19 Days Tarangire to Ngorongoro to Serengeti to Lake Kivu to Volcanoes Field Journey
This 19-day field journey is a compact yet deeply immersive expedition that connects Tanzania’s greatest wildlife landscapes with Rwanda’s volcanic highlands. It is designed for the curious traveller—someone who wants to move through East Africa with purpose, observing not just animals but ecosystems, cultures, and the quiet connections between them.
From the baobab-studded plains of Tarangire to the volcanic drama of Ngorongoro, the endless Serengeti, the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, and finally the misty slopes of Volcanoes National Park, this is a journey of landscapes and learning.
📅 19-Day Itinerary Summary
| Day | Destination | Key Activities & Highlights | Overnight Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival – Arusha, Tanzania | Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to hotel. Safari briefing and rest. | Arusha |
| 2 | Arusha to Tarangire National Park | Drive to Tarangire (approx. 2 hours). Afternoon game drive. Baobabs and elephant herds. | Tarangire Area |
| 3 | Tarangire National Park (Full Day) | Full-day game drive. Tarangire River, elephants, birdlife, and baobab landscapes. | Tarangire Area |
| 4 | Tarangire to Ngorongoro Highlands | Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (approx. 3–4 hours). Ascend the crater rim. | Ngorongoro Rim |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day) | Descend into the crater. Big Five, black rhino, Lake Magadi flamingos. Picnic lunch. | Ngorongoro Rim |
| 6 | Ngorongoro to Serengeti (Ndutu/South) | Drive into the Serengeti. Afternoon game drive. Calving grounds (seasonal). | Serengeti (South) |
| 7 | Serengeti National Park (Full Day) | Full-day game drive. Southern plains, big cats, seasonal migration action. | Serengeti (South) |
| 8 | Serengeti National Park (Full Day) | Second full day. Seronera Valley, Moru Kopjes, big cat country. | Serengeti (Central) |
| 9 | Serengeti National Park (Full Day) | Third full day. Western Corridor or Grumeti River (seasonal). | Serengeti (West) |
| 10 | Serengeti to Mwanza (Lake Victoria) | Long drive west towards Lake Victoria (approx. 6–7 hours). Overnight in Mwanza. | Mwanza |
| 11 | Mwanza to Bukoba | Drive along the southern shore of Lake Victoria (approx. 4–5 hours). Scenic views. | Bukoba |
| 12 | Bukoba to Kampala, Uganda | Cross into Uganda at Mutukula border. Drive to Kampala (approx. 5–6 hours). | Kampala |
| 13 | Kampala to Kigali, Rwanda | Cross into Rwanda at Katuna border. Drive to Kigali (approx. 6–7 hours). | Kigali |
| 14 | Kigali to Lake Kivu (Rubavu) | Drive to Lake Kivu (approx. 2–3 hours). Relax by the lake. | Lake Kivu |
| 15 | Lake Kivu (Full Day) | Boat cruise, hot springs, relaxation. Explore lakeside communities. | Lake Kivu |
| 16 | Lake Kivu to Volcanoes National Park | Drive to Volcanoes NP (approx. 1–2 hours). Rest and prepare for gorilla trek. | Volcanoes NP Area |
| 17 | Volcanoes National Park (Gorilla Trekking) | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP. One hour with mountain gorillas. | Volcanoes NP Area |
| 18 | Volcanoes to Kigali | Drive to Kigali (approx. 2–3 hours). Kigali Genocide Memorial. City tour. | Kigali |
| 19 | Kigali – Departure | Transfer to Kigali International Airport for departure flight. | – |
📖 Detailed Itinerary in Paragraphs
Days 1–3: Tarangire National Park – The Baobab Kingdom
Your 19-day field journey begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. You are met by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, where you will receive a comprehensive briefing on the journey ahead. The following day, you drive to Tarangire National Park, a landscape defined by ancient baobab trees and vast elephant herds.
A full day in Tarangire allows you to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems at a relaxed pace. You will follow the life-giving Tarangire River, where elephants, zebras, and buffalo gather to drink. You will venture beyond the main river circuits to the southern swamps and quiet wilderness areas where few vehicles venture. The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 550 species recorded, and the sight of elephants moving through the baobabs is one of Africa’s most iconic scenes.
Days 4–5: Ngorongoro Crater – The Garden of Eden
From Tarangire, you drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and settle into a lodge on the crater rim. The following day, you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. This is one of the most reliable places in Africa to see all of the Big Five in a single day. The crater floor is a self-contained world of grasslands, swamps, and soda lakes, home to over 25,000 large animals including the critically endangered black rhino. You will enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool before ascending the crater walls as the sun begins to set.
Days 6–9: Serengeti National Park – The Endless Plains
You enter the Serengeti from the south, driving through the Ndutu area, which is famous for the wildebeest calving season between January and March. Three full days in the Serengeti allow you to explore the park’s many faces: the southern plains where the migration begins, the Seronera Valley with its high concentration of big cats, and the western corridor where the Grumeti River flows. You can follow the wildlife at a relaxed pace, with time for picnics in the bush, afternoon siestas, and evening sundowners.
Days 10–13: Crossing Tanzania and Uganda – The Long Road West
From the Serengeti, you begin your journey west towards Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. You overnight in Mwanza, a bustling port city on the southern shore, before continuing to Bukoba the following day. The drive takes you through rural Tanzania, past fishing villages and banana plantations, offering a glimpse of life beyond the safari circuit.
You cross into Uganda at the Mutukula border and continue to Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital. The following day, you cross into Rwanda at the Katuna border and drive to Kigali. These are long driving days—5 to 7 hours each—but they are part of the overland adventure, and the changing landscapes are a reward in themselves.
Days 14–15: Lake Kivu – Tranquility by the Water
From Kigali, you drive to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, where you can relax on the shores, take a boat cruise, and visit the hot springs. The lake is a peaceful contrast to the dusty plains and dense forests you have explored. You can explore lakeside communities, watch fishermen at work, or simply enjoy the serenity of the water.
Days 16–17: Volcanoes National Park – The Gorilla Encounter
From Lake Kivu, you drive to Volcanoes National Park, the base for your gorilla trekking experience. The following morning, you embark on a gorilla trek—a hike through dense, ancient forest that can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. When you finally find the gorilla family, you have one hour to observe them in their natural habitat. This is one of the most profound wildlife experiences on earth, and it will stay with you forever.
Days 18–19: Kigali and Departure – The Journey’s End
From Volcanoes, you drive to Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a somber but essential experience, offering deep insight into Rwanda’s history and its remarkable journey of reconciliation. On your final day, you transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, carrying with you a treasure trove of memories from a field journey that took you from plains to forest, from wildlife to culture, and deep into the heart of East Africa.