Tanzania Wildlife & Rwanda Gorilla Safari

A Signature East African Wildlife & Primate Adventure

Experience the true wilderness of East Africa on this expertly curated 8-Day Tanzania Wildlife & Rwanda Gorilla Safari, a multi-border adventure that blends thrilling wildlife encounters in Tanzania with the extraordinary privilege of tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda. This safari is designed for travelers who desire an immersive wildlife journey across two of Africa’s most iconic conservation regions: Tanzania’s northern safari circuit and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Your safari begins in Tanzania, where the legendary plains of Tarangire National Park and the world-famous Serengeti National Park await. From witnessing massive elephant herds in Tarangire to observing the dramatic movements of the Great Wildebeest Migration and encountering the African Big Five, every moment in Tanzania is filled with discovery and excitement.

After your unforgettable Tanzanian wildlife experience, you will fly to Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, for a rare and intimate encounter with the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. This pristine rainforest sanctuary offers a breathtaking contrast to the sweeping savannas of Tanzania, giving you a complete view of East Africa’s natural diversity.

This 8-Day Wildlife & Gorilla Tour is crafted for travelers seeking a balanced mix of wildlife photography, big-game viewing, primate trekking, and cultural exploration. With guidance from professional safari experts, you will navigate two extraordinary ecosystems while creating memories that last a lifetime.

Safari Details

Tour Duration: 8 Days
Destinations: Tanzania (Tarangire, Serengeti) & Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park)
Activities: Big Five Game Viewing, Wildebeest Migration Viewing, Gorilla Trekking, Cultural Tours
Start: Kilimanjaro International Airport – Tanzania
End: Kigali International Airport – Rwanda

Detailed 8 Days Tanzania Wildlife & Rwanda Gorilla Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Tanzania

Your thrilling multi-border safari begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be welcomed by our representative. After a brief introduction, you will be transferred to your lodge in Arusha to rest and recover from your international flight.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge’s tranquil facilities or enjoying the scenic views of Mount Meru. Later in the evening, your safari guide will meet you for a detailed briefing about your upcoming adventure.

Accommodation Options:
• Arusha Coffee Lodge
• Arusha Serena Hotel & Resort

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park – Game Drive

Begin your day with an early breakfast before setting off for Tarangire National Park, a scenic wilderness famed for its towering baobab trees and vast elephant herds.

Upon arrival, enjoy a rewarding game drive through Tarangire’s diverse landscapes. Expect to encounter elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and predators that roam the open plains. The park also hosts an impressive collection of bird species, making it perfect for photography.

After lunch at your lodge, continue your wildlife exploration on an afternoon game drive, maximizing your chances of spotting lions, leopards, and other iconic African animals.

Accommodation Options:
• Tarangire Treetops
• Tarangire Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Serengeti National Park – Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, depart for the legendary Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its incredible wildlife concentrations and the annual Great Wildebeest Migration.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Later, set out for an afternoon game drive across the golden plains of the Serengeti. The park is home to the Big Five, along with cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, hartebeests, elands, and hundreds of thousands of grazers.

Enjoy captivating wildlife sightings as the sun sets over the endless horizon before returning to your lodge.

Accommodation Options:
• Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
• Singita Sasakwa Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Full Day in Serengeti – Game Drives / Optional Hot Air Balloon

Spend a full day exploring the magnificent Serengeti ecosystem. Your day includes morning and afternoon game drives designed to increase your wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Today’s sightings may include:
• The Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal)
• Big cat interactions (lions, leopards, cheetahs)
• Elephant and buffalo herds
• Vast plains wildlife, including gazelles, zebras, and giraffes

Optional Activity:
• Hot Air Balloon Safari – Enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the plains (available at an extra cost).

After a picnic lunch in the bush, continue your game viewing experience before returning to your lodge for dinner.

Day 5: Depart Serengeti – Fly to Kigali, Rwanda

Enjoy an early breakfast and check out of your lodge. You’ll have an en-route game drive as you exit the park, allowing you to enjoy any last animal sightings.

Arrive in Arusha and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your scheduled flight to Kigali – Rwanda. Upon arrival, meet your Rwandan driver-guide and transfer to your hotel in Kigali for a relaxing evening.

Accommodation Options:
• Kigali Serena Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking

Begin your day with a very early breakfast before embarking on a scenic two-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, the home of Rwanda’s iconic mountain gorillas.

Upon arrival at the park headquarters, you will join other trekkers for a briefing about gorilla trekking etiquette and safety. You will then be grouped and assigned a specific gorilla family to track.

Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, venture into the dense rainforest in search of the gorillas. The trek can take between 2–6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movement. Once located, you will be allowed one magical hour in their presence, during which you may observe, photograph, and appreciate these gentle giants.

After your trek, return to your lodge to relax. You may also opt for an afternoon visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a rich cultural experience (optional).

Accommodation Options:
• Virunga Lodge
• Bisate Lodge

Day 7: Second Gorilla Trek or Golden Monkey Tracking

Today offers another opportunity for an unforgettable primate adventure. After breakfast, choose between:

Option 1: Second Gorilla Trek

Perfect for travelers seeking deeper immersion and additional time observing mountain gorillas.

Option 2: Golden Monkey Tracking

A rewarding experience that takes you into the bamboo forests to encounter playful golden monkeys.

In the afternoon, additional optional activities include:
• Visit to Dian Fossey’s Tomb
• Tour of the Karisoke Research Centre
• Nature and community walks

Return to your lodge for a peaceful evening surrounded by Rwanda’s breathtaking volcanic landscapes.

Day 8: Departure – Drive to Kigali International Airport

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your lodge before checking out. Your driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

End of 8 Days Tanzania Wildlife & Rwanda Gorilla Safari