Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorillas

Depart Ngorongoro Serena after breakfast and travel down the western slopes of the Crater onto the Serengeti Plains. Stay two nights in comfortable en-suite tented rooms at Mbuzi Mawe. Widely spaced throughout the rocky glades and acacia forest each of the sixteen large custom-made canvas tents has a spacious private terrace with safari chairs and sun loungers from which to enjoy the view. Rainbow exclusive: Enjoy a private bush dinner with compliments of Serena Hotels.

Mbuzi Mawe is ideally positioned in the central Serengeti for year round game viewing. From here your guide will take you to experience the best of the Serengeti. From December to March game drive further south and east to encounter the migrating herds of wildebeest on the southern plains. In April to June travel westwards following the herds as they seek out lush pastures. The Serengeti National Park quite simply offers the finest wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa. Unrivaled concentrations of wildlife, stunning beautiful landscapes and vast pristine areas make the Serengeti one of Africa’s best National Parks.

Final morning game viewing on the Serengeti plains before saying farewell to your guide at Seronera airstrip. Depart on the 14h30 flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Clear Tanzania immigration at Mwanza. On arrival into Kigali around 6pm you will be met and transferred to Kigali Serena Hotel to stay overnight, breakfast included. Ideally located on one of Kigali's most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena is a relaxed yet elegant hotel. You may like to dine in the Milima Restaurant or the stylish Sokoni Restaurant renowned for its colourful cocktails, international cuisine and vibrant live music.

Breakfast in the hotel, departing by 8am for a tour of Kigali city and the Memorial Centre. The city tour includes the old town, Muslim quarter, the new handicraft village and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. The memorial is very moving. Return to the hotel to check out, departing by 10am for the scenic drive to Gisenyi town. Arrive at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in time for a late lunch. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel is sited on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa. It is located within three hours drive from the Rwandan capital, Kigali and an hour’s drive from the glorious Volcanoes National Park, home to the world famous mountain gorillas. The hotel overlooks its own private beach and offers a variety of accommodation and hotel facilities. Afternoon at leisure. Make use of the swimming pool, mini-gymnasium or book a treatment in the hotel spa. Water-sports on offer include wind surfing, catamaran sailing, kayaking and jet skiing. Rainbow Exclusive: Enjoy a complimentary lakeside BBQ with courtesy of Serena Hotels.

05:30am Early morning transfer to Kinigi at the foot hills of the Virungas for your Gorilla Tracking expedition. Depart equipped with the Lake Kivu Serena’s carefully sorted and packed breakfast box complete with sufficient energy giving food to sustain you throughout the tracking trip. IMPORTANT - Hikers must be prepared to walk for up to 6 hours a day and should bring along their own personal hiking gear. 0700am Briefing and allocation to a Gorilla Tracking Group. Read Rainbow consultant Rachel's account of her gorilla encounter. The park is best known for the Mountain Gorilla. Other mammals include: Golden monkey, Black-fronted Duiker, Buffalo, Spotted Hyena and Bushbuck. There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare. There are 178 recorded bird species, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains. In the afternoon return to Lake Kivu Serena Hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Rainbow recommends the Lake Kivu Serena boat excursion. Enjoy scenic views of the various islands within Lake Kivu and some panoramic views of Goma town, complete with very comfortable seats and chilled drinks of your choice on board. Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel The Kiyaga Restaurant looks out over the swimming pool towards the lake and features Rwandese, African and international cuisine, and showcases a number of colorful theme nights. Ziwani Cafe, which stands just back from the beach, offers all-day cafe service, beach BBQs, poolside BBQs and evening sundowners with live music and traditional Intore dancers. Late evenings can be spent by the beach with a bonfire and cocktails of your choice. Or drive to the Pettit barrier for views of the smouldering Nyiragongo active volcanoes

Breakfast and check out. Full day at leisure. Enjoy a refreshing stroll along the 1 kilometre lake shore track or down the boulevards outside the hotel or set off for a cycle along the winding lanes of Gisenyi. Rainbow recommends the Lake Kivu Serena boat excursion. Enjoy scenic views of the various islands within Lake Kivu and some panoramic views of Goma town, complete with very comfortable seats and chilled drinks of your choice on board. Depart mid afternoon for the journey by road to Kigali International Airport for your evening flight on KLM to London, via Amsterdam.

Arrive London Heathrow or into your regional airport.