9 Days Migration and Gorillas Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania – Welcome to the Heart of Safari Country

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our safari representative and transferred to your lodge in Arusha, a vibrant gateway city nestled beneath Mount Meru. Take the afternoon to relax, recover from your flight, and prepare for the adventure ahead. If time allows, explore the local markets or coffee plantations.
Accommodation: Arusha Serena Hotel / Gran Melia Arusha
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Arusha – Drive to Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro Highlands

After breakfast, begin your scenic journey through the Ngorongoro Highlands toward Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s crown jewel and the stage for the Great Migration. The drive offers breathtaking vistas of rolling plains and traditional Maasai villages. Enter the Serengeti through Naabi Hill Gate and enjoy a game drive en route to your camp, where lions, elephants, and wildebeest roam freely under vast skies.
Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge / Lahia Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Full Day Safari in the Serengeti – The Great Migration Experience

Today is dedicated to exploring the endless Serengeti plains — one of the most spectacular wildlife theaters on Earth. Depending on the time of year, witness the dramatic Great Migration as millions of wildebeest and zebras traverse the plains in search of fresh pasture, followed closely by predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Your experienced guide will take you to the best vantage points to witness river crossings or calving grounds, depending on the season.
Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge / Lahia Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: More Game Drives in Serengeti – Predators and Plains Life

Spend another day in the Serengeti, focusing on the incredible diversity of wildlife beyond the migrating herds. Early morning and late afternoon game drives maximize your chances of spotting leopards in the trees, elephants bathing in watering holes, and cheetahs sprinting across the grasslands. Return to camp at sunset for an evening around the campfire under a canopy of stars.
Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge / Lahia Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Serengeti – Fly to Kigali, Rwanda

After a final early morning game drive and breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha, then connect on an international flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival, our Rwandan guide will welcome you and transfer you to your elegant city hotel. Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most vibrant capitals, offers a warm introduction to Rwanda’s culture and hospitality.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel / Hotel des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 6: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, embark on a guided city tour of Kigali. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local art galleries, and bustling markets that tell the story of Rwanda’s remarkable transformation. After lunch, drive north through the rolling green hills and terraced landscapes to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The scenic drive takes about 2.5 hours and reveals Rwanda’s poetic beauty at every turn.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today you’ll experience one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth — mountain gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing, then set off on foot through dense bamboo forests and steep slopes in search of your assigned gorilla family. Once found, you’ll spend one magical hour observing their behavior, watching mothers nurse their infants, and silverbacks keeping watch over their troop. The experience is humbling, emotional, and unforgettable. Return to your lodge for relaxation and reflection.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 8: Optional Golden Monkey Trek or Cultural Visit – Return to Kigali

After breakfast, choose between an optional golden monkey trek — a playful, rare species found only in the Virunga region — or a cultural village visit to learn about Rwandan traditions and music. Later, return to Kigali, arriving by evening. Enjoy your last night in the “Land of a Thousand Hills” with a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant or your hotel.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel / Hotel des Mille Collines
Meal Plan: Half Board

Day 9: Kigali – Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight. Depending on your schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping or a coffee tasting experience before departure.

Safari Summary

Destinations: Tanzania (Serengeti) & Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park, Kigali)
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Best Time to Go: June – October (Migration & Gorilla Trekking Dry Season)
Style: Mid-Range / Luxury Combination Safari