6-Day Volcanoes & Serengeti Safari
The 6-day Volcanoes and Serengeti safari combines two of East Africa’s most exciting adventures; gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and game drives in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
In Volcanoes National Park, you will trek through the forest to meet the mountain gorillas, while in Serengeti, you will enjoy amazing game drives where you can spot the Big Five animals and watch wildebeests roaming the plains.
Below is your detailed 6-day travel plan.
6-Day Volcanoes & Serengeti Safari Highlights
- Visit Rwanda and Tanzania in one safari.
- Trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
- Spend one hour with gorillas in their natural forest home.
- Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and meet local people.
- Explore Kigali city and visit the Genocide Memorial Centre.
- Fly from Kigali to Tanzania for the next part of your safari.
- Enjoy game drives in Serengeti National Park.
- See lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, and wildebeests.
- Experience sunrise and sunset views in the Serengeti plains.
- Relax in comfortable lodges and enjoy African hospitality.
Brief 6-Day Volcanoes & Serengeti Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Pick up from Kigali city and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking and evening cultural visit
- Day 3: Leave Musanze for Kigali and fly to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Day 4: Pick up from Arusha and travel to Serengeti National Park
- Day 5: Full-day game drive in Serengeti
- Day 6: Morning game drive and return to Arusha
Detailed 6-Day Volcanoes & Serengeti Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali city and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Meet your driver-guide in Kigali and get a short briefing about the safari. Start your day with a short city tour around Kigali, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells the story of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. You may also visit Kimironko Market or nearby craft centers before having an early lunch.
After the city tour, drive to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, located in northwestern Rwanda. The park lies within the Virunga Mountains, known for its mountain gorillas and green hills. Arrive at your lodge, enjoy the peaceful views, and have dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and evening cultural visit
After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a briefing before your gorilla trek. You will be assigned a gorilla family and a ranger guide who will explain the trekking rules and safety guidelines.
Start the trek through the forest to find your assigned gorilla family. The trek can take between 2 and 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located. Once you find them, spend one hour observing and photographing them as they play, feed, and interact.
Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. Later in the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to meet local people and enjoy traditional dances, songs, and crafts. You will also meet former poachers who now support gorilla conservation. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Leave Musanze for Kigali and fly to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Kigali city. You will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport to catch your flight to Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport in Tanzania. Upon arrival, meet your Tanzanian guide who will transfer you to a hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Pick up from Arusha and travel to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your driver-guide and start the journey to Serengeti National Park. The drive takes about 6 hours, passing through beautiful countryside with chances for short photography stops along the way.
Arrive in Serengeti and check in at your camp or lodge. In the evening, go for a short game drive to see animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, and zebras. Enjoy the sunset and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Full-day game drive in Serengeti
After breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive across the Serengeti plains. Carry packed lunch and drinking water for the day. Explore different areas of the park with your guide, watching large herds of buffaloes, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, and giraffes. You may also spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other animals.
Have a short picnic lunch in the Savannah and continue your drive in the afternoon. In the evening, return to your lodge to relax, have dinner, and rest after an adventurous day.
Day 6: Morning game drive and return to Arusha
Start your morning with breakfast and a short game drive to spot animals you might have missed earlier. Enjoy your final views of the Serengeti wildlife before starting the drive back to Arusha, which takes about 6 hours.
On arrival, you will be dropped off at the airport for your departure flight or at your hotel if you plan to stay longer in Arusha.
This marks the end of your 6-day Volcanoes and Serengeti National Park safari.
