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A mountain gorilla in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park — combine with a Tanzania safari for the ultimate East African journey

Multi-Destination

Tanzania and Rwanda Gorillas

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From 10 Days · Fully Customisable

Two Legendary Experiences

The East African Dream Trip

Few trips combine two icons as powerfully as Tanzania and Rwanda. The Serengeti — endless plains, legendary wildlife, the Migration. Volcanoes National Park — misty mountains, ancient forest, and the mountain gorilla. Together, they represent the two most extraordinary wildlife experiences Africa offers.

This combination works logistically with surprising ease. The flight from Arusha to Kigali is under four hours, and Rwanda's gorilla permits are more accessible than Uganda's or the Democratic Republic of Congo's. The result is a trip that feels complete — the classic savannah safari, then the jungle trek to find our closest relatives in the forest.

Why Combine These Two

The Case for Tanzania + Rwanda

Two iconic experiences, one trip

The Serengeti delivers the classic African safari — lion, leopard, elephant, the Migration. Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park delivers the mountain gorilla. Together, they represent the two most sought-after wildlife experiences in East Africa.

Short connection, big impact

Kigali is a 3.5-hour flight from Arusha. The connection is straightforward, well-established, and adds minimal travel stress to a longer trip. The Rwanda leg can be as short as 3 days — one day for the gorilla trek, travel days on either side.

Contrasting landscapes, seamless flow

Tanzania's endless savannah plains give way to Rwanda's misty volcanic mountains. The contrast is striking and the transition feels natural. Many travellers describe the Rwanda portion as the emotional high point of their East Africa trip.

Work with one operator throughout

We coordinate both legs of the trip — your Tanzania safari with us, your gorilla permit and Rwanda logistics handled by our trusted partner operator in Rwanda. One invoice, one point of contact, seamless logistics.

Sample Itinerary

11 Days: Safari and Gorillas

1–3

Arusha and Tarangire

Arusha for arrival and rest, then Tarangire for your first wildlife experience. Tarangire's elephant herds and baobab landscapes are a perfect introduction to the Tanzanian bush.

4–6

Serengeti

Three days on the Serengeti — enough time to let the wildlife experience settle in. Predator sightings, vast landscapes, and the sense of being in one of the last wild places on earth.

7

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater as your finale in Tanzania — rhino, lion, flamingo, and the dramatic volcanic caldera. Fly or drive to Arusha for your overnight before the Rwanda leg.

8

Fly to Kigali

Short flight from Arusha to Kigali (3.5 hours). Overnight in Kigali, where you can explore the genocide memorial, enjoy the city's excellent restaurants, and acclimatise to altitude.

9

Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Two-hour drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. Rest at your lodge, prepare for the following day's trek.

10

Gorilla Trekking

The highlight of the Rwanda leg — one hour with a mountain gorilla family. The trek can be 1–4 hours depending on where the gorillas are. An extraordinary, life-changing experience.

11

Optional Golden Monkey or Departure

A second day in Rwanda can include golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, a visit to Dian Fossey's grave, or direct departure from Kigali. Fly home or continue to Zanzibar for beach rest.

Starting From

$8,400

per person · Based on two travellers · 11 days

Excludes international flights, gorilla permit ($1,500), and travel insurance

Price reflects your specific requirements — number of travellers, accommodation level, season, and trip length. We build each itinerary around your circumstances.

Practical Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need for Tanzania + Rwanda?
A minimum of 10 days allows for a meaningful Tanzania safari (6–7 days on the northern circuit) plus the Rwanda gorilla component (3–4 days including travel). For a more relaxed pace, 12–14 days is ideal. The gorilla trek itself takes one day — but you need travel days on either side and time to rest between the high altitude of Volcanoes National Park (3,000m+) and the lower altitude of the Tanzanian parks.
What is the gorilla permit cost?
Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 per person (as of 2026). This grants one hour with a habituated gorilla family. Permits sell out months in advance, especially for the dry season (June–September). We handle permit booking as part of our Rwanda coordination service.
Is altitude a concern in Rwanda?
Volcanoes National Park sits at 2,500–3,000 metres above sea level. The gorilla trek itself involves hiking through dense forest, sometimes for 2–4 hours, at altitude. Travellers should be reasonably fit and acclimatised. We recommend spending a night in Kigali (lower altitude) before heading to Volcanoes National Park.
What is the best order — Tanzania first or Rwanda first?
Most travellers prefer Tanzania first — completing the safari before the more physically demanding gorilla trek. This also means you arrive at the gorillas rested and acclimatised. Some prefer Rwanda first, reasoning that the gorillas are the once-in-a-lifetime highlight and should not feel anticlimactic after a superb safari. Both approaches work. We discuss this with each traveller based on their fitness, interests, and travel rhythm.
Can you combine Tanzania with Uganda gorillas instead?
Yes — Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda is also an option. However, Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is more established, has more gorilla families available for trekking (19 groups versus Uganda's one), and the infrastructure and logistics are generally more straightforward. Uganda requires a longer travel day from Tanzania (8+ hours by road or an additional flight). Rwanda's accessibility from Arusha makes it the natural choice for a Tanzania combination.
What is the best time for this combined trip?
The dry season (June–October) is optimal for both Tanzania and Rwanda. The gorillas are easier to track in the dry season (less mud, clearer trails), and the wildlife viewing in Tanzania is at its peak. January–February and March–May are also viable — the Tanzania parks are less crowded and permit availability in Rwanda is better. The main trade-off is that April–May is Rwanda's wetter season, which makes the gorilla trek muddier.

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Combining Tanzania and Rwanda requires careful planning. We have done this many times — let us walk you through what is possible.

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