12 Days Safari to Rwanda, Uganda Gorillas and Serengeti Tour

Your Safari to Rwanda begins as you arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you'll be warmly welcomed by your expert guide. The Safari to Rwanda experience starts with a visit to the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, providing crucial context to Rwanda's remarkable journey of reconciliation and renewal. Later, your Safari to Rwanda continues with an exploration of Kigali's vibrant neighborhoods, including the craft markets of Kimironko, located just 15 minutes from the city center, before enjoying a traditional Rwandan dinner at the renowned Lounge in Kigali.

After breakfast, your Safari to Rwanda journey continues with a scenic 2–3-hour drive northwest to Volcanoes National Park, locally known as "Parc National des Volcans." During your Safari to Rwanda drive, you'll traverse the stunning "Land of a Thousand Hills," passing terraced farmlands and picturesque villages. Your Safari to Rwanda experience today includes an optional afternoon visit to Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village in Kinigi, just 30 minutes from park headquarters, where you'll gain insights into traditional Rwandan culture through music, dance, and artisanal demonstrations.

Today's Safari to Rwanda adventure features an early morning trek into Volcanoes National Park to observe the rare golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti) in their bamboo forest habitat. Your Safari to Rwanda guide will lead you through Sabyinyo sector trails for approximately 1-2 hours until you reach these playful primates, where you'll spend a magical hour observing their natural behaviors. The afternoon of your Safari to Rwanda can include an optional hike to Dian Fossey's grave at Karisoke Research Center or ascending Mount Bisoke (3,711m), with both treks taking approximately 4-6 hours round trip.

Your Safari to Rwanda transitions to neighboring Uganda today with a 4–5-hour drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, crossing at the Cyanika border post. This segment of your Safari to Rwanda showcases the changing landscapes as you traverse the Kigezi Highlands, known locally as the "Switzerland of Africa." Your Safari to Rwanda guide will handle all border formalities while you enjoy the spectacular scenery, arriving at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma, Rushaga, or Ruhija sector depending on permit availability) in time for dinner and a briefing about tomorrow's gorilla trek.

The highlight of your Safari to Rwanda adventure awaits as you embark on a gorilla trekking expedition in Bwindi, home to approximately half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Your Safari to Rwanda experience today involves a morning briefing at park headquarters before trekking for 1-6 hours through dense forest with expert trackers until you locate your assigned gorilla family. The pinnacle of your Safari to Rwanda journey unfolds during the precious hour spent observing these gentle giants, followed by an evening of storytelling and traditional dance performances by the local Batwa community.

Your Safari to Rwanda journey continues with a scenic 5–6-hour drive north through western Uganda to reach Kibale National Park, home to East Africa's largest population of chimpanzees. During your Safari to Rwanda transit, you'll pass through the picturesque tea plantations of Fort Portal and the dramatic Rwenzori Mountain foothills. Your Safari to Rwanda experience is enhanced with an afternoon chimpanzee tracking excursion in Kibale's verdant forest, where you'll spend approximately 2-3 hours following these fascinating great apes with expert local guides.

The next chapter of your Safari to Rwanda adventure begins with a morning transfer to Entebbe (4-5 hours) for your flight to Tanzania's Kilimanjaro International Airport. Your Safari to Rwanda transitions to Tanzania's legendary northern safari circuit as you connect to a light aircraft flight to the central Serengeti, known locally as "Seronera" (2-hour flight). Your Safari to Rwanda-Tanzania experience continues with an evening game drive in the iconic Serengeti National Park, offering your first glimpse of the abundant wildlife before retiring to your comfortable safari accommodation.

Today your Safari to Rwanda itinerary delivers a full day exploring the legendary Serengeti ecosystem, with its endless plains (the meaning of "Serengeti" in the local Maasai language). Your Safari to Rwanda adventure includes morning and afternoon game drives through distinct habitats, from the kopje-dotted plains to acacia woodlands and seasonal waterholes. The Safari to Rwanda-Tanzania experience showcases the Serengeti's renowned predators, with excellent opportunities to witness lion pride, cheetahs on the hunt, and if visiting during the Great Migration (depending on the season), the dramatic river crossings at Grumeti or Mara Rivers.

Your Safari to Rwanda journey continues with a 3–4-hour scenic drive from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, passing ancient Maasai bomas and witnessing traditional pastoral life unchanged for centuries. The Safari to Rwanda experience today culminates with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, locally known as "Oldupai" in the Maasai language, a 600-meter-deep volcanic caldera spanning 260 square kilometers. Your Safari to Rwanda-Tanzania adventure includes a full day exploring this "eighth wonder of the world," with excellent opportunities to spot the "Big Five" in this naturally enclosed ecosystem before ascending to your lodge on the crater rim.

Today your Safari to Rwanda itinerary takes you to Tarangire National Park, approximately 3-4 hours southeast of Ngorongoro. Your Safari to Rwanda experience in Tarangire features the park's iconic baobab-studded landscapes and seasonal swamps that attract enormous elephant herds, with the local name "Oreteti" referring to the sacred baobab trees. Throughout your Safari to Rwanda day in Tarangire, you'll explore various habitats from the Tarangire River to Silale Swamp, offering excellent wildlife viewing, particularly during the dry season (June-October) when animals concentrate around the remaining water sources.

The optional extension of your Safari to Rwanda journey takes you to the exotic spice island of Zanzibar, beginning with a 1.5-hour drive to Arusha for your connecting flight. Your Safari to Rwanda experience transitions from wildlife to cultural immersion as you explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town, locally known as "Mji Mkongwe" (old town). The Safari to Rwanda-Tanzania adventure concludes with leisure time on Zanzibar's pristine eastern beaches, where you can relax on powdery white sands or enjoy optional water activities including snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, located just 45 minutes by boat from shore.

The final day of your Safari to Rwanda adventure begins with a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation in either Zanzibar or Arusha. Your Safari to Rwanda journey concludes with a transfer to the respective airport for your international departure, with approximately 45 minutes required for the transfer in Zanzibar or 60 minutes in Arusha. The unforgettable memories of your Safari to Rwanda-Uganda-Tanzania experience will remain with you long after your flight departs, having witnessed some of Africa's most iconic wildlife experiences across three remarkable countries.