11 Days Gorilla and Kenya Tanzania Safari

11 Days Gorilla and Kenya Tanzania Safari

A 12-day luxury journey across East Africa

12 Days / 11 NightsDuration Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya & TanzaniaCountries PrivateGroup type
Overview

12 Days: Gorillas, the Great Migration & the Ngorongoro Crater

Embark on an extraordinary 12-day expedition that begins with an intimate encounter with mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s lush Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Experience the majestic presence of these gentle giants as you trek through dense, verdant foliage, guided by experienced locals who share their knowledge of the ecosystem and conservation efforts.

After your gorilla adventures, the journey continues to the iconic landscapes of Kenya’s Masai Mara, where you can witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration. Be captivated by the dramatic river crossings and the sheer number of wildebeest, zebras, and other wildlife as they traverse the plains in search of greener pastures. Enjoy the thrill of a hot-air balloon safari at dawn, floating above the sweeping savannah before landing for an exhilarating bush breakfast amidst the wild.

Next, venture into Tanzania’s Serengeti, home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. Here, the vast grasslands teem with herds and predators, offering unparalleled opportunities for wildlife photography and observation. Each evening, relax in luxurious tented camps and boutique lodges, designed to provide comfort and a touch of elegance while still allowing you to feel immersed in nature.

The grand finale of your journey takes you to the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its stunning landscapes and one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. Explore this volcanic caldera, where you can easily spot the Big Five: lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinoceros, all coexisting in a relatively enclosed space.

This meticulously crafted itinerary caters to the discerning traveler seeking an authentic and unhurried introduction to East Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences. With flexibility in mind, you can customize the pace of your journey, the level of luxury, or your areas of focus, whether you wish to spend more time with the gorillas, add an extra balloon safari over the Maasai Mara, or adopt a slower, photography-focused rhythm to fully capture the beauty around you. It’s an adventure that promises to create lifelong memories while connecting deeply with the remarkable landscapes and wildlife of East Africa.

At a glance

  • Duration12 Days / 11 Nights
  • CountriesRwanda, Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania
  • Group typePrivate

Activities

Some activities which can be added to this circuit — tell us which interest you.

Gorilla Trekking
Game Drives
Hot Air Balloon Safari
Guided Nature Walks
Cultural Visits
Photography
Moments to note

Why This Route

Four countries, one continuous arc through East Africa's wild heart

I

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

A full hour with a habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the last strongholds of the species.

II

The Great Migration

Wildebeest and zebra crossing the Masai Mara and Serengeti, seasonally including the Mara River crossings (July–October).

III

The Ngorongoro Crater

A self-contained caldera holding one of Africa's densest concentrations of Big Five wildlife.

IV

Balloon Safari & Bush Breakfast

An optional dawn balloon flight over the Mara, followed by a bush breakfast on the plains

V

Private Guiding Throughout

One guide for the safari portion, reading terrain and animal behaviour at a pace suited to you.

VI

Handpicked Camps & Lodges

Tented camps and boutique lodges chosen for comfort and character across all four countries.

Day by day

How the days break down

A starting shape: pace, order and length of each stage are all adjustable.

Day
01
Arrival
International arrival → Kigali

A gentle start in one of Africa's most orderly capitals.

Morning arrival and private transfer to a boutique city hotel. Spend the afternoon settling in, or take a guided city tour to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Kimironko Market. A welcome dinner introduces Rwandan cuisine, alongside a briefing on the days ahead.

Where you rest

Boutique luxury hotel, Kigali ·

Day
02
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Kigali → Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Into the misted "Land of a Thousand Hills."

Drive (or scenic charter flight) through Rwanda's terraced hills into southwestern Uganda, arriving at a lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for lunch. The afternoon is free to rest, photograph the forest, or take a short guided walk. Dinner includes a briefing on tomorrow's gorilla trekking

Where you rest

Luxury forest lodge ·

Day
03
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

A full hour with a mountain gorilla family.

After a trekking briefing, enter Bwindi's rainforest with expert guides and trackers in search of a habituated gorilla family — a trek of varying length and difficulty. The encounter itself lasts a full hour. Afternoon options include rest or a Batwa cultural visit. Celebratory dinner caps the day.

Where you rest

Luxury forest lodge ·

Day
04
Masai Mara
Bwindi → Kigali → Mara

From forest to savannah, in one travel day

A relaxed morning before transferring to Kigali and flying on to the Masai Mara's golden grassland. Arrive at your tented camp for lunch, then set out on your first game drive as the light turns amber — prime Big Five territory, tracking lion, leopard, and, with good fortune, black rhino. Sundowners and dinner under the stars

Where you rest

Tented Camp on the banks of Talek River ·

Day
05–06
Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara (two full days)

Two full days on the plains

Morning and afternoon game drives calibrated to the season. During migration season (July–October), witness herds fording the Mara River. One morning, an optional dawn balloon safari with a bush breakfast on the plains. An afternoon Maasai village visit adds cultural context. Bush dinners and sundowners both evenings

Where you rest

Luxury tented camp ·

Day
07
Serengeti
Masai Mara → Serengeti

Masai Mara → Serengeti

A final Mara morning drive, then a light-aircraft crossing into Tanzania's northern Serengeti, tracing the migratory corridor. Settle into camp for a welcome lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive across the open plains — dense plains game, and, in season, the Migration continuing south. Dinner under the stars

Where you rest

Luxury tented camp ·

Day
08
Serengeti
Serengeti

Serengeti in Depth

A full day in one of the world's great ecosystems.
Description: Game drives timed to the cooler hours, tracking sightings with your guide's instinct for the landscape. An optional walking safari with an armed ranger offers a slower pace. A sundowner atop a rocky kopje closes the afternoon, before a final Serengeti dinner beneath an unpolluted sky.

Where you rest

Luxury tented camp ·

Day
09
Ngorongoro
Serengeti → Ngorongoro rim

Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater

An overland drive up the crater rim through highland forest, with sweeping views back over the Serengeti's plains. Arrive at your rim lodge for lunch, with the afternoon free to rest or take a guided nature walk along the rim. Dinner is served overlooking the caldera below.

Where you rest

Luxury lodge ·

Day
10
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Descend at dawn into the crater floor, a wildlife-dense caldera where black rhino, dense lion prides and elephant move in the open. A picnic lunch beside Lake Magadi's flamingo-lined shores offers a rare pause among zebra, wildebeest and hyena. Ascend by late afternoon for a final sundowner and farewell dinner.

Where you rest

Luxury lodge ·

Day
11
Departure
Ngorongoro → Arusha → departure

The journey's final stretch

A final crater-view breakfast before the scenic drive to Arusha, Tanzania's traditional safari gateway. Depending on flight timing, enjoy a final lunch or curio shopping before your private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward departure.

What you'll likely see

Key species on this route

What you're likely to see across Bwindi, the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

· · · · · · ·
Lion
Lion
85% chance
Elephant
Elephant
90% chance
Buffalo
Buffalo
85% chance
Leopard
Leopard
45% chance
Cheetah
Cheetah
55% chance
Giraffe
Giraffe
89% chance
The details

What's included

What's included

  • All accommodation as per itinerary (luxury lodges and tented camps)
  • All meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Private guide and driver throughout the safari
  • Gorilla trekking permit (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
  • All park and conservation area entrance fees
  • Internal flights as specified in the itinerary
  • All road and airport transfers
  • Bottled water during game drives and transfers
  • Cultural visit fees (Maasai/Batwa villages)
  • Government taxes and levies

What's not included

  • International flights to and from Africa
  • Visas (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania as applicable)
  • Travel insurance
  • Hot-air balloon safari (optional add-on)
  • Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks (unless specified)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses (spa, curio purchases, laundry)
  • Vaccinations and medical costs

Notes about this trip

  • Gorilla trekking permits typically require a minimum age of 15; families with younger children may need to adjust that portion.
  • The Great Migration's location and timing vary by rainfall — sightings during the July–October window are likely, not guaranteed.
  • Malaria prophylaxis is recommended across this region — consult your doctor before travel
Responsible travel

Responsible Travel

Conservation is built into this route, not layered on top of it — from the permit fees that fund forest protection to the guiding and staffing choices made along the way.

I

Gorilla Permits Fund Conservation

Trekking permit fees go directly toward protecting Bwindi's forest and its endangered mountain gorilla population.

II

Community Partnerships

Conservancy fees and cultural visit proceeds support local landowners and community projects, rather than staged performances.

III

Respectful Cultural Exchange

Maasai and Batwa visits are structured as paid, mutual exchanges led by community members themselves

IV

Local Employment & Guiding

Guides and camp staff across this route are drawn from the communities the safari passes through

Make it mine

Every element of this journey can be adjusted — more time with the gorillas, an extra Mara balloon safari, a slower photography-led pace, or a honeymoon-style itinerary with private candlelit dinners and suite upgrades.

Tell us your dates, pace, and priorities — we'll adjust the route around them.

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Common questions

Before you enquire

June through September offers dry conditions ideal for gorilla trekking, while July through October is prime for Great Migration river crossings

It varies by the gorilla family’s location — anywhere from a gentle one-hour walk to a strenuous four-to-six-hour hike on steep terrain. Guides and porters are available to assist

Yes — it’s designed to introduce East Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences at a comfortable pace with expert guiding throughout

Yes — private dinners, bush breakfasts, and suite upgrades are available at each camp

The migration moves with rainfall and grazing patterns, so it can’t be guaranteed — but July–October significantly improves the odds of a river crossing.

One permit per person for a single trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Yes, with adjustment — gorilla permits typically require a minimum age of 15, so families with younger children may want to modify that portion.

Most wildlife viewing is by vehicle; optional walking safaris are available in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro areas.

Yes — all internal flights between Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania as specified are included.

Ready when you are

Ask about 11 Days Gorilla and Kenya Tanzania Safari

Tell us your dates and we'll confirm whether the timing works, then adjust the route from there.

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