14-Day Rwanda and Tanzania Safari: The Ultimate Primates & Big Five Experience
Embark on a breathtaking 14-day Rwanda and Tanzania safari that bridges the lush, misty mountains of Central Africa with the golden savannahs of East Africa. This expedition is designed for nature enthusiasts seeking the “Best of Both Worlds”: the intimate encounter with endangered Mountain Gorillas and the raw power of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Phase 1: Rwanda’s Primates and Culture
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – The Cleanest City in Africa Your journey begins at Kigali International Airport. After a warm welcome from your Active African Vacations guide, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the vibrant Kimironko Market to witness Rwanda’s incredible resilience and local craftsmanship.
Day 2: Scenic Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Travel through the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about gorilla conservation history before settling into your lodge near the park.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking & Iby’iwacu Cultural Village The highlight of Rwanda: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Spend an unforgettable hour with a gorilla family. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for traditional dances and kingly rituals.
Day 4: Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk Head south to Nyungwe National Park. Experience the thrill of the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, suspended 70 meters above the ancient rainforest floor, offering a bird’s-eye view of rare primates and birdlife.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Return to Kigali Enter the forest at dawn for Chimpanzee trekking. Watch our closest relatives swing through the canopy. Later, enjoy a scenic drive back to Kigali for your final night in Rwanda.
Phase 2: Tanzania’s Wildlife Spectacle
Day 6: Flight to Arusha, Tanzania Trade the mountains for the plains. Fly from Kigali to Arusha, the gateway to the Tanzanian Northern Circuit, and prepare for the wildlife adventure ahead.
Day 7: Giant Elephants of Tarangire National Park Explore Tarangire National Park, famous for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Keep your camera ready for lions and leopards lounging in the branches.
Day 8: Lake Manyara Walking Safari & Tree-Climbing Lions Experience nature on foot with a walking safari in Lake Manyara. Later, drive through the groundwater forest to spot the legendary tree-climbing lions and pink flamingos.
Day 9 – 11: The Endless Plains of Serengeti National Park Spend three days immersed in the Serengeti National Park. This is the heart of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Track the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—across the vast golden savannah.
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater – Africa’s Eden Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This natural amphitheater hosts one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa, including the rare Black Rhino.
Day 13: Maasai Cultural Encounter & Arusha Visit a traditional Maasai Boma to learn about their nomadic lifestyle and warrior culture. Return to Arusha for a farewell dinner to celebrate your 14-day journey.
Day 14: Departure via Kilimanjaro Enjoy a final Tanzanian breakfast before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
- Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest.
- The Great Migration viewing in Serengeti National Park.
- Big Five Game Drives in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Cultural Immersions with the Iby’iwacu and Maasai communities.
- Historical Tours at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Included in the Package | Excluded from the Package |
Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permits | International Flights & Visas |
Professional 4×4 Safari Vehicle | Tips and Gratuities |
All Park Entrance Fees | Personal Souvenirs |
Full Board Accommodation | Travel Insurance |
Expert English-speaking Guide | Alcoholic Beverages |
Detailed Itinerary Of The 14-Day Rwanda and Tanzania Safari
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali International Airport – Kigali City Tour.
Day 1 of the 14 Days starts with a pick up from Kigali International Airport by our professional Driver Guide from Active African Vacations who will meet and greet you.
He will then transfer you to your hotel to relax and refresh from the long flights. Later, you will embark on a City Tour where you will visit Kigali Genocide Memorial, a touching historical site that tells Rwanda’s story of resilience, Nyamirambo Women’s Center and Kimironko Market, it is great for experiencing local life and buying crafts.
Dinner and Overnight Stay.
Accommodation Options: Hôtel des Mille Collines or Similar
Meals Plan: Half Board
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Visit Ellen degenerous.
After breakfast, you will go on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The journey is brief and it takes about 2 – 3 hours.
The journey through terraced hillsides and rural villages offers a glimpse into Rwanda’s natural beauty and community life.
Later visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, located on the outskirts of Kigali.
This modern conservation and research center celebrates the legacy of Dian Fossey’s work with mountain gorillas. Dinner and Overnight stay.
Accommodation Options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Encounter – Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
After a delicious breakfast, you will be taken to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi. Although the park is only a short drive from the resort, it’s crucial to be there early to do the required paperwork.
You will be driven to the beginning of your trek after the briefing. You start the journey by following porters and an expert guide into the thick rainforest.
You might still have to travel through dense bush, but rangers and guides who are familiar with the gorillas’ general location track the gorilla families.
While some trekking routes are simple, others could be more difficult. You will be advised to remain silent and obey the guide’s instructions as you approach the gorillas.
After you locate the gorillas, you will have about an hour to watch them.
You will have the opportunity to snap pictures, but don’t forget to capture the moment as authentically as you can. Return to your lodge for lunch after receiving your certificate.
Visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village in the afternoon to fully immerse yourself in Rwanda’s rich cultural legacy.
You may get a close-up view of Rwanda’s traditions, history, and customs through this community-based cultural experience.
Meeting the local people will give you the chance to hear about their everyday routines, long-standing traditions, and involvement in gorilla and environmental conservation. dinner and stay the night.
Accommodation Options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Canopy walk.
Following breakfast, you will leave the lodge and meet your driver guide to travel to Nyungwe National Park, which is situated in the Rusizi District of southwest Rwanda.
It takes four to five hours to get to the park via the picturesque route. Check into the lodge when you get there so you can have lunch and unwind.
You will return to the Uwinka Visitor Center later to participate in the Canopy Walk. A park ranger will give you a briefing about safety measures and how to enjoy the stroll before you step into the canopy.
The path consists of a number of suspension bridges that let you wander from tree to tree and feel the pulse of the forest. Monkeys, birds, butterflies, and other creatures that inhabit the forest’s upper layers can be seen from this vantage point.
You have plenty of time to take in the sights and sounds of Nyungwe’s treetop environment during the around one to two-hour canopy hikes. Go back to the lodge so you can unwind and think back on your experience in the rainforest. Dinner and stay the night.
Accommodation Options: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer back to Kigali
One of the best locations in Africa to track these amazing primates in the wild is Nyungwe Forest, where you can go on an exclusive chimpanzee trekking trip after an early breakfast.
At 5:30 am, your driver guide will greet you and take you to the briefing center. Following your briefing, you will track the chimpanzees in the forest with the help of a private guide.
Trekking to find the chimpanzees can take one to four hours, depending on where they are.
You will get an hour to see the chimps from a safe distance after you locate them. You will gain knowledge of their social structure, behavior, and the ecology of the forest during this period.
Seeing the chimps in their natural habitat, where they frequently engage in social interactions, feeding, playing, or grooming, is a unique opportunity. Return to our lodge for a well-earned lunch after the hike, and then make your way back to Kigali.
Accommodation Options: Hôtel des Mille Collines or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Fly to Arusha, Tanzania
After breakfast, go to Kigali International Airport to catch your flight to Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital.
Your guide will drive you to your hotel after the journey so you may unwind. Spend the evening casually exploring Arusha’s local markets or dining at a fine restaurant to prepare for your Tanzanian safari excursion.
Dinner and stay the night.
Accommodation Options: Mvuli Hotel Arusha or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Game drive in Tarangire National Park
Your driver guide will take you to Tarangire National Park, which is well-known for its massive elephant herds and baobab trees, on the seventh day of the safari.
See creatures like lions, giraffes, zebras, and leopards on a full-day game drive. Stop for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot before going on.
In the evening, arrive to your lodge, eat dinner, and relax under the African sky.
Accommodation Options: Tarangire Safari Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Lake Manyara – Walking Safari – Game Drive
Despite being one among Tanzania’s smaller parks, it provides a fulfilling and varied safari experience.
Explore the diverse environment of Lake Manyara National Park now. Start with a guided walking safari to get up close and personal with nature and learn about the lesser bush creatures.
See elephants, hippos, flamingos, and the park’s famous tree-climbing lions during an afternoon wildlife drive. Return to your lodging for dinner and the evening.
Accommodation Options: Tarangire Safari Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, take a game drive to the legendary Serengeti National Park. This vast grassland is home to several creatures, including zebras, wildebeests, and cheetahs.
Once you’ve checked into your lodge, take a game drive in the evening before dinner. Enjoy the sounds of nature as you fall asleep at your safari lodge.
Accommodation Options: Serengeti Simba Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 10 – 11: Full day game viewing at Serengeti National park.
The ideal time to observe nocturnal creatures and predators is early in the morning, so get up early for breakfast and go on an early game drive.
After seeing the “Big Five” and other creatures including giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest, you will return to the lodge for lunch before continuing with the full-day game drive, which offers uninterrupted viewing and exploration.
The drives provide an opportunity to witness amazing wildlife displays, such as exchanges between predators and prey. After this amazing experience, return to the lodge for dinner and spend the night there.
Accommodation Options: Serengeti Simba Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 12: Early morning game drive and Transfer to Ngorongoro crater.
A morning game drive in the heart of the Serengeti, home to cheetahs, lions, leopards, big cats, and many more, leads to Ngorongoro Crater.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, which is recognized by UNESCO. This ancient volcanic crater is home to a variety of wildlife, including black rhinos, elephants, and buffalo.
Discover the Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites, after an exciting wildlife drive. After a thrilling day of touring, spend the evening and dinner at your lodge.
Accommodation Options: Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 13: Transfer back to Arusha – Maasai Cultural Encounter.
Return to Arusha and see the vibrant marketplaces and cultural landmarks. Visit a Maasai village to learn about their unique traditions, participate in traditional dances, and see their beadwork.
Enjoy a goodbye dinner at a local restaurant in the evening while reflecting on your incredible safari experience. For those who are interested, there are optional nightlife activities.
Accommodation Options: Mvuli Hotel Arusha or Similar
Meals Plan: Full Board
Day 14: Departure.
Head to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight home after enjoying a leisurely breakfast. Take with your priceless memories of your safari adventure in Tanzania and Rwanda with primates and wildlife.
END OF TOUR.