This 8 days Rwanda and Tanzania safari is an exceptional adventure experience into East Africa, mixing close-up primate encounters with traditional Big Five game drives. From gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to spotting the Big Five in the Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks, as well as wildlife watching in the Ngorongoro Crater Area.
Highlights for 8 Days Rwanda and Tanzania Safari
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Iby’iwacu Cultural Experience
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Drive Back to Kigali
Day 3: Flight to Tanzania (Own Booking)
Day 4: Transfer to Tarangire National Park, Game Drive
Day 5: Drive to the Serengeti National Park
Day 6: Full day Serengeti National Park
Day 7: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Crater Drive
Day 8: Drive Back to Arusha and Departure
Detailed Itinerary for 8 Days Rwanda and Tanzania Safari
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Iby’iwacu Cultural Experience
After having breakfast at your hotel in Kigali, you will start your journey to Volcanoes National Park.
Have lunch and transfer to Musanze – the nearest town to Volcanoes National Park, found in the northern province of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at your preferred lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Drive Back to Kigali
You will enjoy an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch and bottled drinking water for a briefing by the park ranger guides at 7:00 am. After the briefing, you will start your gorilla trekking journey accompanied by the ranger guides in search of the mountain gorillas; this takes 2 to 8 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas.
However, the guides will try to find them from where they were last seen the previous day! You will spend 1 hour with these gentle giants and later head back to base, where you will meet up with your driver guide and have lunch.
Drive back to Kigali for dinner and an overnight stay in your hotel.
Day 3: Flight to Tan
zania (Own Booking)
After breakfast at your lodge, you will proceed to Kigali for your flight to Arusha. Your guide in Arusha will welcome you, brief you about your safari, and drive you to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Tarangire National Park, Game Drive
After your breakfast, you will continue your drive to Tarangire National Park, which begins your wildlife viewing experiences in Tanzania. After checking in at your lodge in the national park, you will prepare to have your lunch before heading out into the wilderness of the national park.
During your game drive, you will see different wildlife species grazing and roaming in the national park, such as lions, giraffes, antelopes, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffalos, wildebeests, elands, elephants, cheetahs, impalas, and a variety of bird species can also be seen, especially around the Tarangire national park. As you enjoy the sunset and scenery around you, your guide will take you back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Drive to the Serengeti National Park
You will have an early breakfast at your lodge as you prepare for your transfer to the Serengeti National Park. You will see different wildlife species during your en route game drive in the open savannah plains on the way to your lodge. You will have lunch at your lodge as you prepare for an afternoon game drive.
During your game drive in the national park, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, such as the kopjes where lions can be seen as they watch their prey. You will also see various wildlife species such as elephants, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeests, antelopes, and impalas, among others, during your game drive. You will proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Full day Serengeti National Park
Spend these 2 days chasing the wild cats of Tanzania. Look out for other wildlife in the park, including prides of lions, cheetahs, leopards, buffalo, elephants, antelopes, and so much more. You shall have picnic lunches in the wilderness, with an option of having a hot lunch available. Dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Day 7: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Crater Drive
After breakfast at your lodge in Serengeti National Park, you will check out of your lodge and proceed on an en route game drive on your way to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will have an optional visit to Olduvai Gorge, which is an archaeological site where evidence of early man relating to human evolution was discovered by Dr Mary and Louis Leakey.
Your lunch will be served before you descend to the Ngorongoro Crater to see different attractions, such as Lake Magadi, which is found at the center of the crater. As you explore the Ngorongoro Crater, you will also see flamingos along the shores of Lake Magadi in big numbers, as well as other bird species. You will also see wildlife species in the crater area, such as elephants, buffalo, rhinos, zebras, waterbucks, antelopes, hyenas, gazelles, kudus, and predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. You will also enjoy beautiful views of the scenery around you as you explore the Ngorongoro conservation area. You will then proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Drive Back to Arusha and Departure
After having a delightful breakfast meal, check out of your lodge and drive back to Arusha or Moshi for drop off at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your safari with us!
