A Rwanda and Tanzania safari puts two of East Africa's great wildlife experiences in one trip: an hour with mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, and the plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania. Many travellers add a few days on a Zanzibar beach at the end. Kigali is a good starting point, with flights to Tanzania's main gateways.
Kigali Safaris is not a tour operator. We help you plan the trip and connect you with licensed operators for each country, who quote and book directly with you.
How the two countries fit together
| Rwanda | Northern Tanzania | Zanzibar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights | Gorillas, golden monkeys, Nyungwe chimpanzees, Akagera, Lake Kivu | Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, other northern parks | Beaches, Stone Town |
| Gateway | Kigali | Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), then Arusha | Zanzibar airport |
| From Kigali | Base | Fly (RwandAir serves Kilimanjaro) | Fly (RwandAir since December 2025) |
| Visa | Visa on arrival; East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya | Separate Tanzania visa | Tanzania visa |
| Key fixed fees (as of October 2026) | Gorilla permit US$1,500 | Serengeti US$70 per adult; Ngorongoro US$70.80 entry plus US$295 per vehicle for the crater | Zanzibar inbound insurance, reported at US$44 per adult |
Sources: Visit Rwanda, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) tariff, RwandAir announcements and reporting on Zanzibar's insurance rule. Rwanda's costs are explained in our Rwanda safari cost guide.
Getting from Kigali to Tanzania
Fly. RwandAir serves Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, and on 1 December 2025 it added Zanzibar, flying four times a week at launch. For the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, fly to Kilimanjaro and start your safari from Arusha. Timetables change, so check current flights for your dates before fixing the itinerary.
Drive? Rwanda's Rusumo border with Tanzania is about 180 km south-east of Kigali. Beyond it, the distances are long: by OpenStreetMap routing, Kigali to the Serengeti's central Seronera area is about 770 km, and Kigali to Arusha about 1,070 km. Overland trips exist, but for most visitors flying saves two or more days and a lot of driving.
Visas: Tanzania is separate
The East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100, 90 days) covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya only, not Tanzania. You need:
- For Rwanda: a visa on arrival or online, as explained on our home page, or the East Africa Tourist Visa if you also visit Uganda or Kenya.
- For Tanzania: a Tanzanian visa from the official Tanzania Immigration e-visa portal. Apply before you travel, and avoid paid intermediary websites that look official.
- For Zanzibar: no separate visa, as it is part of Tanzania, but since October 2024 foreign visitors must buy Zanzibar's own inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, reported at US$44 per adult. Tanzania has also announced a similar scheme for the mainland, so ask your operator for the current rules.
Park fees in northern Tanzania
| Fee (international visitors, as of October 2026) | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park entry, adult | US$70 | TANAPA |
| Serengeti National Park entry, child | US$20 | TANAPA |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area entry, age 16 and over | US$70.80 | NCAA tariff |
| Ngorongoro Crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle, per trip | NCAA tariff |
These are the fees published by the park authorities. Operators often quote park fees with taxes and concession fees added, so ask for a breakdown. Your safari vehicle, guide, lodges or camps and the flight to Kilimanjaro come on top. In Rwanda the biggest fixed cost is the gorilla permit, US$1,500 per international visitor, explained in our gorilla permit guide.
Sample plans
7 days: gorillas and the Serengeti
- Day 1: arrive in Kigali; Kigali Genocide Memorial and a city tour.
- Day 2: drive to Musanze, about three hours according to Visit Rwanda.
- Day 3: gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park; return to Kigali.
- Day 4: fly Kigali to Kilimanjaro; drive to Arusha or a lodge on the way to the parks.
- Days 5 and 6: Serengeti game drives, with the Ngorongoro Crater on the way in or out.
- Day 7: back to Kilimanjaro for your flight home.
10 days: gorillas, safari and Zanzibar
The 7-day plan, then a flight to Zanzibar for three nights on the beach and a morning in Stone Town. Check whether your route works best as Kigali to Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, and home from Zanzibar, which avoids returning to Kigali.
Add more of Rwanda
With extra days, add Akagera for a savannah game drive in Rwanda or Nyungwe for chimpanzees and the canopy walk. Some travellers skip the Serengeti and do Akagera instead, keeping the whole trip in Rwanda; it is smaller, but close to Kigali.
When to go
Gorillas can be tracked all year in Rwanda. Visit Rwanda says the dry season runs from June to mid-September, which is also a popular time for northern Tanzania safaris, so book permits and lodges early for those months. The rainy months bring more mud on the gorilla trails but fewer visitors, and RDB's 2026 discounted gorilla rates for African and EAC visitors apply outside June to October.
Plan your Rwanda and Tanzania trip
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and your budget, and whether you want the Serengeti, Zanzibar or both. We will help you shape the route and connect you with licensed operators in Rwanda and Tanzania, with permits and park fees shown separately on each quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can I combine gorillas in Rwanda with a Serengeti safari?
Yes. The usual plan is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park first, then a flight from Kigali to Kilimanjaro, the gateway for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and the other northern Tanzania parks. Allow at least three days in Rwanda and four or five in Tanzania.
Can I drive from Kigali to the Serengeti?
It is possible but not practical for most visitors. Rwanda's Rusumo border with Tanzania is about 180 km from Kigali, but the Serengeti's central Seronera area is about 770 km away by road, according to OpenStreetMap routing. Flying to Kilimanjaro and starting the safari from Arusha saves two or more days.
Does the East Africa Tourist Visa cover Tanzania?
No. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya only. For Tanzania you need a separate visa, which you can apply for online through the official Tanzania Immigration e-visa portal before travelling. Use only the government portal, not paid intermediary websites.
How much are Serengeti and Ngorongoro park fees?
As of October 2026, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) lists the Serengeti entry fee at US$70 for international adults and US$20 for children. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority charges US$70.80 entry per person aged 16 or over, plus a crater service fee of US$295 per vehicle for each trip into the crater.
Do I need insurance for Zanzibar?
Yes. Since October 2024, Zanzibar requires foreign visitors to buy its own inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, reported at US$44 per adult, even if you already have travel insurance. Tanzania has also announced a scheme for the mainland, so check the current rules when you book.
Is there a direct flight from Kigali to Zanzibar?
RwandAir started flying Kigali to Zanzibar on 1 December 2025, four times a week at launch, and also serves Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam. Schedules and stops change, so check RwandAir's current timetable for your dates.
Gorillas first or the Serengeti first?
Either works. Many travellers trek gorillas first, while they are fresh for the hike, then relax on safari and finish on a Zanzibar beach. If your international flight lands in Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam, start in Tanzania and end in Kigali.