In this guide
A Tanzania safari gives you the big plains: the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the great herds. Rwanda gives you something completely different: an hour face to face with a mountain gorilla family in the bamboo forests of the Virunga volcanoes. Put the two together and you get one of the most complete wildlife trips in Africa, with both trips run by one team.
This guide covers how the two countries fit together, how long you need, a sample route, and the practical points (permits, visas and flights) worth sorting out early.
Why combine Tanzania and Rwanda?
- Two very different experiences. Open-vehicle game drives across savannah in Tanzania, then a guided trek on foot through mountain forest in Rwanda.
- Short distances. Kigali is a few hours from northern Tanzania by air, so moving between the two takes only part of a day.
- Something for every pace. Tanzania is about long, rewarding days in the vehicle. Rwanda is compact, green and easy to get around, with great food and culture in Kigali.
- Mountain gorillas live in only a few places on earth. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is one of the most accessible, about two and a half to three hours by road from Kigali.
How many days do you need?
We suggest 10 to 12 days in total: six or seven days on safari in northern Tanzania and three to four days in Rwanda. With less time (8 or 9 days) you can still do it, with a shorter safari focused on Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the central Serengeti. With more time, add Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzees or Akagera National Park for a savannah safari in Rwanda, or finish with a few days on Zanzibar (see our guide to combining a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday).
A sample 11-day Tanzania and Rwanda itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
Our team meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drives you to your lodge in Arusha to rest and get a full briefing.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Big elephant herds, baobab trees and a quiet first day of game drives.
Days 3 to 5: Serengeti National Park
Three days in the Serengeti, following the season: the southern plains around Ndutu for calving from about January to February, the central Seronera area all year round, and the north for the river crossings from about July to October.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
A full morning on the crater floor, one of the best places in Tanzania to look for black rhino, then on to Karatu.
Day 7: Fly to Kigali
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kigali. In the afternoon, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving and important introduction to the country.
Day 8: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Morning in Kigali (markets, coffee, art galleries), then drive north to Musanze in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking
An early start at the park headquarters at Kinigi, where rangers assign you to a gorilla family. Treks can take from under an hour to several hours depending on where the family is that day. Once you find them, you spend one hour with the gorillas.
Day 10: Golden monkeys or the Dian Fossey hike
Track the playful golden monkeys (a separate, much cheaper permit) or hike to the grave of Dian Fossey at Karisoke. Return to Kigali in the afternoon.
Day 11: Departure
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.
Prefer to see the gorillas first? The trip works just as well the other way round, starting in Kigali and ending on safari in Tanzania.
Gorilla permits: book these first
Gorilla permits in Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). At the time of writing (October 2026) a permit costs USD 1,500 per person for international visitors. Each gorilla family receives a small group of no more than eight visitors a day, and trekkers must be at least 15 years old.
Because numbers are so limited, permits for the busy months (June to September and December to February) can sell out months ahead. We build the rest of your trip around your permit date, so secure the permit first and then confirm flights and lodges.
Getting between Tanzania and Rwanda
There is currently no regular nonstop flight from Kilimanjaro to Kigali. Most routings connect through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. Flying is the only sensible option on a holiday, since the road journey takes days. We check the current schedules when we prepare your quote and plan the safari days around the best connection.
Visas and entry
- Tanzania: most nationalities pay USD 50 for a single-entry tourist visa, and US citizens pay USD 100 for a multiple-entry visa. You can apply online on the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal (visa.immigration.go.tz) or get the visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport.
- Rwanda: visitors can apply in advance online or get a visa on arrival. Check the current rules for your nationality before you travel.
- East Africa Tourist Visa: this joint visa covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda but not Tanzania, so you will still need a separate Tanzania visa.
Entry rules change, so we send every guest an up-to-date checklist with their booking. Please also check the official government websites before you fly.
Best time to go
The long dry seasons (roughly June to October, and December to February) are the most popular for both countries: trails in the Virungas are less muddy and game viewing in Tanzania is excellent. Gorilla trekking runs all year, and the rainy months can mean fewer visitors and lush green scenery. In Tanzania, match your Serengeti days to where the herds are in your month of travel.
What to pack for the gorilla trek
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip, and long trousers you can tuck into your socks
- Gardening or light gloves for grabbing vegetation on steep slopes
- A light rain jacket and a warm layer (it can be cold in the morning at altitude)
- Water, snacks and a camera without flash (flash photography is not allowed)
For the safari part of the trip, our Tanzania safari packing list covers the rest.
Porters are available at the trailhead for a small fee. Hiring one helps the local community and makes the climb much easier.
Plan your Tanzania and Rwanda trip with Asoupe Travel
We are based in Arusha and work with trusted partners in Rwanda, so one team looks after your whole journey: the safari, the flights, the gorilla permits and every transfer in between. Tell us your dates and we will send you a tailor-made plan and a clear price.
Want a plan for your own dates?
Tell us your month, who is travelling and what you want to see. We’ll send a free, no-obligation safari plan.
