15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari

The 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari is the pinnacle of East African luxury travel, combining Rwanda’s lush highlands, Tanzania’s vast savannahs, and exclusive wildlife reserves. This itinerary is designed for travelers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with encounters ranging from critically endangered mountain gorillas to the Big Five and the grandeur of the Serengeti migration. It also incorporates luxury accommodations, opulent eco-lodges, and personalized experiences that elevate this safari beyond the ordinary.

The 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari journey begins in Kigali, Rwanda, where the city’s warmth, culture, and resilience set the stage for your adventure. From Kigali, you travel to the Volcanoes National Park, where dense forests, volcanic slopes, and thriving ecosystems harbor the majestic mountain gorillas. Trekking through these forests under the guidance of expert rangers, you witness silverbacks, playful juveniles, and mothers nurturing infants a life-changing encounter with one of the world’s most endangered species. The trek is immersive, challenging, and profoundly rewarding, leaving travelers with memories that last a lifetime.

Transition from Gorilla Trekking to Tanzania Endless Plains

After Rwanda, the safari moves into Tanzania, a country renowned for its legendary wildlife safaris. The Serengeti National Park offers endless plains, dramatic skies, and some of Africa’s most iconic animals. Here, travelers experience morning and afternoon game drives, bush walks, and, if timed correctly, the Great Wildebeest Migration. For the adventurous, a hot air balloon safari provides unparalleled aerial views of the migration and predator-prey dynamics, a visual spectacle only East Africa can provide.

Next, the 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari journey continues to the Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcanic caldera with dense wildlife populations. Descending into the crater is akin to stepping into a National Geographic documentary. Here, you witness black rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and flamingos amidst dramatic scenery. This ecosystem offers intense wildlife viewing in a condensed area, ideal for photography, observation, and immersive learning.

Finally, the 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari culminates at the Grumeti Private Reserve in Tanzania’s western corridor and ends with exclusive luxury lodges, complete with spa treatments, private suites, and guided walking safaris. Travelers leave with not only extraordinary wildlife encounters but also an understanding of conservation efforts, local community involvement, and ecological stewardship. This itinerary masterfully blends adventure, education, luxury, and cultural immersion, making it the ultimate East African safari experience.

Detailed 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari

Days 1–2: Arrival at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda

Your 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari begins upon landing at Kigali International Airport, where a professional representative from Deks Safaris & Tours greets you and assists with customs clearance. From here, a scenic 20-minute drive takes you to The Retreat, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel offering five-star amenities such as a heated saltwater pool, jacuzzi, outdoor fitness area, and spa services. This serene setting is ideal for recovering from international travel and preparing for your East African adventure.

During your stay in Kigali, take a guided city tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This memorial provides a poignant reflection on Rwanda’s tragic history and showcases the nation’s remarkable journey toward reconciliation and unity. A visit to the memorial allows you to understand Rwanda’s resilience and the role of community-driven healing in rebuilding the nation. Following this, enjoy lunch at one of Rwanda’s oldest hotels, the Hotel des Mille Collines, famously known for its role during the genocide, offering both history and comfort in its architecture and service.

In the evening, indulge in Rwandan fusion cuisine at one of Kigali’s top restaurants, where farm-to-table dining and local ingredients create a memorable culinary experience. The day concludes with a restful night at your boutique hotel, preparing you for the heart of your 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari adventure in Volcanoes National Park.

Included Activities:

Guided Kigali city tour
Visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial
Lunch at Hotel des Mille Collines
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines

Days 3–5: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Following breakfast, your private vehicle escorts you to Ruhengeri, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Nestled in the lush Virunga mountains, Volcanoes National Park is renowned for its critically endangered mountain gorillas. Your luxury accommodation at Singita Kwitonda Lodge provides an intimate and eco-conscious base, offering opulent suites with panoramic views of the forested slopes. The lodge emphasizes sustainability, combining luxury with environmental stewardship, making it a perfect complement to your 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari adventure.

Your days here are devoted to gorilla trekking, a rigorous yet exhilarating experience. Early mornings are spent in briefings with experienced rangers who guide you through dense bamboo forests in search of gorilla families. Trackers scout ahead, following subtle signs such as broken branches and footprints, ensuring that the encounter is both safe and immersive. Upon locating a gorilla family, you spend an hour observing their natural behavior. The silverback exudes quiet authority, juveniles engage in playful antics, and mothers nurture their infants a remarkable display of family dynamics in the wild.

Beyond gorilla trekking, you can also participate in community walks and reforestation initiatives, visiting local villages to learn about Rwanda’s conservation efforts and cultural heritage. Lunch and dinner at the lodge feature farm-to-table cuisine, emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Afternoons allow for relaxation on the lodge terraces, watching the mist roll over the volcanoes, or indulging in spa treatments that soothe muscles after trekking. These days in Volcanoes National Park are an exquisite blend of adventure, nature, and luxury.

Included Activities:

Gorilla trekking excursions
Visit to local villages and conservation projects
On-site lodge activities (guided walks, spa services)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Singita Kwitonda Lodge

Days 6–7: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport & Arusha Coffee Lodge

After your unforgettable gorilla encounters, the 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari continues to Tanzania. You return to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport, where you are welcomed by a Deks Safaris & Tours representative. A short drive takes you to Arusha Coffee Lodge, an elegant retreat nestled on a working coffee plantation. The lodge blends colonial charm with modern luxury, providing a serene environment with gardens, private verandas, and artisanal spa treatments.

During your stay, enjoy a half-day guided tour of Arusha, exploring the city’s vibrant markets, cultural sites, and colonial architecture. A private guided walk through the coffee plantation reveals the intricate process of cultivating, harvesting, and roasting coffee beans a centuries-old tradition that has shaped local culture and economy. Evenings at the lodge are leisurely, offering an opportunity to savor gourmet meals featuring fresh, regional ingredients, and unwind with spa therapies or a cocktail while enjoying the views of Mount Meru.

These two days provide a luxurious interlude, balancing the physically demanding gorilla trekking with relaxation and cultural immersion, preparing you for the intense safari adventures ahead in Tanzania’s premier wildlife reserves.

Included Activities:

Guided tour of Arusha city
Coffee plantation visit with detailed demonstration
Spa and relaxation services at Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge

Days 8–9: Serengeti National Park & Hot Air Balloon Safari

Early on Day 8, a scenic drive with views of Mount Meru takes you to the local airstrip in Arusha, from where a light aircraft departs for Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti National Park. Upon arrival, you are escorted to One Nature Nyaruswiga Lodge, an eco-luxury camp with 14 tented suites strategically placed for privacy, panoramic views, and immediate access to wildlife-rich areas. Each suite features private terraces, freestanding copper bathtubs, and elegant furnishings that harmonize with the savannah environment.

In the Serengeti, morning and afternoon game drives maximize wildlife sightings, offering encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most spectacular natural events on Earth.

Evenings feature private bush dining and stargazing from the observation deck, creating unforgettable moments under the African sky. Additional activities include guided bush walks, local Maasai village visits, and conservation discussions, providing a deeper understanding of the Serengeti’s ecology and cultural context.

Accommodation: One Nature Nyaruswiga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 10–11: Ngorongoro Crater – A Natural Amphitheater

Departing the Serengeti, a light aircraft flight brings you to the Lake Manyara airstrip and onward to andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, perched on the rim of the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater. The lodge features exclusive accommodations, each with private living and dining spaces overlooking the crater.

Descend to the crater floor for two full-day wildlife drives, observing elephants, lions, black rhinos, buffalo, and flamingos in their compact ecosystem. Guided tours provide educational insights into species behavior, predator-prey dynamics, and conservation initiatives. Visits to Maasai settlements and the Hadzabe bushmen enhance cultural understanding, creating a holistic 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari experience that combines wildlife observation with cultural immersion.

Accommodation: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 12–14: Grumeti Private Reserve – Exclusive Luxury Safari

Your 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari journey continues to the Grumeti Private Reserve in the western corridor of the Serengeti. At Singita Faru Faru Lodge, you enjoy eight private suites with sweeping views of the Grumeti River. This sanctuary allows for day and night game drives, walking safaris, and exclusive bush experiences in one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich areas.

Guests may observe predators hunting at dusk, elephants bathing in the river, and large herds congregating at waterholes. Singita’s conservation initiatives ensure that your safari experience is both ethical and impactful. Evenings offer private dining under the stars, indulgence at the spa, and intimate cultural encounters with local communities.

Accommodation: Singita Faru Faru Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Departure

On the final day of 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari, you are transferred to Singita Sasakwa Airstrip, flying to Arusha and onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international departure. This marks the conclusion of a luxury 15 Days Gorillas and Tanzania Safari, leaving travelers with unforgettable memories of gorilla encounters, Big Five safaris, cultural immersion, and world-class luxury.

Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safari