18-Day Kenya & Tanzania Safari with Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Golden Monkey Trekking
Introduction: From Savanna Giants to Forest Primates
Embark on an unforgettable 18-day Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda safari that perfectly combines classic wildlife safaris with rare primate trekking. This itinerary is designed for travelers who crave immersive experiences, from the golden savannahs of East Africa to the misty rainforests that shelter some of the world’s most endangered primates.
Starting in Kenya, explore the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, where lions roam, elephants parade, and the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras creates breathtaking spectacles. Continue to northern Tanzania to witness the vast Serengeti plains and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, home to dense populations of lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo.
The adventure then transitions to Rwanda, where the volcanic slopes of Volcanoes National Park host habituated gorillas and playful Golden Monkeys. In Nyungwe National Park, trek among wild chimpanzees and traverse the canopy walk for unparalleled rainforest encounters. Finally, the safari moves to Uganda, offering Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park, allowing you to witness these majestic primates up close in their natural habitats.
Operated by All Budget Gorilla Safaris Ltd, this safari expertly balances wildlife spectacles, conservation tourism, cultural experiences with Maasai and Batwa communities, and comfortable accommodation options across luxury, midrange, and budget lodges, ensuring a seamless, life-changing journey.
Why Choose This 18-Day Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda Safari?
- Combines Big Five game drives with rare primate trekking experiences.
- Covers four top East African safari countries in one seamless journey.
- Explores diverse ecosystems: savannahs, volcanic highlands, rainforests, and bamboo forests.
- Includes authentic Maasai and Batwa cultural encounters.
- Offers luxury, midrange, and budget lodge options for all travelers.
- Optimized logistics with internal flights and scenic drives.
Safari Highlights
Big Five & Classic Wildlife Safaris
- Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya – Lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, and the Great Migration.
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – Iconic savannah wildlife and seasonal river crossings.
- Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania – Dense wildlife, black rhinos, and breathtaking crater scenery.
Primate Trekking Experiences
- Chimpanzee Trekking – Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda
- Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
- Golden Monkey Trekking – Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
- Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
- Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale National Park, Uganda
Cultural & Scenic Experiences
- Maasai village visits in Kenya & Tanzania
- Batwa community encounters in Uganda & Rwanda
- Great Rift Valley viewpoints
- Volcanic landscapes of the Virunga Mountains
Detailed 18-Day Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Meet your All Budget Gorilla Safaris Ltd representative and transfer to your lodge for relaxation and a detailed safari briefing.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Giraffe Manor
- Midrange: Ibis Styles Nairobi
- Budget: Wildebeest Eco Camp
Day 2: Nairobi → Masai Mara National Reserve
Drive through the Great Rift Valley to Masai Mara. Afternoon game drive introduces lions, elephants, giraffes, and buffalo.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Mahali Mzuri
- Midrange: Mara Explorer Camp
- Budget: Sopa Lodge Masai Mara
Day 3: Full-Day Masai Mara Safari
Full-day Big Five game drives with stops at the Mara River. Optional Maasai village visit in the evening for cultural immersion.
Day 4: Masai Mara → Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Drive to Tanzania, crossing into the Serengeti National Park. Afternoon game drive introduces endless plains and abundant wildlife.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
- Midrange: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
- Budget: Serengeti Wildebeest Camp
Day 5: Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Enjoy a full day exploring the Serengeti for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and seasonal Great Migration herds.
Day 6: Serengeti → Ngorongoro Highlands
Morning game drive, then transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands. Overnight near the crater rim with spectacular sunset views.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
- Midrange: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
- Budget: Rhino Lodge
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Safari → Arusha
Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing including black rhinos, lions, and buffalo. Return to Arusha in the evening.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Midrange: Mount Meru Hotel
- Budget: Ikoma Bush Camp
Day 8: Arusha → Kigali, Rwanda
Fly from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kigali. Guided Kigali city tour including the Genocide Memorial. Overnight in Kigali.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Kigali Marriott
- Midrange: Radisson Blu Kigali
- Budget: Discover Rwanda Hostel
Day 9: Kigali → Nyungwe National Park
Drive to Nyungwe National Park, a prime rainforest for chimpanzees. Scenic journey through rolling hills and tea plantations.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe
Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Trek in search of wild chimpanzees. Enjoy canopy walks, birdwatching, and forest biodiversity. Afternoon cultural walk included.
- Luxury: Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge Nyungwe
Day 11: Nyungwe → Volcanoes National Park
Scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. Evening at leisure, soaking in views of the Virunga Mountains.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Midrange: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Experience the highlight of Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes NP. Spend one hour with habituated gorilla families. Optional Batwa village visit after trekking.
Day 13: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Track playful Golden Monkeys on the volcanic slopes. Afternoon cultural visit to local villages.
Day 14: Volcanoes → Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Drive to Bwindi, home to half the world’s mountain gorillas. Overnight near Buhoma sector.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
- Midrange: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Lodge
Day 15: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Spend one magical hour with a habituated gorilla family. Optional Batwa cultural experience available post-trek.
Day 16: Bwindi → Kibale National Park
Drive to Kibale Forest, Uganda’s primate capital. Afternoon at leisure or guided forest walk.
Lodge Options:
- Luxury: Kibale Forest Camp
- Midrange: Ndali Lodge
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Day 17: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Full-day Chimpanzee Trekking. Observe wild chimpanzees and learn about local conservation efforts.
Day 18: Kibale → Kigali or Entebbe
Drive to Kigali via scenic landscapes. You will have lunch in Kigali or Entebbe. Conclude safari with airport transfer for departure.
Permit Costs
- Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit: USD 1,500 per person
- Golden Monkey Permit: USD 100 per person
- Bwindi Gorilla Permit: USD 800 per person
- Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale: USD 250 per person
- Chimpanzee Trekking – Nyungwe: USD 100 per person
Book all permits well in advance due to limited availability.
Best Travel Seasons
- June – September: Dry season, ideal for wildlife viewing and primate trekking.
- December – February: Dry season, good for photography and game drives.
- Great Migration in Masai Mara: July – October.
- Southern Serengeti calving season: January – March.
Luxury / Midrange / Budget Lodge Options
| Region | Luxury | Midrange | Budget |
| Nairobi | Giraffe Manor | Ibis Styles | Wildebeest Eco Camp |
| Masai Mara | Mahali Mzuri | Mara Explorer | Sopa Lodge |
| Serengeti | Four Seasons | Serena Lodge | Wildebeest Camp |
| Ngorongoro | Crater Lodge | Serena Lodge | Rhino Lodge |
| Arusha | Coffee Lodge | Mount Meru | Ikoma Bush Camp |
| Kigali | Marriott | Radisson Blu | Discover Rwanda Hostel |
| Nyungwe | Nyungwe House | Top View Hill | Gisakura Guesthouse |
| Volcanoes | Sabyinyo | Gorilla View Lodge | Kinigi Guesthouse |
| Bwindi | Sanctuary Camp | Clouds Lodge | Buhoma Lodge |
| Kibale | Kibale Forest Camp | Ndali Lodge | Chimpanzee Guesthouse |
FAQ.
Q1: When is the best time to take this 18-day safari?
A: The ideal months are June–September and December–February for dry weather, optimal wildlife sightings, and excellent gorilla trekking conditions.
Q2: What are the costs of gorilla and chimpanzee permits?
A: Gorilla permits range from USD 800 (Uganda) to USD 1,500 (Rwanda). Chimpanzee permits cost USD 100–250. Golden Monkey permits are USD 100.
Q3: Which wildlife will I see on this safari?
A: Expect the Big Five, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, gorillas, chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, exotic birds, and breathtaking landscapes.
Q4: Are there accommodations for all budgets?
A: Yes, the safari includes luxury, midrange, and budget lodge options across all destinations.
Q5: How is the itinerary structured?
A: The safari begins in Kenya and Tanzania for Big Five safaris, then moves to Rwanda for Nyungwe chimpanzees and Volcanoes gorilla trekking, and concludes in Uganda with Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzees.
Short Day Uganda Safaris & Short Uganda Tour Holidays
- 1-Day Chimpanzee Trekking Tour Experience Budongo Forest
- 1-Day Lake Mburo Uganda Wildlife Adventure Safari
- 1-Day Trip to the Uganda Equator
- 1-Day Uganda White Water Rafting Trip from Entebbe
- 2-Day Chimpanzee Trek & Canopy Walk Adventure in Nyungwe
- 2-Day Kibale Chimp Trekking Tour
- 2-Day Lake Mburo Wildlife Viewing Safari Uganda
- 2-Day Murchison Falls Budget Big Five (5) Safari Tour
- 2-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rhino Tracking Safari
- 1-Day Gorilla Tracking Bwindi from Kigali
- 1-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour from Kigali
- 2-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali
- 2-Day Bwindi National Park Budget Tour
- 2-Day Gorilla Rwanda Golden Monkey Trekking Safari
- 2-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rhino Tracking Safari
- 5-Day Short Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari (by road)
- 4 Days Uganda Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari
- 4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari Rwanda & Uganda
- 4 Days Uganda Chimpanzee Trek and Gorilla Trek Safari
- 5 Days Chimpanzee Trek and Gorilla Safari – Uganda, Rwanda
- 5 Days Uganda Chimpanzee & Gorilla Habituation Safari
- 5 Days Double Gorilla Trek – Flying
- 5 days gorilla habituation & Batwa-flying
- 5 days gorilla trekking by road