Tanzania & Rwanda’s Wildlife Wonders
From the Plains to the Peaks
This East African safari blends Tanzania’s sweeping savannas with Rwanda’s mist‑shrouded Virunga Mountains. Spot the Big Five across the Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater, then embark on a once‑in‑a‑lifetime gorilla trekking experience with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Itinerary
Days of Adventure
DAY 1
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania
Your guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport via your Delta/KLM flight and escort you to tonight’s accommodations in Arusha.
As local Tanzanians, your guides know the country with unrivaled familiarity, so you’ll be in good hands from the moment you land. Settle in, relax and prepare for the adventures ahead.
OVERNIGHT
Gran Melia Arusha
Set on a landscaped coffee and tea plantation, the Gran Meliá is an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city of Arusha. Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Meru, heated outdoor pool, gym and spa services and a private, furnished outdoor balcony.
DAYS 2–3
Eastern Serengeti Nature Refuge
Take a short, scenic flight to the Eastern Serengeti Nature Refuge, a private 10,000-acre sanctuary exclusively for Thomson guests. Home to abundant wildlife, many of which visit the camp’s watering hole, the refuge offers an intimate introduction to Tanzania’s wilderness.
Walk through the refuge by day and venture out on a night drive after dark for up-close encounters with wildlife. You’ll also connect with the local Maasai community, visit markets run by the Enjipai Women’s Group, and hear traditional stories from Maasai storytellers.
The experience brings together immersive wildlife viewing, meaningful cultural exchange and a rare sense of connection to this pristine landscape.
OVERNIGHT
Eastern Serengeti Nyumba
Wake up to the sweeping views of the Eastern Serengeti ecosystem’s remote savanna. After a day of adventure, you’ll appreciate the comforts of the camp—and a hot shower in your en suite bathroom. Enjoy a hearty dinner prepared fresh from local ingredients, and discuss the day’s excitement with your fellow travelers and attentive staff.
DAYS 4–6
Serengeti National Park
Head for the iconic Serengeti, where acacia trees and granite kopjes rise from seas of waving grass. This legendary landscape is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, from lions and cheetahs to elephants, giraffes and thousands of wildebeest and zebras.
Each day brings a new reason to venture out, whether you’re tracking a pride of lions, watching elephants move across the plains or encountering enormous herds on the move. The Great Migration adds another layer of drama throughout the year, as wildebeest and zebras gather, calve, cross rivers and continue their remarkable journey across the Serengeti.
OVERNIGHT
Serengeti Nyumbas
These seasonal camps are strategically located across the Serengeti to place you at the center of migrating wildlife. Relax with spacious tents, comfortable beds and en suite bathrooms, as sounds of the surrounding wildlife fill your ears. And no need to worry—with eco-friendly features like solar lighting, your stay won’t harm the landscape.
DAYS 7–9
Ngorongoro Crater & Highlands
Another short flight takes you to the Ngorongoro area, where the landscape shifts from open savanna to lush, rolling highlands. Descend into the 10-mile-wide Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano and self-contained ecosystem renowned for its remarkable concentration of wildlife. With some luck, you may even spot the Big Five, all in a single day.
Then trade the Crater’s wildlife-filled floor for the peaceful gardens of Gibb’s Farm — recently named Travel + Leisure’s Best Safari Lodges in Africa — where farm-to-table meals, beautiful cottages and the rhythms of rural Tanzania offer a memorable change of pace.
OVERNIGHT
Gibb’s Farm
Fresh food, fresh air and fresh perspectives abound at Gibb’s Farm (a three-time Travel + Leisure Top Safari Lodge in Africa). After full days of exploration, relax in your eco-friendly cottage, set amidst the farm’s lush gardens. Enjoy an outdoor shower, in-room spa treatment, farm-to-table dining, and learn about local culture from the attentive staff.
DAY 10
Kigali, Rwanda
After your safari adventure in Tanzania, a short flight brings you to Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital.
Set among rolling hills, Kigali offers a thoughtful introduction to the country’s history, culture and remarkable transformation. Visit the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, explore colorful markets or sample the city’s thriving culinary scene before continuing north toward the misty mountains and extraordinary wildlife experiences ahead.
OVERNIGHT
Kigali Serenea
Set in the heart of Kigali, Serena Hotel offers a tranquil retreat with elegant rooms, lush gardens, and a serene pool area. This upscale hotel features Rwandan-inspired decor, excellent dining, and warm hospitality. It’s the perfect base for exploring the city, including the nearby Kigali Genocide Memorial and local markets.
DAYS 11–13
Volcanoes National PArk
Journey into the lush foothills of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains, where mist-shrouded forests and towering volcanic peaks provide the setting for one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Set out on foot through the ancient forest in search of endangered mountain gorillas, following your expert guide along rugged mountain trails. Spending time quietly observing a gorilla family in its natural habitat is a rare and deeply moving experience — one that stays with you long after you leave the forest.
OVERNIGHT
Virunga Lodge
Perched high on a ridge with sweeping views of the Virunga Volcanoes and twin lakes, Virunga Lodge is one of Rwanda’s most iconic eco-lodges. Combining rustic charm with modern comfort, it offers warm hospitality, spacious cottages, and stunning scenery at every turn. It’s the perfect base for gorilla trekking and immersing yourself in the natural beauty and culture of the region.
DAY 14
Depart Kigali
Head back to Kigali and relax in a day room at Kigali Serena before your flight home.
As you make your way home, you’ll have traveled from the sweeping savannas of Tanzania to the volcanic mountains of Rwanda — and experienced two of East Africa’s most remarkable wildlife encounters along the way.
Add-On
Fly over the Serengeti
Prepare for Takeoff
Enjoy a bird’s eye view, a hearty breakfast and a glass of champagne during a morning hot air balloon tour. Your entire trip will be unforgettable, but this will bring it to new heights.
Call for current pricing. Advanced reservations required.
learn more about the Savannas & Silverbacks Safari
Call us or complete the form below to connect with a safari consultant to learn more about this itinerary.
Trip Extensions
Enhance Your Safari
Zanzibar
From $2,500 per person
Zanzibar invites you to turquoise waters, white sands, and vibrant culture. Explore Stone Town’s lively markets, unwind on serene beaches, and uncover the island’s rich history.
Zanzibar
Indulge in Relaxation
Snorkel or dive in the clear Indian Ocean, or sunbathe on the white-sand beaches. Explore bustling markets in Stone Town and visit historic slave and spice trade sites.
Recommended Stay: 5 days, including 3 nights on the beach and 1 night in iconic Stone Town
From: $2,500 per person
Cape Town
Call for current pricing.
With Table Mountain as its backdrop, Cape Town offers stunning vineyards, fine dining, penguin sightings at Boulders Beach, and a visit to historic Robben Island. This vibrant city is sure to inspire.
Cape Town
Vineyards, Views and Fine Dining
Table Mountain National Park provides the dramatic backdrop to this vibrant, colorful city. Explore South Africa’s best vineyards, enjoy fine dining in town, observe penguins at the famous Boulders Beach, and visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela’s — and South Africa’s — struggles echo poignantly. A visit to Cape Town is sure to inspire and delight.
Ruaha National Park
From: $4,500 per person
Journey to the remote Ruaha National Park, a hidden gem in East Africa. Track elusive wildlife by day and enjoy torch-lit dinners by the river at night.
Ruaha National Park
Track African Wildlife
Fly to the remote wilderness of Ruaha National Park, one of the least explored parks in East Africa, where tracking is as much an art form as a practical pursuit. Explore uncharted territory by day, spotting leopard, cheetah and wild dog, and savor torch-lit dinners on the banks of the river by night.
Recommended Stay: 4–5 days
From: $4,500 per person
Nyerere National Park
From: $5,500 per person
Explore the Rufiji River’s wildlife by boat, and on foot. Spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and rare species like Greater Kudu on the plains.
Nyerere National Park
Traverse Vast Wilderness
Take a scenic flight to one of Africa’s largest national parks (formerly Selous Game Reserve), where you’ll view the Rufiji River’s wildlife. Travel by 4-wheel drive, boat and foot and spot elephants, hippos, and crocodiles in the riverine environment, while rare species like Greater Kudu can be spotted on the plains.
Recommended Stay: 4 days
From: $5,500 per person
Mahale Mtn. National Park
From: $6,500 per person
Fly to Lake Tanganyika’s shores and take a boat to your secluded camp. Hike the Mahale Mountains to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Mahale Mtn. National Park
Encounter Playful Chimps
Fly to the shores of Lake Tanganyika, along the westernmost border of Tanzania, and take a short boat ride to your exclusive camp, a luxurious hideaway tucked along the shore. Hike the misty slopes of the Mahale Mountains in search of free-roaming chimpanzees, grooming, feeding and playing.
Recommended Stay: 4 to 5 days
From: $6,500 per person
