A Mid-Range Gorilla Trekking and Serengeti Great Migration Safari Expedition in Rwanda and Tanzania
The 8 Days Rwanda Gorilla trekking and Tanzania Great Migration Safari package is a fantastic itinerary that includes iconic Serengeti safari featuring the great wildebeest migration combined with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
This once-in-a-lifetime journey through Rwanda and Tanzania is designed for families, couples, group of friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with moderate to active physical activity, including walking on uneven terrain, participating in full days of immersive wildlife experiences and trekking through mountainous jungles. From thrilling game drives across the Serengeti to guided gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, this itinerary offers deep connection with nature and wildlife.
This itinerary is full and exhilarating, with most days beginning early to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities. Days in the Serengeti involve early mornings, afternoon breaks and evening game drives. Gorilla trekking days begin with pre-hike briefings and conclude with relaxed afternoons at the lodge. While the trip is active, it’s also paced to allow for journaling, massage, rest and quiet connection with your family members, friends, lovers and nature. You will have time to reflect, refresh and soak in the wild beauty of Africa. Participation requires an adventurous spirit an open heart and the physical ability to embrace each unforgettable day.
This package has an Itinerary that will help you maximize your time in the Kogatende Area North of Serengeti national Park by flying out of Northern Serengeti and can be customized to your goals to uncover the marvels of East Africa’s untouched wilderness. Note that this itinerary is recommended for Late July starting 25th through to August, September and October though it can be adjusted especially on accommodation locations to accommodate traveling in any other month of year.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National park
From your hotel in Kigali or on an early arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will meet and greet with your driver/guide from Engabi Tours and Travel who will transfer you to Volcanoes National Park Approximately 3 hours drive North of Kigali. Dinner and overnight the lodge of your choice.
Accommodation Option: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Depending on time of arrival, you can explore Kigali attractions such as genocide memorial, craft markets before you transfer to Volcanoes.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’iwachu Cultural Village tour
Today after breakfast you will be transferred to the Park headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking rules. You will then enter the jungle to start the search for the Mountain Gorillas and on finding them you will Spend1 hour with them which will be a great experience for everyone. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit Iby’iwacu local village to learn Rwandan culture, customs and traditions. The tour usually ends with traditional dance performances. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali and fly to Arusha- Tanzania
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kigali Airport to catch your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania arriving in time for a transfer to Arusha Town. On arrival in Arusha, you will check in for dinner and overnight at the Hotel of your choice.
Accommodation Option: Mount Meru Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Full day Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Today you will transfer to Ngorongoro conservation area arriving in time to explore the Ngorongoro crater with your guide. This area is compared to Garden of Eden on earth and big numbers of wildlife can be spotted in a day including all big five, the elephant, black rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetahs, and lots of hyenas, hippos, zebra and wildebeest being the most abundant. You will take a break for lunch and in the afternoon you will continue game viewing in the south corner of the park where you visit Lake Magadi where you can see flamingos, hippos and other water birds. Head to the Lodge for dinner and overnight
Accommodation Option: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Serengeti National Park Central (Seronera Area)
After breakfast, leave Ngorongoro conservation area driving to Serengeti national park home to 3 million animals which is larger than any savannah protected area on earth. On the way you may visit the UNESCO heritage site Oduvai gorge where the early humans thought to have occupied about 2 million years ago and here you will learn much about the human evolution with the research of Dr. Louis leaky who discovered the human skull and other fossils at the site in 1960. When you enter Serengeti enjoy an en-route game drive. Dinner and Overnight at your lodge
Accommodation Option: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park (Central and North)
After a very early breakfast, you will start your journey to the kogatende area (North of Serengeti) with an en-route game drive in the Seronera Area. On arrival in the North, you will continue with a game drive with prospects of witnessing the Wildebeest Migration Mara River Crossing and then enjoy your picnic lunch. After lunch you will continue with the game drive and later retire to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Nasikia Migration Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Full Day Game Drive in the Kogatende Area of Serengeti (North)
Today is without question one of the highlights of your safari. After a rich breakfast you will start your adventure a little earlier than usual and head to the Mara River to witness the great migration Mara River Crossing. Today’s full day game drive will help you experience the Serengeti in its full glory! You will be waiting for crossing along the river but you will also do game drive the rest of the Kogatende Area. The Mara River is the last major obstacle standing between the Wildebeest Migration and the relative safety of the Masai Mara. If you’re patient and a little lucky, you will get to witness the death-defying crossing itself where wildebeest and zebras brave the river’s currents and crocodiles in an attempt to reach safety on the opposite bank. After witnessing the crossing, you will continue with the game drive in the rest of the area and retire to your camp for Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Nasikia Migration Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Small Aircraft Flight to Arusha Airport
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to Kogatende Airstrip with an en-route game drive to catch your small flight to Arusha Airport in Arusha Town. On arrival at Arusha Airport, you will be picked by your dedicated driver from Engabi Tours and Travel who will transfer your desired point of drop off either to your hotel or to Kilimanjaro International Airport marking the end of your trip.
Accommodation Option: N/A
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of Tour
This gorilla trekking and great migration Itinerary is Crafted for Who?
This Itinerary is crafted for travelers ( solo travelers, couples, family, group of friends etc) who want to cover gorilla trekking in Rwanda and great migration in Tanzania in one single trip but have limited time at hand. The trip itinerary is fast paced is for travelers interested in mid-range accommodation instead of more luxurious lodges.
Please note that the accommodation can be adjusted to fit into one’s budget be it luxury or quality budget.
The Tour Package Cost
This package is tailored and therefore the cost of the tour will largely depend on the number of people you are traveling with in addition to lodges and transport modes we have proposed. All these costs are an addition to the mandatory fixed cost of the gorilla permit at USD1500 Per Person.
Kindly let us know the number of people you are traveling with, your preferred type of accommodation, mode of transport and your dates of travel so that our team can prepare for you the customized itinerary and best quote.
What to pack for This Tour?
- It’s important to come well prepared for the incredible experience of gorilla trekking and great migration and below is our recommended packing list:
- Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproof jackets and trousers
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Lightweight woolen socks
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for sun protection
- Toiletries such as sun cream, insect repellent, after-sun, bite relief cream and lip balm
- Garden gloves
- A small backpack to carry your water, lunch, extra clothes, binoculars and camera
- Camera with extra lenses and batteries
- Binoculars
- Snacks for extra energy
- A reusable water bottle to limit waste
- Multi-way travel adaptor.
What happens on the day of doing the gorilla trekking?
On the day of doing the gorilla trekking, visitors booked for the experience gather at park headquarters by 7:30am for briefing by park officials before commencing the activity at 8:00am. The activity involves hiking through steep and dense parts of bamboo jungles hence we recommend that you carry drinking water and put on hiking shoes for a better encounter.
When the trekkers finally find the gorilla family, they will be allowed to spend a maximum of 1 hour interacting with the family members and taking pictures
Please note that visitors with infectious diseases are not allowed to take part in the gorilla trekking experience because human diseases like flu can threaten an entire gorilla family and the minimum age for the gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is 15 years of age.
Gorilla trekking permit Price in Rwanda
From 2017 the Rwandan government through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) made the decision to increase the cost of a gorilla permit from 750 USD per trek to 1,500 USD
Altitude Considerations
This journey includes travel through regions of varying elevation. Most of the Tanzanian portion of the trip, including the Serengeti, sits between 3,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level and is generally not considered high altitude. However, once in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you will be trekking at elevations ranging from 3,800 to 8,500 feet.
Some participants may notice mild altitude effects such as shortness of breath or fatigue, especially during the gorilla treks, which involve hiking at higher elevations through humid, rugged terrain. Staying well-hydrated, pacing yourself, and allowing time to acclimate will help reduce discomfort. Guides are trained to support you throughout the trek, and porters are available to assist as needed. If you have a known sensitivity to altitude or any related health concerns, we recommend speaking with your physician before booking.
Walking & Standing
Expect moderate to strenuous walking on multiple days of the trip. Daily game drives involve standing and entering/exiting safari vehicles several times per day. You’ll participate in 1 mountain gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The trek may last 2 to 6 hours each, depending on gorilla movement and take place on steep, muddy or uneven jungle terrain. You’ll need to be steady on your feet, comfortable hiking inclines and able to manage longer durations of standing and walking with breaks as needed.
Do I need vaccinations and malaria medication for this Tour?
Yes, you will need to both vaccinations and malaria medication because mountain gorillas share about 98% of our DNA and are therefore incredibly susceptible to human illnesses.
A yellow fever vaccine and a yellow card will be required for this trip since you are crossing borders between Tanzania and Rwanda. A yellow card is mandatory for all international travelers arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport though not technically required at Kigali International Airport hence we highly recommended that you carry it to avoid being denied entry at one point.
Additionally, most of the locations you are visiting are high-risk malaria zones though the high altitude of the gorilla parks (especially in Rwanda) means there are fewer mosquitoes than in the lowlands hence a reduced risk. So be sure to pack mosquito repellent!
What Else Can You Add on Your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Migration Safari Tour?
Before or After your Gorilla Trekking experience in Rwanda, you can add a chimps trekking experience in Nyungwe National Park or a safari in Akagera National park or even add another gorilla trekking experience in neighboring Uganda and then proceed to Tanzania for the great migration part.
After the great migration and Northern Circuit safari experience, you can go for a beach stay in Zanzibar or climb Mt Kilimanjaro or you may proceed to Masai Mara from North Serengeti.
How To Book This Package with Engabi Tours and Travel
- To Book this package with Engabi Tours and Travel, contact us on WhatsApp at +256-757341593 Or send us an email at info@gorillasafaridiscovery.com
- Our payments are preferred in US Dollars
- Currency exchange rates vary daily based on the current international banking data available.
- We accept wire transfers and credit card payments.
- Payment by credit card is subject to a surcharge of 3.5%.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
All visitors to Tanzania and Rwanda must have a valid passport with at least 4 consecutive blanks pages. Any applicable visa and/or relevant documentation are the responsibility of the traveler. For further information on Visa requirements visitors are advised to contact their nearest Tanzania or Rwanda Embassy or Consulate.
LANGUAGE:
Kinyarwanda, French, English and Kiswahili(Rwanda) and Kiswahili and English (Tanzania)
VOLTAGE:
In Tanzania and Rwanda the standard voltage is 220 Volts/AC50Hz. Sockets are UK style, 3 pin square plugs.
CURRENCY:
Foreign currency must be changed at the Bank, Bureau de Change, and Hotel/Safari lodge/Camp/Resort. Major Credit Cards, Master card, Visa, American Express, are usually accepted throughout the country. Where credit cards are accepted, the payment will normally be recorded in US$ regardless of the card’s default currency.
CLOTHING:
Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.
BAGGAGE:
Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or soft bag per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.
WATER:
You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local Bottled Mineral water. It is important to drink plenty of water especially during the hotter months. We would recommend that guests drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration.
HEALTH;
East Africa is a safe and secure destination; however, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Kindly consult your GP or local doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel, with regards:
Malaria prophylactics. East Africa is a known malaria area and preventive measures are essential. You are advised to take one of the recommended anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to wear long sleeved shorts and trousers after sunset and spray the exposed parts of your body with a mosquito repellent spray
Remember to protect yourself from direct sun rays with sunscreen cream or safari hat.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
For those guests with specific dietary requirement, please ensure the Hotel is notified prior to travel
GRATUITIES:
As a guideline and dependent on how happy you are, we would suggest the following:
The General Hotel/Lodge/Camp Staff – Approximately U$ 10.00 per person per day
Driver Guides – Approximately US$ 15.00 to US$ 20.00 per person per day
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Please be careful when photographing public buildings, airports, bridges, the national flag and people in uniform. Ensure that you have sought permission before photographing local people and their villages. If in doubt, please check with your guide.