6-Day Serengeti & Gorilla Safari

6-Day Serengeti & Gorilla Safari

6-Day Serengeti & Gorilla Safari. This 6-day Serengeti Safari and Gorilla Trekking adventure combines two of Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences into one seamless journey. With Wild Planet Safaris, you will track mountain gorillas in Rwanda and explore the legendary plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Few travelers experience both the Great Migration ecosystem and a face-to-face encounter with mountain gorillas in a single trip — but this itinerary makes it possible.

During this safari, you will encounter six of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife species: mountain gorillas, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes. By the end of the journey, you will have explored two countries, multiple ecosystems, and some of the most biodiverse landscapes on Earth.

Your safari begins in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital, and concludes in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant and clean capital city. Along the way, you will explore Serengeti National Park, descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, and trek endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Wild Planet Safaris handles all logistics, accommodations, permits, and transfers, allowing you to focus entirely on the experience.

Day 1: Arusha to Serengeti National Park – Into the Endless Plains

After breakfast, your Wild Planet Safaris professional driver-guide will meet you at your hotel in Arusha. Your guide will brief you about the safari before beginning the scenic drive toward Serengeti National Park.

The journey takes approximately four hours, passing through breathtaking landscapes and traditional Maasai territories. As you approach the Serengeti, vast savannah grasslands stretch endlessly toward the horizon. The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maasai word Siringitu, meaning “endless plains,” and you will immediately understand why.

Upon entering Serengeti National Park, you will begin your first game drive en route to your lodge. The Seronera Valley, known for its year-round wildlife concentration, offers excellent opportunities to spot:

• Lions
• Elephants
• Giraffes
• Cheetahs
• Zebras
• Wildebeests
• Various antelope species

Wild Planet Safaris positions you in prime wildlife areas to maximize sightings from the very first afternoon.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Serengeti Serena Lodge / Baobab Lodge

Dinner and overnight in Serengeti.

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti & Transfer to Ngorongoro Area

You will wake up early and prepare for a full day of exploration across the Serengeti ecosystem. Wild Planet Safaris schedules early departures to take advantage of peak wildlife activity.

Your morning game drive takes you along the Seronera River Valley, where predators frequently patrol. This region hosts one of the highest densities of big cats in Africa. You may witness lions stalking prey, cheetahs scanning the plains, or leopards resting in acacia trees.

You will also visit the famous Retina Hippo Pool, home to nearly 200 hippos. Watch as they wallow, grunt, and interact in dramatic fashion.

Depending on the season, you may witness part of the Great Wildebeest Migration — one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.

After lunch in the savannah, you will continue your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, preparing for the next day’s crater descent.

Accommodation Options (Ngorongoro Area):

• Luxury: Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
• Midrange: Rhino Lodge
• Budget: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Dinner and overnight near Ngorongoro.

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive – Flight to Kigali, Rwanda

After breakfast, Wild Planet Safaris takes you down into the Ngorongoro Crater for a spectacular morning game drive.

The Ngorongoro Crater stands as the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. Often called the “Eden of Africa,” it offers one of the best chances to see the endangered black rhino.

Inside the crater, you may spot:

• Black rhinos
• Elephants with massive tusks
• Lions
• Hyenas
• Jackals
• Buffaloes
• Wildebeests
• Zebras
• Numerous antelope species

The crater floor creates a natural wildlife enclosure, producing unforgettable safari moments.

After your game drive and lunch, Wild Planet Safaris transfers you to Arusha for your flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival in Kigali, our Rwanda-based guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

Accommodation Options (Kigali):

• Luxury: Kigali Marriott Hotel
• Midrange: Heaven Boutique Hotel
• Budget: Lebanon Hotel

Dinner and overnight in Kigali.

Day 4: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Twin Lakes Visit

After breakfast, Wild Planet Safaris introduces you to Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most organized cities.

Your city tour includes visits to:

• Kigali Genocide Memorial
• Local craft markets
• Former Presidential Palace Museum
• Vibrant city neighborhoods

This tour provides meaningful insight into Rwanda’s history, resilience, and cultural transformation.

After lunch, you will drive approximately three hours north to Volcanoes National Park. The scenic drive passes rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural communities.

Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge before visiting the picturesque twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. These lakes sit at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes and provide stunning photography opportunities.

Accommodation Options (Volcanoes National Park):

• Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Dinner and overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking – Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience

Today, Wild Planet Safaris takes you to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey trekking.

Golden monkeys inhabit the bamboo forests at the base of the Virunga Mountains. Rangers will explain trekking rules and conservation efforts before guiding you into the forest.

The trek can last between two and four hours. Once you locate the golden monkeys, you will spend one hour observing their playful behavior. Their bright golden-orange fur contrasts beautifully against the green bamboo forest.

After returning to your lodge for lunch, you will visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardians Village). Local community members showcase Rwanda’s traditional lifestyle through dance, storytelling, traditional medicine demonstrations, and cultural performances.

This visit supports local livelihoods and deepens your understanding of Rwandan heritage.

Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Return to Kigali

Today marks the highlight of your safari.

Wild Planet Safaris will transfer you early to Kinigi Park Headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing at 7:30 AM. Rangers will explain gorilla behavior, safety guidelines, and trekking procedures.

Rwanda currently hosts ten habituated gorilla families available for tourism. Park authorities assign groups based on visitor fitness levels.

After allocation, you will hike into the forest with experienced rangers and trackers. Gorilla trekking can take between one and five hours depending on the gorillas’ movements.

When you finally encounter the gorilla family, you will spend one magical hour observing:

• Silverbacks guarding the group
• Mothers nurturing infants
• Juveniles playing
• Family members grooming and feeding

The emotional intensity of looking into a mountain gorilla’s eyes often becomes the defining moment of the entire safari.

After the trek, you will receive your gorilla trekking certificate before enjoying lunch. Wild Planet Safaris will then transfer you back to Kigali for your onward departure flight.

Why Choose Wild Planet Safaris?

Wild Planet Safaris designs this cross-border itinerary to maximize wildlife encounters while ensuring comfort, efficiency, and expert guidance. We coordinate:

• Gorilla permits
• Park fees
• Flights and transfers
• Luxury and midrange accommodations
• Professional English-speaking guides
• Cultural experiences

This 6-day Serengeti and Gorilla Trekking safari delivers two of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles in one unforgettable journey. You will explore endless plains, descend into volcanic craters, track endangered primates, and connect deeply with nature.

Few travelers experience both the Serengeti ecosystem and Rwanda’s mountain gorillas in a single trip. With Wild Planet Safaris, you will not only see Africa’s most iconic wildlife — you will experience it in a way that stays with you for a lifetime.