This journey follows a genuine geological throughline — Rwanda’s Virunga volcanoes, several still active, followed by Tanzania’s Ngorongoro and Empakaai, extinct volcanic calderas that show what these mountains eventually become.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Kigali International Airport, then a drive to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Arrive Kigali, Transfer to Kinigi
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through the Virunga volcanoes.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A demanding hike up Mount Bisoke, roughly six to seven hours round trip, to a crater lake at its 3,711-metre summit.
Mount Bisoke Volcano Hike
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A rest day after the volcano hike, or an optional lower-intensity golden monkey trek.
Rest Day or Golden Monkey Trekking
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A flight via Kigali and Kilimanjaro or Arusha, then a drive up into the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Fly to Arusha, Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeNgorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryNgorongoro Crater Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A full day descended onto the crater floor among lion, elephant and black rhino, the most famous of Tanzania’s extinct volcanic calderas.
Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A guided hike down into Empakaai Crater, a smaller, far less visited caldera holding a soda lake and flocks of flamingo.
Empakaai Crater Hike
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A scenic drive through the highlands with views of Ol Doinyo Lengai, East Africa’s only active carbonatite volcano, still erupting within recent decades.
Ol Doinyo Lengai Viewpoint and Highlands Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A drive down to Arusha, with the afternoon free to relax or shop for curios.
Transfer to Arusha, Free Time
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeHatari Lodge
LuxuryRivertrees Country Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person |
| Mount Bisoke hiking permit | $100 per person |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee | ~$70 per person per day, plus crater descent |
| Empakaai Crater hiking permit | ~$50 per person |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers with a genuine interest in geology and volcanic landscapes alongside wildlife, wanting active and extinct volcanoes on the same trip.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Mount Bisoke & Empakaai Crater guided hikes
- Regional flight segment
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Gorilla permit, hiking permits & crater descent fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance