Tips for Planning a Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari
A combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania safari is the ideal way to encounter two of Africa’s incredible wildlife experiences in one action-packed safari through some of Tanzania’s legendary big game reserves in the Northern Circuit such as Serengeti National Park and the iconic primates destinations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda & Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda.
For many travelers, it’s so challenging to plan a combined gorilla trekking and African Safari in Tanzania starting from deciding on destinations to visit to securing permits and the experience itself, here are our quick tips and guidelines for planning your Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania safari trip.
Should Gorilla Trekking Be Done Before or After a Tanzania Safari?
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda or Uganda combined with a Tanzania Safari gives travelers an ultimate African Safari experience as they get to encounter the Big Five Animals and the endangered Mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. However many travelers find it hard to decide which one of the two wildlife experiences they should start with while on their vacation trip as those who choose to do Gorilla Trekking first say that they are worried that they might get injured or sick while trekking the gorillas which might compromise their primary activity the safari while those who choose to do the Tanzania Safari first fear that they will be exhausted at the end of the safari and may not be able to appreciate the Gorilla Trekking experience.
From experience, we think it does not matter whether one does a gorilla trek at the start or the end of safari and travelers can combine Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a Tanzania Safari by starting with any of the two experiences depending on the best flight connections available.
Unlike what some travelers think, we do not find a safari such a tiring experience as tourists are usually seated in 4X4 safari Jeeps with frequent breaks and early bedtime as lodges/camps settle down in the early evenings and Gorilla Trekking is not such a high risk activity where one should expect to get injured or sick since there are guidelines to follow while meeting the apes and tourists are always in the company armed rangers who help to create path in the case of very thick jungles.
On the other hand, Gorilla trekking and safari are very different experiences as gorilla treks involve hiking up and down the hills through thick jungles lasting over 2 to 8 hours until you meet the gorillas while Safari game drives involve viewing of the animals while in the comfort of a Safari Land Cruiser/Jeep/Van with a pop up roof.
How to Combine Safari in Tanzania with Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?
Travelers can combine an African Safari in Tanzania with a Gorilla Trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda by either flying direct into Kigali Rwanda or Entebbe Uganda stay for 3 or 4 nights then fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the safari in the Northern Circuit later flying out back home from Kilimanjaro International Airport or travelers can fly direct into Kilimanjaro International Airport, do the safari game drives in the Northern Circuit and then fly into Kigali or Entebbe for the Gorilla Trekking excursion later flying out of Kigali or Entebbe International Airports. Note that one can arrive in Kigali and trek the gorillas in Uganda on a 4Hrs drive from Kigali to Bwindi avoiding the long drive hours(10Hrs) from Entebbe to Bwindi. There is also an option of flying direct from any location in Serengeti into Kigali or Entebbe using a small Aircraft.
Best time to do a Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari Trip
Tailored trips that combine Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a Tanzania Safari are organized throughout the year as all the three countries enjoy a pleasant climate with average temperatures of 25°C and cool nights most of the times. The most rainy Months in Uganda ,Rwanda and Tanzania are March, April and May with shorter rains in October and November.
Therefore choosing the best time to do a combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari trip depends entirely on what you want to see or experience on your Tanzania safari before or after gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.
If you interested in just seeing wildlife especially the big five animals on your Tanzania part of the safari after or before gorilla trekking, the best time to combine a gorilla trekking and Tanzania safari is throughout the year as Central and Western Serengeti have enormous resident animals including predators that can be seen all year around. Travelers should however note that the Months of March, April and May are the rainiest seasons with some roads becoming slippery and impassable. On a positive note though, It is also during the rainy Months of March and April that tourists can enjoy discounted accommodation rates in most luxury lodges and camps in Tanzania’s parks.
If you interested in encountering the wildebeest Migration, the best time to do a combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari depends more on what stage of the great migration you are interested in seeing as explained below:
Monthly Wildebeest Migration Patterns -Routes
Wildebeest Migration Patterns show the routes that the great wildebeest migration takes through the year in both Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in January, February & March
in January, the migration starts to move into the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as the short grass plains here are rich in nutritious grasses providing the herds with the best conditions to raise their newborns and by Mid February calving season is in high gear with approximately 8,000 wildebeest being born every day for a period of approximately 3 weeks. Therefore the area around Lake Ndutu itself is the place to be at this time of year.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in April & May
Usually April brings the first signs of migration with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest beginning their arduous journey across the western plains and finally north.
The herds move through the Ndoha and Dutwa plains adjacent to the Mbalagweti River, they may begin to pile up near the Mbalagweti and Grumeti Rivers awaiting the crossing, a dangerous obstacle for animals. During these months there is too much wildlife viewing opportunities in both central Serengeti and Western Serengeti
The Great Wildebeest Migration June & July
Usually the rutting season starts in June and you expect to see fierce fighting between competitive males as they vie for the attention of females and it’s around this time that the dry season starts with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must face the challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested river and this dramatic river crossing is one of the most exciting events of the Great Migration
In early July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier, the Mara River in northern Serengeti and this river crossing is a memorable and exciting wildlife encounter on Earth. The Mara River Crossings usually start in late July but the precise timing depends on the rains. Therefore if you want to see the Great Migration Grumeti River Crossing, June to early July is the best time to Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Tanzania Safari.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in Late July, August, September & October
At the start of August, the migration herds have encountered the challenge of crossing the Mara River and are spread across the Northern part the Masai Mara Reserve with many remaining in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park. One should note that there is no single crossing. At some spots, there are just a few individuals while others have a mass of animals moving without break for hours. Therefore if you want to see the Great Migration Mara River Crossing, Late July to early October is the best time to Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Tanzania Safari.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in November & December Migration
At the end of October or early November, the wildebeest move down from Kenya into the eastern region of the Serengeti past Namiri Plains. By December, the wildebeest herds are spread across the eastern and southern regions and the cycle continues as the calving season starts once again. November and December is a good time to see the animals in Central and Eastern Serengeti
Travelers must note that Central Serengeti (the Seronera Area) can be visited all year around due to the presence of large numbers of resident animals including predators.
What Else Can You Add on Your Combined Gorilla Trek and Safari Trip?
After a Safari and Gorilla Trekking tour in Tanzania and Rwanda or Tanzania travelers may add some activities including Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale or Nyungwe Parks, Golden Monkey tracking, cultural experiences or even a boat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi or in Akagera National Park. You may also decide to stay by the beaches of Zanzibar, Lake Kivu or Lake Victoria. Travelers with enough time at hand can can do additional safari game drives in the different savannah National parks across Uganda and Akagera National Park.
Is It Possible to Do a Road Trip from Tanzania to Rwanda or Uganda and Vice Versa?
Yes, it is possible to a road trip between Tanzania and Uganda and Rwanda through Mutukula border or Rusumo border respectively. From Arusha or Western Serengeti one connects to these border points through Mwanza City and Bukoba Town. The journey however is a long one and may take up to 2 days on the road.
Where is Gorilla Trekking done in Rwanda and Uganda?
In Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking is done at Volcanoes National Park which is located in the far northwest of Rwanda and home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the rich montane vegetation of bamboo forests and open grasslands while in Uganda Gorilla Trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in South Western Uganda 10 Hours from Kampala and 4 Hours from Kigali Rwanda and the trekking can be done all year around though the dry Months of June, July, August and September all through to October.
Unlike Safari activities fees which can be booked or paid on spot, Gorilla Permits to see gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda have to be booked/purchased at least 2 years in advance. Gorilla Permits in Rwanda cost 1500$ for Foreign nonresident, 500$ for the foreign resident and 200$ for the East African Citizen While in Uganda Gorilla Permits cost 800$ for Foreign nonresident, 700$ for the foreign resident and 300,000UGX for the East African Citizen
Why book your Gorilla Trekking and Safari Tour with Engabi Tours and Travel?
Engabi Tours and Travel is an experienced local East African Tour Operator with intimate local knowledge about Gorilla trekking and game park safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. We are also highly rated and recommended on TripAdvisor.
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