info@eastafricasafariexperts.com www.eastafricasafariexperts.com Lifetime Experience Safari & Gorillas (Tanzania & Rwanda) 18 days / 14 nights Tarangire Lake Manyara Lake Eyasi Ngorongoro - Serengeti Masai Village Kigali Volcanoes National Park Day 1: Arrival Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will be met and transferred to Arusha or Moshi for overnight accommodation. Overnight in Arusha or Moshi Day 2: Moshi / Arusha - Tarangire National Park This morning you will travel to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is one of Tanzania's largest national parks and sanctuary for an unusually large elephant population. Its natural vegetation consists mainly of Acacia woodland, where you can find over 500 bird species and the majestic African Baobab trees, which are an interesting feature of the park. Animals concentrate along the Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply in the area and therefore making it the place to be for many animals and predators. There is a great diversity of wildlife including lion, leopard, cheetah and up to six thousand elephant. Enjoy your afternoon game drive. ***Approx 3-4 hours driving distance today*** Overnight within Tarangire National Park Day 3: Tarangire Today you have a full day to further explore Tarangire National Park. The day can be broken into morning and afternoon game drives or take a picnic lunch for a full day game drive. Overnight within Tarangire National Park
Day 4: Tarangire Lake Manyara Lake Eyasi This morning you will drive the short distance to Lake Manyara National Park, described as one of the hidden gems of Tanzania. This park is famous for its tree climbing lions and large herds of elephant, which are not shy to come straight up to the vehicle. Lake Manyara offers a different environment to the other parks in the area, with a majority of the park covered in rush forest. After your game drive, continue onto Lake Eyasi. ***Approx 3 hours driving distance today*** Overnight at Lake Eyasi Day 5: Lake Eyasi Ngorongoro Lake Eyasi is home to the hunter- gathers ethnic group of the Hadzabe Bushmen, who bear similar characteristics to those of Bushmen at Southern Africa. These indigenous tribes are probably the last living in true harmony with nature and are well known for their communication via clicking rather than speech. You will experience hunting with them and learn about their way of life. After lunch, travel to Ngorongoro Crater. You have some time to relax or enjoy a 3-4 hour walking safari around the rim of the crater, where you are likely to see a range of small animals, birds and local flora & fauna. ***Approx 2 hours driving distance today*** Overnight on the rim of the crater. Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater This morning you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater a wonderful haven for wildlife. Ngorongoro is unique in that almost all the wildlife live within the crater walls hence you have the opportunity to find game easily. The crater supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, elephants and the endangered black rhino. Another big draw card to this picturesque crater is it's dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and occasionally leopard. Spend the full day within the crater floor, including lunch by the hippo pond. Overnight on the rim of the crater Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti After breakfast you will commence your drive to one of the most famous game parks in Africa, the Serengeti. On route you have the opportunity to stop at Olduvai Gorge, which is one of the most amazing archeological sites in the world. The Serengeti is famed for it s annual migration where approximately three million wildebeest, zebra & Thompson s gazelle trek the park in search of fresh grazing. The spectacle of predator versus prey dominates Tanzania s greatest park and over the huge flat plains you are likely to find lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena and many other predators. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, followed by the experience of sleeping in the middle of the Serengeti. ***Approx 3-4 hours driving distance today*** Overnight within Serengeti National Park
Day 8: Serengeti Serengeti National Park quite simply offers the finest game viewing anywhere in Africa and today you have the full day to explore this park. For a little adventure, you can enjoy the extraordinary experience of a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti (needs to be pre- booked by East Africa Safari Experts and an additional cost). Overnight within Serengeti National Park Day 9: Serengeti We have another full day in this wonderful park and our guides will choose the best spotting locations for the time of year. We can spend time at the Hippo pool, watching these majestic animals laze about in the cool water alongside the crocodiles, watch a big pride of lions or be in the middle of the migration. We can journey from the wide open plains to the kopjes, these volcanic rocky outcrops provide protection and shelter for a wide variety of animals and from the top we can look out across the vast grasslands of the Serengeti. This diverse and interesting landscape will provide us with the ultimate in game viewing. Overnight within Serengeti National Park Day 10: Serengeti - Lake Natron This morning we will exit the Serengeti and journey to Lake Natron. Wild and remote, a visit to Lake Natron is predominantly about the landscape rather than the animals. Situated at the base of Africa s only active volcano Oldonyo Lengai (Mountain of God), Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline lakes in the world. The lake is home to millions of tiny crustaceans, attracting literally thousands of lesser flamingo s and it is therefore one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds on earth. You can visit the lake at sunset or rest at your accommodation in preparation for hiking the volcano tonight (optional). The climb begins around midnight so you reach the top by sunrise. This is a challenging climb however extremely rewarding views once you make it to the top. ***Full day drive with on route game viewing*** Overnight at Lake Natron Day 11: Lake Natron Today you can spend the time resting from your climb or enjoy one of the many activities around the area. These include visiting Lake Natron s sparkling shores to view the millions of flamingos, visiting the nearby waterfalls or taking some easy hiking options. Overnight at Lake Natron
Day 12: Lake Natron Maasai village This morning you will drive to a remote Maasai village. This village is not regularly visited by tourists and therefore you have a very true experience. Upon arrival you will enjoy lunch prepared by one of cooks who will join you on the trip. Once the Maasai men return from their day with the cattle you will see the full village in action and watch the sunset. This evening you will experience a traditional Maasai goat ceremony and watch the Maasai dancing. ***Approx 5-6 hours driving distance today*** Overnight camping at the village (Please note that there are no shower facilities at the village. This night is camping however for a lodge option, we can organize a similar experience at a different location). Day 13: Maasai village Arusha / Moshi This morning you have much more to learn and discover about the Maasai way of life. Take a walk around the area, where the Maasai will show you the plants and ways in which they make local medicine. One last activity for the trip includes the women showing you the art of their jewelry making. The Maasai women learn this from a young age and you will have the opportunity to purchase some of their work. Commence your drive back to Arusha or Moshi. ***Approx 1-2 hours driving distance today*** Day 14: Tanzania - Rwanda Today you will be transferred back to Kilimanjaro airport and your flight to Kigali. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your overnight accommodation. Overnight hotel accommodation in Kigali Day 15: Kigali Volcanoes National Park After breakfast, you will join your driver/guide and proceed on a city tour of Kigali. The history of Rwanda dates back centuries. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda s independence in 1962. Since then, the city has seen major economic development resulting in what it is today, a vibrant African city. Visit the Kandt Museum, tour old Kigali and the Craft centres as well as the genocide memorial site. The genocide memorial centre pays tribute to those who lived and suffered through that period and will help you gain insight into the history of genocide in Rwanda. After lunch, you will drive north to Ruhengeri at the foothills of the Virungas. ***Approx 2 ½ hours driving distance today*** Check into your lodge for dinner and overnight Day 16: Volcanoes National Park You have an early wake up and proceed to the Park Headquarters where you will be allocated a Golden Monkeys tracking group. After a briefing by your trackers, you will continue to the trailhead to begin your adventure. The very beautiful Golden Monkey has a golden body, cheeks and tail with contrasting black limbs, crown, and
tail end. Not much is known about their behavior, other than they live in social groups of up to 30 individuals and their diet consists mainly of leaves and fruit. Restricted to the highland forest of the Virungas especially near bamboo, they share this habitat with their big Brother the Mountain Gorilla, inhabiting a small area that overlaps the territory of one of the Gorilla families. Together, they face the same threats; snares, human encroachment etc. and are listed on the IUCN Red List of critically endangered species. Tracking usually takes from 2 to 4 hrs. Once you come to the habituated families, you will spend the allowed one- hour with them as they go about their daily life. Adult monkeys frolic in plain view, feeding on bamboo leaves and leaping from perch to perch while females carry their young. After lunch you have the optional chance to visit the nearby ex- poacher s village. An award- winning conservation initiative, former poachers were convinced to renounce their wayward ways and become conservation activists. Together with their families, they founded this little community village with a replica of the Kings palace, where they now participate in eco- tourism showcasing Rwandan culture and customs. On arrival, guests will be welcomed with drumbeats and the warrior s local dance, followed by a briefing by a village guide. You then visit the King s House where you learn about the life and times of a Mwami. Tour the traditional healers homestead and enjoy demonstrations of traditional skills, including fire making, archery, weaving, and medicine. Before departing a mass dance will be preformed where all guests are invited. Time at the ex- poachers village is very interactive, educational and fun for all ages. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight. Day 17: Volcanoes National Park After an early breakfast, proceed to Volcanoes National Park Headquarters where you will be allocated a Gorilla Tracking group. Briefing by your trackers then drive to the trail head for the start of an amazing adventure. Our exhilarating trek, in the footsteps of the rare and critically endangered Mountain Gorillas, the largest living primate on earth, starts in the cultivated foothills of the Virungas with stirring views in all directions. Upon entering the national park, her paths littered with fresh spoor of the mountains elusive buffalo and elephant, trekkers will be immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with colorful birdcalls, butterflies, etc. Through gaps in the canopy, the magnificent Virunga peaks can be seen. Weaving through overhanging vines, moss- covered hagenia and giant lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate, our experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives in or close to this forest, soon bring us up close with the family. Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback must truly be one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth!
In the afternoon take a tour to the vibrant local markets in Musanze town or enjoy a nature walk around your lodge. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Day 18: Departure After breakfast, drive back to Kigali and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. ***Approx 2 ½ hours driving distance today***