Itinerary for The Trending 14-Day Tanzania Wildlife and Rwanda Gorilla Experience

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your luxury hotel in Arusha. Take some time to relax and recover from your journey. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and a briefing about the exciting days ahead.

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Tanzanian countryside, arriving in time for a mid-morning game drive. Witness a variety of wildlife, including lions, zebras, and wildebeests. After a picnic lunch in the park, continue your game drive in the afternoon. In the evening, check into your luxury lodge, where dinner will be served, and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the African wilderness.

Day 3: Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater

Following breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Upon arrival, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game drive. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is teeming with wildlife, including the Big Five and the rare black rhino. Marvel at the stunning scenery and the diversity of animals that inhabit this unique ecosystem. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild. In the late afternoon, ascend back to the crater rim and check into your lodge, where dinner and a comfortable overnight stay await.

Day 4: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, Begin on a journey to the Serengeti National Park, with a stop at Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site. Continue to the Serengeti, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge. In the afternoon, head out on a game drive in the central Serengeti, known for its abundant wildlife and vast savannahs. Witness the majesty of the Serengeti as you explore its diverse landscapes. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti National Park

Spend the entire day exploring the Serengeti, starting with an early morning game drive to catch the predators in action and see the park awakening to a new day. Return to your lodge for breakfast and then venture out again to different areas of the Serengeti. The vast landscapes and diverse ecosystems offer endless opportunities for incredible wildlife sightings, including the Great Migration (seasonal). Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and continue your wildlife adventures in the afternoon. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6: Serengeti to Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, enjoy one last morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing for Lake Manyara National Park. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, Begin on a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions, large flocks of flamingos, and diverse birdlife. The park’s lush groundwater forest and scenic lake provide a stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7: Lake Manyara to Arusha and Fly to Kigali, Rwanda

After breakfast, depart for Arusha, where you will catch a flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a city tour of Kigali, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial and learning about Rwanda’s history and culture. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Day 8: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The scenic drive takes you through the beautiful Rwandan countryside, with rolling hills and lush greenery. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to experience traditional Rwandan culture, music, and dance. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, with the anticipation of the upcoming gorilla trek.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the highlight of your Rwanda adventure. After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers. Then, set off on an unforgettable trek through the dense forest to find a gorilla family. Once located, you will spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat, an experience that will leave you in awe. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and some well-deserved rest. In the afternoon, relax at your lodge or take part in optional activities, such as a nature walk or a visit to a local school. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 10: Golden Monkey Trekking or Optional Activities

After breakfast, you have the option to go on a golden monkey trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. These playful and colorful monkeys are a joy to watch as they leap through the bamboo forests. Alternatively, you can choose to relax at your lodge or engage in other optional activities such as a hike to the Dian Fossey Research Center, a visit to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, or a community walk. Return to your lodge for lunch and enjoy your afternoon at leisure. In the evening, have dinner and prepare for your departure the next day.

Day 11: Volcanoes National Park to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart for Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most diverse rainforests. The drive will take you through Rwanda's picturesque landscape, with rolling hills and lush greenery. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, relax and enjoy the serene environment of Nyungwe. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 12: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest

Today, you will Begin on an early morning chimpanzee trekking adventure. After a briefing by the park rangers, trek through the dense forest in search of chimpanzee troops. Nyungwe Forest is home to a large population of chimpanzees, and the experience of watching them in their natural habitat is truly unforgettable. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you can take a canopy walk to explore the treetops and get a unique perspective of the forest. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 13: Nyungwe Forest to Kigali

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe Forest and head back to Kigali. Enjoy the scenic drive through Rwanda's beautiful landscapes. Arrive in Kigali in the afternoon and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, giving you time to relax or explore the city on your own. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, celebrating the end of your incredible East African adventure.

Day 14: Departure from Kigali

After breakfast, you will have some free time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your The Trending 14-Day Tanzania Wildlife and Rwanda Gorilla Experience, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation of East Africa’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Price inclusions and exclusions

Price Inclusions for The Trending 14-Day Tanzania Wildlife and Rwanda Gorilla Experience

All game drives
Services of professional and experienced tour guide/driver
Accommodations for your holiday stay
Park entry fees
Meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Pick up and drop off from your lodging place and tour arrival/departure point
All taxes and service fees included in the services
Transfer & transport charges for the excursions

Price Exclusions for The Trending 14-Day Tanzania Wildlife and Rwanda Gorilla Experience

Medical insurance for the traveller
Local and International flights cost
Visa cost
Expenses of a personal nature such as shopping in curio shops
Airport Taxes
Gratuities and tips for guide and driver
Optional activities not specified in the itinerary (e.g., hot air balloon ride)

The Trending 14-Day Tanzania Wildlife and Rwanda Gorilla Experience