The silhouette of a lone acacia tree stands out against a fiery savannah sunset.

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Rwanda Gorillas and Tanzania’s Northern Circuit

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park followed by Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater game drives in Tanzania.

Enquire about this trip See the day by day

Duration11 Days / 10 Nights

Group size2 – 6 travellers

Best monthsJune – September, December – February

From$7,280 per person sharing

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The Trip in Short

Rwanda and Tanzania don’t share a border, so this combination runs by air rather than overland – typically routed via Nairobi or Addis Ababa, depending on the week’s schedule. It’s worth the extra connection for travellers who want gorilla trekking’s one specific, unrepeatable hour alongside the Serengeti’s scale and the crater’s density.

Rwanda comes first: three focused days around the $1,500 permit, then on to Tanzania for a week that feels, by contrast, spacious and unhurried.

Park fees and gorilla permits in Rwanda are set by the Rwanda Development Board.

Highlights

Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Kigali city and the Genocide Memorial
Flight connection to northern Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater floor game drive
Serengeti National Park game drives
Optional golden monkey trek in Rwanda

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Where You Go, Stop by Stop

Day 1–2

Kigali – Musanze (Volcanoes NP)

Day 3

Gorilla trekking

Day 4

Kigali city, fly to Arusha

Day 5–6

Ngorongoro Crater

Day 7–9

Serengeti National Park

Day 10

Fly to Arusha or Kilimanjaro

Day 11

Departure

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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1–2: Kigali to Musanze

A transfer north to the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, arriving in time to settle in before the trek.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking

A full trekking day and the standard hour with a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.

Day 4: Kigali and flight to Tanzania

A return to Kigali for a half-day city tour, including the Genocide Memorial, before an afternoon flight connecting to Arusha or Kilimanjaro.

Day 5–6: Ngorongoro Crater

A drive up to the crater rim, followed by a full day's game drive on the crater floor among one of Africa's densest wildlife concentrations.

Day 7–9: Serengeti National Park

Three days of game drives across the Serengeti's plains, with sightings shaped by season.

Day 10: Return flight

A flight from a Serengeti airstrip to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Day 11: Departure

Onward or international connections from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

From

$7,280

Enquire about this trip

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What the Price Covers

Included

Rwanda gorilla trekking permit ($1,500)
Flight connection Kigali – Arusha/Kilimanjaro
Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti entry fees
All accommodation, 10 nights
All meals as noted in the itinerary
Private transport and driver-guides in both countries

Not included

International flights into Kigali and out of Kilimanjaro
Rwanda and Tanzania entry visas
Golden monkey trekking (optional add-on)
Gratuities
Travel insurance

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Before You Book

How do we get from Rwanda to Tanzania?

By air, typically routed via Nairobi or Addis Ababa depending on the week's flight schedule; there's no overland route between the two countries.

Why does Rwanda come first in this itinerary?

Gorilla permits are booked well ahead and are the most schedule-sensitive element, so the itinerary is built around them before adding the more flexible Tanzania leg.

Is eleven days enough for both halves?

Yes, this gives a properly paced three days in Rwanda and six in Tanzania, which suits both a gorilla trek and a serious Serengeti visit.

Do I need separate visas for both countries?

Yes, Rwanda and Tanzania each require their own entry visa; check current requirements for your nationality before booking.

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Where This Trip Goes

Tanzania

Country

The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro in one northern loop, plus a much quieter southern circuit and an Indian Ocean coastline in Zanzibar.

Ngorongoro Crater

Tanzania · Reserve

A volcanic caldera roughly 20 km across, holding one of Africa's highest sustained densities of wildlife within its own walls year-round.

Akagera National Park

Rwanda · National Park

Rwanda's only Big Five park, rebuilt over the past two decades after severe post-genocide poaching, with boat safaris on Lake Ihema and strong night-drive access.

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Rwanda Gorillas and Tanzania’s Northern Circuit