EXHILARATION PLUS!

Day 1: Your tour commences upon touch down at the airport in the capital city of Kigali in the country of Rwanda. Once through customs, your party will be met by a Lion Dog African Safari representative holding up a sign displaying your last name, then transfer to your hotel in Kigali. Rest up and overnight at the Classic Hotel .

Virunga | Volcanoes

Day 3 :Early wake up, breakfast, registration and briefing at entrance to Parc des Volcans for Mountain Gorilla Trek. The park consists of 125 square km of mountain forest and home to six Virunga Volcanoes and the world famous mountain gorillas. The lushly forested slopes of the mountains form an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is arguably the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world: gorilla trekking. The exhilarating climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fantastic views in all directions, before the trackers are immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and the chattering of rare golden monkey. Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors. After your Gorilla encounter you will be transferred back to Kigali. Overnight again at Classic Hotel . GORILLA INFO AND GUIDLINES The chance of encountering the gorillas in Rwanda is extremely high as their locations are continuously monitored and the gorillas are not shy. You might encounter the gorillas within an easy hour of starting the trek or several hours later into the trek through hilly humid rain forest. The conditions change day to day. You should prepare for the trek by hiking through hilly terrain for some time prior to arriving. It is suggested that trekkers hire a personal porter for $10 to carry your personal items but more to also assist you up and down the hilly terrain. Sedan chairs with porters are also available for rent if walking is a challenge. To minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. If you are sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, please do not visit the gorillas. -Viewing time is limited to one hour. -Maximum 8 visitors per group. -Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited. -Should you need to cough, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas. -When with the gorillas, keep your voice low. -Try not to make rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas. -If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s directions. -Do not litter. -The security of our visitors is our highest priorities. There is no need for concern about personal security. -The climate in Musanze is changeable and you can generally expect both sun and rainfall during the day. -Musanze, at 1,700m above sea level, is generally quite cold, particularly in the evening, so warm clothing is advised. -Recommended clothing is long trousers and shirts, garden gloves, when in the forest to avoid nettle stings. -Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are essential. You may find raingear useful. -Bring a water bottle and a small snack although eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden. -Photography is permitted, although you may not use flash. -Porters are available to help you carry your daypack for a small charge. -Mountain gorillas live at high altitude and this may cause difficulties for some visitors. You should pace yourself, walk slowly and drink plenty of water. No one should feel deterred from making this trip.There are seven gorilla families available for tourists with 8 tourists allowed per group: Susa—the largest group with 41 gorillas. This family is the hardest to trek as it tends to range high into the mountains but RDB Tourism & Conservation trackers will know well in advance where the group is located. The group is also well- known for having rare 5 year old twins named Byishimo and Impano. Sabyinyo—Sabyinyo is an easily accessible group led by the powerful silverback Guhonda. There are fewer members within this family than in the other groups however they are equally impressive as a family. Amahoro—led by the calm and easy going Ubumwe, Amahoro is made up of 17 members and means “peaceful”. To reach Amahoro one must endure a fairly steep climb however the climb is well worth it once in contact with this tranquil group.  Group 13—when first habituated this group had only 13 members hence its name. Now the group has approximately 25 members, a very positive sign for conservation and the efforts put forward by RDB Tourism & Conservation to protect the gorillas’ habitat.  Kwitonda—this 18-member gro

Serengeti

Day 5 & 6: Safari the The Serengeti, the mother of all game parks. Experience one of the oldest eco systems on the planet, where little has changed in thousands of years. The Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle. The spectacle of predator versus prey dominates Tanzania’s greatest park wildlife. You will eventually enter the southern area of the Serengeti then overnight both nights at  the KenzanCamp.

Serengeti

Day 8:Another safari of the Ndutu region is on tap today. Dispersed across these plains, wildebeest and zebra are everywhere – feeding on the fresh, nutritious grasses In late November and December, the herds of the wildebeest migration arrive on the short-grass plains of the Serengeti around the Ndutu area and include the north of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In January or February, there is a short window where the wildebeest give birth to over 8000 newborns each day with plenty of predator activity ensuing.  Overnight at the Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge located on the rim of the crater offering you some spectacular views.

Serengeti

Day 10: Today you will drive off of the beaten path to Lake Eyasi. Though not really a game destination, Lake Eyasi, just south of the Serengeti, is a wild, scenically stunning area where you can get a real insight into the way of life of some of Tanzania's fascinating tribes. You will overnight at the KisimaNgeda Tented Camp

Kilimanjaro

Day 12:After breakfast you will all be transferred to a meeting point, the horses and guides will be waiting for you. On the plains between Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meruyou will start your ride to the northwest. The non-riders, including Katherine will ride their own game drive vehicle and travel close to the riders occasionally crossing paths , and overnighting at the same camps. The landscape changes completely as you head through a mixture of open grassland and thorn bush savannah. This is a long ride interrupted by a short break and some snacks on the way. You may encounter the first antelopes, zebra maybe some ostriches and jackals. Late lunch will be prepared next to a water hole, the elevated wooden platform offers great wildlife viewing during your meal. The sightings will keep your camera busy and the warm afternoon light will provide the best background. If you are interested in Maasai culture then you will do an excursion to visit them after lunch. Alternatively you may decide for another sunset-ride or take a little walk to our near camp for a sun downer drink. For the next two nights you will stay in our private mobile bush-camp. The mobile tents are classic canvas dome tents and equipped with comfortable beds, mattresses, blankets and linen. There are toilet and hot bucket shower tents. Emphasis is on privacy, game viewing and scenery in remote areas. Depending on requirements this might be arranged as a mobile trail where the site for the fly camp will be mostly determined by the game situation. In the mobile bush-camp the food is always prepared fresh and most of the ingredients are produced on our farm. This includes most vegetables, meat, milk and milk products. Expect to find freshly home baked bread on your table every morning, as well as homemade confectionary in the afternoon. 

Kilimanjaro

Day 14: Start early for a long morning ride for spotting game along the western boundary of the reserve. In addition to the ever-present antelopes, zebras and gazelles, you'll keep an eye out for giraffes, ostriches, warthogs and maybe a cheetah. What we really hope for though, is the chance for a peaceful meeting with a herd of magnificent African elephants and we will explore the area of "Tembobridge" to seek out herds in between the euphorbia forest. Don't forget your binoculars and camera! Later you continue your way southeast passing the plains between Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro. See herd animals watching the horses with interest, have a canter with zebra and eland, then we stop en route for a picnic lunch. Later afternoon we meet the vehicle and transport horses and guests back to Makoa Farm to overnight .  Enjoy the view of Mt.Kilimanjaro while sitting on the veranda with a sunset drink.