Gorillas & Serengeti Explorer Safari - 12 Days
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Route: Kigali (Rwanda) → Volcanoes National Park → Kigali → Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) → Ngorongoro Conservation Area → Departure
Theme: Wildlife immersion, primate encounters, the Great Migration & crater ecosystems
​
Detailed Itinerary
Included
-
Private safari vehicle & expert guides in Rwanda and Tanzania
-
Gorilla and golden monkey trekking permits
-
Domestic flight from Kigali to the Serengeti
-
Accommodation with meals as noted
-
Park entry fees & conservation levies
Optional Add-Ons
-
Hot air balloon safari in Serengeti
-
Guided walking safaris in Serengeti
-
Cultural visits around Volcanoes or Lake Manyara side-trip
-
Optional crater rim hike
Day 1 — Arrival in Kigali
You’ll be welcomed at Kigali International Airport by your private TrailTrek Africa guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. Settle in and relax after your journey. If your arrival time allows, enjoy an orientation drive through the city and visit the moving Genocide Memorial — a powerful introduction to Rwanda’s recent history and inspiring recovery.
Overnight: Kigali
Key Experience: Arrival & cultural insight
Day 2 — Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, leave Kigali behind and travel northwest in your private 4×4 to Volcanoes National Park. The scenic journey takes you through rural countryside, farmland, and small villages. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge perched on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes.
In the afternoon, enjoy an introductory nature walk or visit a local cultural site near your lodge.
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Key Experience: Scenic drive & forest edge lodge
Day 3 — Golden Monkey Trekking
This morning you’ll trek through bamboo forests in search of golden monkeys, an enchanting species unique to the Albertine Rift. Accompanied by experienced trackers and guides, this walk gives you a gentle introduction to primate tracking before the big encounter ahead.
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Highlight: Golden Monkey encounter
Days 4 & 5 — Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Rise early on both days for guided treks into the lush mountain forests in search of mountain gorillas. These unforgettable encounters let you observe gorilla families in their natural habitat. Each trek varies in length — from a couple of hours to a half-day — depending on gorilla locations.
Return to your lodge to relax, swap stories around the fire pit, and soak up panoramic views of the Virunga peaks.
Overnights: Volcanoes National Park
Highlights: Two gorilla treks
Days 4 & 5 — Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Rise early on both days for guided treks into the lush mountain forests in search of mountain gorillas. These unforgettable encounters let you observe gorilla families in their natural habitat. Each trek varies in length — from a couple of hours to a half-day — depending on gorilla locations.
Return to your lodge to relax, swap stories around the fire pit, and soak up panoramic views of the Virunga peaks.
Overnights: Volcanoes National Park
Highlights: Two gorilla treks
Day 6 — Return to Kigali
After breakfast, depart Volcanoes and return to Kigali for an overnight stay. Enjoy time at leisure — perhaps explore local markets, sample Rwandan cuisine, or relax at your hotel.
Overnight: Kigali
Key Experience: Leisure day in the capital
Day 7 — Fly to the Serengeti
Early this morning, you’ll take a scenic flight from Kigali to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Upon landing, your Tanzanian guide and TrailTrek Africa team will welcome you and transfer you to your safari camp.
Game drives begin in the afternoon, exploring the sweeping plains renowned for abundant wildlife.
Overnight: Serengeti Migration Area
Highlights: Flight adventure & first game drive
​
Days 8 & 9 — Serengeti Wildlife Safaris
Spend two full days on game drives across the vast Serengeti ecosystem. Look for wildebeest, zebra, elephant, lion, cheetah, and other iconic species. Depending on the season, you may witness herds moving as part of the Great Migration.
Optional experiences include hot air balloon rides at dawn or guided walking safaris among the savannah grasslands.
Overnights: Serengeti
Highlights: Safari drives & optional ballooning
Days 8 & 9 — Serengeti Wildlife Safaris
Spend two full days on game drives across the vast Serengeti ecosystem. Look for wildebeest, zebra, elephant, lion, cheetah, and other iconic species. Depending on the season, you may witness herds moving as part of the Great Migration.
Optional experiences include hot air balloon rides at dawn or guided walking safaris among the savannah grasslands.
Overnights: Serengeti
Highlights: Safari drives & optional ballooning
Day 10 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro
This morning, enjoy a final sunrise game drive before heading south toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You’ll land near the crater highlands and transfer to your lodge, set in lush gardens with spectacular crater views.
Late afternoon is free for rest or a short nature walk around your lodge grounds.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Area
Key Experience: Crater highlands arrival
Day 11 — Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater — one of the richest wildlife ecosystems on the continent. Spend the day on a full game drive across this magnificent caldera, looking for the “Big Five” and a multitude of bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch beside hippo pools before ascending back to your lodge for sunset.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Area
Highlights: Crater wildlife & picnic lunch
Day 12 — Departure
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater — one of the richest wildlife ecosystems on the continent. Spend the day on a full game drive across this magnificent caldera, looking for the “Big Five” and a multitude of bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch beside hippo pools before ascending back to your lodge for sunset.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Area
Highlights: Crater wildlife & picnic lunch