12-Day Rwanda & Tanzania Safari
Duration
12 Days
Destination
Rwanda
Style
Signature
Best For
Wildlife & Adventure
Women-Led · Custom-Made Luxury Safaris · Exclusive African Wilderness Escapes
Overview
Rwanda's gorillas and Tanzania's greatest parks in one 12-day journey. Trek into the Virunga forests to sit with mountain gorillas, then fly directly to the Serengeti for the Great Migration, the Ngorongoro Crater and the elephant paradise of Tarangire.
Trip Highlights
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP, Rwanda
Direct flight Kigali to Serengeti (no stops)
Grumeti River: hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest crossings
Central Serengeti: Africa's densest predator zone
Ngorongoro Crater full day
Lake Manyara bird paradise
Tarangire: elephant herds and ancient baobabs
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Kigali
Arrive at Kigali International Airport. Our representative welcomes you and transfers you to your hotel for the night.
Day 2Kigali – Volcanoes NP / Musanze (approx. 2 hrs)
After breakfast, optional Kigali city tour with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Drive north to Musanze. Stop at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Dinner at your volcanic mountain lodge.
Day 3Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes NP
Park briefing at headquarters before entering the Virunga forest with your ranger guide. Trek through bamboo and Hagenia woodland to find one of the habituated mountain gorilla families. Spend one extraordinary hour in their presence. Return to camp for lunch. Afternoon: golden monkey tracking or a visit to Dian Fossey's tomb.
Day 4Musanze – Kigali (sightseeing) – Afternoon Flight to Serengeti
Morning at leisure before driving back to Kigali. Brief city stop for lunch and last-minute shopping. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your charter flight to the Serengeti, departing approximately 2 p.m. and arriving at Seronera around 4:30 p.m. Our guide meets you on the airstrip and immediately begins an evening game drive en route to camp.
Day 5Serengeti – Grumeti Region
Spend the day on extensive game drives along the Grumeti River in western Serengeti. The river is home to crocodiles and, in June and July, is the site of dramatic wildebeest crossings. Even outside migration season, the region has exceptional concentrations of resident wildlife. A bush breakfast in the field is included.
Day 6Serengeti – Transfer to Seronera (Central Serengeti)
Morning game drive exploring the Grumeti region further, then drive to the central Serengeti. The Seronera Valley is famous for leopard sightings along its river and kopje-dotted plains. Check in at your central Serengeti camp for lunch. Evening game drive at 4 p.m. Sundowner on the kopjes.
Day 7Serengeti – Full Day (Central Seronera)
Full day in central Serengeti. The Seronera area has the highest predator density in the Serengeti ecosystem: lion, cheetah and leopard sightings are near-daily occurrences. Optional: hot air balloon safari at dawn over the endless plains.
Day 8Serengeti – Ngorongoro Rim (approx. 3–4 hrs via NCA)
After breakfast, drive east through the NCA conservation area with a brief stop at Olduvai Gorge museum. Arrive at the Ngorongoro crater rim by mid-afternoon. Check in and enjoy a short crater-rim drive before dinner overlooking the vast caldera below.
Day 9Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara
Descend into the crater with packed picnic lunches for a full day tour of the caldera floor. The 260 km² crater is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife including Africa's densest lion population and one of Tanzania's last stable black rhino populations. After the crater, drive to Lake Manyara and enjoy a short evening game drive en route to the lodge.
Day 10Lake Manyara – Tarangire (approx. 2 hrs)
Pre-breakfast game drive along the lake shore: Lake Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions and enormous flocks of flamingo. Return for breakfast then drive to Tarangire National Park. Arrive with a game drive en route to the lodge. Evening game drive at 4 p.m.
Day 11Tarangire – Full Day
Morning and afternoon game drives in Tarangire. The park hosts one of the largest elephant concentrations in Africa: herds of 200+ are common along the Tarangire River. Baobab trees, large lion prides, cheetah, wild dog and over 550 bird species make this a superb final wildlife destination.
Day 12Tarangire – Arusha – Departure
Leisurely morning at the lodge or optional early nature walk. Drive to Arusha and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. End of services.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- All ground transportation in 4×4 safari vehicle
- Charter flight Kigali → Serengeti (included)
- Expert guides for all parks
- Gorilla trekking permit ($1,500 per person, included)
- All national park and conservation area entry fees
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Full Board meals as specified
Not Included
- International flights and any domestic or regional flights not expressly listed as included in your confirmed quote
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Rwanda visa or entry-permission fees, where required for your passport
- Tanzania visa or entry-permission fees, where required for your passport
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal items (laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs)
- Optional balloon flight in the Serengeti, booked and priced separately; other activities not listed as included
- Any costs arising from flight delays or itinerary changes
- Meals outside the meal plan stated for each day of this itinerary
- Mainland Tanzania government inbound travel insurance, where required: US$44 per adult, US$22 per child aged 3–17, with ages 0–2 free. Purchase separately before travel; not included in the safari price.
Good to Know
Your route covers Kigali, Volcanoes NP, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire. The arrival arrangements on Day 1 and the final-day transfer form part of this itinerary; share your flight times with us before booking so we can check the connections.
Entry documents: check the passport, visa and entry-permission requirements for Rwanda and Tanzania before travel. Requirements depend on your passport and can change. We confirm the planned crossings and arrival points with your itinerary.
Flights listed as included: Charter flight Kigali → Serengeti (included). Schedules, aircraft baggage allowances and onward connections are confirmed before booking. Any additional air upgrade is quoted separately.
Allow time for the road journeys shown in the daily plan. Driving times are estimates, with stops, road conditions affecting the day. Tell us about mobility needs or a preference for shorter travel days while we plan the route.
Trekking is planned on Day 3. Confirm the required permits before fixing your travel dates. Forest conditions and walking times vary; bring broken-in boots and rain protection, and tell us about any fitness or mobility concerns.
Last checked 9 October 2026: mainland Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance began on 1 October 2026. Eligible travellers must arrange the applicable NIC policy before travel; your usual private travel insurance does not replace this entry requirement.
Your first Tanzanian arrival on this route is in mainland Tanzania. Use the official NIC portal to arrange the applicable policy before travel.
Standard insurance rates are US$44 per adult aged 18 or over, US$22 per child aged 3–17, and free for ages 0–2, subject to the insurer's eligibility rules and checkout. Insurance age bands may differ from lodge child rates. Cover is for up to 92 days, with the actual dates shown on your certificate. Keep the certificate and QR code accessible throughout the trip.
Residents of EAC and SADC member states qualify for the mainland exemption under NIC's published rules. This is residence-based, not simply a passport exemption. Confirm eligibility with NIC before departure.
The government policy is purchased separately and excluded from this safari price. Keep comprehensive personal travel insurance suitable for your activities, medical needs, cancellation risks and other countries visited. Government cover has limits and exclusions; any separately arranged evacuation service does not replace it. Rules and rates can change, so recheck the official portals before travel.
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What Our Clients Say
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An excellent trip to parts of Kenya that are not on the main tourist routes, northern Kenya. Everything went smoothly Victor and Abdi, took care of everything. The choice of accommodation provided a great range of experiences. I would recommend Saringi to anyone.
read moreGot to see lots of animals and the experience was out of this world .
read moreI had an absolutely wonderful time in Kenya, all thanks to Millcent / Saringi Travel. From the incredibly friendly and reliable communication, to the flexible and thoughtful travel planning, all the way to the outstanding care on the ground, everything was simply perfect. I always felt well taken care of and in the best hands. What impressed me most was not only their professionalism, but also the sheer beauty of the entire experience. I'm still completely in awe! Thank you Millcent and thank you Letaloi!!!
read moreI booked my birthday trip to Diani with Saringi Tours, and it was an unforgettable experience for my friends and me. From start to finish, Saringi Tours impressed us with their professionalism and warmth.
read more8 days of fun and fantastic experiences. The whole trip was amazing. Mike was an excellent driver and guide with great knowledge of the area. Highly recommend Saringi Tours.
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