Gorillas, Beach and Game Safari

Gorillas, Beach and Game Safari - A 12 Day Safari from £5,500 Per Person

Day 1
Today you arrive in Rwanda, where you are met at the Kayibanda International Airport, and taken to a nearby hotel for welcome drinks and a briefing. After lunch, you travel north to Ruhengeri and the Volcanoes National Park. This two hour drive undulates over Rwanda’s extremely hilly and picturesque countryside, and as you near the end of your journey, you will (weather permitting!) begin to catch glimpses of the Virungas - a chain of 9 impossibly steep and lofty volcanoes straddling the western branch of the Rift Valley from east to west.

Each mountain possesses its own unique character and silhouette, but together they form one of the most isolated and visually dramatic ecosystems in the world. A 'true island in the sky', the Virunga National Park (established in 1925) was Africa's first, and it was granted status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The park is home to some of the worlds few remaining Mountain Gorilla, which were first studied here in 1959 by George Schaller, and through the 1960's by Dian Fossey and her colleagues.
Overnight: Virunga Lodge – a stunningly located eco-lodge based at 2,300m with 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside and the Virunga Volcanoes (B/L/D)

Days 2, 3
The next two days activities may be amongst the most exciting and challenging you have undertaken. The Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda are part of a worldwide population of just 720 individuals. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to either one of seven habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild.

An early breakfast and you're off to the park headquarters at Kinigi to register and be allocated your gorilla family for today. Once this is done, you set out by vehicle to the start of on your gorilla safari...

The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany you on your gorilla tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts.

Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 9 hours before one returns to camp. Once the gorillas are located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This is one of the world's truly memorable experiences - a look into one of these magnificent creatures' eyes brings home the bond that exists between them and us. It also brings home the poignant fact that they are on the edge of extinction, and that your presence here contributes to ensuring their continued survival. The hour is often over all too quickly, and you slowly make your way back to your lodge to recount the day's adventures.

On the first afternoon, there may be an opportunity to visit with the local communities or take a drive out to the scenic Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo. On the second afternoon, you transfer back to Kigali.
Overnight: Virunga Lodge/Serena (B/L/D)

Day 4
An early start this morning for your flight from Kigali directly into the Serengeti in Tanzania. You will be met at the airstrip by your vehicle and guide and transfer through the savannah plains (game drive along the way), to the lovely Dunia Camp. Arrival in time for lunch with an afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Dunia Camp – located in the southwest Serengeti with 6 large en-suite luxury tents ideal for prime game viewing (B/L/D)

Days 5, 6, 7
The next few days are yours to head out on game drives across the Serengeti. Game drives from Dunia give you access to the best the southern and central Serengeti have to offer: the Ndutu area, the southern plains, the Moru Kopjes and the central Serengeti valley. The migratory wildebeest and zebra share the land with many large cats, elephant, giraffe, Thomson gazelle and a host of other species. The central Serengeti has one of the highest concentrations of lion prides and leopard and cheetah are often spotted. If you are lucky you may have a chance to spot the rare black rhino in the Moru area. One morning you have the option to take a Serengeti Balloon Safari, departing at 05h30.  Balloon flight is approximately one hour with champagne, full English breakfast in the bush and a flight certificate included. Balloon passenger weights are calculated at an average of 80kgs (cost not included at supplement of USD$500 per person).
Overnight: Dunia Camp - (B/L/D)

Day 8
A final game drive this morning on your way to the airstrip. You catch your flight at 1100hrs to Dar Es Salaam (ETA 1450hrs). From here you will have a short 4x4 transfer southwards to the beautiful beach hideaway of Ras Kutani. Relax and reminisce over the adventures of the last week or so…
Overnight: Ras Kutani – located on a white sandy beach with charming cottages built of natural materials. En-suite bathrooms and large private verandahs with ocean views (FB)

Days 9, 10, 11
Three whole days to sit back and enjoy the comfort and tranquillity of Ras Kutani. Set on a peninsular of white sandy beach next to a fresh water lagoon and tropical forest shoreline. The perfect African beach relaxation.
Overnight: Ras Kutani (B/L/D)

Day 12
Today you depart Ras Kutani back to Dar Es Salaam in time for your onward international flight back home (B)