Crossing by 10:30am and ensure check-in with Virunga tourism office by 11:15am.
The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barriere border post building, opposite passport control.
Tourism staff will provide guests with gorilla and volcano trek permits at check-in. These permits must be presented before the start of each trek.
Once check-in is complete, guests will be transported to Mikeno Lodge at the Park headquarters in Rumangabo.
Arrival at Grande Barriere border
Crossing by 10:30am and ensure check-in with Virunga tourism office by 11:15am.
The tourism office is conveniently located in the Grande Barriere border post building, opposite passport control.
Tourism staff will provide guests with gorilla and volcano trek permits at check-in. These permits must be presented before the start of each trek.
Once check-in is complete, guests will be transported to Mikeno Lodge at the Park headquarters in Rumangabo.
On arrival to Mikeno Lodge, a late lunch will be served and the afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure, including exploring Rumangabo’s several nature trails, bird watching or paying a visit to Virunga’s Congohounds.
After an early breakfast at Mikeno Lodge
Guests will set off for the first gorilla trek at Bukima Ranger Post.
On arrival to Bukima, trekkers will meet their Ranger guides and local pisteursto receive a briefing before starting the gorilla trek.
Treks usually require 1-2.5 hours of hiking each way, depending on the location of the group being trekked and the difficulty of the terrain.
After spending the allotted hour with the gorillas, trekkers will return to Bukima camp where a late lunch will be served.
Guests will have the rest of the afternoon off to explore Bukima, including bird watching and visiting the Park’s bamboo project.
Today you travel to Lake Natron National Park, a drive of about 4 to 5 hours on a dusty, bumpy road providing you with the real ‘African massage’ as we call it. During the drive you pass many Masai villages and termite mounds. Also keep your eyes open for gazelle, giraffe, zebra, baboons, bee boxes, ostrich as well as birds such as vultures, starlings, kites and bustards.
Journey Time :5-6 hours
Accommodation: Lake Natron Halisi Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
In the very early morning, before it gets too hot, you depart – accompanied by a Masai guide – for a 3 to 4 hour walk to Lake Natron. The walk goes through Ngare Sero village where you can see how the local Masai community lives. The Lake Natron area belongs to the Masai and it is very impressive to see them living and working with their cattle in such extreme temperatures and a barren landscape. During the walk you have magnificent views of the active Oldonyo L’Engai volcano and Lake Natron.
Accommodation: Lake Natron Halisi Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today, after an early breakfast, you will be traveling to Tarangire National Park. The game drive can begin! Tarangire is best known for its many gigantic baobab trees and its large herds of elephants; it is a home to approximately 2,500 individuals and large herds are regularly viewed. Elephants gathering at the Tarangire River to drink make
Journey Time : 4-5 hours to the park entrance
Accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
