Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari

January 4, 2025

Tips for Planning a Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari

A combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania safari is the ideal way to encounter two of Africa’s incredible wildlife experiences in one action-packed safari through some of Tanzania’s legendary big game reserves in the Northern Circuit such as Serengeti National Park and the iconic primate destinations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda & Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda.

For many travelers, it’s so challenging to plan a combined gorilla trekking and African Safari in Tanzania. The difficulty starts from deciding on destinations to visit to securing permits and the experience itself. Here are our quick tips and guidelines for planning your combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania safari trip.

Should Gorilla Trekking Be Done Before or After a Tanzania Safari?

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda or Uganda combined with a Tanzania Safari gives travelers an ultimate African Safari experience. They get to encounter the Big Five Animals and the endangered Mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. However many travelers find it hard to decide which one of the two wildlife experiences they should start with while on their vacation trip as those who choose to do Gorilla Trekking first say that they are worried that they might get injured or sick while trekking the gorillas which might compromise their primary activity the safari. Meanwhile, those who choose to do the Tanzania Safari first fear that they will be exhausted at the end of the safari and may not be able to appreciate the Gorilla Trekking experience.

What Others Have Experienced

From experience, we think it does not matter whether one does a gorilla trek at the start or the end. Travelers can combine Gorilla Trekking in Uganda/Rwanda with a Tanzania Safari by starting with any of the two experiences. Where they start depends on the best flight connections available.

Unlike what some travelers think, we do not find a safari such a tiring experience. Tourists are usually seated in 4X4 safari Jeeps, Landcruisers, or Safari Vans. Also, there are frequent breaks and early bedtimes as lodges/camps settle down in the early evenings. Additionally, gorilla Trekking is not such a high-risk activity where one should expect an injury or sickness. This is because there are guidelines to follow while meeting the apes. Armed rangers always accompany Tourists, helping to create paths in the case of very thick jungles.

On the other hand, Gorilla trekking and safari are very different experiences. Gorilla treks involve hiking up and down the hills through thick jungles lasting over 2 to 8 hours until you meet the gorillas while Safari game drives involve viewing the animals while in the comfort of a Safari Land Cruiser/Jeep/Van with a pop-up roof.

How to Combine Safari in Tanzania with Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda or Uganda

Travelers can combine an African Safari in Tanzania with a Gorilla Trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda by either flying directly into Kigali Rwanda or Entebbe Uganda. They can stay for 3 or 4 nights and then fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the safari in the Northern Circuit. They later fly out back home from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Alternatively, they can fly directly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, do the safari game drives in the Northern Circuit, and then fly into Kigali or Entebbe for the Gorilla Trekking excursion later flying out of Kigali or Entebbe International Airports. Note that one can arrive in Kigali and trek the gorillas in Uganda on a 4-hour drive from Kigali. One can therefore avoid the long drive hours(10 hours) from Entebbe to Bwindi. There is also an option of flying directly from any location in Serengeti into Kigali or Entebbe using a small Aircraft.

Best time to do a Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari Trip

Tailored trips that combine Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a Tanzania Safari are organized throughout the year. All three countries enjoy a pleasant climate with average temperatures of 25°C. They also experience cool nights most of the time. The most rainy Months in Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania are March to May with shorter rains in October and November.

Therefore choosing the best time to do a combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari trip depends entirely on what you want to see or experience on your Tanzania safari before or after gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.

If you are interested in just seeing wildlife especially the big five animals on your Tanzania part of the safari after or before gorilla trekking, the best time to combine gorilla trekking and Tanzania safari is throughout the year. Central and Western Serengeti have enormous resident animals. These include predators that you can see all year round. Travelers should however note that the Months of March, April, and May are the rainiest seasons. Some roads become slippery and impassable. On a positive note though, It is also during the rainy Months of March and April that tourists can enjoy discounted accommodation rates in most luxury lodges and camps in Tanzania’s parks.

If you are interested in encountering the wildebeest Migration, the best time to do a combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari depends more on what stage of the great migration you are interested in seeing as explained below:

Monthly Wildebeest Migration Patterns -Routes

Wildebeest Migration Patterns show the routes that the great wildebeest migration takes through the year. These scenarios and times exist in both Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park.

The Great Wildebeest Migration in January, February & March

In January, the migration starts to move into the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is because the short grass plains here are rich in nutritious grasses. They provide the herds with the best conditions to raise their newborns. Mid-February is the calving season in high gear with approximately 8,000 wildebeest being born every day for approximately 3 weeks. Therefore the area around Lake Ndutu itself is the place to be at this time of year.

The Great Wildebeest Migration in April & May

Usually, April brings the first signs of migration. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest begin their arduous journey across the western plains and finally north.

The herds move through the Ndoha and Dutwa plains adjacent to the Mbalagweti River. They may begin to pile up near the Mbalagweti and Grumeti Rivers. They are awaiting the crossing, a dangerous obstacle for animals. During these months there are many wildlife viewing opportunities in both central Serengeti and Western Serengeti.

The Great Wildebeest Migration June & July

Usually, the rutting season starts in June and you expect to see fierce fighting between competitive males as they vie for the attention of females. It’s around this time that the dry season starts with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must face the challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested river. This dramatic river crossing is one of the most exciting events of the Great Migration.n

In early July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier, the Mara River in northern Serengeti and this river crossing is a memorable and exciting wildlife encounter on Earth. The Mara River Crossings usually start in late July but the precise timing depends on the rains. Therefore if you want to see the Great Migration Grumeti River Crossing, June to early July is the best time to Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Tanzania Safari.

The Great Wildebeest Migration in Late July, August, September & October

At the start of August, the migration herds already encountered the challenge of crossing the Mara River. They have now spread across the Northern part of the Masai Mara Reserve. Many are remaining in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park. One should note that there is no single crossing. At some spots, there are just a few individuals while others have a mass of animals moving without break for hours. Therefore if you want to see the Great Migration Mara River Crossing, Late July to early October is a good time to Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Tanzania Safari.

The Great Wildebeest Migration in November & December Migration

At the end of October or early November, the wildebeest moves down from Kenya into the eastern region of the Serengeti past Namiri Plains. By December, the wildebeest herds are spread across the eastern and southern regions and the cycle continues as the calving season starts once again. November and December is a good time to see the animals in Central and Eastern Serenge.ti

Travelers must note that they can visit Central Serengeti (the Seronera Area) all year round. This is due to the presence of large numbers of resident animals including predators.

What Else Can You Add to Your Combined Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari?

After a Safari and Gorilla Trekking tour in Tanzania and Rwanda or Tanzania, travelers may add some activities. These include Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale or Nyungwe Parks, Golden Monkey tracking, or cultural experiences. Visitors can also go for a boat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi or in Akagera National Park. You may also decide to stay by the beaches of Zanzibar, Lake Kivu, or Lake Victoria. Travelers with enough time at hand can do additional safari game drives. They can embark on them in different Savannah National Parks across Uganda and Akagera National Park.

Is It Possible to Do a Road Trip from Tanzania to Rwanda or Uganda and Vice Versa?

Yes, it is possible to a road trip between Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. You pass through the Mutukula border or Rusumo border respectively. From Arusha or Western Serengeti, one connects to these border points through Mwanza City and Bukoba Town. The journey however is a long one and may take up to 2 days on the road.

Where Does Gorilla Trekking Take Place in Rwanda and Uganda?

In Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. It is in the far northwest of Rwanda and home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the rich montane vegetation of bamboo forests and open grasslands. Meanwhile, Uganda Gorilla Trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. They are both in South Western Uganda, 10 Hours from Kampala, and 4 Hours from Kigali Rwanda.

Unlike Safari activities fees which can be booked or paid on the spot, Gorilla Permits to see gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda have to be booked/purchased at least 2 years in advance. Gorilla Permits in Rwanda cost 1500$ for Foreign nonresidents, 500$ for foreign residents, and 200$ for East African Citizens. In Uganda, Gorilla Permits cost 800$ for Foreign nonresidents and 700$ for foreign residents. It also costs and 300,000UGX for the East African Citizen.

Why book your Gorilla Trekking and Tanzania Safari Tour with Safari Vacations and Travel Services?

Safari Vacations and Travel Services is an experienced local East African Tour Operator. It has intimate local knowledge about Gorilla trekking and game park safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya. We are also highly rated and recommended on TripAdvisor.

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