Today we are off to the majestic Ngorongoro Crater. We will descend 600 meters into a massive epicenter of a collapsed volcano that hosts almost every species of wildlife present in East Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater is undoubtedly the best place in Tanzania to view black rhino, as well as large prides of lion that include magnificent black-maned males. An alkaline lake in the Crater floor provides a habitat for colorful flamingo and a variety of other waterfowl. After the game drive we will overnight at the Ngorongoro Farmhouse. 

Our trip transitions towards the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area near the boarder of Serengeti National Park.   Ndutu is peaceful this time of year due to the low travel season in this area, and Lake Masek and nearby Ndutu Lake are top safari locations in Tanzania due to resident and migrating animal herds. On the second day the group can split up  - some may wish to have a leisurely wake up, and others may wish to go on an early morning game drive. We will spend two nights at the luxurious Lake Masek Tented Lodge. 

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Ndutu airstrip to board a flight that will take you over the Great Rift Valley, the Ngorongoro Highlands, and then over the Serengeti. Upon landing around noon we are off to our first game drive in the Serengeti to catchup up with the migration, with the hopes of witnessing a crossing at the River Mara. 

Stretching from northern Tanzania to southwestern Kenya are the plains of the legendary Serengeti. In the native Maasai language, Serengeti aptly means “Endless Plains.” As host to the largest mammal migration in the world, the Serengeti’s diverse ecosystems are home to more than just great herds of wildebeest. Innumerable gazelle, zebra, and buffalo also graze the grasslands along with notable numbers of elephant and giraffe. Not far behind the migrating herds are the Serengeti’s predators, most notably lion but also including leopard, cheetah, jackal, hyena, aardwolf, and serval cat.  Today we have another day in the northern Serengeti, experiencing the huge herds of wildebeest crossing the River Mara as they dodge lurking predators. If we haven’t already spotted Africa’s Big Five - Elephant, African buffalo, Leopard, Lion, and Rhinoceros  - the norther Serengeti is a great place to check this off our list. Lodging in the Mara region will be at Intimate Places Tented Camp.

This marks the end of our time in Tanzania, but we are off to our next location to experience the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Today’s journey will be exciting as we transfer to the Arusha region by plane, crossing over the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro highlands, and finally the Great Rift Valley.  We will land at Kilimanjaro International Airport with hopes of seeing the peaks of Mount Meru (14,980’) and Mount Kilimanjaro (19,431’) in time for our early evening flight to Kigali, Rwanda.

Upon arrival at the airport you will be driven to the hotel to rest as you wait for the fascinating adventures of the epic and beautiful country of Rwanda - nicknamed as the land of a thousand hills. We will overnight at the Serena Kigali, an elegant sanctuary in Kigali City.

After a leisurely breakfast, we will tour Kigali City and visit the Genocide Memorial that details the genocide that occurred in Rwanda three decades ago. This will be a profoundly moving and somber experience. The memorial provides a powerful insight into the events leading up to the genocide, its devastating consequences, and the process of healing and reconciliation that has followed. This time in Kigali will leave a lasting impression, and while it can be heartbreaking, it is also enlightening to how far the country has come, which you will be constantly reminded of as you experience the wonderful people of Rwanda. After the memorial, you will be treated to an amazing drive through the countryside as we transfer to Volcanoes National Park and check in at the Five Volcanoes Boutique Luxury Lodge. 

Today we will focus on trekking in Volcanoes National Park and experiencing one of 12 habituated Mountain Gorilla groups in the region. The day will start with a briefing with the local rangers where we will be placed in groups of 8 for trekking. On the trek you will learn about the people of this region, how they live, and of course plenty of information about Mountain Gorilla. Once we catchup to the trackers who are responsible for finding the gorilla groups, we are permitted one hour as we watch them play, stand guard, and forage. After trekking we will have lunch and will explore the region.

We are back in Volcanoes National Park, this time in search of the Golden Monkeys, which are only found in the highland forests of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Groups sizes vary, but can be as large as 100 individuals and are typically found at the base of the various volcanoes in the region.   After lunch we are off to Kigali for one last overnight in Rwanda.

On the last day in Kigali, we will have more time to explore the city as we prepare for our flights home, ending a trip of a lifetime.