Day 1: Arrival in Arusha & City Tour

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly received by your professional driver-guide who will brief you on the adventure ahead. You’ll then be transferred to your lodge in Arusha. After check-in and a brief rest, embark on a light city tour where you’ll visit the Arusha Museum for a deeper understanding of Tanzania’s cultural and historical tapestry. Cap off the experience with a stop at a local craft market to shop for authentic souvenirs before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight rest.

Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge
Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Scenic Drive to Lake Natron & Waterfall Hike

After an early breakfast, depart Arusha for Lake Natron, a remote and ethereal destination known for its crimson-hued waters and resident flamingos. Upon arrival, take a scenic drive along the lake’s shoreline to enjoy the spectacular views and unique birdlife. After lunch at your lodge, hike to the stunning Ngare Sero Waterfalls, nestled in a rocky gorge. The hike offers rewarding vistas and opportunities to spot exotic bird species like African darters and hornbills. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Natron
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Nature Walk at Lake Natron

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before setting out on a guided nature walk around Lake Natron. Your guide will interpret the fragile ecosystem and introduce you to the flora and fauna that survive in this harsh yet beautiful landscape. The remainder of the day is at leisure to soak in the peaceful environment, photograph the vivid landscapes, or relax at your lodge.

Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Natron
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Journey to Northeast Serengeti & Wildebeest Migration

After breakfast, embark on an overland transfer to the northeastern reaches of Serengeti National Park. As you arrive, immerse yourself in the sweeping savannah landscapes during a game drive en route to your lodge. In the afternoon, witness one of nature’s grandest spectacles—the wildebeest migration. Thousands of wildebeests accompanied by zebras, gazelles, and predators move across the plains in search of fresh grazing. Your guide will help position you for the best photographic opportunities before returning to the lodge.

Accommodation: Serengeti Heritage Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5 & 6: Full-Day Game Drives in Central Serengeti

Spend two full days exploring the central Serengeti, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife habitats. With packed breakfasts or early morning meals at the lodge, head out for extended game drives to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, and countless bird species. Your guide will help track wildlife based on animal movement, ensuring prime viewing opportunities. Return to your lodge in the evening for a relaxing sundowner and hearty dinner.

Accommodation: Into Wild Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Transfer to Ndutu Region (Southern Serengeti)

After breakfast, journey southwards to the Ndutu area in the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Renowned for its calving season and excellent predator sightings, the area offers rich photographic opportunities. Enjoy an afternoon game drive where you’ll encounter large herds of wildebeests and zebras, as well as the Big Five in their natural habitat. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a peaceful evening.

Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Visit Olduvai Gorge & Explore Ngorongoro Crater

Depart Ndutu after an early breakfast and drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, stop at Olduvai Gorge—a world-famous paleoanthropological site where early human fossils were discovered. Continue to the crater and descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for an awe-inspiring wildlife drive. Marvel at the rich biodiversity, including rare black rhinos, lions, hippos, and flamingoes. Spend the evening at a charming lodge near the crater rim.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Cultural Encounter with Hadzabe Bushmen at Lake Eyasi

Wake up early and drive to Lake Eyasi, where you’ll meet the Hadzabe Bushmen—one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa. Spend the day learning about their traditional lifestyle, hunting techniques, and cultural rituals. Participate in storytelling sessions and observe their daily activities. It’s a deeply moving and educational experience. Return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Village Tour in Mto wa Mbu & Transfer to Tarangire

After breakfast, head to the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu, where over 120 tribes coexist. Engage in a guided village tour to visit bustling local markets, taste traditional Tanzanian dishes, and interact with local artisans. After lunch, proceed to Tarangire National Park. Check into your lodge and spend the evening at leisure with views over the baobab-studded landscape.

Accommodation: Tarangire Simba Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Explore Tarangire National Park – Home of Giants

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before heading into Tarangire National Park for a comprehensive game drive. The park is famed for its high concentration of elephants and massive baobab trees. Look out for lions lounging under acacias, leopards resting in trees, giraffes grazing on thorny bushes, and vibrant birdlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and resume your game drive before retiring to your lodge for the final dinner of your adventure.

Accommodation: Tarangire Simba Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Return to Arusha & Departure

After breakfast, bid farewell to the wild and begin your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha. Reflect on the extraordinary memories you’ve gathered over the past 12 days as you prepare for your departure flight back home.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 1: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Akagera National Park

Begin your adventure in Rwanda’s capital city. After breakfast, your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel for a guided city exploration. Highlights include a poignant visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which tells the story of resilience and remembrance, a stop at the Inema Arts Center to admire contemporary African art, and a walk through the lively Kimironko Market, where traders display fresh produce, fabrics, and crafts.

After lunch, depart for Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and a sanctuary for the Big Five. The drive takes you eastward, revealing rolling hills, rural settlements, and scenic countryside. Depending on arrival time, you may embark on a short evening game drive before checking into your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals & Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 2: Game Drive & Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema (Optional Hot Air Balloon)

Rise early for a sunrise game drive through the park’s extensive savannah. Guided by expert rangers, traverse open plains, wooded hills, and swampy valleys in search of lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and antelopes. Bird enthusiasts will also enjoy spotting species such as eagles, ibises, and hornbills.

For a unique perspective, you may opt for an early morning hot air balloon safari, offering sweeping aerial views of the lakes, hills, and wildlife below.

Return to the lodge for lunch before heading to Lake Ihema for an afternoon boat cruise. The calm waters reveal pods of hippos wallowing, crocodiles basking on the banks, and countless water birds including kingfishers and African fish eagles. As the sun begins to set, return to your lodge for relaxation and dinner.

Meals & Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park with Visit to Twin Lakes

After breakfast, depart Akagera and drive north to the Volcanoes National Park in Musanze district. Along the way, stop at the beautiful Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Here, enjoy a canoe excursion where local fishermen share stories of life on the lakes, while you admire the backdrop of hills, terraced farms, and birdlife.

Continue your journey to your lodge nestled at the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, where you’ll unwind in preparation for the next day’s gorilla trek.

Meals & Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking & Iby’iwacu Cultural Experience

Today is the highlight of your safari—the gorilla trekking adventure. After an early breakfast, drive to Kinigi Park headquarters for a detailed briefing about the trek, rules of conduct, and conservation importance. With your assigned ranger-guide, set off into the misty rainforest to track one of the habituated gorilla families.

The trek can take several hours, but the reward is an unforgettable one-hour encounter with the gorillas. Observe them as they feed, groom, and interact—an awe-inspiring moment that creates a deep sense of connection with these great apes.

After returning to the lodge for some rest, in the afternoon visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where locals share their traditions, music, dance, and crafts, giving you an authentic taste of Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Meals & Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Day 5: Scenic Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, embark on a long but scenic drive southwest to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The journey is enriched by breathtaking views of terraced hillsides, sprawling tea plantations, dense forests, and the sparkling waters of Lake Kivu.

Arrive at your lodge by evening and relax in preparation for the next day’s chimpanzee trek.

Meals & Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk Adventure

Start the day with an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing. With your guide, venture deep into Nyungwe’s dense rainforest to track wild chimpanzees. The forest is alive with calls of primates and birds, and along the way you may encounter species such as colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and numerous butterflies.

Once the chimpanzees are located, spend an hour observing their playful, energetic behavior—watching them swing through trees, communicate, and forage.

Return to the lodge for lunch before setting out on an afternoon canopy walk, a suspended bridge 70 meters above the forest floor. This exhilarating experience offers panoramic views of the treetops, birdlife, and primates crossing through the canopy. End the day back at your lodge for dinner and your final night in Nyungwe.

Meals & Accommodation: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel

Day 7: Return to Kigali & Departure

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Kigali International Airport. The 6-hour drive is scenic, passing through lush tea plantations, banana groves, and small rural towns. Depending on your flight schedule, you may stop for last-minute shopping or photography opportunities.

Arrive in Kigali in time for your onward flight, marking the end of your 7 Days Rwanda Classic Wildlife Safari.

Meals: Half board (Breakfast & Lunch) | No Accommodation