12 Days Primates of Tanzania & Rwanda Adventure
Venture into the rainforests of East Africa and spend time with the enchanting primates. This primate journey – 12 Days Primates of Tanzania & Rwanda Adventure allows you to visit two different species in Rwanda and Tanzania.
In Tanzania, you will head to Robondo Island, a jungle-clad idyll amid the sparkling waters of Lake Victoria. Chimpanzees were first brought here in the 1960s and are now habituated to human presence making for a unique trekking experience.
From here you will fly to Rwanda – the land of a thousand hills and the most famous gorilla trekking destination there is, and the hikes through the emerald forest will bring you eye to eye with the mountain gorillas.
Highlights of 12 Days Primates of Tanzania & Rwanda Adventure
Day 1: Arusha
Day 2: Serengeti
Day 3-4: Serengeti
Day 5: Rubondo Island
Day 6-7: Rubondo Island
Day 8: Fly to Rwanda, Kigali City
Day 9: Kigali City
Day 10 – 11: Volcanoes National Park
Day 12: Departure
Detailed Itinerary of 12 Days Primates of Tanzania & Rwanda Adventure
Day 1: Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your guide and driven to your hotel in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s safari gems. In the afternoon you will enjoy a guided stroll between Maasai Markets (for Tinga Tinga paintings, handmade jewellery and shuka textiles), visit museums or visit the bright green fields of the coffee farms and sample some of Africa’s finest beans.
Overnight: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Serengeti
After breakfast you will be collected from your lodge and driven to Arusha Airport for your flight to Serengeti Airstrip. On arrival at Serengeti Airstrip, you will be met by your safari-guide and driven to your next lodge.
Spend the afternoon on a game drive exploring the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
Overnight: Namiri Plains Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3-4: Serengeti
Famous for the incredible Great Migration, wildebeest –watching is high on the list of most travellers who visit the Serengeti. The location of the migrating herds differs by month but as a rough guide, you will catch the famous river crossings in the north from July to October and the calving and birth season in the south from December to March. Visit the Serengeti at other times and the herds will be in the Western Corridor (April to June) or traveling back through the central areas.
Game drives in Serengeti are available from almost every lodge in the Serengeti. Enjoy incredible sightings of all the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffaloes and rhinos (though rare) as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe and all smaller game. Whether you choose a morning or afternoon drive or an all-day expedition with a picnic. Night game drives and walking safaris are less common but can be done from some camps, and other location-specific activities include hot air ballooning (usually the north), horseback safaris (west), cultural visits and community projects.
Overnight: Namiri Plains Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Rubondo Island
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to Serengeti Airstrip for your domestic flight to Rubondo Airstrip. You will be met on arrival at Rubondo Airstrip and driven to your lodge.
Overnight: Rubondo Island Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6-7: Rubondo Island
Rubondo Island National Park is one of Tanzania’s two island parks, located on Lake Victoria offering the incredible chimpanzee trekking. With over 75% of it covered by virgin equatorial rainforests, the island is a habitat for rare species such as chimpanzees.
With park wardens and researchers, you will take a stroll through dense forests to spot fascinating insects and plants, enjoy a more active chimpanzee trek or go on a tranquil lake cruise while listening to hippos grunting at sunset or simply relax on the deck and use your binoculars to view some of the island’s 300 bird species.
Overnight: Rubondo Island Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Fly to Rwanda, Kigali City
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to Rubondo Airstrip for your flight to Kigali International Airport. On landing you will be met by your Driver-Guide and driven to your hotel in Kigali.
Overnight: The Retreat by Heaven
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Kigali City
Explore Kigali City – Despite its turbulent past, Kigali City is safe and incredibly friendly, and makes a wonderful welcome to the magic of Rwanda. History and culture are evident everywhere you look and a city tour should be number one on your list, no matter how long you are staying for. Amazing sites you visit include the Inema Art Centre, a contemporary gallery showcasing work from East and Central Africa, the Museum of Natural History, the iconic Milles Collines Hotel, and the Kimironko Market, where you can spend your pennies on everything from fruit to fabrics, cookware to clothing. For a quick break in between, pop in Question for a cup of the good stuff and a glimpse into Rwanda’s booming industry.
Make it a point to visit the Genocide Memorial, a necessary and sobering reminder of the country’s tumultuous history. Also, it is a reminder of its bright future and the resilience of all who live here.
Overnight: The Retreat by Heaven
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10 – 11: Volcanoes National Park
You will be collected from your hotel in Kigali City and embark on a journey to Volcanoes National Park – the most popular safari destination in Kigali.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places in the world for gorilla trekking, so the endangered mountain gorillas are the prize on your gorilla trek. There are several habituated gorilla families in the forest, so it is slightly easier to estimate trekking times, but still there is no guarantee how long you may need to walk for. Your packing list should include comfy boots. The treks depart with the sparrows, are led by seasoned guides and scouts, and will take you through the emerald forests of the lower volcanoes. After you first lay eyes on the gorillas, you will spend an hour with them before heading back.
Aside from the gentle giants that are the star attraction, there is a good selection of activities in Volcanoes making a longer stay incredible. If you are keen to dig deeper into the forest and all its inhabitants, try trekking with endangered golden monkeys or hiking to Dian Fossey’s grave and seeing what you can spot along the way. You will possibly see lots of monkeys, gorgeous flora and small antelopes.
Other activities we recommend taking include a walk into the local villages and meeting the communities, and exploring the Crater Lake, time allowing.
Day 12: Departure
Sadly this is your last day of your Primate Adventure, you will be collected from your lodge and driven to Kigali International Airport for your international flight.
