16-Day Gorilla Trekking, Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Holiday

There is no better vacation offer than this 16-day Gorillas, Tanzania & Zanzibar Holiday. It is the best, very affordable, and unforgettable chance to explore wildlife, meet your closest relatives, the endangered mountain gorillas, and see natural wonders like the great annual wildebeest migration.

You will track mountain gorillas and hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

You will enjoy game drives, explore the world’s largest unbroken caldera, and spend time with the Maasai people in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

You will also take a Stone Town tour and relax on the beautiful Zanzibar beaches. This 16-Day Rwanda Tanzania safari starts in Rwanda with a Kigali city tour and ends in Tanzania.

16-Day Rwanda Tanzania Safari Highlights

• Track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
• Visit Dian Fossey’s grave and learn about her work
• Enjoy a Kigali city tour and visit the Genocide Memorial
• Take game drives in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
• See Africa’s Big Five animals in their natural homes
• Spend a full day with the Maasai community
• Explore the world’s largest caldera in Ngorongoro Crater
• Fly to Zanzibar for beach relaxation
• Visit Stone Town for history and culture
• Take a spice tour and meet colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest
• Enjoy boat rides, island views, and beach activities
• Start the trip in Rwanda and end in Tanzania

Brief 16-Day Rwanda Tanzania Safari Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival
• Day 2: Kigali city tour and drive to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 3: Gorilla trekking
• Day 4: Dian Fossey hike and twin lakes exploration
• Day 5: Depart Rwanda to Arusha, Tanzania
• Day 6: Arusha city tour and depart to Tarangire National Park
• Day 7: Game drive and transfer to Serengeti National Park
• Day 8: Full day game drives
• Day 9: Full day cultural encounter with the Maasai people
• Day 10: Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Day 11: Game drive and exploring the crater rim
• Day 12: Fly to Zanzibar
• Day 13: Stone Town tour
• Day 14: Morning primate trekking and spice plantation tour
• Day 15: Full day on the beach
• Day 16: Departure

Detailed 16-Day Rwanda Tanzania Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Upon arrival at the airport, our expert guide will meet you and explain the trip ahead. You can ask any questions before driving to the lodge for refreshments, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 2: Kigali City Tour & Drive to Volcanoes National Park

After a cup of coffee at the lodge, your driver-guide will take you on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

First, enjoy a Kigali city tour, visiting busy streets, markets for souvenirs, and the Genocide Memorial site to pay tribute to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 ethnic conflict.

After lunch in the city, you will drive 2-3 hours to Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga ranges. Dinner and rest will end the day.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking

At around 6:00 AM, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing by park rangers. You will be registered, given rules, and assigned to a gorilla family after watching documentaries.

The trek lasts 1 to 5 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Spend one hour observing and taking photos of the gorillas.

Return to the lodge for lunch, with an optional cultural visit in the afternoon, followed by dinner and rest.

Day 4: Dian Fossey Hike & Twin Lakes Exploration

After breakfast, visit the grave of Dian Fossey, the zoologist who dedicated her life to protecting gorillas. On the way, you will see mammals, primates, and rare trees.

Learn about gorillas’ social life, body, and habits. After lunch, visit the Twin Lakes for photography, canoeing, and refreshment. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Depart Rwanda to Arusha, Tanzania

After breakfast, fly to Arusha, Tanzania. Meet our representative on arrival, enjoy juice, then transfer to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 6: Arusha City Tour & Depart to Tarangire National Park

Start with a hearty breakfast, then tour Arusha city including the museum and markets. Exchange money if needed.

Drive 4-5 hours to Tarangire National Park through rolling hills and lush landscapes. Check into the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 7: Game Drive & Transfer to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Tarangire to see buffaloes, lions, leopards, warthogs, and antelopes. Birds and scenery add to the experience.

After lunch, transfer to Serengeti National Park, watching wildlife along the way. Check into the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 8: Full Day Game Drives

Start early to catch wildlife in action. Expect to see lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, warthogs, gazelles, zebras, wildebeests, and more.

Enjoy a bush breakfast and picnic lunch. End with a sunset drive back to the lodge.

Day 9: Cultural Encounter with the Maasai People

Spend the day with the Maasai warriors, known for their unique dress and brave character. Visit their homes, learn about their tools like spears and shields, and enjoy stories, songs, and dances.

Guests can join in meals and activities and support the community before returning to the lodge at sunset.

Day 10: Drive to Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, check out and drive to Ngorongoro Crater with a game drive on the way. Stop at Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site.

Enter the park and drive to your lodge for rest, dinner, and overnight.

Day 11: Game Drive & Exploring the Crater Rim

Spend 3-5 hours on a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, home to the highest number of large mammals.

Look for Africa’s Big Five: rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and lions, plus giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and many birds.

Enjoy a picnic lunch and hike along the crater rim. End with a sunset drive back to the lodge.

Day 12: Fly to Zanzibar

After breakfast and an optional nature walk, transfer to the airport and fly to Zanzibar.

Meet our representative on arrival and transfer to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 13: Stone Town Tour

After coffee, explore Stone Town, with its mix of Arab, African, and British history. Visit markets, the Wonder House, Dr. Livingstone’s house, and old slave market cathedrals.

Have lunch in town, then return to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 14: Morning Primate Trekking & Spice Plantation Tour

After breakfast, visit Jozani Chwaka Forest, the only national park in Zanzibar, home to the rare Zanzibar colobus monkeys.

Spend 1-5 hours trekking and spotting other animals. After lunch, visit spice plantations to see and taste nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and more. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 15: Beach Day

Enjoy a full day on the white sand beaches with cool breezes and calm waters.

Take part in activities like swimming, photography, and boat cruises. Lunch and dinner will be served at the beach or lodge.

Day 16: Departure

After a relaxed breakfast, say goodbye to new friends and transfer to the airport for your flight home or next destination.

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