Rather than spreading fourteen days across four countries, this itinerary picks just two — Rwanda for its gorillas and golden monkeys, Tanzania for its lions and the Great Migration — and gives each a genuine week, for travellers who’d rather go deep than wide.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Kigali International Airport, then a drive to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Arrive Kigali, Transfer to Kinigi
Accommodation Options
BudgetKinigi Guest House
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through the Virunga volcanoes.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A morning trek through the bamboo zone tracking a troop of golden monkeys.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
An optional hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb at Karisoke, or a visit to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village.
Dian Fossey Hike or Cultural Village Visit
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A drive south through Rwanda’s terraced hills to Nyungwe Forest.
Transfer to Nyungwe Forest
Accommodation Options
BudgetGisakura Guest House
Mid-rangeNyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
LuxuryNyungwe Forest Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A morning chimpanzee trek followed by Nyungwe’s suspended canopy walkway, 70 metres above the forest floor.
Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk, Nyungwe
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A drive back to Kigali, with time for an optional city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Transfer to Kigali
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeUbumwe Grande Hotel
LuxuryKigali Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A flight to Kilimanjaro or Arusha, then a light-aircraft connection to the Serengeti.
Fly to Arusha, Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSerengeti Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryFour Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A full day across the Serengeti’s endless plains for lion, leopard and cheetah.
Full Day Serengeti Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A further day exploring different sectors of the park, tracking prides and following any migration activity in the area.
Second Serengeti Game Drive Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
An additional full day in the Serengeti, with the flexibility to chase specific sightings your guide has tracked.
Third Serengeti Game Drive Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
A drive to the crater rim via the Serengeti’s southern plains.
Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeNgorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryNgorongoro Crater Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13
A full day descended onto the crater floor among lion, elephant and black rhino.
Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14
A transfer to Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person |
| Golden monkey permit | $100 per person |
| Nyungwe chimpanzee permit | $100 per person |
| Serengeti park entry | ~$82 per person per day |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee | ~$70 per person per day, plus crater descent |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers who’d rather commit fully to two countries than skim four — three full game-drive days in the Serengeti alone is genuinely rare on a standard circuit.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Regional flight segment
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- All permits & park entry/crater descent fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Dian Fossey hike permit (if selected)
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance