Tour Over View For 8 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari
Experience the ultimate East African wildlife adventure on this 8 days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari that combines double gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda with a classic Serengeti safari in Tanzania. This tour is designed for travelers seeking immersive wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences.
Your journey begins in Kigali, Rwanda, where you’ll be transferred directly to the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. Here, you’ll embark on your first gorilla trekking adventure, observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Bwindi’s dense forest offers a magical backdrop, making your encounter truly unforgettable.
Next, travel back into Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for a second gorilla trekking experience. Explore the misty volcanic slopes and spend precious moments with another gorilla family. Optional golden monkey trekking or cultural visits to local villages provide additional insight into Rwanda’s unique wildlife and traditions.
The safari then moves to Tanzania, entering the iconic Serengeti National Park. Spend full days on game drives across the endless savannahs, spotting lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and wildebeest. Optional visits to the Ngorongoro Highlands offer breathtaking crater views and additional wildlife sightings.
Throughout the journey, enjoy comfortable lodges and tented camps, authentic local cuisine, and guidance from experienced safari and trekking guides. This itinerary ensures a perfect balance of adventure, wildlife encounters, and relaxation, leaving you with memories to last a lifetime.
Tour Highlights For 8 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Kigali – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi
Day 3: Transfer – Volcanoes National Park
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes
Day 5: Transfer – Serengeti National Park
Day 6: Serengeti Safari
Day 7: Serengeti / Ngorongoro Highlands
Day 8: Departure – Kilimanjaro / Arusha
Detailed Itinerary For 8 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Your unforgettable 8 days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari safari begins upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by your professional guide. After a brief orientation and safari briefing, you will begin your journey northwest towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, home to the famous mountain gorillas.
The drive from Kigali to Bwindi is scenic and picturesque, taking you through rolling hills, verdant tea and coffee plantations, and charming rural villages where locals go about their daily life. Along the way, you will have opportunities to stop for photos, stretch your legs, and enjoy the changing landscapes as you cross the Rwanda-Uganda border.
As you approach Bwindi, the terrain becomes more lush and forested, giving a sense of anticipation for the wildlife experiences ahead. Check in at your carefully selected lodge, nestled close to the forest edge, offering comfortable accommodations and spectacular views of the surrounding greenery.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge and take in the serene forest environment. This is the perfect time to relax, reflect on the day’s journey, and prepare for your first gorilla trekking adventure the next morning. Your guide will go over the details of the trek, ensuring you are ready for one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in the world.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Wake up early to the sounds of the forest and enjoy a hearty breakfast at your lodge. Today is the highlight of your safari: gorilla trekking in the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
After a briefing from your experienced guides and trackers at the park headquarters, you will set off into the dense, mist-covered forest. The trek can vary in length depending on the gorillas’ location, ranging from 2 to 6 hours, but every step is an adventure through lush greenery, giant ferns, towering trees, and unique flora. Your guide will point out smaller wildlife and bird species along the way, offering insights into the forest ecosystem.
Finally, the moment arrives: encountering a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Spend up to one hour observing these gentle giants, capturing incredible photographs while marveling at their intelligence and social behaviors. The experience is truly humbling and unforgettable.
After the trek, return to your lodge for a well-deserved lunch. The afternoon can be spent relaxing, enjoying the forest surroundings, or participating in a local community visit to learn about Ugandan village life and conservation efforts.
In the evening, share stories of your gorilla encounter over dinner at the lodge, reflecting on the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing these endangered primates up close.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
After breakfast at your lodge near Bwindi, you will begin your journey back toward Rwanda, heading to the renowned Volcanoes National Park. The drive takes you through the scenic border region, offering views of rolling hills, terraced farms, and traditional villages that reflect the rich culture of both Uganda and Rwanda.
Crossing the Uganda-Rwanda border, your guide will assist with customs and immigration formalities before continuing to the park. As you approach Volcanoes National Park, the landscape changes dramatically—the terrain becomes dominated by misty volcanic slopes, dense forests, and rugged peaks that form the backdrop of Rwanda’s iconic gorilla habitat.
Upon arrival at your lodge near the park, you will check in and have time to relax. The evening provides an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular mountain views, take a short nature walk, or simply unwind before your second gorilla trekking experience the next day. Dinner is served at the lodge, offering a taste of local and international cuisine while you prepare for the adventure ahead.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Start your day early with a nutritious breakfast at your lodge, fueling up for another gorilla trekking adventure. Today, you will trek in Volcanoes National Park, a misty mountainous region known for its breathtaking scenery and thriving gorilla populations.
At the park headquarters, your expert guides will brief you on safety, trekking etiquette, and what to expect during the encounter with the gorillas. You will then set off along forest trails that wind through dense bamboo thickets, moss-covered trees, and lush vegetation, accompanied by the calls of birds and distant wildlife. The trek duration can vary, usually between 2 to 5 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family.
Upon finding your assigned gorilla group, you’ll spend up to one hour observing these magnificent primates, witnessing their social interactions, playful antics, and powerful presence in the wild. Your guide will provide insights into their behavior, conservation efforts, and the challenges facing these endangered animals.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and some well-earned relaxation. In the afternoon, you may opt for a golden monkey trekking experience, a short nature walk, or a cultural visit to a nearby community to learn about local Rwandan life.
As evening falls, enjoy dinner at the lodge, reflecting on your unforgettable gorilla encounters in both Uganda and Rwanda.
Day 5: Transfer to Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
After an early breakfast at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park, you will begin your journey to Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park. Depending on your arrangement, you may travel by scenic overland drive or take a short regional flight, crossing beautiful landscapes and international borders.
If traveling by road, you’ll pass through rolling hills, farmland, and small towns, witnessing rural East African life along the way. The changing scenery gradually transforms as you enter Tanzania, from lush volcanic slopes to the expansive plains of the Serengeti, setting the stage for the next chapter of your wildlife adventure.
Upon arrival in the Serengeti, check in at your selected lodge or luxury tented camp. After settling in, embark on your first afternoon game drive, where you can start spotting the park’s abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest roaming across the savannah.
As the sun sets over the golden plains, return to your lodge or camp for dinner. Enjoy the sounds of the wild as you relax and prepare for a full day of game drives tomorrow.
Day 6: Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Wake up early to the sounds of the African savannah and enjoy a hearty breakfast at your lodge or camp. Today is dedicated to a full-day safari in Serengeti National Park, one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations.
Set out in your safari vehicle accompanied by your experienced guide, who will take you through the park’s diverse habitats, from open grasslands to acacia-dotted plains. Spend the day tracking and observing wildlife, including lions lounging under the trees, cheetahs stealthily hunting, elephants moving in herds, giraffes grazing on treetops, and vast herds of wildebeest and zebras migrating across the plains.
During the day, enjoy picnic lunches in the park or at scenic viewpoints, while taking in the breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti. Your guide will provide insights into animal behavior, ecosystem dynamics, and conservation efforts.
In the afternoon, continue game drives, exploring new areas of the park and seeking out additional wildlife encounters, including hyenas, hippos, and rare bird species. Don’t miss the golden Serengeti sunset, perfect for photography and reflecting on the grandeur of the African wilderness.
Return to your lodge or camp in the evening for dinner, sharing stories of the day’s sightings and enjoying the peaceful ambiance of the Serengeti under the starlit sky.
Day 6: Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Wake up early to the sounds of the African savannah and enjoy a hearty breakfast at your lodge or camp. Today is dedicated to a full-day safari in Serengeti National Park, one of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations.
Set out in your safari vehicle accompanied by your experienced guide, who will take you through the park’s diverse habitats, from open grasslands to acacia-dotted plains. Spend the day tracking and observing wildlife, including lions lounging under the trees, cheetahs stealthily hunting, elephants moving in herds, giraffes grazing on treetops, and vast herds of wildebeest and zebras migrating across the plains.
During the day, enjoy picnic lunches in the park or at scenic viewpoints, while taking in the breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti. Your guide will provide insights into animal behavior, ecosystem dynamics, and conservation efforts.
In the afternoon, continue game drives, exploring new areas of the park and seeking out additional wildlife encounters, including hyenas, hippos, and rare bird species. Don’t miss the golden Serengeti sunset, perfect for photography and reflecting on the grandeur of the African wilderness.
Return to your lodge or camp in the evening for dinner, sharing stories of the day’s sightings and enjoying the peaceful ambiance of the Serengeti under the starlit sky.
Day 7: Serengeti Safari – Optional Ngorongoro Highlands
Begin your day with an early breakfast at your lodge or tented camp in the Serengeti National Park, preparing for another exciting day of wildlife exploration. Today offers the opportunity to enjoy a morning game drive in the Serengeti, allowing you to spot any animals you may have missed the previous day, from majestic lions and leopards to playful warthogs and elegant giraffes.
After the morning safari, begin your scenic transfer to the Ngorongoro Highlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, marvel at the rolling hills, Maasai villages, and sweeping plains that characterize northern Tanzania.
Upon arrival near Ngorongoro, check in at your lodge and take in the panoramic views of the highlands. Depending on your schedule and energy levels, you may have the option to visit the crater rim for spectacular viewpoints or simply relax at the lodge, enjoying the serene environment and the cool highland climate.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge, reflecting on the unforgettable wildlife encounters and the diversity of landscapes you’ve experienced—from the misty forests of Bwindi and Volcanoes to the vast savannahs of the Serengeti and the highland vistas of Ngorongoro.
Day 8: Departure – Kilimanjaro / Arusha Airport
Wake up early and enjoy a final breakfast at your lodge near the Ngorongoro Highlands or Serengeti, taking in the serene morning views and reflecting on your extraordinary East African adventure.
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, depending on your departure arrangements. Along the way, enjoy the scenic landscapes one last time, passing rolling hills, farmland, and savannah plains.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be assisted with check-in and any final travel preparations. Take a moment to cherish the memories of double gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, thrilling game drives in the Serengeti, and the stunning natural beauty of the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Depart for your onward flight, taking with you a lifetime of unforgettable wildlife encounters and cultural experiences from East Africa.