9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari

Overview

9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania safari: This 9 Day exclusive Rwanda and Tanzania luxury safari is a Gorilla trekking and Big 5 Safari Vacation Package that takes you to visit the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and to explore the Big Five animals in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. You will encounter the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and do game drives in the Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti National park respectively.

The tour will start in Volcanoes National park in Rwanda from where you will transfer to Arusha in Tanzania a country that offers the perfect opportunities to view wildlife including big five mammals and predators in their natural habitat in Ngorongoro and Serengeti national parks.

Day to Day:

9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari

Tour Highlights:

Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National park
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village tour
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali International Airport and Flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Day 4: Flight to Seronera Airstrip and Afternoon Game Drive
Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti Plains
Day 6: Balloon Safari and Full day Serengeti Plains
Day 7: Stay at Leisure at the Lodge
Day 8: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
Day 9: Departure at Kilimanjaro airport

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National park

From your Hotel in Kigali City(The Retreat by Haven Kigali / Kigali Serena Hotel / Marriott Hotel Kigali) or on an early arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet and greet with your dedicated driver/guide who will transfer you to Volcanoes National Park Approximately 2 hours’ drive North of Kigali arriving in time for lunch, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest or Farm House Rwanda
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner and all complimentary additions

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village tour

Today after breakfast you will be transferred to the Park headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking rules. You will then enter the jungle to start the search for the Mountain Gorillas and on finding them you will Spend1 hour with them which will be a great experience for everyone.

In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit Iby’iwacu local village to learn Rwandan culture, customs and traditions. The tour usually ends with traditional dance performances. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Transfer to Kigali International Airport and Flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport

After breakfast you will be transferred to Kigali International airport depending on the schedule of your flight from where you will catch your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport in the late afternoon, you will be transferred to your Hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Arusha Coffee Lodge / Gran Melia Lodge / Arusha Serena Hotel

Day 4: Flight to Seronera Airstrip and Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast at the hotel and depending on the schedule of your flight, you will be transferred to the nearby Arusha Airport to catch your small aircraft flight Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti Central arriving in time for check-in, lunch and later an afternoon Game Drive in the Seronera area which is home to predators and other animals all year around. After the Game drive, you will return to the lodge for Dinner and Overnight.
Accommodation Option: Four Seasons Safari Lodge or Lemala Nanyukie Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and all complimentary additions

Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti Plains

Today you will have a full day game drive in Central Serengeti with chances to see predators chasing their pray and enjoy their kill. Serengeti is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value. You will have game drive in the endless plains of the Serengeti with a chance to see the great herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles or a pride of lions lounging in the shade.

Day 6: Balloon Safari and Full day Serengeti Plains

Today you will wake up early at 6:00am and you will be transferred to Balloon Safari Starting point from where you will a Start to fly with it to explore the beauty of Serengeti National Park and view the wild animal up to 7:30 am. You will then take a bush breakfast until 9:30 am and continue with your full day game drive with your guide together with your packed lunch. Later in the evening you will return to the lodge for hot lunch, dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Stay at Leisure at the Lodge

Today, you will stay at leisure either spending a quiet day lounging on a sun bed by the hotel’s free-form, infinity-edge pool watching elephants gather for a drink at the nearby active watering hole beneath an endless turquoise sky or in the spa and other in-house activities and experiences.

Day 8: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Today after breakfast, you will transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you will later explore Ngorongoro crater with a ranger. This area is compared to Garden of Eden on earth. The big numbers of wildlife can be spotted in a day including all big five, the elephant, black rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetahs, and lots of hyenas, hippos, zebra and wildebeest being the most abundant.

You will take a break for lunch. in the afternoon, you will continue game viewing in the south corner of the park where you visit Lake Magadi where you can see flamingos, hippos and other water birds. After the game drive you will transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight
Accommodation Option: Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Lodge / Melia Ngorongoro / Lions Paw Ngorongoro
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and all complimentary additions

Day 9: Departure at Kilimanjaro airport

Today depending on the schedule of your departure flight, after breakfast you will transfer to Arusha for lunch and later to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight back home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Tour Includes:

Exclusive Safari transport in custom made Safari 4 by 4 wheel drive Land Cruiser with air conditioner.
Services of English-speaking expert guides.
Private airport transfers and domestic charter flights.
Eight nights in a luxury safari lodge with full-board meals.
Park Entry Fees
Gorilla trekking permits.
Community and cultural visits.

Tour Excludes:

International flights and Visa entry charges to Uganda.
Personal expenses and gratuities.
Additional optional activities.

Best Time To Travel:

If you’re planning to embark on this breathtaking journey through Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, timing is everything. The best time to go depends on what you want to experience, but here’s a breakdown to help you choose the perfect season:

1. For Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes National Park (Days 1-3)
The best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the dry seasons:

June to September – Ideal for trekking due to minimal rainfall, making trails easier to navigate.
December to February – Another dry period, offering comfortable trekking conditions and clear views.

Avoid the rainy seasons (March-May and October-November) as the trails can get slippery and challenging.

2. For Serengeti Game Drives & Wildlife Viewing (Days 4-7)
The Serengeti is amazing all year round, but for the Great Migration (wildebeest and zebra in motion), these months are unbeatable:

June to July – Perfect for catching the dramatic river crossings in the Northern Serengeti.
January to March – The calving season in the Southern Serengeti, offering baby animals and predator action.

3. For Ngorongoro Crater Safari (Day 8)

June to October – Dry season with excellent wildlife viewing and a better chance to spot the Big Five.
November and March – Lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but still great for spotting animals.

Overall Best Time to Go: June to October – Perfect for combining gorilla trekking, the Serengeti migration, and Ngorongoro’s wildlife spectacle with dry weather and peak animal activity.

How To Get There:

Getting to Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Fly to Kigali International Airport (KGL)

Transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Distance: Approx. 2-3 hours’ drive (about 116 km/72 miles) from Kigali to the park.

Getting to Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Transfer from Arusha to Serengeti

Option 1: Fly – Take a domestic flight from Arusha Airport to Seronera Airstrip in Central Serengeti (about 1 hour).
Option 2: Drive – It’s a 6-7 hour drive from Arusha to Serengeti. Though longer, you’ll get to pass through other amazing landscapes like Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro.

Getting to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)
From Serengeti to Ngorongoro

It’s a 3-4 hour drive from Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater.

Why choose this 9 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania safari

Exclusive Gorilla Trekking and wildlife viewig experience: Spend up to 1 hour with mountain gorillas.
Luxury Lodging: Stay in world-class lodges with breathtaking views, fine dining, and premium service.
Seamless Travel: Private charter flights and luxury vehicles ensure a comfortable and stress-free journey.
Personalized Experiences: Enjoy tailor-made activities, including private dining, spa treatments, and guided excursions like balloon safari.

Embark on a Once-in-a-Lifetime Luxury Adventure. This 9 days luxury Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania safari offers an unparalleled experience of East Africa’s extraordinary wildlife.

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