10 Days/9 Night self-drive Rwanda -Tanzania with Tent Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Kigali
You begin your magical holiday as you board your fight to Rwanda, a country of a thousand hills. Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will receive a worm welcome from one of our collegues (Naturenest Safaris), who will transfer you to your hotel. Depending on arrival time you can do a city tour, in which you can visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre and the old city of Kigali.
Day 2 Kigali Genocide Museum – Lake Kivu
After a morning cap of tea you will make a stop at the Kigali Genocide Museum. Here you will discover the real history behind the “Genocide against the Tutsi”. You will need a couple of hours to grasp this heart-breaking civil war of 100 days where millions of people were slaughtered to death.
You will then depart for Lake Kivu in the afternoon. On route to Lake Kivu take time to enjoy the views from the thousand Hills of Kigali. Lake Kivu is one of a “string of inland seas” that submerged much of the Albertine Rift floor, hemmed in by steeply terraced escarpments. Your rustic accommodation consists of a double room in a beautiful log style Lodge and is situated on the shores of Lake Kivu and provides the most fantastic views over the Lake.
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
On this day, head to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing. You will then start your days’ trekking to see the Golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park with the rest of the trackers. Just like Gorilla trekking, you may spend hours in the forest. It depends on the movement of these primates on that day. Return to your lodge for bed and dinner which is situated near the entrance of the National Park with incredible views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Day 4: Rwanda – Tanzania
On Day 4 after breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali city approximately 5 hours upto the airport in Kigali. From here you will fly to Kilimanjaro International in Tanzania. Experience the Africa of bygone days where you explore the “lost world” of the Ngorongoro. Within the walls of the crater, short grasslands, swamps, forests and a fresh water lake inspiring continual migration of animals and birds. From our pop-up roof on the vehicle we try to spot the big five-buffalo, elephant, leopard, black manned lion and the rare black rhinoceros as well as other game like zebra, wildebeest and gazelles. Your driver-guide will transfer you to your Hotel in Arusha where you will enjoy dinner on Half board basis.
Day 5:Ngorongoro Crater
After your morning breakfast on Day 5, you will depart for the Ngorongoro Crater. The drive passing Lake Manyara’s viewpoint which continues through the Ngorongoro Conservancy, delivers incredible scenery. This natural wonder situated in the Great Rift Valley originated millions of years ago. This was originally called the “Garden of Eden” and is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit. Mid range accommodation of an exquisite hotel right on the rim of the Crater on full Board.
Day 6: Serengeti Seronera
On this day, you will depart Kilimanjaro early as you have quite a long drive to the Serengeti. After a visit to a Maasai Village and the inhabitants of the Ngorongoro we make our way to Oldupai Gorge (Olduvai) which is the most famous archaeological location in East Africa.
At Laetoli, west of Ngorongoro Crater, hominid footprints are preserved in volcanic rock 3.6 million years old and represent some of the earliest signs of mankind in the world. Three separate tracks of a small-brained upright walking early hominid, a creature of about 1.2 to 1.4 meters tall, were found. Soon after this you will arrive at the Kopjes (small hills) in Serengeti named Barafu, Gol, Maasai, Lolionde, Simba and Moru. Night En-suite Luxury Tented Camp on Full Board.
Day 7, 8 and 9 Kogatende Serengeti
On Day 7, 8 & 9, you will observe the great migration. The days are packed with game viewing as you explore the migration herds crossing the rivers into Kenya.
Kogatende, also known as Wogakuria, is a little-known area in the north western corner of the Serengeti. It is surrounded by secret valleys, hills and has the Mara River running through it. The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya lies over its border.
The great migration passes around Kogatende from August to November, and this is one of the most exciting times, with river crossings in the presence of pursuant carnivores. Even without the migration, the game viewing is varied and interesting.
The Serengeti is famous for its mobile tented accommodation camps which move with the herds and therefore guarantee superb migration viewing during the popular months. You will enjoy your stay in these tents while soaking in what the Serengeti has to offer and eating like kings in the bush. 3 Nights En-suite Luxury Tented Camp, Full Board.
Day 10 Kilimanjaro International Airport – Depature
After breakfast you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight out. You will again pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation area and Arusha Town on the way.
End of Safari
Safari inclusions
- Car Rental: Standard Cover (SUV/4×4 or similar vehicle) with unlimited kilometers, GPS, Rwanda- Tanzania cross-border documentation & vehicle fee.
- All Park entrance fees
- Lake Kivu
- Golden monkey permit
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Serengeti Seronera
Safari exclusions:
Expenses of personal nature like: Air fare, Visa, drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, porter fee while trekking, personal insurance, personal shopping bills, souvenirs and cigars.