12 Days Zanzibar Honeymoon and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
12 Days Zanzibar Honeymoon and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the highlights of any visit to Rwanda, trekking the endangered Mountain gorillas remains of the undisputed highlights of any visit to Africa, meeting these extra ordinary gentle giants deep in the rainforest at the footsteps of the dormant Volcanoes can only be described as an emotionally overwhelming experience.
Zanzibar Archipelago is a cluster of islands off East African coast, Zanzibar is home to beautiful white-sand beaches with sapphire waters, a rich history, and even hidden rainforests. It’s popular for honeymooners who want to combine a safari in Kenya or Tanzania in mainland before heading there for the much needed relaxing beach getaway with your loved one.
Safari Highlights
- Volcanoes NP
- Nyungwe Forest NP
- Ethnographic museum and king’s palace visit
- Kigali city tour
Suggested safari itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali/ Kanombe airport Rwanda
On your arrival in Kigali airport, you’ll be met by our professional driver guide for a meet and greet, be introduced to one of the Africa’s beautiful country and then transfer to your booked accommodation for Overnight.
Day 2: Drive to Volcanoes national park
After morning breakfast you will visit the Rwanda genocide Museum in Kigali before transferring by road to volcanoes national park via Musanze where you will visit the Diana fossey Museum and later you drive to the lodge to check in. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll be at leisure for the rest of your day. Overnight and dinner to your accommodation.
Day 3: First Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park
After an early breakfast your guide will transferred you to the park briefing area. Trekking briefing is at 8am at the headquarters; after you will be in the forest in search of the gorilla. Depending on the gorilla family you are allocated you will either entre the forest by foot, or you will drive a short distance by road to a convenient entry point. The gorilla trekking excursion can take anywhere from a few hours up to most of the day depending on the location of the Mountain gorillas. A picnic packed lunch will be provided by the lodge. On returning from your trekking, you’ll be awarded by a gorilla trekking certificate indicating the family trekked with your name to prove that you successfully completed the trekking experience. Overnight and dinner at you lodge.
Note: you will be offered an option to hire a porter to help carry your daypack and assist you in the steep sections of the forest. These men and women are locals and are on an organized roster with a set fee of $15. By using this service, you help provide a reliable source of income to the community.
Day 4: Second gorilla tracking volcanoes national park
Starting sometime as previous day, you’ll have another chance of a gorilla trekking to a different family in a different location for a different experience, returning to your lodge later to relax for the rest of the day. Overnight and dinner at your lodge.
Day 5: Drive to Nyungwe forest national park
After morning breakfast you will drive to Nyungwe forest national via the Kivu belt which is one of the most beautiful drives in Rwanda as you will be driving along the Lake Kivu belt upon arrival at the Lodge you will then check in to your Lodge for relaxation and Overnight.
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest
This is usually an early departure depending on your permit allocation, you will meet the rangers early morning and drive to Cyamudongo tourism zone for chimpanzee trekking experience, the chimpanzee trekking experience is a 3 hour experience where you will have a spectacular time with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat in the Nyungwe national park.
Day 7: Transfer to Kigali for overnight
After morning breakfast, you will depart for return to Kigali for overnight, with a few stops to stretch, pictures opportunities and also if time allows you can opt for a visit to the Ethnographic Museum in Huye and the Kings palace in Nyanza enroute to Kigali.
Day 8: Depart Kigali to Zanzibar
Depending on your flight schedule you will transferred to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar on arrival at Zanzibar airport this will be followed by a warm welcome by our friendly driver guide, after you will be transferred to the luxury lodge for check-in, relaxation and overnight.
Day 9: Full day relaxation at your luxury beach resort
After lazily morning breakfast you will spend the entire day walking around the white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, swimming in your private swimming pool, enjoying massages and body therapy in the spa with your loved ones on this dream holiday.
Day 10: Full day relaxation at your luxury beach resort
You will spend the whole day either soaking in the sun, walking along the coastline, swimming in the private pool or in the luxury spa for massages and cold drinks as you enjoy this delightful honeymoon.
Day 11: Dolphin tour and Jozani forest tour
At 8:30 south coast dolphin tour a trip to dolphin watching tour, a day trip to Kizimkazi, wonderful you may swim with hundreds of spinner & bottle – nose dolphin playing off Kizimkazi beach & give you chance to experience special natural message in the Indian ocean, at 2:30pm driving to jozani forest tour for red Colobus Monkeys, natural forest, and mangrove forest and the living species of fish under Neath.
Day 12: Morning Stone town tour and departure
After breakfast at 9:00am have the Stone Town Tour takes around the historical culture and architectural important town of Zanzibar with a century history.
It includes a visit to former slave market site, now stands as Anglican church built in 1883 (Beit-Al-Ajab), old Arab Fort, Place Museum end at Old Indian Dispensary (Cultural Centre), after you will return to the lodge for refreshment and later you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Trip Includes
- 2 Gorilla permits
- 1Chimpanzee permit
- Genocide Museum
- Diana fossey Museum
- Ethnographic Museum and Kings Palace Nyanza
- Dolphin diving tour
- Stone town tour
- Private dinners
- Massages
Trip Excludes
- International flights
- Rwanda and Zanzibar tourist Visa
- Tips for guides and hotels
- Travel insurance
When to book this safari itinerary
We recommend booking this trip 1 year in advance to allow us secure gorilla permits.
Best to Visit Rwanda and Zanzibar for honeymoon
The best time to visit Rwanda and Zanzibar is during the dry season from July to October, during this period the gorilla trekking and chimpanzee is much easier and its sunny in Zanzibar Archipelago.
