14-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Great Migration Safari Starting from Dar es Salaam
Experience an unforgettable East African adventure on this 14-day Rwanda gorilla trekking and Tanzania Great Migration safari starting from Dar es Salaam. This itinerary combines Tanzania’s spectacular wildlife destinations with Rwanda’s extraordinary mountain gorilla trekking experience.
Begin your journey in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, before travelling to the northern safari circuit to explore Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Spend several days searching for the Great Wildebeest Migration, observing lions and other predators, and enjoying Tanzania’s breathtaking landscapes.
The journey then continues to Rwanda, where you trek through the forests of Volcanoes National Park to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
This combined safari is ideal for couples, honeymooners, wildlife photographers, families with eligible trekkers, and travellers looking to experience two of East Africa’s greatest wildlife attractions in one holiday.
Safari duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Starting point: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Ending point: Kigali, Rwanda
Destinations: Tanzania and Rwanda
Main highlights: Dar es Salaam, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Great Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater, Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, and mountain gorilla trekking.
Why Start Your Rwanda and Great Migration Safari in Dar es Salaam?
Starting in Dar es Salaam allows travellers arriving in Tanzania to begin their holiday in the country’s largest city before connecting to the northern safari circuit.
The itinerary combines Tanzania’s famous wildlife destinations with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, creating a diverse journey through East Africa.
In Tanzania, the Serengeti offers expansive savannahs and opportunities to follow the annual wildebeest migration. Tarangire is renowned for its elephants and baobab trees, while Ngorongoro Crater provides outstanding wildlife viewing in a dramatic volcanic landscape.
In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park offers guided mountain gorilla trekking in the forested Virunga Mountains. This experience provides a memorable contrast to the open plains of Tanzania.
The recommended route finishes in Kigali, reducing the need to return to Tanzania after completing your gorilla trekking experience.
Detailed 14-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and transfer to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, relax at your hotel or explore parts of the city. Optional activities include visiting local markets, exploring the waterfront, discovering Tanzanian cuisine, or learning about the city’s cultural heritage.
Use the evening to rest after your international flight and prepare for the safari journey ahead.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam
Meals: Depending on arrival time and package.
Day 2: Fly from Dar es Salaam to Arusha
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to the Arusha or Kilimanjaro area, depending on the available flight schedule and final arrangements.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Arusha, the main gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.
Meet your safari guide for a briefing about the route, wildlife destinations, and migration season. If time permits, enjoy an optional town or cultural experience.
Overnight: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 3: Tarangire National Park Safari
After breakfast, depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park.
The park is known for its large elephant populations, ancient baobab trees, and seasonal wildlife concentrations. Enjoy game drives through diverse habitats in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, and predators.
During the dry season, wildlife often gathers around the Tarangire River and other available water sources. The park also provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching.
After your game drive, continue to your lodge or tented camp.
Overnight: Tarangire or Karatu area
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 4: Tarangire to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, travel towards Serengeti National Park through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Enjoy changing scenery as the route moves from highland landscapes towards the Serengeti plains. Depending on the itinerary, you may stop at a viewpoint overlooking Ngorongoro Crater.
Continue into the Serengeti and begin wildlife viewing as you travel towards your accommodation.
Your guide will recommend the most appropriate area to stay based on the expected location of the migration herds during your travel dates.
Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5: Full-Day Great Migration Safari in the Serengeti
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park in search of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
The migration involves vast herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in response to seasonal rainfall and fresh grazing.
During your game drives, look for wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and other wildlife. Your guide will focus on areas where wildlife activity is most promising.
The Serengeti offers exceptional opportunities for photography, predator sightings, and observing wildlife behaviour.
Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6: Follow the Great Migration
Enjoy another day of wildlife viewing as you continue following the migration herds.
During the northern migration season, explore the northern Serengeti and the Mara River region, where wildebeest sometimes gather before attempting river crossings. Crossings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.
During the calving season, the itinerary should instead focus on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains, where large numbers of wildebeest give birth.
Spending additional time in the relevant migration area improves your opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy photography.
Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive before travelling towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Continue watching for wildlife along the route while enjoying the changing landscapes of grasslands, woodland, and highland scenery.
Arrive at your lodge near Ngorongoro or in the Karatu area and relax before the following day’s crater excursion.
Overnight: Ngorongoro or Karatu area
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
Start early for a game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater, one of Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
The crater floor supports a variety of animals, including zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, and lions. With luck, you may also see the endangered black rhinoceros.
Enjoy the dramatic scenery and wildlife viewing before returning to your lodge in the afternoon.
Ngorongoro provides a different safari experience from the Serengeti, with a remarkable concentration of wildlife in a volcanic caldera.
Overnight: Karatu or Ngorongoro area
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 9: Return to Arusha
After breakfast, leave the Ngorongoro area and travel towards Arusha.
Depending on your interests and schedule, you may visit a local cultural attraction, stop at a craft market, or enjoy a relaxed afternoon at your hotel.
Use the evening to prepare for your onward flight to Rwanda.
Overnight: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 10: Fly from Tanzania to Kigali, Rwanda
Transfer to the appropriate airport for your flight to Kigali. Depending on the confirmed flight schedule, you may depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport or use another suitable connection.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, meet your transfer representative and proceed to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short city tour, explore local craft markets, or relax at your accommodation.
Overnight: Kigali
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 11: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, travel north through Rwanda’s scenic countryside towards Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.
The journey generally takes around two to three hours, depending on traffic and stops. Enjoy views of rolling green hills, cultivated landscapes, and rural communities along the way.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and spend the afternoon at leisure. Prepare your trekking equipment and listen to your guide’s advice about the following day’s activity.
Overnight: Musanze or Volcanoes National Park area
Meals: Breakfast and dinner, depending on package.
Day 12: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Today is the highlight of your Rwanda experience.
After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by park staff. Join experienced guides and trackers for a trek through the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Trekking duration and difficulty depend on the group’s location, terrain, and weather conditions. Once the gorillas are found, visitors are generally allowed to spend up to one hour observing the family.
Watch the gorillas feed, interact, rest, and care for their young in their natural habitat.
After the trek, return to your lodge to relax and reflect on this remarkable wildlife encounter.
Overnight: Volcanoes National Park area
Meals: Breakfast and dinner, depending on package.
Gorilla permit: Rwanda’s standard permit rate for foreign visitors is listed at US$1,500 per person. Confirm the applicable rate, eligibility, and availability before booking.
Day 13: Golden Monkey Trekking or Rwandan Cultural Experience
Enjoy an optional golden monkey trek in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, or choose a cultural activity around Musanze.
Golden monkey trekking provides an opportunity to observe another fascinating primate species in the Virunga region. Alternatively, visit a cultural attraction, learn about local traditions, or relax at your lodge.
After your activity, return to Kigali and enjoy your final evening in Rwanda.
Overnight: Kigali
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 14: Departure from Kigali
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
If you are continuing to another East African destination, additional flights and transfers can be arranged according to your travel plans.
Your 14-day journey concludes with unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s Great Migration and Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
Meals: Breakfast.
Best Time for a Rwanda Gorilla and Tanzania Great Migration Safari
The ideal travel period depends on whether your main priority is wildebeest calving, the northern migration, or the possibility of witnessing river crossings.
January to March: Wildebeest Calving Season
Focus on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains, where large numbers of wildebeest give birth. This is an excellent time for observing newborn calves and predator activity.
May to July: Western and Central Serengeti
The migration generally moves through the western and central Serengeti during parts of this period, although rainfall and grazing conditions influence the herds’ movements.
August to October: Northern Serengeti
The northern Serengeti offers opportunities to see migration herds around the Mara River. River crossings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.
November to December: Return Towards the Southern Plains
As seasonal rains influence grazing conditions, the herds generally move towards the southern Serengeti and Ndutu region.
Rwanda gorilla trekking is available throughout the year. Forest trails can be wet and muddy, so sturdy walking shoes and rain protection are recommended.
Estimated Cost of a 14-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Tanzania Great Migration Safari
The total cost depends on travel dates, accommodation category, group size, flights, and safari arrangements.
The following are preliminary planning estimates per adult, not confirmed supplier quotations.
| Safari component | Estimated cost per adult |
|---|---|
| Rwanda gorilla trekking permit | US$1,500 |
| Rwanda accommodation and ground transport | US$600–1,500 |
| Domestic and regional flights and transfers | US$500–1,200 |
| Tanzania safari vehicle, guide, and park activities | US$1,200–2,500 |
| Tanzania accommodation and meals | US$900–2,000 |
| Indicative total | US$4,700–8,700 |
These figures are illustrative planning estimates and must be checked against current supplier rates. Peak-season accommodation, premium lodges, and additional flights may increase the total.
International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips, optional activities, and personal expenses may be additional.
What Is Included in the Safari Package?
A customised package can include:
- Airport transfers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Kigali, Rwanda.
- Accommodation for 13 nights.
- Meals specified in the itinerary.
- One Rwanda gorilla trekking permit per eligible traveller.
- Domestic flights between Dar es Salaam and northern Tanzania, where specified.
- Regional flights between Tanzania and Rwanda, where specified.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle and professional driver-guide in Tanzania.
- Serengeti and Ngorongoro game drives.
- Applicable national park entry fees and crater service charges.
- Drinking water during scheduled safari activities.
What Is Excluded?
Items that may be excluded include:
- International flights to Dar es Salaam and from Kigali.
- Visas and travel insurance.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Optional golden monkey trekking and cultural activities.
- Alcoholic drinks and items not covered by accommodation packages.
- Additional flights, transfers, or charges not expressly included in the final quotation.
Always request a written breakdown of inclusions and exclusions before confirming your booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start the Rwanda gorilla and Great Migration safari in Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Dar es Salaam is the starting point for this itinerary. The trip continues by domestic flight to northern Tanzania for the safari before travelling to Rwanda for gorilla trekking.
Can I see the Great Migration in Tanzania?
Yes. Tanzania’s Serengeti hosts the migration for much of the year. The best area to visit depends on the season, with the southern Serengeti particularly important during calving season and the northern Serengeti offering opportunities to observe Mara River crossings.
Can I witness a Mara River crossing from Tanzania?
Yes, you may observe crossings from the northern Serengeti side when the herds are in the area. However, crossings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.
What is the minimum age for Rwanda gorilla trekking?
The standard minimum age for Rwanda gorilla trekking is 15 years. Travellers with younger children should arrange alternative activities for those who do not qualify.
Does the itinerary include flights?
The itinerary requires a domestic flight from Dar es Salaam to northern Tanzania and a regional flight to Rwanda. These flights should be confirmed against actual schedules and included explicitly in the final quotation.
Is this safari suitable for families?
Yes. The itinerary can be customised with family-friendly accommodation, private transport, and age-appropriate activities. Gorilla trekking is subject to minimum-age requirements and the physical demands of forest trekking.
Book Your 14-Day Rwanda Gorilla and Tanzania Great Migration Safari
Discover two of East Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences on one memorable journey, starting in Dar es Salaam and continuing through Tanzania’s northern safari circuit before concluding with mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
From the vast plains of Serengeti National Park to the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater and the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park, this safari combines wildlife photography, primate encounters, cultural experiences, and classic African game drives.
Contact our safari team to customise your 14-day Rwanda gorilla and Tanzania Great Migration safari according to your preferred travel dates, group size, accommodation standard, and budget.
Request your tailor-made safari quotation today and begin planning your East African adventure.