13 Days Mountain Gorillas, Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach
This 13 Days Mountain Gorillas, Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach is a combined wildlife and beach holiday journey taking you on an amazing African safari experience, come face to face with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, see various animals on a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Plains.
Then fly to the beautiful islands of Zanzibar, a beach paradise for a beach experience. Here is where white sandy beaches and clear blue waters make a perfect conclusion to an incredible African Safari.
Highlights of 13 Days Mountain Gorillas, Craters, Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach
- Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
- Day 2: Volcanoes National Park, Diane Fossey Research Camp, Genocide Memorial
- Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 4: Return to Kigali
- Day 5: Fly to Arusha
- Day 6: Full Day Game Drive
- Day 7: Cultural Experience and Walking in the Bush
- Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge
- Day 9: Full Day in Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 10: Zanzibar – Mnemba Private Island Lodge
- Day 11: Yoga and Snorkeling
- Day 12: Island Walk and Picnic Lunch
- Day 13: Departure
Detailed itinerary of 13 Mountain Gorillas, Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
Welcome to Rwanda – the land of a thousand hills. Arrive in Kigali and transfer to your hotel in Kigali. Settle in and enjoy a swim in the large outdoor pool and enjoy a leisurely dinner and the hotel.
Overnight at Kigali Heaven Retreat
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park, Diane Fossey Research Camp, Genocide Memorial
After breakfast, go for a Kigali City Tour. Visit the Genocide Museum, the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims, excellent exhibitions documenting the genocide. After the tour, you will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park.
Check in at your lodge for lunch, later go for a walk to Dian Fossey Research Centre and enjoy a tour of the local area and communities. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Bisate Lodge
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake up early in the morning and set out on foot to trek mountain gorillas. Typically tracking can take from 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and where they spent their previous night. You will be joined by a guide and several trackers as you head towards the gorillas through the dense forest. Once you find them, you will be able to spend one magical hour observing these amazing creatures in the wild. Return to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon, have dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Bisate Lodge.
Day 4: Return to Kigali
After morning coffee, set off on a day of trekking. Today you will visit a different family group, following the same procedures as the previous day. This afternoon you will be transferred back to Kigali for your overnight stay.
Overnight at The Retreat
Day 5: Fly to Arusha
After breakfast, fly to Arusha’s Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be welcomed by our guide and transfer you to Arusha Airport for your domestic flight to Serengeti National Park.
Our experienced guide will pick you up and transfer you to your camp. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the Spa or you may wish to head out on a game drive before dinner.
Overnight at Singita Faru Faru
Day 6: Full Day Game Drive
Today, head out with your guide and packed picnic lunch for a full day of exploring the Serengeti Plains on the private Singita Conservancy. With such close proximity to the river and the plains enjoy the unique opportunity to experience a very close connection with the wilderness. Return to the camp for dinner under the stars.
Overnight at Singita Faru Faru
Day 7: Cultural Experience and Walking in the Bush
After an early morning game drive, visit one of the nearby local villages to interact with the local community. Return to camp for lunch. This afternoon head out on foot with an armed guide. Walking in the remote wilderness is thrilling and an excellent way to experience some of the smaller creatures of the African bush. Return to camp for dinner and your overnight stay.
Overnight at Singita Faru Faru
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge
After breakfast, drive east through the Serengeti to the airstrip where you board your bush flight to Lake Manyara, your guide will meet and transfer you to your lodge. Enjoy a light lunch with the most spectacular views before heading out with your guide to the archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge, where the first remains of homo sapiens were discovered. This evening, gather around the camp fire to exchange tales of your safari followed by a sumptuous hearty meal.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Day 9: Full Day in Ngorongoro Crater
Set out early for the nearby Ngorongoro Crater by a safari vehicle for a full game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is a huge volcanic caldera formed about 2.5 million years ago when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself. Here you can view the Big Five in high concentrations with a stunning backdrop of the crater walls. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch on the crater floor. Return to the camp for dinner and your overnight stay.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Day 10: Zanzibar – Mnemba Private Island Lodge
After an early morning breakfast, you will fly from Lake Manyara to Zanzibar. You will be met and transferred by road via the lush spice plantations to the water’s edge for a short boat transfer across the pristine waters to Mnemba Private Island Lodge. Settle in and enjoy a sundowner cocktail on your private beach sala before enjoying a delicious seafood platter served in a remote beach location.
Day 11: Yoga and Snorkeling
Enjoy a private Yoga Session before indulging in a delicious brunch. This afternoon explore the wonders of the Ocean with a snorkel to a nearby house reef, followed by canapes and sundowners.
Day 12: Island Walk and Picnic Lunch
After breakfast, head out on a walk around the island, with a possibility of seeing the Suni Antelope, Ader’s duiker, season turtle hatchlings and the rare coconut crabs. Return to a scrumptious picnic on the beach, followed by a relaxing massage on your private deck. This evening enjoy a seafood banquet under the stars.
Day 13: Departure
This morning, enjoy a light breakfast before being transferred to the airport to connect with your international flight home.
End of 13 Mountain Gorillas, Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach