12 Days Signature Explorations

Explore the magnificent Serengeti and be awed by the diversity of wildlife, topography and have ample time to view the Great Migration and eyewitness a stunning life-and-death display as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest brave the treacherous currents and lurking crocodiles in a last-ditch attempt to reach the safety of the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Carry on with the 8th Natural Wonder of the World; the stunning Ngorongoro Crater and Fly to Rwanda and Get up close to the critically endangered mountain gorillas for an unforgettable primate encounter – with not one but two days of gorilla tracking.

  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Price
  • Before You Go

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Arrival & Fly To Serengeti National Park

Day 2

Game Drive At Serengeti (North)

Day 3

Day 3- 4: Game Drives At Serengeti National Park (North)

Day 5

Drive To Serengeti National Park Central Area (Seronera) And Game Drives

Day 6

Hot Air Ballon & Transfer To Ngorongoro Crater Enroute Oldevai Gorge Museum

Day 7

Game Drive

Day 8

Fly From Rwanda

Day 9

Kigali City Tour And Transfer To Volcanoes National Park

Day 10

Gorilla Trekking

Day 11

Second Gorilla Trekking

Day 12

Departure

Day 1

Arrival & Fly To Serengeti National Park

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by a Luxury Africa representative who will assist you for connecting a local flight direct to Serengeti National Park. Arrival at Serengeti National Park our Guide will be waiting for you at Kogatende Airstrip. Our guide will brief you about the Safari and The Serengeti ecosystem in general followed by short game drive as you drive to the lodge.

Dinner
Day 2

Game Drive At Serengeti (North)

After breakfast at the Camp, depart for a game drive for view the great migration. Proceed to the Bologonja and Kogatende areas where we will eventually meet the Mara River itself. Home to large numbers of hippos and Nile crocodiles, the Mara River is the last major obstacle standing between the Wildebeest Migration and the relative safety of the Masai Mara. River crossings at Kogatende start to occur every day in August as the mega herd settles into the area.

Please take note: To actually find a crossing is very difficult and is sometimes a matter of luck but If you’re patient and a little lucky, you may even get to witness the death-defying crossing itself where wildebeest and zebras brave the river’s currents and crocodiles in an attempt to reach safety on the opposite bank.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 3

Day 3- 4: Game Drives At Serengeti National Park (North)

Since movements of the Wildebeest Migration can be unpredictable, stay more two days in north to increase your chances of witnessing the famous river crossing. The game viewing up here is superb with river crossings pretty much guaranteed every day.  There is no distinct movement as the herds tend to cross back and forth over the river, following the rains and subsequent fresh grasses.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 5

Drive To Serengeti National Park Central Area (Seronera) And Game Drives

After breakfast at the Lodge, you will drive to the central. The sheer volume of animals here is extraordinary. The Seronera River weaves its way through the Serengeti, providing waters for all species of wildlife. You will also see the distinctive rocky outcrops, the famous kopjes which characterize the Serengeti landscape. Kopjes are very hard and often granite. They have been aged at maybe 600 million years old and created even before the earth’s surface was pushed up from the ocean. Lions and other cats frequent these stony places and they are also home to snakes and hyraxes. Slowly weathering in wind and rain, they are peeling off in layers, which you may see on close inspection. Dinner and overnights at Four Season Safari Lodge.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 6

Hot Air Ballon & Transfer To Ngorongoro Crater Enroute Oldevai Gorge Museum

Wake up early for an hour-long, sunrise, hot-air balloon. The balloon crew will assist as you clamber into your balloon basket for take-off just before sunrise. As you raise the Maasai Mara plains opens up before your eyes feast on the golden sunrise, enchanting sceneries, and plains-game below as the winds gently blows the basket deeper into the reserve. The pilot is at hand pointing out at the wildlife below with plenty of photographic opportunities unfolding. Soar silently with 360 degrees of spectacular savannah, followed by a Champagne breakfast in the bush. Afterwards, drive to Ngorongoro National Reserve.

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World. The stunning crater of Ngorongoro is a unique home for many, many species of Tanzania’s wildlife. This morning, after breakfast, you will head south-east towards Ngorongoro, a distance of 145km which will take around 3 ½-hours. The Adventurous from the Great Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area is filled with great game viewing of deferent animals.  En-route you will visit Olduvai Gorge Museum. Olduvai Gorge is one of the most important archaeological sites on earth. The geological strata exposed in the gorge reveal a remarkable record of animal and human evolution from about two million until fifteen thousand years ago. Among the significant finds from Olduvai is the range of stone tool types, the thousands of animal fossils – both extinct and extant species – and the fossil bones of hominids (pre-Homo Sapiens) and early Homo sapiens. From here you proceed to the lodge for lunch and relaxation .

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 7

Game Drive

After breakfast, you will be taken 2000ft down the crater.  At one side there’s the Lerai Forest, classic mountain forest landscape with almost tropical characteristics. This is good elephant country, so keep your eyes peeled. By the side of the nearby swampland is what is sometimes called the ‘elephant graveyard’ as the mighty male tuskers at the end of their lives come to chew on the soft, swampland grasses once their teeth have failed them. Afterward ascending and drive to your Lodge set on a crater rim.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 8

Fly From Rwanda

After breakfast, you will drive to Lake manyara airstrip for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport to connect with your flight to Rwanda. You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to The Retreat, the finest luxury stay in the city that offers the perfect combination of leafy tranquility, Rwandan flair, and contemporary buzz. Go for a massage and rejuvenate in the salt pool .

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 9

Kigali City Tour And Transfer To Volcanoes National Park

Over the last two decades, Rwanda’s lush, hilly capital has developed into a vibrant cosmopolitan destination, teeming with art, culture, and cuisine. Plus, the attractive urban center is one of the cleanest and safest cities in all of Africa. Sip bold, sustainable java at Question Coffee Café and venture to where the first modern building (Kandt house Museum) was built, which laid the foundations for Rwanda’s capital city; Kigali. Pay an emotional visit to the Genocide Memorial Site and learn how the country has dealt with its past and recovered to stand today as a testament to humankind’s resilience. The memorial serves as the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide. Next, journey through bustling neighborhoods for an authentic taste of Kigali life and go for a lunch buffet.  Later, drive to the north, weaving through beautiful terraced hillsides, culminates at the base of the awe-inspiring Virunga volcanoes. Check in at Singita Kwitonda Lodge.  In the evening, visit the Conservation Room, where a lodge manager and Singita conservationist will explain various aspects of the trekking experience. This includes more details about the area and general outline of the trekking day.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 10

Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast, drive from the lodge to Kinigi Headquarters where you will register for the gorilla trekking. Once you’ve been divided into parties of 8, assigned gorilla family. You’ll have a briefing from your park guide, you’ll be driven to the trailhead where you will start the walk to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your experienced trackers use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits to locate their whereabouts. Upon sighting the gorillas, you stay with them for a magical hour, admire the behavior of the gorillas as they go about their daily lives feeding, youngster playing and picking open fruit and throwing it through the air, resting and raising their young. Occasionally one, often a playful youngster, will approach you with curiosity, sometimes coming so close that you’ll have to move away. After you lifetime changing experience , you will head to the lodge for relaxation

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 11

Second Gorilla Trekking

Psychologists say that experiencing an activity more than once is more memorable than a single event. With packed lunch, set off from the same trailhead this morning, but walk towards a different habituated mountain gorilla troop.  Remember each gorilla group has different behaviors so expect something unique from this group, from the number and makeup of individuals to their behavior and social structure. After doubling the fun , you will be driven to the lodge for a sumptuous lunch and relaxation .

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 12

Departure

You will have a leisurely breakfast and Relax. Later, you will then carry on with your journey to Kigali where you will have a stop for lunch and then transfer at the airport for your flight back home.

Breakfast

Prices are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy

USD 24,700
per person based on two people

Tour Includes

AMREF Flying Doctor Insurance: A Flying doctor Insurance to Air transfers you before dark from the nearest airstrip to hospital during Emergency
4X4 Custom built – Toyota Land cruiser: Pop-up Roof, Opening Sliding windows, Seat Belts, Heavy duty wheels, and Extra Fuel tanks. Refrigerator for cooling drinks, one pair of binoculars per couple, Eco-friendly Trash Bag. Wi-Fi onboard during the safari, Charging Outlets type Plug G for charging Cameras and smartphones.
Professional English-Speaking Driver guide: A Friendly, Experienced and Passionate Driver Guide expert at a wide variety of skills: Flora and Fauna, the country’s cultural and natural history.
All park entrance fees to include government taxes mentioned in the itinerary
High-end accommodations and all meals ((As specified in the day-by-day section)
Soft drinks, Coffee/tea and Water during game drives
A bottle of champagne
Daily valet laundry service.
Complimentary return airport transfers in case you desire after the trip
VIP Lounge access at the airport
Local Flights mentioned in the itinerary
Expert trip planning
24x7 support during your trip
Covid-19 whilst on the safari

Tour Excludes

Covid-19 Test upon arrival at the airport
Tips for Guides, Rangers and hotel staff
Other personal expenses like souvenirs, alcoholic drinks and cigars
All kinds of hard drinks
Activities not included in the program
Medical Insurance
Travel Insurance

Getting here

There are three major international airports in Tanzania and all have good international connections from most major cities in Europe and North America.

  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): common entry point into the country for those exploring the Northern Safari Circuit that includes the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara.
  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR): for those visiting Dar es Salaam or the Southern Safari Circuit that includes Selous Game Reserve, and Ruaha National Park.
  • Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ): for those heading straight to Zanzibar

Passport and Visas

Applicants must ensure that their passports have a validity of at least six months and at least two unused visa pages before submitting their application. You can now apply for an Online Visa to visit the United Republic of Tanzania (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar). Visa applicants are advised to make their applications through the Official Tanzania Immigration website (www.immigration.go.tz) ONLY and Not through any other links

Note: Visas can be bought on arrival in Tanzania at all international airports and overland borders.

Climate

Tanzania has a tropical climate but has regional variations due to topography. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F) during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20 °C (68 °F). The hottest period extends between November and February (25–31 °C or 77.0–87.8 °F) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15–20 °C or 59–68 °F).

Health

Malaria is usually top on the list of visitors’ worries, and prevention goes a long way towards keeping you protected. Make sure to visit your doctor to get a prescription for the anti-malarial drug the best suit you. The yellow fever vaccination is no longer officially required when entering Tanzania; however, this is still a requirement if you wish to visit Zanzibar.

Vaccination

The best choice of vaccines for your trip depends on many individual factors, including your precise travel plans. Vaccines commonly recommended for travelers to Africa include those against Health Effects Such as Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow fever, Rabies and Meningitis. Certificate required for entry into, or travel between, some African countries. Several of these vaccines require more than one dose or take time to become effective. It is always best to seek advice on immunization well in advance, if possible, around 6 weeks before departure.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/220/tanzania, each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.

COVID-19 requirement

All travelers must provide printed, documented proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within the past 72 hours immediately upon arrival in Tanzania. Any person failing to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result will not be allowed to enter the country.

Each passenger is also required to complete an individual form.  Children traveling with a guardian/parent will also need to complete their own form.  To complete the Travelers Surveillance Form you will need your passport information, your travel details, including times and dates. Upon Submission of the form, travelers will receive a confirmation notification that will contain their Unique Health Code (UHC) which they will present upon arriving in Tanzania at health desk. Please note that this form can only be submitted within 24 hours before arrival. To access this form, please visit. https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/#/home

Note: COVID rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time. Get in touch with us for accurate new rules before travel.

Language

English is widely spoken but few words of Swahili can be useful and will be appreciated greatly by locals.

Money

Major foreign currencies, particularly-US$, and travelers cheques are accepted and are convertible at banks and bureau de changes in the main town and tourist areas. Credit cards are not widely accepted and carry poor exchange rates. Some banks in Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam offer ATM facilities against international credit cards, but ATMs are not widely available elsewhere

Time:  3hrs + GMT

Electricity:  230V, but power failures, surges and troughs are common. Bring a universal adaptor and a torch (flashlight) or headlamp.

Telephone:  International telephone code +255

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