This 15-Day Best of Rwanda Primates & Tanzania Wildlife Safari combines gorilla trekking in Rwanda with wildlife safaris in Tanzania’s top national parks — Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The journey ends with a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar and a tour of the historic Stone Town.
The safari begins in Rwanda with a visit to Kigali city and Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. You then fly to Tanzania for an unforgettable wildlife experience in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti before flying to Zanzibar for your beach vacation.
This itinerary can be customized to suit your travel needs and budget, offering the best of East Africa’s wildlife and cultural encounters.
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
- Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village for a cultural experience
- Discover wildlife in Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park
- Visit the Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind
- Experience a hot air balloon safari in Serengeti
- Explore Stone Town in Zanzibar
- Relax on the beaches of Nungwi and Nakupenda
Brief 15-Day Rwanda Tanzania Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Cultural Village
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Adventure
- Day 3: Dian Fossey Tomb Hike
- Day 4: Flight to Arusha, Tanzania
- Day 5: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
- Day 6: Walking Safari and Game Drive
- Day 7: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 8: Full Day Exploration in Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti National Park (Seronera Valley)
- Day 10: Full Day Game Drives in Serengeti
- Day 11: Hot Air Balloon Safari and Flight to Zanzibar
- Day 12: Stone Town Tour
- Day 13–14: Beach Vacation
- Day 15: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport – Departure
Detailed 15-Day Rwanda Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Cultural Village
Depart Kigali after a short city tour and drive north to Musanze. Enjoy views of Rwanda’s famous hills before continuing to Volcanoes National Park.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, then visit the Gorilla Guardians Village, where you can take part in traditional Rwandan dance, bow and arrow shooting, and other cultural activities. The evening ends with dinner around a fire at your lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Adventure
Start your day early with breakfast and transfer to the Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. Join the park rangers and trek through the forest to find a gorilla family. You will spend one unforgettable hour with the gorillas before returning to Kinigi.
Enjoy a cup of Rwandan coffee and relax for the rest of the day at your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Dian Fossey Tomb Hike
After breakfast, take a guided hike to visit the Dian Fossey Tomb and Karisoke Research Center. The trek takes around five hours and offers scenic views between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi. Return to your lodge for lunch, rest, and dinner.
Day 4: Flight to Arusha, Tanzania
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Arusha, Tanzania. Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel in Arusha town for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After an early breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park (about 3 hours). Enjoy brunch at your lodge before heading out for an afternoon or evening game walk. Tarangire is known for its large herds of elephants, as well as wildebeests, zebras, and giraffes.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Walking Safari and Game Drive
Take a guided walking safari with an armed ranger through the African bush. Visit local Masai villages and enjoy scenic views from Oldonyo Sambu Mountain.
Have lunch under a tree overlooking a waterhole where elephants often drink. After the walk, return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 7: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Crater, arriving at your lodge on the crater rim at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
In the afternoon, descend into the crater for your first game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is home to about 30,000 animals, including lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and over 500 bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Full Day Exploration in Ngorongoro Crater
Take an early morning game drive inside the crater for a chance to spot the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant.
After the drive, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, choose between visiting the Hadzabe bushmen near Lake Eyasi for a cultural experience or another game drive. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti National Park (Seronera Valley)
Leave Ngorongoro and drive to Serengeti National Park, with a stop at the Olduvai Gorge Museum, where the fossils of early humans were discovered.
Continue across the plains and arrive at your lodge in the Seronera Valley. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Full Day Game Drives in Serengeti
Spend a full day on game drives in Serengeti National Park. You can return to the lodge for lunch or carry a packed lunch and spend the entire day in the wild.
Look out for lions, cheetahs, rhinos, leopards, elephants, and wildebeest herds during migration season. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 11: Hot Air Balloon Safari and Flight to Zanzibar
Begin your day before sunrise with a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti plains. Enjoy a bush breakfast upon landing and then transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight to Zanzibar.
Arrive in Zanzibar, check in at your beach hotel, and relax for the evening. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Stone Town Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Stone Town, visiting the House of Wonders, Old Fort, Spice Market, and Darajani Market.
Learn about the town’s blend of Arab, Portuguese, and Swahili history before returning to your beachfront hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13–14: Beach Vacation
Spend two relaxing days on Nungwi Beach, known for its traditional dhow boat rides and clear waters.
Try seafood dishes, go scuba diving, or visit Nakupenda Beach for a local experience. Accommodation options can be tailored to your preferences.
Day 15: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport – Departure
Depending on your flight time, transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Stone Town for your departure.
This marks the end of your 15 Days Best of Rwanda Primates & Tanzania Wildlife Safari.
