12 Days · 3 Countries

Days 1–2 — Ngorongoro Conservation Area

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Image slotDays 1–2 — Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Signature moment from this route - game drive, camp, or landscape

Tour Overview

A full East Africa primate-and-plains itinerary combining Tanzania's Northern Circuit with gorilla trekking in both Rwanda and Uganda — for travellers with enough time to properly cover all three countries in one trip.

Luxury Highlights

  • Full Northern Circuit coverage: Ngorongoro and Serengeti
  • Gorilla trekking in both Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and Uganda's Bwindi
  • Optional golden monkey and chimpanzee tracking
  • A logically routed single itinerary rather than separate trips stitched together

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Days 1–2

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Arrive at Kilimanjaro and transfer to the Ngorongoro highlands, with a full-day crater floor descent.

Days 3–5

Serengeti National Park

Fly into the Serengeti for three full days of game drives.

Day 6

Fly to Kigali, Rwanda

Connect via Kigali and transfer to the Volcanoes National Park region.

Days 7–8

Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking, with optional golden monkey tracking.

Day 9

Cross to Uganda

Transfer overland or by air to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Days 10–11

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

A second gorilla trek with a different habituated family, plus time to rest between activities.

Day 12

Depart

Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight home.

Accommodation on This Safari

Accommodation is selected from our recommended lodge directory for each region visited, matched to your preferences on privacy, style, and budget tier during planning — see the relevant region and lodge pages for specific property options.

Meals Included

All meals are included throughout the safari portions of this itinerary; specific inclusions for any city or beach nights should be confirmed at booking, as these can vary by property.

Flights & Transfers

This itinerary crosses Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, combining light-aircraft safari transfers with international connecting flights between countries; all internal flights are arranged as part of your itinerary.

Wildlife Expectations

Two separate gorilla treks with different family groups generally offers a meaningfully different experience each time. As with all our itineraries, we do not guarantee specific sightings.

Best Season for This Itinerary

Tanzania portion strongest June–October; Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking workable year-round, with June–September and December–February generally preferred.

Optional Experiences & Add-Ons

Hot air balloon safaris, private guided walks, cultural visits, and helicopter transfers can be added to most legs of this itinerary on request. Internal link: Experiences

Packing Guide

Neutral-toned clothing, layers for early-morning game drives, comfortable closed shoes, and a wide-brimmed hat are recommended across all legs of this itinerary. Internal link: The Tanzania Safari Packing Guide

What's Included / What's Excluded

Included: accommodation, meals as specified, park and conservation fees, private guiding, and internal transfers listed above. Excluded: international flights, visas, travel insurance, gratuities, and optional add-on experiences unless otherwise agreed.

Why Choose This Safari

A full East Africa primate-and-plains itinerary combining Tanzania's Northern Circuit with gorilla trekking in both Rwanda and Uganda — for travellers with enough time to properly cover all three countries in one trip.

Upgrade Options

Extend with a Lake Kivu or Zanzibar close depending on whether you want lake or beach rest time.

FAQs

Can this 12-day itinerary be shortened or extended?
Yes — every itinerary on this page is a starting template; nights per region can be added or reduced based on your available time and interests.
Is this itinerary fully private?
Yes — all game drives and transfers on this itinerary use a private vehicle and guide rather than shared group departures, unless you specifically request a group option.

Enquire About This Safari

Start Planning

Every safari begins with a conversation

Tell us your dates, who's travelling, and what matters most — we'll build a route around it rather than around a template.