7 Days Rwanda & Kenya Safari | Gorillas & Masai Mara

This 7-day Rwanda Gorillas and Masai Mara safari is a week-long African adventure that takes you through Rwanda and Kenya for gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, and Big Five game viewing. You will enjoy gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda and then continue to Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve to witness the wildebeest migration and see all the Big Five animals in one place.

You will also experience the traditional African way of life during a visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village near Volcanoes National Park. A city tour of Kigali will be part of your trip, giving you the chance to explore Rwanda’s historical and cultural sites.

Rwanda Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari Highlights

Day 1: Arrival and pickup at Kigali Airport
Day 2: Kigali city tour and drive to Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Gorilla trekking and optional visit to the Twin Lakes
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking, return to Kigali, and flight to Nairobi
Day 5: Nairobi to Masai Mara Reserve
Day 6: Full-day game drive in Masai Mara
Day 7: Cultural visit and departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & pickup at Kigali Airport

Meet our company representative at Kigali International Airport and transfer to your hotel. You will receive a warm welcome and a short briefing about your trip. Have dinner and spend the night at your hotel.

Day 2: Kigali city tour & drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, start your Kigali city tour with an experienced local guide. Visit key historical and cultural attractions such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft shops, and Kimironko Market to experience daily life and buy fresh fruits.

Enjoy lunch in the city before starting your journey to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. On the way, enjoy the view of Rwanda’s beautiful green hills. On arrival, check in at your lodge and later visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for traditional music, dance, and storytelling. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking & optional visit to the Twin Lakes

Have an early breakfast and then go to Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking rules. Groups of trekkers are assigned to different gorilla families, each led by an experienced ranger guide.

Begin your trek at 8:00 a.m. and spend about 2 to 6 hours in the forest searching for the gorillas. Once found, you will spend one hour observing them, taking photos, and watching their daily activities before returning to your lodge. In the evening, you may relax at your lodge or visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.

Day 4: Golden monkey tracking, return to Kigali & flight to Nairobi

After breakfast, return to Kinigi for a short briefing about golden monkey tracking. The trek usually lasts 2 to 4 hours through the bamboo forest. Once you find the golden monkeys, spend an hour watching and photographing them before heading back to the lodge for lunch.

Later, drive back to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Nairobi. On arrival, meet your Kenyan driver-guide and transfer to your hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 5: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, depart for Masai Mara National Reserve. Drive through the scenic Rift Valley region via Narok town. Arrive at your camp or lodge in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, head out for your first game drive in the reserve, where you can see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Full-day game drive in Masai Mara

Spend the whole day exploring Masai Mara, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife areas. Enjoy game drives in search of the Big Five and many other animals such as zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, cheetahs, gazelles, and hyenas. During the migration season, you may also witness the great wildebeest migration. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and rest.

Day 7: Cultural visit & departure

After breakfast, visit a local Maasai village to learn about the Maasai people’s lifestyle, traditions, and dances. Later, drive back to Nairobi and transfer to your hotel or to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.

End of Safari.