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Home » Uganda Tanzania Safaris » 11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari – SAFARI   OVERVIEW

The 11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife safari is a 10 nights 11 days safari  which offers you an experience of a life time as it takes you on an incredible Africa wildlife viewing experience in the best national parks of Tanzania that is coupled with an encounter of Rwanda’s gorillas and chimpanzees. This 11 days Tanzania Rwanda safari starts from Tanzania where you get to visit the legendary endless plains of the Serengeti, which will pretty much tell you why the local Masai people who live here call these plains Serengeti.

You will also visit other Tanzania safari destinations and next in line will be Ngorongoro crater area where you will engage in a game drive inside the biggest crater on the planet which is home to a wide variety of wild animals. Tarangire National Park is yet another park to be visited on this Africa tour for more wildlife encounters. Undoubtedly, Tanzania is a must-see destination on your Africa safari!

You will fly to Rwanda for the next part of this adventure. The Rwanda section of this Africa tour will begin with a Kigali city tour which will give you an insight into the sights and sounds of Kigali. You will proceed to Volcanoes National park where you will encounter with the giant mountain gorillas. While here, you have an opportunity to engage in a cultural spectacle as you visit the Iby’iwacu community center.

You will transfer to Nyungwe Forest National park where you will get an opportunity to engage in Chimpanzees Tracking after which you will return to Kigali where this safari ends.

This Africa safari expedition can be arranged under budget, midrange or luxury options and can be customised further to suit your safari interests. With this 11 days Africa safari adventure, you’re guaranteed of nothing but the ultimate Africa safari memories.

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari – SAFARI PRIME ACTIVITIES

An opportunity to explore the Gorillas on foot in their natural habitat – Gorilla Tracking

You will be fascinated by the hilarious Chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest Park

Experience the abundant wildlife species of Serengeti, Ngoro Ngoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.

Exclusive game drive in the best national parks of Tanzania which are Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Tarangire national parks

Walking safari in the Ngorongoro crater rem

Tour Kigali city

Rwanda Genocide memorial

Scenic drives as you transfer from one park to the other, you will be amazed at the landscapes

Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari FEATURED UGANDA PARKS / DESTINATIONS

Day 1,  Hotel in Arusha

Day 2 & 3: Serengeti National Park.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater

Day 5 : Tarangire National Park

Day 6: Arrive at Kigali International airport.

Day 7&8: Volcanoes National Park

Day 9 &10: Nyungwe National Park

Day 11: Drive to Kigali

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari – SAFARI HIGHLIGHT

  • Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro Airport & transfer to a hotel in Arusha
  • Day 2: Transfer from Arusha to Serengeti National Park.
  • Day 3: Extensive game drive in Serengeti National park.
  • Day 4: Morning game drive in Serengeti and transfer to Ngorongoro Crater.
  • Day 5: Final game drive in Ngorongoro Crater & drive to Tarangire National Park.
  • Day 6: Morning game drive, after drive to Kilimanjaro Airport for a flight to Kigali.
  • Day 7: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
  • Day 8: Undertake gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and visit the Iby’iwacu community center for a cultural experience.
  • Day 9: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Drive along the Congo Nile divide trail.
  • Day 10: Do chimpanzee trekking and an optional afternoon Canopy walk
  • Day 11: Visit the King’s Palace at Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum at Butare, transfer to Kigali.

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari – SAFARI DETAIL

Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport & transfer to Arusha.

Welcome to East Africa! Not only hosting the ‘bucket list’ East Africa Migration, this beautiful safari destination also promises an unforgettable diverse Africa experience with extraordinary wildlife, birding and even active safari offerings.

Tanzania is the quintessential African safari destination, and is often at the top of the pile when people plan a bucket list trip to Africa. The country has everything: incredible natural beauty, fantastic wildlife, pristine beaches, archaeological sites, geological wonders and amazing Afro-Arab-Indian cuisine.

You will arrive in Tanzania for this 11 days Tanzania, Rwanda wildlife safari & gorilla trekking tour landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our representative who will transfer you to your already booked hotel in Arusha which is located about 40km away from the airport for relaxation and overnight.

Highlight of the day: Enjoy impressive views of the legendary Kilimanjaro Mountain, the tallest free standing mountain in the world.

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast or half board

Activities and services

  • Pick up from the airport
  • Transfer to a hotel in Arusha

Day 2: Transfer from Arusha to Serengeti National Park.

After breakfast at 6:00am at your hotel you will embark on a 7-8 hours’ drive journey heading towards the Serengeti National Park. During this journey as you draw closer to Serengeti, you will drive via the beautiful high lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngoro Ngoro Conservation Area.

Leaving the highlands behind, descend into the heart of wild Africa – Game drive en route in the Serengeti National Park Tanzania with its endless plains, rolling into the distance as far as the eye can see. Head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species.

Highlight of the day:  Enjoying game drive in one of the seven natural wonders of Africa and one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world, Serengeti.

Accommodation

Luxury/ Upmarket: Melia Serengeti Safari Lodge/ Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Mid-range / Moderate: Kati Kati Tented Camp

Budget / Basic: Serengeti Acacai Camp – budget

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 450km or 7-8 hours

Activities and Services

  • Transfer to Serengeti
  • Evening game drive en’ route to the lodge

Day 3: Enjoy a full day game drive experience exploring the various parts of Serengeti

On the 3rd day of the 11 days Tanzania Rwanda wildlife safari & gorilla trekking tour you will explore the vast plains of Serengeti with a double game drive experience. After having an early morning breakfast which is served at 6:30am you will leave the lodge and get into the 4×4 safari car with our professional driver in the lead, embark on game viewing drives along the Sogore River Circuit, which loops into the plains south of the Seronera River, and which is good for possible lion, Thomson gazelle, topi, ostrich and cheetah sightings.

The visitor’s center not far from the Serengeti Seronera Lodge and public campsites is well worth a visit after the morning’s game drive. This nicely designed Centre offers some interesting wildlife displays as well as a gift shop selling information leaflets and maps of the area. The Centre also has a shop where cold drinks and snacks can be purchased, as well as a picnic area and information trail up and around a nearby kopje. We will enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch at the Centre in the shade of the giant acacia trees.

In the afternoon we will follow the Kopjes Circuit, which goes anti-clockwise around the Maasai Kopjes, which usually attract a number of lion and some formidably large cobras. Kopjes are weathered granite outcrops, scattered around the plains, most of which are miniature ecosystems, providing shade and drinking water in pools left in the rock after the rains. This makes the kopjes particularly good for spotting wildlife in the dry seasons – including lions, which like to lie in wait for animals coming to drink!

Highlight of the day: Enjoying the most spectacular, thrilling, awesome, beautiful, extraordinary great migrating herds of wildebeests and zebras in the endless plains of the Serengeti.

 

Accommodation

Luxury/ Upmarket: Melia Serengeti Safari Lodge/ Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Mid-range / Moderate: Kati Kati Tented Camp

Budget / Basic: Serengeti Acacai Camp – budget

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Activities and Services

  • Full day game drive in Serengeti

Optional activities

  • Hot air ballooning
  • Visiting a Masai Village

Day 4: Final Game drive in Serengeti & transfer to Ngorongoro Crater

After an early morning breakfast at 6:30 am, you will engage in a half-day game drive through the central parts of Serengeti. This will maximize your chances of encountering more wild animals that reside here with the common ones spotted in this area being the Blue Wildebeests, gazelles, Elephant, zebras and buffalo. You will retire from the wildlife adventure after about 3-4 hours of scouring these plains and take a break to have a picnic lunch then commence your transfer to Ngorongoro where you will have dinner and spend your night at your already pre-booked lodge here on the 4th day of your  11 days Tanzania Rwanda wildlife safari & gorilla trekking tour.

Highlight of the day: Enjoying the views of the world-famous Seronera valley that is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities interspersed by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains.

Accommodation

  • Luxury/ Up market: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
  • Midrange/ Moderate: Ngorongoro Farm House
  • Basic/ Budget: Bougainvillea

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 450km or 7-8 hours

Activities and Services

  • Transfer to Ngorongoro crater
  • Final game drive in Serengeti

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater game drive & drive to Tarangire National Park in the evening

After breakfast on the 5th day of the 11 days Tanzania Rwanda wildlife safari & gorilla trekking tour, set off to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate and descend 600m into this magnificent crater for a full-day game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most densely crowded African wildlife areas in the world and is home to an estimated 30,000 animals including some of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino.

Supported by the all year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is its huge population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard. Picnic lunch will be enjoyed on the crater floor which makes it an experience of its own. Late afternoon Ascend and drive to Tarangire National Park for dinner and overnight.

Highlight of the day: A stunning game drive in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Accommodation

  • Luxury/ Up market: Tarangire Simba Lodge
  • Midrange/ Moderate: Burunge Tented Lodge / Honey Guide Tarangire
  • Basic/ Budget: Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge/ Sangiwe Tented Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 450km or 7-8 hours

Activities and Services

  • Transfer to Tarangire Park
  • Morning game drive in Ngorongoro

Day 6: Game drives in Tarangire National Park and transfer to JRO for a flight to Kigali

Tarangire National park is the sixth largest National park in Tanzania and today on the 6th day of the 11 days Tanzania Rwanda wildlife safari & gorilla trekking tour, you will engage in a half day game drive experience as you explore this park that runs along the line of Tarangire River and is mainly made up of low-lying hill on the Great Rift Valley floor. Its natural vegetation mainly consists of Acacia woodland and giant African Baobab trees, with huge swamp areas in the south. Both the river and the swamps act like a magnet for wild animals, during Tanzania dry season.

The Tarangire National park is reputed to contain some of the largest elephant herds in Africa together with a wide range of other animals such as cape buffaloes, hippos several antelope species and Zebras. After 3-4 hours of exploring this tropical gem, you will settle down for a lunch break and after proceed to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch up with your flight to Kigali. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you are welcomed by your Prime safaris Rwanda guide who will transfer you to the pre booked hotel for relaxation and overnight.

Highlight of the day: Wonderful sightings of the big numbers of elephants, wildlife migration in the Tarangire National Park.

 

Accommodation

  • Top Notch or Exclusive: Radisson Blu Kigali Hotel
  • Luxury /Up market: Kigali Protea Marriot Hotel Kigali / Kigali Serena Hotel
  • Midrange / Moderate: Hotel Mille Colline
  • Budget/ Basic: Hotel Chezlando

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 450km or 7-8 hours

Activities and Services

  • Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport
  • Fly to Kigali Rwanda
  • Final game drive in Tarangire

Day 7: Visit the Rwanda Genocide memorial and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Today after breakfast, you will kick start with the Kigali city tour, which gives you a unique opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of Kigali as you traverse this pristine and clean capital of Rwanda. Some of the major attraction sites you will visit include the Kigali genocide memorial- A visit to this memorial gives you a unique insight into what really happened during the darkest 90 days of Rwanda during the 1994 Rwanda genocide in which over 1 million people lost their lives during a blood massacre between the Hutus and the Tustis- the 2 major tribes in Rwanda.

From the genocide memorial, make your way to the Kimironko market center and encounter day to day local Rwandese try to earn a living by selling a wide variety of stuff ranging from crafts, food items and cloths. This will be a good place for you to buy a souvenir to commemorate this trip with.

From here, your next stop will be at the Inema art gallery where you will meet and interact with the local artists that inspire the nation through constructing art pieces with a big story and vision message to tell.

At the end of this experiential city tour, you will settle in for lunch at one of the beautiful restaurants in Kigali before embarking on a 2-3 hours’ drive covering about 116km. to Volcanoes National Park. This drive will fascinate you as you drive through the impressive rolling hills of Rwandan countryside. Upon your arrival here, check in at your already booked lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Highlight of the day: Kigali is an incredible, vibrant, and beautiful city known as the Singapore of Africa.

Accommodation  

  • Top Notch /Exclusive: Bisate Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest
  • Luxury/ Upmarket: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
  • Midrange/ Moderate: Da Vinci Lodge
  • Budget/ Moderate: Muhabura Hotel

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 120km or 2-3 hours

Activities and Services

  • Kigali city tour
  • Drive to Volcanoes Park

Day 8: Undertake gorilla trekking and visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village

You will wake up early in the morning for breakfast at 6:30am then transfer to the Park headquarters to catch up with gorilla trekking briefing at 8am.  After briefing in your respective gorilla families in groups of eight, head to the trail heads to begin the trekking. The activity takes 2 – 8 hour’s inclusive of one-hour direct encounter with the gorillas.

You encounter the gorillas as they forage, the young ones playing, the mothers caring for their young and the silverbacks standing in might control of the group. Your ranger guide will give you a themed interpretation about the gorillas and their surroundings, feel free to ask more questions of clear understanding and you are free to take as many pictures as you can provided the camera flash light is off.

After the gorilla encounter, you visit the Iby’ iwachu community center where, you will have an opportunity meet the Rwandese locals and interact with them as they take you through the traditional Rwandan customs and practices. You will be entertained by the energetic Rwandan cultural dancers who will surely fascinate you with their rather unique high jumping and arm waving dance strokes and presented with an opportunity to have an insight into the cultural lives of the Rwandese loyalty.

Retreat from the activity and proceed to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Highlight of the day: Tracking the Mountain Gorillas – a rare opportunity to observe the interactions of these gentle, mysterious primates

Accommodation

  • Top Notch /Exclusive: Bisate Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest
  • Luxury/ Upmarket: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
  • Midrange/ Moderate: Da Vinci Lodge
  • Budget/ Moderate: Muhabura Hotel

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx.120km or 2-3 hours

Activities & Services

  • Gorilla Tracking.
  • Visiting the Iby’iwacu cultural center

 

Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include

  • Local beer making experience
  • Coffee tour in Musanze
  • Visit the twin lakes of Musanze
  • Visiting the Musanze caves

Day 9: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Drive along the Congo Nile divide trail

After breakfast on this day of the 11 days Tanzania Rwanda wildlife safari & gorilla trekking tour, embark on the transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park 244km about 5 – 7 hours’ drive passing along the Congo Nile divide trail with amazing sceneries of the water catchment area of these two rivers and the magical views of Lake Kivu.  You will drive along tea estates enjoying views of the Rwandan countryside and as you get near to Nyungwe, you will encounter the tropical forest jungle, which welcomes you to this park.

The resort towns of Kibuye and Cyangungu allow you to explore the resort life of the local people in case you opt to engage in a visit to these lakeside towns, you will return to the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Highlight of the day: Driving through the beautiful amazing sceneries along the Congo Nile trail.

Accommodation

  • Top Notch / Exclusive: One & Only Nyungwe House
  • Luxury/Up market: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
  • Midrange/Moderate: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
  • Budget/Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: Approx. 147km or 3-4 hours

Activities & services

  • Transfer to Nyungwe

Day 10: Undertake chimpanzee trekking and optional Nyungwe Canopy walk

After breakfast on this 10th day of this 11 days Tanzania Rwanda wildlife safari & gorilla trekking tour, you will be transferred to the starting point of Chimpanzee tracking experience. You have will short briefing about the whole process before embarking on this fascinating adventure as you search for these man’s primates commonly referred to as man’s wild cousins..

Enjoy viewing the chimpanzees as they groom their young ones, show affection to themselves through hugs, kisses and parts on their backs that is very amazing to watch. The trek lasts 2 – 5 hours with one full contact hour with the chimps. After this encounter you will settle for lunch at your lodge and in the afternoon, you connect at Uwinka Visitor Centre to embark on an optional afternoon Nyungwe canopy walk. The two-hour walk on top of the forest canopy offers you impressive views of the forest and the species that thrive in it including primates and birds. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Highlight of the day: Tracking Chimpanzees in one of the oldest rainforests in Africa.

Accommodation

  • Top Notch / Exclusive: One & Only Nyungwe House
  • Luxury/Upmarket: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
  • Midrange/Moderate: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
  • Budget/Moderate: Gisakura Guesthouse

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services

  • Chimpanzee trekking
  • Forest canopy walk

Day 11: Transfer back to Kigali. Visit the King’s Palace at Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum at Butare.

This is the final day that summarizes what has been a journey to remember, depending on the time of your flight departure, you will wake up at 7:00am and have breakfast then begin the final drive of this remarkable trip as you transfer back to Kigali driving 230km or about 6 hours’ drive. A stop will be made in Butare in the south of Rwanda to visit the Ethnographic Museum which is the largest Museum in Rwanda with over 100,000 artifacts that bring out the history and traditions of Rwanda in detail.

After this encounter, you embark on the tour to the Nyanza palace which is a Royal home to the two Kings of Rwanda namely King Musinga and his successor King Rudahigwa. The impressively build Kinyarwanda hut whose architecture dates back to the times of these Kings. There are also the traditional Inyambo Cows with their beautiful horns and can make a considerable parade.  You will arrive in Kigali and then proceed to Kigali International Airport to catch your departure flight. You will say your goodbyes after your fantastic time in the “Land of a thousand Hills”, amazing Rwanda!

Highlight of the day: Visiting the king’s palace, a beautifully crafted thatched dwelling shaped like a beehive

End of the 11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari – SAFARI INCLUSIONS

  •  Gorilla tracking permit fees
  • Ground transport in a 4X4 Safari Land cruiser/Van
  • Regional flight from Kilimanjaro to Kigali
  • Crater fees
  • Full board accommodation on Safari
  • Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Kigali and Arusha
  • Full time English speaking professional driver/guide
  • Complimentary bottled water while in the vehicle
  • All Park/Reserve Entry fees
  • Concession fees – Serengeti
  • Extra lunches as indicated in the program
  • Tourism Development Levy – In Tanzania hotels
  • All tour activities as detailed in the itinerary and bottled water while on safari.

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari – SAFARI EXCLUSIONS

  • Tips
  • Laundry services
  • Other Beverages/ drinks
  • International flights
  • Visas
  • Optional activities and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.
  • Extra meals not mentioned in the program
  • Inoculations and personal insurance
  • Items of personal nature such as beverages not mentioned, telephone, postage, laundry etc.
  • International / local air fares not indicated in the program

Please note:-

  • Proof of identification is required on check-in at the lodge/camp and at the park gates as well as before Gorilla tracking
  • Large suitcases of dimensions greater than 24x17x7 are impossible to store in vehicles and should not be used.
  • Baggage and personal effects are at owners risk throughout the tour and baggage insurance for members is strongly advised

11 Days Tanzania Rwanda Wildlife Safari  – GORILLA TREKKING TIPS

  • Mountain gorillas sometimes nest far from the start of your gorilla trek, you should pace yourself and drink plenty of water.
  • Eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden – designated time and place will be communicated
  • Volcanoes being a tropical forest, it can rain anytime so we encourage you to carry a rain poncho
  • Waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots are essential.
  • Gardening gloves for protection against stinging plants
  • Long trousers and long sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.
  • Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash
  • Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge
  • As you prepare to come for your Uganda gorilla adventure, please do some exercises so that you prepare your body for gorilla trekking which can last between 3-8 hours
  • In case you can’t walk for a very long time, you shouldn’t really worry about not being able to do gorilla trekking because there are potters who can carry you throughout at a small extra cost.
  • Carry your sunscreen lotion to keep your skin safe from the tropical heat & sun rays
  • When you get to the gorillas, don’t make noise because this agitates the gorillas

Visa information

  • Rwanda visa.
  • Can be applied prior to arrival through your nearest Rwanda Embassy or through the online portal. Also available on arrival at Kigali International Airport, subject to long queues

Tanzania visa

  • Can be obtained on the online platform prior to arrival
  • Can also be applied on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport but is subject to a long process as below:-
  • Queue for a Government Control Number
  • Queue again to pay for this at the bank
  • Queue again to have the visa issued
  • Queue again for Immigration to check the visa (We do not recommend this method)
  • Note that this safari is guided by the Post COVID – 19 Standard operating Procedures
  • For more information about gorilla trekking tips please follow these links to read more about gorilla trekking tips and advice
  • Note that this itinerary is suggestion and can be further customized to suite your desire. Whatever your preference is, please let us know and we shall advise /adjust accordingly.
  • Make an inquiry!
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