The Gorillas & Ngorongoro Crater Safari takes you to two of Africa’s most famous destinations — the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
This 6-day adventure includes game drives in Serengeti National Park, home to large herds of animals and scenic plains, and gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s misty forests. The journey offers incredible wildlife encounters, beautiful landscapes, and cultural experiences that will make your safari unforgettable.
Trip Highlights
- Game drives in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater
- Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, home to over 25,000 animals
- Spot the Big Five — lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos
- Fly from Arusha to Kigali for the gorilla trekking experience
- Trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a community experience
- Enjoy a Kigali city tour and visit the Genocide Memorial Center
Gorillas & Ngorongoro Crater Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha to Serengeti National Park
- Day 2: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Rim drive – Arusha and fly to Kigali
- Day 4: Kigali City Tour to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla Trekking – Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
- Day 6: Transfer to Kigali for departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Serengeti National Park
You will be picked up from your hotel in Arusha after breakfast by our company representative. After a short briefing about your 6-day safari, begin your drive to the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
Upon arrival, check in at your camp or lodge and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, go for a game drive across the plains, where you can spot wildebeests, zebras, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and antelopes. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Begin the day with an early morning game drive to spot predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas hunting at sunrise. Return to the lodge for breakfast and then depart for the Ngorongoro Crater.
Drive through the Seronera River Valley, an area known for its many predators. Descend into the crater for an afternoon game drive. The crater floor is home to elephants, lions, zebras, hippos, wildebeests, and over 450 bird species.
Enjoy your picnic lunch at a designated site before ascending back to the crater rim. Continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Rim Drive – Arusha and Fly to Kigali
After breakfast, enjoy a short game drive around the crater rim to see animals such as giraffes and topis that are not found inside the crater.
Later, drive back to Arusha for your flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival, your Rwandan driver-guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Kigali City Tour to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, check out and go for a Kigali city tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, the former presidential palace, and local craft shops.
After lunch, continue your journey to Volcanoes National Park, famous for its mountain gorillas. On arrival, check in at your lodge and later visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking – Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
After an early breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. You will be assigned a gorilla family and begin your trek through the forest. The hike can take a few hours depending on the gorillas’ location.
Once you find them, you will spend one hour observing their behavior, taking photos, and learning about their lives. Return to the park offices for your trekking certificate and then head back to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about traditional Rwandan culture, music, and dance. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Kigali for Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Kigali. You can stop at local craft shops for souvenirs before your driver transfers you to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your Gorillas & Ngorongoro Crater Safari.
