Rwanda and Tanzania Short Itinerary: 7 Days of Gorillas and Northern Safari

Seven days is tight for two countries, but it can be done if you keep each stop simple. The plan below uses Kigali and Volcanoes in Rwanda, then a flight to northern Tanzania for a short safari.

It suits experienced travellers who want a taste of both destinations. Anyone with more time should read the medium itinerary, which feels less rushed.

This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

The Seven Days at a Glance

Rwanda Days: Gorillas First

Day three is the focus. Trekking starts early with a briefing at park headquarters, and groups are assigned by the park authority, so you may be placed with a family that is easy or demanding to reach. Treks can last anywhere from a short outing to most of a day, with an hour with the gorillas once found. Pack for rain and mud. The journey to and from Kigali is a long day on the road, so many travellers add a night near Musanze. See Kigali to Musanze and the gorilla trek day in the life.

Travel Day: Kigali to Tanzania

Day four is mostly transport. International flight schedules between Kigali and northern Tanzania vary by season, and some routings connect through a regional hub, so check current schedules with your operator before fixing the date. Allow time for immigration on arrival in Tanzania, where a separate visa applies. If you land late, spend the night in Arusha and start safari the next morning. See Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.

Tanzania Days: A Compact Northern Loop

Tarangire makes a good first park because it is reached in a reasonable drive from Arusha and rewards a long game drive with elephants, baobabs and plains game. Day six then continues to the Ngorongoro highlands. With a flight into the Serengeti, you could swap the crater for a short stay on the plains, but that adds cost and luggage limits. The northern circuit guide explains the alternatives.

Pacing Advice

Seven days leaves no buffer. A delayed flight or a closed road can remove a whole safari day, so book flights with some margin and avoid scheduling an international departure on the same afternoon as a game drive. Gorilla trekking can be tiring, and the next day is a flight, so do not plan strenuous extras. If you want a calmer rhythm, consider extending by two to three days, which is exactly what the medium itinerary does.

Optional Swaps

If gorilla permits are unavailable on your dates, replace Volcanoes with Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking or Akagera game drives, though each adds travel time. If your priority is the Serengeti rather than Ngorongoro, ask for a fly-in option. Those who prefer fewer long drives can base two nights in Tarangire. Read the route and border guide for ways to connect the two countries.

What to Prepare

Book permits as early as you can, confirm your Tanzania visa, pack soft luggage and bring waterproofs for Rwanda and warm layers for the crater rim. The practical guide covers health, money and baggage, and the Rwanda and Tanzania pillar guide puts this itinerary in context. Official tariffs and permit rules apply, and your operator will confirm what is included.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team