8-Day Tanzania Safari & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: 1 Rare East Africa Adventure

This 8-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure brings together two of Africa’s most powerful wildlife experiences in one well-planned journey.

You will begin in Tanzania with game drives through Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Then, you will fly to Rwanda and continue to Volcanoes National Park for a guided mountain gorilla trekking experience.

This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to see classic African safari wildlife as well as primates in a completely different environment. In Tanzania, you will travel through savannah, grassland and volcanic landscapes in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebras and other wildlife. In Rwanda, you will walk through mountain forest with trained guides and rangers to look for a habituated gorilla family.

It is a private East Africa safari designed for couples, honeymooners, photographers, wildlife lovers and travellers seeking a meaningful once-in-a-lifetime style adventure.

EKO Tanzania Adventures can tailor this package to suit your preferred accommodation level, travel dates, domestic flight schedule and gorilla trekking permit availability.

Package at a Glance

• Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
• Countries: Tanzania and Rwanda
• Tanzania destinations: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park
• Rwanda destination: Volcanoes National Park
• Start: Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha
• Finish: Kigali International Airport
• Safari type: Private road safari and fly-in gorilla trekking package
• Ideal for: Couples, honeymooners, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and adventure travellers
• Accommodation: Mid-range and luxury options available

Why Choose Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking?

Tanzania and Rwanda offer very different wildlife experiences, which is exactly why they work so well together.

Tanzania is famous for vast open landscapes and wildlife game drives. You may see herds of zebra crossing the plains, elephants among baobab trees, lions resting in the grass or giraffes moving through acacia woodland.

Rwanda is different. Gorilla trekking takes place on foot in a green mountain forest. The experience is slower, quieter and more physically active. You follow a guide through the vegetation and search for gorillas in their natural habitat.

This package gives you the opportunity to:

• Explore Tarangire National Park
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
• Spend time on game drives in Serengeti National Park
• Look for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebras and antelope
• Travel from Tanzania to Rwanda by air
• Visit Volcanoes National Park
• Trek through mountain forest with trained guides
• Observe a habituated mountain gorilla family from the required distance
• Support conservation through park entry and trekking permits
• Experience wildlife in both savannah and rainforest habitats

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Gorilla trekking routes and distances vary daily because gorillas move freely through the forest. Your guide and rangers will choose the safest and most suitable route according to the gorilla group’s location and current conditions.

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Welcome to Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, where you will be met by a representative from EKO Tanzania Adventures.

Transfer to your hotel in Arusha and take time to rest after your international journey.

Arusha is the main gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit safari destinations. It is located beneath Mount Meru and provides easy access to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti.

Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy dinner at the hotel and meet your safari guide for a briefing. Your guide will explain the route, expected driving times, park rules and safari arrangements.

Overnight: Hotel or lodge in Arusha
Meals: Dinner, depending on arrival time

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Elephants and Baobab Trees

After breakfast, leave Arusha and travel to Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire is known for its elephant herds, baobab trees, acacia woodland and river landscapes. It is a very good first safari destination because it offers a strong wildlife experience in a scenic setting.

After entering the park, begin your private game drive.

Possible wildlife may include:

• Elephants
• Giraffes
• Zebras
• Wildebeest
• Buffalo
• Warthogs
• Impalas
• Waterbuck
• Baboons
• Lions
• Leopards, although sightings are never guaranteed
• A variety of birds

Your guide will choose routes based on wildlife movement, water sources and current conditions. You may spend time watching elephants near the trees, photographing baobabs or searching for birds and smaller animals along the bush tracks.

Enjoy a packed lunch at a suitable picnic site before continuing with afternoon game viewing.

Later, leave Tarangire and travel to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Tarangire / Karatu area
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Wildlife in a Volcanic Caldera

Wake up early for breakfast before travelling to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The road climbs into the Ngorongoro Highlands, where the air becomes cooler and the scenery changes from dry savannah to greener hills and forested slopes.

At the crater rim, you may stop for photographs before descending approximately 600 metres to the crater floor.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a large volcanic caldera with grassland, wetlands, small forest areas and a soda lake. It supports a wide range of wildlife and offers one of Tanzania’s most dramatic safari settings.

Possible wildlife during the game drive may include:

• Lions
• Buffalo
• Zebras
• Wildebeest
• Hippos
• Hyenas
• Jackals
• Elephants
• Gazelles
• Warthogs
• Flamingos and other birds
• Black rhino, although sightings are never guaranteed

Enjoy a picnic lunch at an approved location inside the crater.

After the full game drive, ascend from the crater and return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Karatu / Ngorongoro Highlands
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, continue toward Serengeti National Park.

The drive takes you through changing landscapes and into the wider Serengeti ecosystem. As the plains open out, game viewing begins.

Serengeti is known for its wide horizons, wildlife-rich grasslands, granite kopjes, river systems and predator habitats. It is also part of the larger ecosystem where the Great Migration moves through different regions during the year.

Depending on the season and wildlife movement, you may see:

• Wildebeest
• Zebras
• Gazelles
• Giraffes
• Buffalo
• Elephants
• Lions
• Cheetahs
• Leopards
• Hyenas
• Jackals
• Ostriches
• Birds of prey

If migration herds are in the area, your guide will focus on the most suitable wildlife locations. Great Migration movement depends on rainfall, grazing conditions and water availability, so no specific herd location or river crossing can be guaranteed.

Continue with game viewing before arriving at your Serengeti camp or lodge.

Overnight: Safari lodge or tented camp in Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Full-Day Serengeti Safari

Today is dedicated to exploring Serengeti National Park.

Wake up early for breakfast before beginning a morning game drive. The hours after sunrise can be excellent for photography and wildlife activity.

Your guide will choose the route according to recent sightings, weather and your interests. You may travel across open plains, visit kopjes, follow river areas or explore woodland edges where different animals may be found.

A full day in Serengeti allows you to enjoy the wildlife without rushing. You may watch elephants feeding quietly, lions resting in long grass, giraffes walking across the plains or birds of prey circling high above the landscape.

Enjoy a packed lunch in the park or return to camp for lunch depending on your preferred safari pace.

In the afternoon, continue with another game drive before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Safari lodge or tented camp in Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Serengeti to Kigali, Rwanda

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Serengeti before transferring to the relevant airstrip for your flight connection toward Rwanda.

The route from Tanzania to Rwanda usually involves domestic and regional flight arrangements. Depending on airline schedules, you may travel through a connecting airport before arriving at Kigali International Airport.

EKO Tanzania Adventures will confirm the most practical flight routing before your booking is finalised.

On arrival in Kigali, meet your Rwanda driver-guide and transfer to your hotel.

Kigali is Rwanda’s capital city and the main starting point for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel or enjoy a short city orientation.

Overnight: Hotel in Kigali
Meals: Breakfast and dinner, depending on flight timing

Day 7: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking Experience

Wake up early for breakfast before travelling from Kigali to the Volcanoes National Park area.

The drive takes you through Rwanda’s green countryside, rolling hills and farming communities. On arrival near Volcanoes National Park, complete the required trekking registration and briefing procedures.

You will be assigned to a gorilla trekking group based on park arrangements, available permits and fitness considerations.

The trek begins with experienced park guides and rangers. The duration and difficulty of the trek vary greatly. Some gorilla families may be found after a shorter walk, while others may require a longer hike through forest, mud, bamboo zones or steep terrain.

Your guide will set a suitable pace and give you instructions on how to behave near the gorillas.

When the gorilla family is located, you will observe them quietly from the distance required by current conservation rules.

You may see gorillas feeding, resting, moving through vegetation, grooming or interacting with younger members of the group. This is a natural wildlife experience, so behaviour changes from day to day.

After the permitted gorilla-viewing time, return to the park headquarters and continue to your lodge for lunch and rest.

The afternoon is free for relaxation or an optional activity, depending on your energy level and lodge location.

Overnight: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Volcanoes National Park to Kigali – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning at your lodge before transferring back to Kigali.

Depending on your international flight schedule, you may have time for a Kigali city tour, local craft shopping or a visit to a cultural site.

Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

If your departure flight is the following day, EKO Tanzania Adventures can arrange an additional overnight stay in Kigali.

This marks the end of your 8-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

About Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is a protected wildlife activity. It is different from a normal safari because it requires walking through natural forest to find a gorilla family.

The trek can be easy, moderate or demanding depending on the weather, trail conditions and gorilla location. It is important to travel with realistic expectations.

Before booking, understand that:

• Gorilla permits are limited and should be booked early.
• The trekking route changes each day.
• Trails can be steep, muddy or uneven.
• Rain is possible in mountain forest areas.
• A reasonable level of fitness is important.
• Park guides and rangers must be followed at all times.
• Photography rules must be respected.
• Flash photography is not permitted.
• Guests must keep the required distance from gorillas.
• Guests who are unwell may not be allowed to trek, to protect the gorillas.

EKO Tanzania Adventures will help you plan the Rwanda section carefully, including permit reservations, hotel selection and transfer timing.

What to Pack for Tanzania Safari and Gorilla Trekking

For Tanzania safari, bring comfortable neutral-coloured clothing, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera.

For gorilla trekking in Rwanda, bring:

• Strong waterproof hiking boots
• Long trousers
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Rain jacket
• Light fleece or warm layer
• Gloves for vegetation
• Small daypack
• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks
• Waterproof cover for your camera
• Walking poles if needed
• Personal medication

Forest conditions can change quickly, so layers and waterproof protection are useful even during drier months.

Accommodation Options

Mid-Range Option

A comfortable private safari using selected tented camps or lodges in Tanzania, good hotels in Kigali and a well-positioned lodge near Volcanoes National Park.

Luxury Option

A premium East Africa safari using high-quality camps, scenic lodge locations, spacious rooms, private transfers and a more refined service level.

Tailor-Made Option

The itinerary can be extended with more Serengeti nights, a Zanzibar beach holiday, another Rwanda activity or an additional Uganda gorilla trekking extension.

What Is Included?

Your final quotation can include:

• Airport transfers in Tanzania and Rwanda
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle and professional Tanzania driver-guide
• Wildlife game drives in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Domestic and regional flights where listed
• Rwanda airport transfers
• Gorilla trekking permit where stated
• Rwanda park guide and ranger support
• Drinking water during Tanzania safari activities
• Park entry and conservation fees where included
• Ngorongoro Crater service fee where stated
• Government taxes and levies where applicable

What Is Not Included?

Unless specifically stated in your quotation, the following are normally excluded:

• International flights
• Tanzania and Rwanda visa fees
• Travel and medical insurance
• Emergency evacuation cover
• Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
• Personal trekking equipment
• Porter fees during gorilla trekking
• Tips for guides, rangers, porters and lodge staff
• Laundry services
• Additional accommodation before or after the itinerary
• Optional activities not listed in the package

Important Travel Notes

This safari involves travel between two countries, so passport validity, visa requirements, health requirements and airline baggage rules must be checked before departure. Requirements can change, so always confirm current Tanzania and Rwanda travel information before booking flights.

Gorilla permits are limited and should be secured early, especially during high travel periods.

Gorilla trekking is physically active. If you have a medical condition or mobility concern, speak with your doctor and inform EKO Tanzania Adventures before booking so the most suitable arrangements can be discussed.

Book Your Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure

This 8-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure is for travellers who want to experience two powerful sides of East African wildlife: Tanzania’s open savannah and Rwanda’s mountain forest.

You will enjoy game drives in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti before following guides into Volcanoes National Park for a respectful gorilla trekking experience.

EKO Tanzania Adventures can tailor your itinerary, flights, accommodation and trekking arrangements around your preferred travel dates.

WhatsApp: +255 761 353 184
Call: +255 761 353 184
Email: info@ekotanzaniaadventures.com
Alternative email: ekotanzaniaadventure@gmail.com