golden monkeys. Musanze is a picturesque town surrounded by the Virunga Mountains, offering stunning landscapes and cultural experiences.
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Today, explore the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Ellen DeGeneres Campus, learning about the efforts to protect mountain gorillas. This research facility leads global conservation efforts and supports local communities. Optional activities in Musanze include trekking with golden monkeys in the Virunga Mountains, hiking Mount Bisoke, or canoeing on the Mukungwa River. Each of these activities offers a unique way to experience the stunning natural beauty and biodiversity of the region.
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Leave Rwanda and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The park is home to 95 mammal species, 10 primate species (including chimpanzees), and 618 bird species. The journey will feel like an unofficial safari, with potential sightings of zebras, antelopes, baboons, and monkeys along the way. Arrive at your basic safari lodge overlooking the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward.
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Set out for another exciting 4×4 game drive. Look out for lions, leopards, elephants, and more. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This waterway is famous for its high concentration of hippos and Nile crocodiles. You’ll also see herds of elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of bird species along the shores.
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Travel to Ishasha, known for its tree-climbing lions. This unique behavior is thought to be a way for the lions to escape the heat and biting insects on the ground. Visit a local community project to learn about anti-crop raiding strategies and local traditions. This initiative helps mitigate human-wildlife conflict and supports sustainable livelihoods for the local community. Then, head to an ecolodge in the northern part of the park, keeping an eye out for wildlife.
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Leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive to Kisoro, located at the intersection of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The journey offers spectacular views and opportunities to spot zebras, antelopes, baboons, and monkeys. Kisoro provides access to multiple gorilla groups in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Nshongi. The town is also known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes.
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Embark on a challenging trek through Bwindi National Park to find mountain gorillas. This trek can be muddy, exhausting, and wet, but the reward of spending an hour with these majestic creatures makes it worthwhile. Gorillas are highly endangered, and seeing them in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After the trek, head back to the lodge for dinner and reflection.
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After breakfast, return to Kigali (about 4 hours) for a flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and rest for the next day’s adventure. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a vibrant city known for its national park, bustling markets, and cultural landmarks.
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Travel from Nairobi to the famous Masai Mara, stopping at Loita Hills to visit a traditional Masai village. Learn about Masai culture and the Tepesua Widows Income Project, which supports Masai women. Continue to your tented camp on the outskirts of Masai Mara, one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, known for its exceptional population of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest.
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Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Masai Mara, looking out for antelope, giraffes, lions, leopards, and wildebeest. The Masai Mara offers an unforgettable African safari experience, especially during the Great Migration when millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River.
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Travel to Musoma on the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the world’s largest tropical lake. Enjoy the evening by the lake, preparing for the next few days in the wilderness. Lake Victoria is a critical resource for the surrounding communities and offers stunning views and opportunities for bird watching.
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Continue to Serengeti National Park, enjoying a picnic lunch at the park entrance. Go on a game drive to your campsite in the heart of the Serengeti, where you’ll sleep in an unfenced area amid the wildlife. The Serengeti is renowned for its vast plains and the annual Great Migration of over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras.
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Spend the day exploring the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. The Serengeti is famous for its annual migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the plains in search of fresh grasslands. Witness the vast herds of animals, accompanied by predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The park’s diverse habitats include savannah, riverine forests, and woodlands, supporting an incredible variety of wildlife.
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As you leave the Serengeti, take one last game drive and head towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend to the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a thrilling 4×4 game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most stunning wildlife havens on earth. The crater floor, home to diverse ecosystems, supports around 25,000 large animals, including the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes. After your safari, travel to Karatu, a small town on the outskirts of the crater, known for its beautiful landscapes and coffee plantations.
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This morning, after breakfast, you’ll travel to Lake Eyasi, a large seasonal soda lake. Visit the Hadzabe people, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa. Spend time with them, participate in their daily activities, and learn about their way of life. The Hadzabe’s distinct click language and traditional practices offer a unique cultural experience. Return to Karatu in the afternoon and relax at your lodge.
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You have the day off today to unwind or take advantage of the many optional activities offered by your base in Karatu. You may go on a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park or visit a nearby coffee plantation. After a few days of overland travel, you may choose to hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves with an experienced local guide and an armed ranger. Trekking through the Ngorongoro rainforest, marveling at the untamed scenery and spotting a variety of wildlife, is a great way to stretch your legs. Later in the afternoon, we head to Arusha, where we will spend our final night.
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Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. A departure transfer can be booked, at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Alternatively, you can continue on with our crew to finish in Nairobi. Please see ‘Special Information’ below for more details.
Transport
Accommodation
Activities
From $3,700.00
From $3,700.00
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