15D Gorilla & Tanzania Safari,
Rwanda, Uganda & Tanzania
Gorilla Trekking Parc National des Volcans • Kigali City Tour & Genocide Museum • Tarangire National Park • Ngorongoro Conservation Area • Ngorongoro Crater • Lake Eyasi • Masai Village • Lake Manyara National Park • Hadzabe Bushmen • Serengeti National Park
USD $7,695 per person (twin-share)
Tour prices DO NOT include international airfare and taxes.
Visit the amazing mountain gorillas before embarking on a classic Tanzanian safari that includes four spectacular wildlife reserves
Our journey begins in the tiny nation of Rwanda, deep in the heart of Africa, where we spend a day trekking to see endangered mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans – an overwhelming experience. A further free day allows us to choose between a series of optional treks, including another one to see the gorillas, one in search of rare golden monkeys or one to Dian Fossey’s grave and research station. We return to Kigali before continuing briefly to Nairobi for a night and on to Tanzania, a country that boasts some of the most impressive national parks in Africa that are home to some of the most astonishing diversity of wildlife found anywhere in the world.
Gorilla Safari
Staying in a private mobile camp with ensuite toilets, our journey is fully backed up with a support vehicle and safari crew. Our days in Tanzania are spent in the great game parks of Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, whilst our evenings are spent in private campsites, surrounded by the ambient starlit night skies of the African bush. At Lake Eyasi we meet the Hadzabe bush people, the most ancient tribe in Tanzania who are sure to surprise us as much with the timeless simplicity of their daily lives as with the warmth of their welcome.
This unforgettable safari culminates in three nights spent in the Serengeti National Park where we have the unique flexibility to set up camp near the path of the migratory herds of wildebeest and zebra, as they follow their cyclical journey throughout the park.
Trip Prices
- USD $7,695 Twin
Trip Dates
- 04 Jun 2011 – 18 Jun 2011
- 02 Jul 2011 – 16 Jul 2011
- 23 Jul 2011 – 06 Aug 2011
- 13 Aug 2011 – 27 Aug 2011
- 03 Sep 2011 – 17 Sep 2011
- 24 Sep 2011 – 08 Oct 2011
- 15 Oct 2011 – 29 Oct 2011
- 24 Dec 2011 – 07 Jan 2012
- 07 Jan 2012 – 21 Jan 2012
- 11 Feb 2012 – 25 Feb 2012
- 10 Mar 2012 – 24 Mar 2012
Itinerary
- Day 01 / Arrive in Kigali and transfer to Ruhengeri (Musanze).
- Day 02 / Trek to see endangered mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans.
- Day 03 / Optional treks – second gorilla trek, trek to Dian Fossey’s grave or trek to see golden monkeys. Drive to Kigali.
- Day 04 / Morning city tour including Genocide Memorial, then fly from Kigali to Nairobi (flight not included).
- Day 05 / Private transfer from Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania’s Safari Capital.
- Day 06 / Game drive in Tarangire National Park – known for its elephants and giant baobab trees. Overnight at Lake Manyara.
- Day 07 / Full day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park.
- Day 08 / Morning visit to Masai village. Afternoon departure to Lake Eyasi.
- Day 09 / Spend morning with the nomadic, hunter-gatherer Hadzabe Bushmen. Visit Oldeani village and bomas.
- Day 10 / Depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stay in private wilderness tented camp.
- Day 11 / Visit to the unique Ngorongoro Crater – Africa’s ‘Garden of Eden’.
- Days 12-14 / Travel to Serengeti National Park. Depending on the season we set up camp in Western Corridor, Lobo, Seronera or Serengeti Plains region of the park.
- Day 15 / Fly from Serengeti to Arusha where tour ends on arrival
A gorilla trekking permit and a chimpanzee trekking permit will have to be secured for every person to trek in search of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Please remember that both are wild animals, free to move as they please and are not enclosed in any form. For this reason actual sightings cannot be always guaranteed.
Click here for detailed 15D Gorilla & Tanzania Safari Trip Itinerary
What’s Included
An experienced English-speaking local leader, camp assistant & support crew (Tanzania), arrival transfer, transport, accommodation, meals, game activities, one gorilla trekking permit, entrance fees and flight from Serengeti to Arusha.
Accommodation, Transport & Meals
Transport
- 4WD vehicle
- On foot
- Plane
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- 3 nights Comfortable hotel
- 2 nights Private lodge
- 3 nights Permanent tented camp
- 6 nights Full-service private mobile camping
Meals
- 14 breakfasts
- 11 lunches
- 11 dinners
Equipment Included
- Camp beds provided (including pillows, linen and all bedding)
Not Included
International flights including flight from Kigali to Nairobi, airport departure taxes, visas, meals unless specified in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
Optional Extras
Second Gorilla Trekking permit
- AUD 625
Serengeti Balloon Safari
- Please contact us for price
Trek to Dian Fosseys Grave
- AUD 145
Trek to Golden Monkeys
- AUD 160
Other notes
Visas
Rwanda
Rwandan visas may be obtained at the border or prior to departure from your home country. A single entry visa can by purchased for US$60 for most nationalities. USD cash is the only accepted form of payment for visas and please note that the cash must be 2001 series notes or later.
On arrival in Rwanda, all tourists requiring paid visas are to pre-register for their visa prior to arrival. Details such as name, passport number, arrival port and arrival details are recorded on the form which is then submitted over the web. The visa form is then ready and waiting upon arrival at the visa counter and is presented with the appropriate visa fee to clear immigration. The form is called the “Entry Facility Application Form” and is found on the following website: www.migration.gov.rw Please note that there are many forms on this site so it is important to find the correct “Entry Facility Application Form”. The link to this form is http://www.migration.gov.rw/singleform.php
You MUST print out a copy of your submission in case your copy is not at the visa counter when you arrive. This will provide a hassle free and quick entry into Rwanda.
Uganda
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Uganda. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
Ugandan visas may be obtained at the border or prior to departure from your home country. In some cases you will be entering twice, so please ensure it allows a double entry. A single entry visa can by purchased for US$50 for most nationalities.
Kenya
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Kenya. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
Kenya visas are easily obtained at the airport or border crossing at a cost of US$50 for most nationalities based on single entry. For some nationalities a single entry Kenya visa allows the person to enter Kenya more than once provided travel is only between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda within a 30-day period.
** From the 1st Apr 09 – Kenya visa fees have been reduced by 50%. This will continue through 2010 or until further notice from the Kenya Tourism Board **
Tanzania
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Tanzania. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Care must be taken to ensure that your visa does not expire before your proposed date of entry to Tanzania (visas are usually valid for three months from the date of issue).
It is recommended that visas should be obtained before departure. A visa fee of US$50 is charged to most foreign nationals. A visa fee of US$100 is charged for US citizens.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations may be required for this trip. Please consult your doctor or a travel health specialist. The choice of vaccinations can depend on a range of issues including the specific destination, the duration of the trip, your personal health and of course what vaccines you have had before.
Compulsory vaccines
These days the only compulsory vaccine is for yellow fever, which is required for many countries in Africa and South America. It should be done at least 10 days before travel and must be recorded in an official certificate book. Please note that very often you may not need to show this certificate book when entering these countries, but you will need to produce it to immigration/customs on returning to your home country.
Routine Background Vaccines
We strongly endorse current public health recommendations that all travellers should be up-to-date with their routine vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles/mumps/rubella, polio and influenza, and paediatric vaccinations for children.
Travel Vaccinations
While the food and water-borne diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid will apply to most of our travellers, other travel vaccines such as hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis and cholera may apply to select travellers, especially long-term travel. Travel health experts can advise on what is required and also what is not required!
Malaria
There is no vaccination against malaria, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and is a risk in many less-developed tropical areas, particularly in Central, East and West Africa, Melanesia (especially Papua New Guinea) and the Amazon region. In Asia (particularly India) and Central America it may be a problem in rural areas. Protection against mosquito bites is essential and where the risk is considered high, anti-malarial medications are recommended. Anti-malarial medications should be discussed with experts as there are different medications available and not all medications suit all people or all destinations. We prefer that trekkers to altitude try to avoid the use of mefloquine (Lariam) if possible.
For travellers from Australia and New Zealand, we strongly recommend Travel Doctor-TMVC clinics to obtain the most up-to-date advice on health risks and vaccinations (see www.traveldoctor.com.au for locations and detailed vaccine information or phone 1300 658 844 for an appointment in Australia). Some vaccines require more than one dose, so arrange for your visit at least 4-6 weeks before you travel. Travellers living outside Australia and New Zealand will need to consult a similar organisation in their own country (please ask your travel agent for recommendations), but can still access the following link for information:
www.traveldoctor.com.au/travelreport.asp?UnqID=0.4630191&PageID=10&nav=personal-traveller
Passport
Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Some countries may require that you have a return air ticket, or have sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.
Insurance
On all our holidays you must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for medical costs associated with hospitalisation, emergency travel and repatriation back to your home country. Please take your insurance policy with you when you travel. We are able to recommend a policy for you. You may take other cover, of course, but we require you to be adequately insured before we can allow you to participate in our programmes. Your local leader will need to see and record your policy details at the pre-tour briefing, so please bring a copy along to the meeting. If you arrive without travel insurance your tour leader will require you to purchase a policy before you continue your journey with us.
If you are covered by a policy arranged through your credit card company you will be asked to provide evidence of this cover, as well as a 24-hour emergency contact number. Many credit card companies do not provide an insurance policy number. In this instance, the tour leader will need to record your credit card number, as this is required to activate any request for emergency assistance. You should also bring along the travel insurance information booklet provided by your credit card company. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard.