The 7 days Rwanda gorillas & Zanzibar combines a safari to see mountain gorillas and beach experience at Zanzibar. For gorilla trekking, you will immerse yourself into the jungles of Volcanoes National Park, Northwestern Rwanda and beach or relaxation at Zanzibar in Tanzania.
Volcanoes National Park is the premier destination in the Northern Province of Rwanda and it is here where gorilla trekking is conducted. The park was gazetted in 1925 making it the oldest in Rwanda, occupying the land area of 160sq.kms and holds up to 12 habituated gorilla families.
Zanzibar lies on the East coast of Africa, along the Indian Ocean about 25 to 50kms away from the mainland Tanzania. It is comprised of numerous beautiful white sand beaches, totaling up to about 25. Zanzibar archipelago is a home to Pemba and Unguja Islands, with popular beaches such as Paje, Nungwi, Jambiani, Kiwengwa, Matemwe, Pingwe, Kendwa and more. Zanzibar is also most popular for its historic town, Stone town.
Detailed safari
Day 1: A gorilla tour to Volcanoes National Park
Before you embark on your journey to Volcanoes National Park, meet and greet your tour leader in Kigali. After, a short Kigali city tour will follow, taking about 2 hours and you will be exploring Kigali or Gisozi genocide center which gives a deep insight into the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
Visit Kimironko market and for fruit lovers, it is the best spot to grab freshly harvested fruits, and other places within the city center then you settle for lunch. After lunch, leave Kigali for Volcanoes National Park a journey expected to go for 2-3 hours to the Northern Province of Rwanda, a region also most popular for its rolling hills.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda Volcanoes N/P & cultural walk
Breakfast be served to you at the respective places of stay, after, join other guests for briefing on Rwanda gorilla trekking rules/guidelines which starts at 7:00am. Before the actual visit to see mountain gorillas, you will be allocated to a gorilla group and park guide. At 8:00am, with your gear set, packed lunch and enough drinking water, follow the park guide for 2 to 6 hours’ gorilla trek through the bamboo forest to see mountain gorillas.
When you come across assigned gorilla family, you will be guaranteed of 1 hour for a close encounter. This is a moment you will observe how gorillas behave, body gestures and also take pictures. After, walk back through the forest and meet the driver at Kinigi for transfer to the lodge. Relax, get some refreshment and later head off for a cultural walk in the Iby’Iwacu village to explore and experience the unique Rwanda cultures.
Day 3: Drive back to Kigali, fly to Tanzania
After a hefty breakfast, check out of the lodge and meet the driver guide who will drive you back to Kigali. From Kigali Airport, fly to Zanzibar where you will be picked up and transferred to your respective lodges/boutique hotels.
Day 4: Zanzibar Island expedition
Wake up early, enjoy a delicious breakfast and after, you will have a long day of chilling at the beach. Find a palm tree or settle at the shady beach bar, relax while reading a book or have fun at the island, walk around. There is an option of engaging in snorkeling tour or diving and meals plus overnight at the luxurious accommodation.
Day 5: Snorkeling tour at Nungwi
Leave the boutique hotel early for Nungwi beach and it is here where you embark on snorkeling experience. Sail in a traditional dhow to access some of the reefs where you will have great time observing marine life that reside in the Zanzibar corals.
Day 6: Full day exploring Zanzibar
Start the long day with tour in Stone town a mystical historical town that was built in the 19th-20th century. This historical town is found along the West coast, about 1-2 hours away from the coast. It is Zanzibar’s busiest town and you will be visiting some of iconic historical and cultural centers including Sultan’s Palace, House of wonders, Old Fort, Old Slave Market, walk through the labyrinth of streets etc. It also combines Spice tour where you will be visiting one of Zanzibar’s biggest spice plantations to explore variety of spices grown here.
Day 7: Departure
Enjoy a hefty breakfast, after, meet the driver guide and be transferred to Abeid International Airport for departure back home or to another destination.
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