Select Year
Year
Select the year you would like to travel.
TEXT SIZE
Experience with tauck
Three nights in Rwanda featuring a private trek in Volcanoes National Park to interact with endangered mountain gorillas
tauck value includes
On-Tour Air (3 flights)
Group size limited to no more than 24 guests
A hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti plains at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast
Enjoy an authentic "sundowner" cocktail party
Two nights in Zanzibar include a "spice" walking tour and dhow sailboat cruise on the Indian Ocean
SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES
Activity
4
Designed for fit, vigorous travelers capable of easily walking three miles or more. Many days might include active pursuits such as hiking, bicycling or sea kayaking for one to three hours at a time. Guests should be capable of walking three or more miles over terrain including hills and rocky or uneven terrain.
Pace
4
Consistently robust – very full and active days, extended travel times, use of different modes of local transport, and a possibility of early starts.
Experiences of a lifetime
Download, Print Or Share
Your Journey
No departures found.
Try using less filters or select a different year.
Travel Documents
All U.S. citizens require a valid passport to enter Tanzania and Rwanda, and that passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel. (Please note that although adult passports are valid for a full ten years, children's passports require renewal every five years.) Your passport must also contain four blank visa pages. If you are a United States citizen and do not have a valid passport, please contact the closest U.S. passport agency or consult the U.S. State Department web site for detailed information on how to obtain or renew your passport at: www.travel.state.gov.
In addition to a valid passport, and as noted in your Journey Confirmation e-document you received confirming your reservation, U.S. citizens are also required to have a visa to enter Tanzania and Rwanda. Visas for Rwanda will be obtained on Day 13 of the tour. Upon arrival at Kigali Airport, Tauck guests (of all nationalities) must pay $50 USD in cash at the visa desk and will have their passports stamped. Evisas are now an option for Tanzania, please visit https://visa.immigration.go.tz/.
Visas for Rwanda will be obtained on Day 10 of the tour. Upon arrival at Kigali Airport, Tauck guests (of all nationalities) must pay $50 USD in cash at the visa desk and will have their passports stamped.
Tauck has collaborated with VisaCentral in the US to assist our guests with processing and issuing their visas. Please Note: While Tauck has an affiliation with VisaCentral for processing visas, you are not required to process your visa through VisaCentral, and you may elect to choose other visa services or work directly through the appropriate consulates or embassies. If you should choose to work with VisaCentral, their services are available online at www.visacentral.com/tauck. To speak directly with Visa Central customer service, please call 844-860-7199 or email tauck@visacentral.com.
Tanzania Visa
Online Visa applicants are advised to make their applications through the Official Tanzania Immigration website (www.immigration.go.tz) ONLY and NOT through any other links.
What you will need to apply for a MULTIPLE VISA (for USA Nationals visiting Tanzania for Holiday/Tourism purposes):
How to apply for a VISA online (click here to be directed to the full Visa Application Guidelines):
How to Track Visa Application Status:
After successfully submitting the application, an applicant may track the progress of his application by using his ID Number, which is given during the application stage. To track the application, applicant will go back to the Visa Application System, then click the Visa Status button
Tauck has collaborated with VisaCentral in the US to assist our guests with processing and issuing their visas. Please Note: While Tauck has an affiliation with VisaCentral for processing visas, you are not required to process your visa through VisaCentral, and you may elect to choose other visa services or work directly through the appropriate consulates or embassies. If you should choose to work with VisaCentral, their services are available online at www.visacentral.com/tauck. To speak directly with Visa Central customer service, please call 844-860-7199 or email tauck@visacentral.com.
Visa Central has effectively processed thousands of visas for US citizens traveling with Tauck. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees, are not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to VisaCentral. The visa application will include the amount of the visa fee, which varies by destination. Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 3 months prior to departure and the process will take several weeks.
Regardless of which visa service company you chose (or if you opt to work directly with the appropriate consulate or embassy), your visa application will require a summary of your Tauck itinerary. Please email journeypreparationteam@tauck.com to request your itinerary summary, which we will be happy to provide.
If you have questions, please call the Journey Preparation Department at 866-951-0077. Please note: Because a visa is an official document, Tauck cannot apply for a visa on your behalf, and we are very limited regarding the assistance we're able to provide. If you require help, we recommend working with a reputable visa service company as they can provide the highest level of assistance.
Please Note: E-visas are available in Tanzania. Visas cannot be processed more than 3 months prior to departure and you should print out a copy for one or both countries, before departing for Tanzania.
The point of entry is into Tanzania is Arusha, Tanzania.
For contact details within Tanzania:
Kearsley Tanzania LTD
Zanaki Street PO Box 801
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Phone: +255 222 137 713
Email: sales@kearsleys.com}
Gran Melia Arusha
Simeon Road, PO Box 1184
Arusha, Tanzania 23110
Phone: (255) 746 982 400
Email: gran.melia.arusha@melia.com
UberLuxe Safari's
Le Migo Hotel, Office Blocks
Ground Floor, KG624 St
Kimihurura, Kigali, Rwanda
Phone: +250787161314
Email: info@uberluxesafaris.com
Rwanda Hotel Contact:
Kigali Serena Hotel
KN 3 Ave
Kigali, Rwanda
Phone: +250 788 184 500
Email: kigali@serena.co.rw
IMPORTANT NOTE: Failure to obtain ALL necessary documentation prior to your tour may result in being denied entry into a country, or delays in entry until proper documentation can be obtained. In consideration of the larger group (and to maintain our planned itinerary), travelers who have failed to obtain the necessary documentation in advance may need to remain at the airport, and could thus be responsible for arranging (and paying for) their own transportation to join the group. Tauck will not be responsible for obtaining any missing documentation, nor will Tauck be responsible for any expenses incurred, missed tour components or other losses resulting from the failure to obtain proper travel documents in advance.
Please Note: Canadian guests are able to get a single entry visa for Tanzania.
Non-U.S. citizens should check with the Rwandan and Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate to determine necessary travel documents.
We strongly recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.
Please Note: For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk; a signed liability waiver will be required.
TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.
How to Book a Tour
See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.
At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:
* Required Fields
Deposits & Final Payment
Deposits:
Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.
The deposit amount is $600 per person
Final Payments:
Final Payment is due to Tauck 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.
Travel Protection Plan
Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:
Tauck's Guest Protection
Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:
Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:
Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.
*Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.
Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.
The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $769 per person
This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.
This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.
The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.
To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL.
If You Have To Cancel
If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit
Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.
If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit
Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.
Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person
Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:
90 days or more before departure = $600 per person
89-8 days before departure = $1250 per person
7-1 days before departure = $2000 per person
Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.
In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.
Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.
Travel Terms and Conditions
Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.
Air Information and Luggage Restrictions
AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.
TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.
Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
Due to internal flights with limited storage capacity throughout the tour, a special rolling duffel bag (27.5" x 14" x 15" inches) to be used for the entire tour; will be mailed to your home prior to your tour departure. This duffel bag has been selected to provide you with adequate space for all items needed during your stay. Please Note: In order to receive your duffel bag prior to the start of your tour, Tauck will need your email, phone number and address for shipping.
To help with your packing, we will provide you with a duffel bag that has been specially designed to provide more than adequate space for essential items needed while on safari on days 4-8.
In addition, you are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person not to exceed 15 lbs.(6.8 kg) that is no larger than an average knapsack.
Checked Luggage – General
Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 44 pounds (20kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62inches (158 cm).
Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much stricter in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.
Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.
Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for safari vehicle travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern safari vehicles offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, valuables, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the seat must be stored in the luggage truck, and will be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Health, Safety and Mobility
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country. These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.
Regarding the Yellow Fever Vaccination:
While not a Tauck requirement, guests are advised to bring proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination or a doctor's note stating why they are unable to get the Yellow Fever vaccination for entry into Kenya. Please be advised this regulation often changes.
Please consult with your personal physician about receiving a Yellow Fever vaccination. Please Note: Vaccinations are not required for travelers age 65 and older, or for other individuals with certain medical conditions. Guests who receive the yellow fever immunization should bring proof of vaccination (obtainable from your physician) on tour. Guests who do not receive the vaccination (whether due to age or another reason) should bring a note from their physician explaining why the vaccine was not administered. Vaccinations received before 2017 are valid for 10 years. Vaccinations received after 2017 are valid for life, regardless of age.
For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren't required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.
Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site. It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.
Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective. Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).
Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations.
If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided.
MOBILITY
All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. While on safari there is a not a significant amount of walking on this tour; however, the walking that is done takes place over uneven terrain, occurs frequently in warm weather, and includes climbing in and out of safari vehicles. While in Rwanda, you will be hiking up and down mountains and on uneven terrain. As noted above, you will take 2 on-tour flights that use single or twin-engine propeller planes accommodating 12-50 passengers. We cannot accommodate guests with oxygen tanks on this tour.
There are certain rules and regulations that one should be aware of while on safari. It is important that you listen to your tour director, local guide or ranger, as they are trained to be aware of the environment around them. Guests should be aware that while on safari, you will be traveling in smaller groups and will travel on small bush planes and/or helicopters.
Guests will share smaller safari vehicles, where they will be required to rotate not only safari guides, rangers and cars, but also seats within the car. Please note that there are limited medical facilities, and guests will not have exclusive use to a vehicle should they need special attention or consideration.
The safari vehicles are not air conditioned. The cars have six window seats, with roofs that lift up for animal viewing. Please note that the areas traversed on game drives are typically unpaved and will often be bumpy and dusty.
Please note that all Tauck guests will dine at Tauck Designated tables for meals. The majority of meals while on safari, are buffet due to the international guests that stay at the lodges.
A NOTE ON THE SCHEDULED HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE: The minimum age to participate in the hot air balloon ride is 15. There is no maximum age, although you must be reasonably mobile, fit to fly, and prepared for an adventure! Balloon passenger weights are calculated at an average of 176 lbs (80 kg) per person. If you weigh more than 50% above the average weight (i.e., 265 lbs/120 kg), you may be charged an additional fee.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN AND MOBILITY ISSUES: This Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate oxygen tanks, wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Oxygen tanks are strictly prohibited in many foreign countries on regional flights aboard small aircraft, such as those intra-tour flights featured on this Tauck journey. Likewise, the very limited cargo capacity on such flights prohibits the transport of wheelchairs or motorized scooters.
Guests should also bear in mind that the infrastructure in many foreign countries, particularly in developing countries, often presents severe and even insurmountable challenges for those with walking difficulties or other mobility issues. The responsibility of the Tauck Director is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS
The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.
Reading List
We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!
You can view the reading list here.
Weather
East Africa is truly a year-round destination, as most frequently the climate features warm, bright days and cool, crisp nights. Daytime temperatures throughout the year typically range from 60 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.5 to 35 degrees Celsius. Evening temperatures can be cooler, ranging from 50 to 60 F, or 10 to 15.5 C.
Late afternoon rains are customary in East Africa. The rainy seasons are March to May (the "long rains") and October to December (the "short rains"). During these times downpours occur mostly in the late afternoons, and are generally brief. October to December is preferred by some for smaller crowds, verdant scenery, and delightful temperatures.
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
What To Pack
Please Note: Tanzania has adopted a regulation prohibiting the use or possession of single-use plastic bags (not including small Ziploc bags), which have become an environmental issue there. This new regulation is particularly noteworthy because it becomes effective on June 1, 2019. Penalties for violating the regulation have not been made public, but for guidance, in nearby Kenya the penalties are extremely severe: a fine of up to $40,000 or four years in prison for simply possessing a plastic bag. In banning plastic bags, Tanzania is joining more than 60 other countries that have banned, partly banned or taxed single-use plastic bags, including China, France, Rwanda and Italy.
As you prepare for your journey, and as you contemplate what to pack, we strongly urge you to keep this new regulation in mind. Please also be sure to carefully inspect your luggage and any carry-on bags you plan on using, to ensure no forgotten plastic bags are lurking in any pockets or compartments.
Your African safari is a very casual tour. Comfortable and casual clothing is recommended for both day and night. Formal and resort attire is not required.
Generally, lightweight, cotton, short- and long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shorts are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives and evenings. A bandana or cotton scarf will always come in handy.
While on Safari, you may prefer to wear natural, earth-toned clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens (this is not imperative and other colors are fine), as well as comfortable walking shoes (hiking boots are not necessary). Dark, black or navy blue clothing is not recommended while on safari as these colors have been known to attract biting tse tse flies (although, these colors are fine to wear during the evening hours). It is also advisable to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection. Some stretches of unpaved road traveled during game drives can be quite bumpy.
For hiking throughout Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks are advisable.
Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Clothes may be laundered at all camps for a nominal fee.
A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.
Pack your medical kit in your carry-on bag along with an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a change of clothes in case of luggage delay.
For viewing wildlife, we recommend you bring a good pair of binoculars and your own photography supplies, such as plenty of film, batteries, a 200mm telephoto lens, lens cap, lens papers, UV filter and, for video-recording, an adequate supply of video cassettes.
We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:
Please refer to the Necessary Gear website at www.necessarygear.com as one option available to you for renting and purchasing apparel, PPEs, and other items appropriate for your journey.
The Tauck Experience
Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin
Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.
Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin
Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.