Rwanda's gorilla trekking and East Africa's savannah answer genuinely different questions.
An intimate hour with a habituated primate family in dense montane forest, versus wide-open plains game viewing across some of the world's greatest wildlife concentrations. Combining the two on a single trip is increasingly how experienced safari travellers structure a longer East Africa journey.
A typical 12–14 day shape
Rwanda leg — 4 to 5 days
Arrival in Kigali, transfer to Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking, and either a Lake Kivu extension or a direct onward connection depending on total trip length — broadly following our Gorilla & Kivu Escape structure.
Regional connection
A flight connecting Kigali to your Tanzania or Kenya gateway — Kilimanjaro or Arusha for a Serengeti itinerary, Nairobi for the Maasai Mara. Regional carriers including RwandAir and Kenya Airways operate routes connecting Kigali with East Africa's main hubs. We confirm current routing and schedules during planning, since frequency changes.
Tanzania or Kenya leg — 7 to 9 days
A classic savannah safari built around the Serengeti's northern or southern circuits (season-dependent, given the wildebeest migration's movement) or Kenya's Maasai Mara, typically combined with the Ngorongoro Crater or Amboseli respectively.
Timing the two calendars
Rwanda's gorilla trekking seasons (best June–September, December–February) and the wildebeest migration's position through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem don't always align perfectly. We plan around whichever priority matters more to you rather than pretending both can always be optimised at once.
Optional additions
- A Ngorongoro Crater extension within the Tanzania leg
- A hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti or Maasai Mara
- Akagera or Nyungwe added to the Rwanda leg
- A Zanzibar beach extension following the safari legs
- Private charter for the regional connection, reducing transit and connection complexity
Visas
Rwanda and either Tanzania or Kenya each require separate visa arrangements. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya — but not Tanzania. Full visa guide →
What's included
Varies by the specific combination built — generally private transfers and guiding within each country, accommodation and full board throughout, the gorilla permit, and game drive and park fees for the savannah leg. Full inclusions confirmed once your combination is finalised.
What's excluded
International and regional connecting flights (quoted separately), travel insurance, visas for each country visited, gratuities, and alcoholic beverages beyond lodge inclusions.