What You Need to Know: This 10-day private trip covers Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in Tanzania, then flies to Kigali for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. It costs from US$6,420 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the US$1,500 gorilla permit.
Is the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek Right for You?
It is the classic first-timer's combination: Tanzania's three best-known parks and Rwanda's gorillas, with one flight between them.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want the crater, the Serengeti and gorillas | You have 9 days: see the 9-day Serengeti and Rwanda safari |
| You prefer Rwanda's short drives | You want chimpanzees too: see the 14-day Tanzania and Rwanda safari |
| You fly home from Kigali | You want the gorillas first: see our 14-day Rwanda and Tanzania safari |
The 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek Route at a Glance
Five nights in Tanzania, then four in Rwanda.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Arusha | Airport transfer, about 1 hour | Arusha |
| 2 | Arusha to Tarangire | Drive 2 hours, game drive | Karatu |
| 3 | Ngorongoro Crater | Crater game drive, about 6 hours | Karatu |
| 4 | Ngorongoro to the Serengeti | Drive 4–5 hours with game viewing | Central Serengeti |
| 5 | Full day in the Serengeti | Full-day game drive | Central Serengeti |
| 6 | Serengeti to Kigali | Two flights, 4–5 hours in total | Kigali |
| 7 | Kigali to Volcanoes National Park | Drive 2.5–3 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 8 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 9 | Golden monkeys and a free afternoon | Golden monkey trek 2–4 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 10 | Return to Kigali and departure | Drive 2.5–3 hours | — |
10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek Itinerary, Day by Day
The Tanzania half follows the northern circuit in the usual order; the Rwanda half is built around the trek on day 8.
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Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, where our driver collects you for the hour's drive to your hotel in Arusha. Your guide comes by in the evening to go through the safari plan and check your documents.
Airport transfer, about 1 hourArushaDinner -
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire
The Tanzania leg opens in Tarangire National Park, about 2 hours from Arusha. You spend the day along the Tarangire River, where elephant herds come to drink beneath giant baobabs in the dry season, and stop for a picnic lunch inside the park.
Drive 2 hours, game driveKaratuBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater
Today you go down 1,970 ft (600 m) to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. Lions, hyenas, buffaloes and zebras are the usual sightings, flamingos gather on the soda lake, and the crater gives you your best chance in Tanzania of a black rhino. Lunch is a picnic at the hippo pool.
Crater game drive, about 6 hoursKaratuBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Ngorongoro to the Serengeti
Cross the crater highlands and drop down to the Serengeti plains at Naabi Hill gate, game driving all the way to your camp in the central Serengeti.
Drive 4–5 hours with game viewingCentral SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Full day in the Serengeti
Your one full Serengeti day, with a picnic lunch out on the plains. Around the Seronera valley your guide looks for lions, leopards and cheetahs; from December to March the day can be spent with the calving herds in the south instead.
Full-day game driveCentral SerengetiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Serengeti to Kigali
After a final game drive, a light aircraft takes you back to Kilimanjaro for the regional flight to Kigali. Your Rwandan driver-guide takes over from here.
Two flights, 4–5 hours in totalKigaliBreakfast, dinner -
Day 7: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Start in Kigali at the Genocide Memorial, then drive about 2.5 hours north-west to Musanze as the Virunga volcanoes come into view. Rest in the afternoon at your lodge near Kinigi, ready for the trek.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
The high point of the Rwanda leg. After the 7:00 ranger briefing at Kinigi, the trail leads through farmland into the bamboo zone to your gorilla family; your hour with them is followed by the walk down and a late lunch.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 9: Golden monkeys and a free afternoon
A lighter day: in the morning, track the fast, playful golden monkeys in the bamboo zone, then rest in the afternoon or visit the Iby'Iwacu cultural village.
Golden monkey trek 2–4 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 10: Return to Kigali and departure
The 2.5-hour drive back to Kigali includes a stop at a craft cooperative and ends at the airport for your flight home.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek
- Tarangire: elephants and baobabs
- Ngorongoro Crater: black rhinos and a crater floor full of game
- Serengeti: big cats and, in season, the migration
- Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas and golden monkeys
How Much Does the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek Cost?
From US$6,420 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Rwanda gorilla permit | US$1,500 |
| Golden monkey permit | US$100 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas
- Flights: the Serengeti–Kilimanjaro light aircraft and the flight to Kigali are quoted with your trip
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Tarangire National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also charged when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
| Serengeti National Park | US$82.60 per person per 24 hours |
| Volcanoes gorilla permit (Rwanda Development Board) | US$1,500 per person, including park entry |
| Golden monkey tracking (RDB) | US$100 per person |
What the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide in each country
- 9 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Rwanda gorilla permit, Golden monkey permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Regional flights between countries (quoted with your trip)
- Visas
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
How the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek Compares with Our Other Trips
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Parks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti and Rwanda | 9 | US$5,938 | Tarangire, Serengeti, Volcanoes |
| Tanzania and Rwanda | 10 | US$6,420 | Tarangire, crater, Serengeti, Volcanoes |
| Tanzania and Rwanda, 14 days | 14 | US$8,498 | Adds Lake Manyara and Nyungwe's chimpanzees |
Add Zanzibar after the safari if you want beach days: see our Zanzibar holidays.
How to Book the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
In Rwanda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.
This page covers what is particular to the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tanzania visa help: the eVisa and our visa application service.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Which comes first, the safari or the gorillas?
The safari, so the gorilla trek is the finale. Our 14-day Rwanda and Tanzania trip runs the other way round.
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
Moderately fit: treks start at about 8,200 ft (2,500 m) and last from under an hour to six hours. Porters help. The minimum age is 15.
How much does the 10-Day Tanzania Safari and Rwanda Gorilla Trek cost?
From US$6,420 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
Ten days gives you Tanzania's best three parks and Rwanda's gorillas without rushing. Book the permit as soon as your dates are set.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.