FULL ITINERARY

EXPERIENCE: APES TO LAKES – FULL ITINERARY

DAY 1

Congo Gorilla Tours

STAY AT Kigali Serena Hotel, the ideal starting place to begin your Congo Gorilla Tours with The Safari Collection

GETTING THERE: Fly into Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. Here you will be met and driven to Kigali Serena Hotel, which is a short drive away.

EXPERIENCE: Kigali is a clean and vibrant city at Rwanda’s geographical center, that has made incredible progress over the last decade. It is a city that has not just survived, but thrived and grown into a modern metropolis – a heart of the emerging Rwandan economy and a pride of every Rwandan. Kigali Serena Hotel is ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards. This relaxed yet elegant hotel features a lounge and bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking a large swimming pool. The hotel is the perfect place to rest and relax before starting your epic adventure into DRC.

DAY 2 and 3

Expedition Safari

STAY AT Kibumba Tented Camp. the perfect base from which to begin this epic expedition safari.

GETTING THERE: Enjoy a scenic, three hour drive on good roads as you travel to Kibumba Tented Camp from Kigali. Stop to collect your gorilla and volcano trekking permits at the border crossing as you enter the Democratic Republic of Congo at Goma. Kibumba Tented Camp is a one hour drive from Goma.

EXPERIENCE: Kibumba Tented Camp is situated inside Virunga National Park and immerses you in the sights and sounds of the wilderness. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon looking out onto the lush volcanic forest which surrounds the camp. Take a leisurely stroll with a guide or simply watch the birdlife and various monkey species from your private deck. After a ranger briefing the next morning, the real excitement begins as you set off on your expedition safari to find the endangered mountain gorilla in its natural habitat. Treks vary between one to three hours each way, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once found, you will spend one very special hour observing these majestic creatures in the wild. Back at camp, enjoy a well-earned restful afternoon with the option for further nature walks if desired. An evening around the campfire is the perfect opportunity to contemplate your extraordinary encounter with the primates with whom we share 98% of our DNA.

DAY 4

Misty volcanic peaks and a bubbling lava lake

STAY AT: Nyiragongo Summit Huts

GETTING HERE: You will transfer via road from Bukima tented Camp to Mikeno Lodge. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.

EXPERIENCE: After breakfast you will be driven to Kibati Ranger Post, from where you will commence your trek up Nyiragongo Volcano. The climb can take anywhere between four to six hours, depending on fitness levels within the group.
EXPERIENCE: The hike begins with a gentle incline and as you wind your way up the mountain path, enjoy stopping to admire the vegetation, wildlife and stunning views. Although only an eight kilometre walk in total, it does get steep, so certainly provides a good work out. Porters will carry all your gear for the night and cook you a hearty campfire meal in the evening. Once at the top, it is certainly worth the climb as you are rewarded with unbelievable views of the world’s largest lake of bubbling molten lava. Spend as much time as you like photographing the fiery inner depths of the earth, before retiring to your simple yet cosy wooden hut for the night. Awaken to breath-taking panoramic views of Virunga’s many peaks rising above the morning mist. After an early breakfast, descend back to Kibati.

DAY 5

Serene lakeside stopover and a deep night’s rest in Nairobi

STAY AT: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport

GETTING THERE: Today you take a road transfer from the Congo to Kigali where you will fly back to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. On arrival, you will say goodbye to your private guide and a representative from the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport will transfer you to this hotel located within the airport.

EXPERIENCEAs you end your Nyiragongo Volcano trek, you will be met and driven back to the border crossing at Goma. Head back into Rwanda, stopping at Lake Kivu before continuing to Kigali International Airport. Fly from Rwanda to Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where a taxi from Four Points by Sheraton will transfer you the short distance to the nearby airport hotel.
EXPERIENCE: After leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo, you will make one final stop in Rwanda at the waterfront Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. Enjoy a tranquil lunch and refreshing dip in the pool or lake, which is ideal for swimming. Continue you journey to Kigali for your return flight to Kenya. Four Points by Sheraton is the perfect place for a deep rest before embarking on your Kenyan adventure. Relax by the pool or in the spa before a rooftop dinner overlooking Nairobi’s iconic National Park.

DAY 6

Wildlife is easy to view, with large numbers of game, rhino and lion

STAY AT: Solio Lodge

GETTING THERE: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Wilson Airport to catch your scheduled flight to Nanyuki Airstrip. You will be met and transferred to Solio Lodge to arrive in time for lunch.

EXPERIENCE: Solio Lodge is located in the Laikipia region of Kenya with incredible views of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountain Range. The lodge is the only property within a 19,000-acre conservancy with an abundance of wildlife including lion, leopard, black and white rhino and plains game. With only one night to enjoy Solio Lodge we recommend an afternoon game drive followed by a sundowner before a delicious dinner.

DAY 7 and 8

Discover the relics of mankind in the company of Dr. Louise Leakey

STAY AT: Turkana Basin Institute

GETTING THERE: At about 0630 your helicopter will land just in front of the lodge – a short stroll across the lawn and you’ll be taking off for your morning adventure which might include a stop in the Suguta Valley and Lothgam. Lothgam is the first of the fossil sites you’ll visit.

EXPERIENCE: For the next two nights you will be based at The Turkana Basin Institute, a research and educational facility. Basic but comfortable the lodge gives you access to a place that tourists have never been able to visit before. Over the next couple of days time will be divided between the cool of the labs during the heat of the day and exploring the area and palaeontology sites by helicopter. A visit to Central Island will give a unique insight to ancient Turkana fishing practices. You will also learn about everything from dinosaurs to our ancient ancestors.

DAY 9

A heavenly oasis to relax and rejuvenate

STAY AT: Sasaab

GETTING THERE: From Turkana you will head south in your helicopter. The journey to Sasaab will take you past the ancient mountain of Kulal, South Hor, the Ndotos and the Mathews Range, where 2000-year-old ancient Cycad forests flourish.

EXPERIENCE: Sasaab is an incredibly comfortable luxury tented camp and is the ideal location to relax, rejuvenate and reflect on an action packed few days. Spend your time lying by your private plunge pool or head out on foot to explore the indigenous flora and fauna. You can also go on a quad bike safari, visit a Samburu village or head to the Samburu National Reserve for a game drive.

DAY 10

Meet the resident Rothschild’s giraffes

STAY AT: Giraffe Manor

GETTING THERE: After breakfast at Sasaab you’ll catch a flight from Samburu to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. You will be met by us and taken to Giraffe Manor.

EXPERIENCE: On arrival you will be met by our resident Rothschild Giraffe who roam the grounds of the sanctuary surrounding this classic manor house. The giraffes are completely wild, but enjoy being fed by our guests*, making this an experience unlike any other in the world. After lunch you can visit the Giraffe Centre located within the Manor’s grounds or take a trip to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and see orphaned elephants and rhinoceros. The nearby Karen Blixen Museum offers a glimpse into the life of the author of the infamous book “Out of Africa” and en-route you will have a chance to purchase gifts from local designers and artisans.

* The giraffe at Giraffe Manor are wild and therefore we cannot guarantee interaction with them at any given time.

DAY 11

The adventure comes to an end

After an enchanting breakfast with the giraffes at Giraffe Manor, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international flight home.

* Depending on the time your international flight departs Nairobi, you may wish to spend some time relaxing in the tranquil surrounds of The Retreat at Giraffe Manor, where you can enjoy a wonderful range of spa facilities and first class hospitality. Day rooms and day passes are available to book in advance.

OTHER EXPERIENCES YOU MIGHT LIKE 

Whether you are looking for a cultural and photographic safari in Kenya or an adventure safari that will take you gorilla trekking in Congo, we can take you there. Journey with us from the Congo to Lake Turkana, the Masai Mara and beyond to truly experience all that East Africa has to offer.

VIRUNGA GORILLA EXPLORATION

INTO THE HEART OF AFRICA

FOSSIL HUNTING

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

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