17 Days Through Tanzania and Rwanda
Seventeen days, two countries, and about as much variety as a safari can offer. You start in Tanzania, moving through Tarangire’s elephant herds and baobab-studded plains, down into the Ngorongoro Crater for what might be the single best day of wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa, then out into the Serengeti’s open grasslands, where the horizon just keeps going. From there it’s a shift in pace entirely… Rwanda, and the volcanic forests of Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll spend a morning tracking mountain gorillas through the undergrowth, a completely different kind of encounter than anything on the savannah. It’s a trip that works whether you’re celebrating something big, traveling with family, or just finally taking the safari you’ve been putting off for years… the route, the camps, and the pacing all adjust around who’s going and when. Two ecosystems, two very different rhythms, one trip that doesn’t feel rushed anywhere along the way.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport. Visa formalities upon arrival (USD 50 per person, if not obtained in advance). Your professional guide will be waiting for you outside the terminal and will provide all essential information about your safari. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Planet Lodge or similar accommodation.
- Moivaro Lodge or Similar
- Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: WEST KILIMANJARO
Departure to the West Kilimanjaro region. This area, located near Amboseli National Park and bordering the savannah, is rich in wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and ostriches. It offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a guided walk with a local Maasai guide and visit an authentic Maasai family. Return to the lodge for a hot lunch, followed by a relaxing afternoon with breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.
- Kambi ya Tembo or Similar
- Full Board
Day 3: DRIVE TO LAKE NATRON
After breakfast we depart to the Lake Natron region. Drive to Lake Natron with a packed lunch, enjoying a game drive on the way. Upon arrival, take a walk along the shores of the lake, visit a nearby village and the waterfalls and end the day with a spectacular sunset over Ol Doinyo Lengai.
- African Safari Lake Natron or Similar
- Full Board
Day 4: GAME DRIVE AT LAKE NATRON
After breakfast we depart for a game drive around Lake Natron. You'll enjoy a walk along the lakeshore while watching the pink flamingos, followed by a visit to the Ngaresero Waterfalls. Lunch will be served thereafter.
- African Safari Lake Natron or Similar
- Full Board
Day 5: DRIVE TO NORTHERN SERENGETI
In the morning after breakfast, we begin our journey to the northern part of Serengeti with a picnic lunch, enjoying game viewing along the way. Buffalo herds, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest can be sited. We arrive at the camp in time for dinner and rest.
- Mara Under Canvas or Similar
- Full Board
Day 6: FULL DAY IN NORTHERN SERENGETI
After an early breakfast, you will set out to make the most of the day. With a bit of luck, you may witness the dramatic wildebeest crossing at the Mara River. Along the riverbanks, herds of wildebeest gather, hesitating as they try to get across the rushing waters toward the greener pastures beyond. For a while, none dare to move until one bold individual takes the leap, triggering a chain reaction as the rest follow.
Those that manage to evade the waiting crocodiles and successfully cross are rewarded with the rich grazing lands of the Masai Mara.
NB: Hot air balloon safari (USD 540 per person)
- Mara Under Canvas or Similar
- Full Board
Day 7: DRIVE TO CENTRAL SERENGETI
Enjoy your final game drive at the Mara River, where dramatic wildebeest crossings often attract predators in search of food. The wildebeest follow the rains, guided by their instinct to seek out fresh grazing. They move in response to the rain clouds, knowing that new grass will quickly grow in recently watered areas. Driven by this natural instinct, they continue their journey across the Mara Rivers in pursuit of greener pastures
Those that manage to evade the waiting crocodiles and successfully cross are rewarded with the rich grazing lands of the Masai Mara.
- Serengeti Acacia Bliss or Similar
- Full Board
Day 8: FULL DAY IN CENTRAL SERENGETI
Waking up in the heart of the Serengeti, where a once in a lifetime adventure begins. After breakfast, set out on a full-day game drive.
Pause for a picnic lunch in the midst of nature, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the distant sounds of the savannah. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
- Serengeti Acacia Bliss or Similar
- Full Board
Day 9: CENTRAL SERENGETI- NGORONGOR0 CRATER
After breakfast we drive to Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable experience. Formed over six million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed, the crater has evolved into a vast natural sanctuary. Today, it is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, sustained by year-round water and large grazing creating a true haven on Earth. It is estimated that around 25,000 animals inhabit this remarkable ecosystem.
After your safari within the crater, we continue to the village of Karatu.
- Acacia Farm Lodge or Similar
- Full Board
Day 10: LAKE EYASI
In the morning, you will visit the two indigenous tribes of Lake Eyasi; the Hadzabe and the Datoga—for a rare and enriching cultural experience. Learn about their traditional way of life, ancient customs, and deep connection to the land, which has been preserved for generations.
After the visit, return to the hotel where lunch will be served. In the afternoon, explore the lively Karatu market, where you can experience local daily life, interact with residents, and browse a variety of fresh produce, crafts, and traditional goods.
- Acacia Farm Lodge or Similar
- Full Board
Day 11: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Departure toward the Tarangire area. We'll enjoy a day in Tarangire National Park searching for wildlife. Tarangire is one of the most beautiful parks in Tanzania, home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, tree-climbing pythons and predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The stunning landscape is full of baobabs and acacias.
- Tarangire Simba Lodge or Similar
- Full Board
DAY 12: FLY TO ARUSHA, FLY TO RWANDA
Your safari adventure wraps up today, but there's still one more leg to go. You'll transfer by air to Arusha, where you'll be taken to Kahawa House Lodge for a farewell lunch before heading to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight into Rwanda. Once you land at Kigali International Airport, a driver guide will greet you and take you to your hotel for check-in, dinner, and a night's rest before the next chapter begins.
- Kigali Serena Hotel or Similar
- Half Board
DAY 13: CITY TOUR ACTIVITIES AND TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, your guide will brief you at the hotel before taking you to the Kigali Genocide Memorial... a powerful and sobering site where more than 250,000 victims are laid to rest. It's an emotional but deeply educational stop that reflects on Rwanda's history and its remarkable path toward healing and reconciliation. From there, you'll enjoy lunch at Heaven Restaurant before setting off on the scenic multi-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, winding through hills, villages, and farmland along the way. On arrival, you'll be welcomed with a refreshing drink and given time to settle into the lodge before dinner.
- Virunga Inn Resort & Spa or Similar
- Full Board
DAY 14 & 15: MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREK IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
An early start (departing around 6:30am) kicks off one of the trip's true highlight, trekking to see Mountain Gorillas in the wild. With just over a thousand of these gorillas left globally, and roughly a third of them found in Rwanda, this is a rare wildlife encounter. Park rangers will brief you before the trek begins, guiding you through farmland and dense forest as you climb in search of a gorilla family. The trek itself can last anywhere from two to six hours, but reaching the gorillas and spending an hour observing them up close makes it all worthwhile. Afterward, you'll head back to the lodge for lunch, then spend the afternoon visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a conservation-focused center dedicated to protecting these animals for future generations.
- Virunga Inn Resort & Spa or Similar
- Full Board
DAY 16: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Kigali. Enjoy a local lunch in between if time permits and/or a day use room . Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your return flight or next destination.
- Virunga Inn Resort & Spa or Similar
- Full Board
Price Includes
- Private services of a professional guide fluent in your preferred language
- Airport pick-up and drop-off transfers
- All national park entrance fees
- 2 Mountain Gorilla Trek Permit
- Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser
- Local flight (Tarangire-Arusha)
- Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
- Full-board meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Government taxes (18% VAT included)
- Complimentary drinking water during the safari
- Complimentary beer and wine during game drives
- Emergency air evacuation cover within the parks (up to 350 km from town in case of life threatening situations)
Price Excludes
- Arrival Visa to Tanzania & Rwanda ($50USD each)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, etc.)
- International flights (from/to home)
- Tipping
Don't know where to start? Contact us below to make things easier for your Safari ....
F.A.Q FOR THIS SAFARI
Tanzania offers exceptional wildlife experiences year-round. The dry season (June–October) is ideal for game viewing as animals gather around water sources and vegetation is sparse, making sightings easier. The green season (November–April) brings fewer crowds, green landscapes, and excellent birdwatching. We’ll help you choose the timing that best matches what you want to experience.
We recommend a minimum of five to seven days to fully settle into the rhythm of the bush, cover multiple ecosystems, and allow for those unhurried, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Shorter trips are possible but tend to feel rushed and the best wildlife encounters rarely happen on a schedule
Absolutely. Every itinerary we offer is a starting point, not a fixed product. We’ll adjust parks, pacing, accommodation style, and activities around your preferences before you travel, and remain flexible throughout your trip if something needs to change.
Yes. Every safari we design is fully private. Your vehicle, your guide, and your itinerary are exclusively yours for the entire duration of the trip unless you book as a group trip
Absolutely. If your child is obsessed with elephants, we build the trip around Tarangire. If they’re fascinated by big cats, the Serengeti takes center stage. We design every family safari around what will genuinely excite and engage your specific children not a generic family package
Game drives themselves are gentle and suitable for most fitness levels you’ll spend time seated in a comfortable, purpose-built safari vehicle. Some itineraries may include optional walking experiences or nature activities which vary in intensity. We design every trip around your personal comfort and preferences.
Tanzania is home to some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet. Depending on your itinerary and timing, you can expect to encounter elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, our guides’ deep local knowledge significantly increases your chances of extraordinary encounters.
The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency, though US Dollars are widely accepted at lodges, camps, and for gratuities.