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Gorillas, Serengeti & chimps
USD 24700
JUN-FEB
14 NIGHTS
Select your style
We are able to vary the price of this trip considerably, simply by swapping out the lodges that it contains. This is likely to have a very significant effect on the level of polish of the trip, but in all cases it will remain cool and authentic. Make your selection here and the lodges will automatically change in the itinerary below.
USD 24700 per person
This trip includes very cool, well-located and relatively well-priced lodges, suitable for more adventurous, easy-going and outdoorsy travellers.
Trip Summary
Start location : Kigali International
Virunga Mountains
Kigali
04 : Mille Collines
Serengeti Mara
05 : Mara River Post
06 : Mara River Post
07 : Mara River Post
Serengeti Southcentral
08 : Olduvai Camp
09 : Olduvai Camp
Ngorongoro Karatu
10 : Bashay Rift Lodge
Mahale Mountains
11 : Mbali Mbali Mahale
12 : Mbali Mbali Mahale
13 : Mbali Mbali Mahale
14 : Mbali Mbali Mahale
End location : Kilimanjaro International
Virunga Mountains
Set in the northwest of Rwanda, Virunga Mountains is one of the prime locations in Africa for viewing mountain gorillas, plus options for other primates and cultural interaction. Guest accommodation is in a very wide range of lodges, some of which are extremely high quality.
Day 1 , 2 , 3
Arrival : Kigali
Safari vehicle : Primate Safaris
lodge
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel is located in the Virunga Mountains area.
The lodge is contained within a walled suburban plot.
Guest accommodation is in around 13 small rooms of various specifications.
Activities are centred on gorilla tracking, plus golden monkey tracking, hiking and cultural visits.
The primary activity is gorilla tracking up into the mountain forests.
The reserve is home to forty families of gorillas, totalling around 600 individuals.
It is also possible to trek into the forest to view golden monkeys.
The trek to Dian Fossey's Grave is something of a pilgrimage.
Villages can be visited either as part of the other treks or as separate outings.
Kigali
Set in the centre of Rwanda, Kigali is the capital city and main transport hub for the country. Set across a series of prominent hills, the city centre is a reasonably pleasant place to explore, has some reliable hotels for overnight stops and some interesting genocide museums.
Day 4
Safari vehicle : Primate Safaris
lodge
Mille Collines
Hotel des Mille Collines is located in the middle of Kigali.
It is a rather old fashioned large hotel with all the usual facilities.
Guest accommodation is in 100 rooms of various specifications.
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Serengeti Mara
Serengeti Mara is the prime but potentially busy area for migration herds and river crossings during the Jul-Nov dry season and a wonderful quiet backwater at other times, with guest accommodation in around 30 small lodges and camps, offering a good range of safari experiences.
Day 5 , 6 , 7
Fly : Kigali to Kogatende
lodge
Mara River Post
Mara River Post is located in the Serengeti Mara area.
The camp is split in two halves, each centred on a pleasant tented mess.
Guest accommodation is in two lots of eight large tented Rooms with indoor bathrooms.
Activities are focused on daytime vehicle safari.
The primary activity is vehicle safari inside the main park during daylight hours.
Serengeti Southcentral
Serengeti Southcentral is one of the most magical of areas, with migration calving Dec-Mar, superb Maasai interaction, incredible palaeontology and just two rather cool mid-priced lodges.
Day 8 , 9
Fly : Kogatende to Ndutu
Safari vehicle : Tanzania North
lodge
Olduvai Camp
Olduvai Camp is located in the Serengeti Southcentral area.
The camp is centred on two simple main buildings, with steps up to a fabulous viewing platform.
Guest accommodation is in 17 tented rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Activities include vehicle safari, giraffe stalking, fossil hunting, palaeontological walks, cultural interaction with local Maasai people and superb sundowners.
The primary activity is vehicle safari, which can be epic during the Dec-Mar green season.
Walking safari with the local Maasai warriors is a year round pleasure.
The nearby Olduvai Gorge Museum is of huge palaeontological importance.
One particularly unusual diversion is a trip to the bizarre Shifting Sands.
Ngorongoro Karatu
Situated 10 km to the southeast of the Ngorongoro Crater, Karatu is an area of fabulous rural scenery centred on a busy agricultural town, with guest accommodation in some lovely farmhouse lodges, offering a wide range of cultural, active and safari experiences.
Day 10
Safari vehicle : Tanzania North
lodge
Bashay Rift Lodge
Mahale Mountains
Set in the far west of Tanzania, Mahale Mountains is not only an incredibly scenic location on the distant shores of Lake Tanganyika, but it also happens to be the best location in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. In fact this is almost certainly the ultimate primate experience in Africa, even better than gorilla tracking. Guest accommodation is in just a couple of very remote camps.
Day 11 , 12 , 13 , 14
Safari vehicle : Tanzania North
Fly : Manyara to Mahale
lodge
Mbali Mbali Mahale
Mbali Mbali Mahale is located in the Mahale Mountains area.
The lodge is centred on a large main building, leading out to a campfire area.
Guest accommodation is in ten tented Rooms with private indoor bathrooms.
Activities include chimp tracking, forest hiking, sailing and kayaking.
The primary activity is chimpanzee tracking in the forests behind camp.
Motorboat safari is offered out on the lake.
Day 15
Departure : Kilimanjaro International
Alternative Trips
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Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
