Day notes
On arrival in Kigali, you will be met by an Inspired Journeys representative, who will transfer you to Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel.
Transfer from Kigali International Airport [KGL] to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Transfer
Kigali International Airport [KGL]
Heaven Boutique Hotel
Check-in to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Expert tips:
Please have the following ready:
- Passport
With 6 months validity from return to home country and 2 pages available for each country you are visiting - including your return
- Yellow Fever Certificate
This must have your full name and a validity date
- $30 for your Single Entry Rwandan Visa
Day notes
After a relaxed breakfast, pick up by an Inspired Journeys driver/guide, drive 3.5 hours through the hillsides of Rwanda, and if time is allowing - pass by the Genocide Memorial
*We do recommend this - as it is a somber experience and one you will appreciate at the start of your journey and not the end.
On arrival in Gisenyi (Rwanda Border crossing), an Inspired Journeys representative will be there to assist you into Goma (D.R.C Border crossing). The border crossing usually takes 0.5hrs to 1.5hrs.
You will arrive at Grande Barriere border crossing at 12:00pm (noon) and check - in with Virunga tourism office by 13:15pm.
*The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barriere border post building, opposite passport control.
You will receive your gorilla and volcano trek permits at check - where they will need to be presented at the start of each trek. Once check - in is complete, you will transfer with Virunga shared transport to Mikeno Lodge.
On arrival to Mikeno, a late lunch will be served and the afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure, including exploring Rumangabo’s several nature trails bird watching or paying a visit to the Congohounds.
Check-out from Heaven Boutique Hotel
Transfer from Heaven Boutique Hotel to Mikeno Lodge
Transfer
Heaven Boutique Hotel
Mikeno Lodge
Check-in to Mikeno Lodge
Expert tips:
Your Passport, Yellow Fever Vaccination Card (with name and validity date), Visa application confirmation and Virunga Reservation Summary will be required for this border crossing.
Here you will receive your tourist visa, gorilla & Nyiragongo permits.
Day notes
After an early breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, you will set off for the gorilla trek at Bukima Ranger Post. On arrival to Bukima, you will meet their Ranger guides and local pisteurs to receive a briefing before starting the gorilla trek. Treks usually require 1 - 2.5 hours of hiking each way, depending on location of the group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain.
After spending 1 hour with the gorillas, you will return to Bukima camp and then transported back to Mikeno Lodge where the remainder of the day can be spent relaxing on the lodge terrace or visiting the gorilla orphans at the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage.
Expert tips:
Dress accordingly as recommended in the Rwanda/D.R.C Info Pack for the gorilla trek, as you may encounter rain and stinging nettles.
Have your cameras ready, and make sure they are fully charged with an extra memory card on hand, as you will be surprised as to how many pictures you will take.
Please pay attention to Tracker / Ranger instructions on ‘Gorilla Etiquette’ and pay attention to the Ranger at all times.
Please note that if you are not feeling well at the time of your scheduled gorilla trek (i.e. you have a cold, fever, diarrhea, or persistent sore throat) – please cancel as Gorillas are extremely susceptible to human illnesses.
This is the night before your VOLCANO TREK
Please make sure you have the following ready:
- Thermal sleeping bag with fleece liner
- Rain poncho
- Long sleeved shirt
Day notes
After breakfast at Mikeno Lodge, transfer to the Kibati Ranger Post, which is the departure point for the Nyiragongo volcano trek. On arrival at Kibati, you will receive a briefing where you will have the opportunity to hire porters.
There will be a cook that accompanies you, who will prepare all your meals and snacks on the trip. It’s about a 4-7 hour hike to the summit, where you will spend the night in the rustic shelters looking at the biggest lava lake on the planet, one of the most spectacular sights in the world. A true once in a lifetime experience!
Check-out from Mikeno Lodge
Transfer from Mikeno Lodge to Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Transfer
Mikeno Lodge
Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Check-in to Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Expert tips:
You may decide to leave some luggage that you do not need on your hike up Nyiragongo at the base offices and pick this up tomorrow. Please make sure your bag is locked and clearly labeled. Do carry your money, passport and other valuables with you.
It is obligatory for every guest to hire a porter. You will need to pay US$24 directly, before you start climbing. Make sure the dollar notes you have are from 2013 or later and are in good condition. Older notes and notes with tears are not accepted. Also try to have the exact money as it can be difficult for the porters to find correct change.
Walking sticks can be bought for a fee of US$5 each and are recommended to help you, particularly by the end of the hike when you are getting tired.
Day notes
Wake up and watch the sunrise; a fantastic experience and photographic opportunity, followed by a simple breakfast on the summit and a last look at the lava lake, start your descend down the mountain around 6:00am.
This will take between 2 -4 hrs depending on your group’s level of fitness.
A Virunga National Park car will meet you at the bottom of the volcano, transfer you back to Goma on a 0.5hr drive, where an Inspired Journeys representative will assist you with your border crossing back into Rwanda.
After the border crossing (0.5hr – 1.5hrs), you may choose to stop in Gisenyi for lunch at Calafia Restaurant or in Ruhengeri at the Bamboo Restaurant, where you can visit the Karisoke Museum (Dian Fossey Museum), and then transfer for 3.5hrs back to Kigali for your overnight at Heaven Restaurant & Boutique.
Check-out from Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Self Drive from Nyiragongo Summit Shelters to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Self Drive
Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Heaven Boutique Hotel
Check-in to Heaven Boutique Hotel
Excluded:
- Dinner
Day notes
After an early breakfast, depart for Kigali International Airport for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport at 10h10, arriving at 13h00. On arrival you will be met by an inspired Journeys representative, where you will transfer by road to Katambuga House to enjoy views of Mt Meru and a relaxing afternoon, before transferring to the bush on the next day for incredible wildlife viewing.
Check-out from Heaven Boutique Hotel
Self Drive from Heaven Boutique Hotel to Katambuga House
Self Drive
Heaven Boutique Hotel
Katambuga House
Check-in to Katambuga House
Expert tips:
Please have the following ready:
- Passport
With 6 months validity from return to home country and 2 pages available for each country you are visiting - including your return
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Cerificate
This must have your full name and a validity date,
- $30 for the your 2nd Rwanda Single Entry Visa
You need to pay this again on re-entering Rwanda
- $$$ for your Tanzanian Tourist Visa
This can be applied for ahead of time online.
Excluded:
- Rwanda Single Entry Visa
- Tanzania Tourist Visa
- Connecting flight (Kigali - Kilimanjaro)
Day notes
After a relaxed breakfast, depart Katambuga House and transfer to Tarangire National Park for a morning game drive. This is about a 1.5 - 2hr drive. On arrival at the Headquarters of Tarangire National Park, your driver guide will check you into the park. Depending on the wildlife movements on this day, your guide will recommend either a full day or a morning and afternoon game drive in order to maximise your time in the park.
Check into Matembezi Wilderness Camp Tarangire which is located 10 min from the park gates, for late afternoon sundowners and an evening soaking in the views and sounds of the African bush.
Check-out from Katambuga House
Transfer from Katambuga House to Matembezi Wilderness Camp Tarangire
Transfer
Katambuga House
Matembezi Wilderness Camp Tarangire
Check-in to Matembezi Wilderness Camp Tarangire
Day notes
Depending on the wildlife movements on this day, your guide will recommend either a full day or a morning and afternoon game drive in order to maximise your time in the park. You may choose to take a packed lunch to eat at a picnic spot in the park or return to the camp for lunch and go out later in the afternoon for an afternoon game drive instead.
Day notes
After breakfast, take a leisurely drive out the park on route to Lake Natron.
Check into Natron Camp and enjoy a sunset scenic flight of Lake Natron, where you will have the opportunity get an aerial view with the beautiful sunset lighting for great photographic opportunities. You will fly over Oldonyo Lengai 'The Mountain of God', and along the escarpment, where you will return around the east side of the lake and view the Flamingo nests - which cannot be seen from the ground.
Spend the evening with your pilot, chatting about his life in Tanzania and adventurous stories!
Check-out from Matembezi Wilderness Camp Tarangire
Transfer from Matembezi Wilderness Camp Tarangire to Lake Natron Camp
Transfer
Matembezi Wilderness Camp Tarangire
Lake Natron Camp
Check-in to Lake Natron Camp
Expert tips:
Remember to take a windbreaker, sunglasses and camera for your scenic flight
Day notes
Early morning wake up to transfer 5min to the airstrip, for your sunrise scenic flight, with different lighting and photographic opportunities as per the evening before.
Following your scenic flight, you can take some time to rest after this super adventure & adrenaline rush, before enjoying afternoon activities that include hiking to the waterfall & a lakeshore walk to see the Flamingos.
Enjoy another evening at Natron Camp before departing for the Serengeti the next day.
Expert tips:
Remember to take a windbreaker, sunglasses and camera for your scenic flight
Day notes
After an early breakfast, drive to the central sector of Serengeti National Park. This drive is on a dirt road and can be quite bumpy, so please be prepared for your 'safari massage'. Depending on the wildlife movements on this morning, you will take a slow game drive on the way to Matembezi Classic Camp.
Transfer from Lake Natron Camp to Matembezi Classic Camp
Transfer
Lake Natron Camp
Matembezi Classic Camp
Day notes
After a relaxed breakfast (or early breakfast), a decision on the daily activities - depending on current wildlife movements and your preferences will be made with your guide on the day. This may vary from morning drives with lunch in the vehicle and stopping in the park to eat while breaking up your trip and following the wildlife on the day or returning to camp for lunch, and a second drive in the afternoon.
Arriving in camp late afternoon for sundowners and sitting around the campfire to catch up on what you saw and experienced on that day.
*Matembezi Classic Camp is a good place to see the wildebeest migration as the herds are excepted to be around there at this time of year.
Day notes
As per the day before, after a relaxed breakfast (or early breakfast), a decision on the daily activities - depending on current wildlife movements and your preferences will be made with your guide on the day. This may vary from morning drives with lunch in the vehicle and stopping in the park to eat while breaking up your trip and following the wildlife on the day or returning to camp for lunch, and a second drive in the afternoon.
Arriving in camp late afternoon for sundowners and sitting around the campfire to catch up on what you saw and experienced on that day.
*Matembezi Classic Camp is a good place to see the wildebeest migration as the herds are excepted to be around there at this time of year.
Day notes
After breakfast, take a morning drive to the airstrip, where you will say goodbye to your driver guide, and depart for Arusha Airport.
On arrival at Arusha Airport, you will be met by an Inspired Journeys representative and transfer to Katambuga House for a relaxing afternoon and shower, before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.
*You may choose to add a beach safari to Zanzibar or Mafia Island from here. Please ask for further information on this additional portion to this safari.
Check-out from Matembezi Classic Camp
Scheduled Flight from Matembezi Classic Camp to Arusha Airport [ARK]
Scheduled Flight
Matembezi Classic Camp
Arusha Airport [ARK]
Transfer from Arusha Airport [ARK] to Katambuga House
Transfer
Arusha Airport [ARK]
Katambuga House
Transfer from Katambuga House to Kilimanjaro International Airport [JRO]
Transfer
Katambuga House
Kilimanjaro International Airport [JRO]
