11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya

11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya

The 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya will take you to the Unbeatable Safari Destinations where you will meet eye to eye with the Gentle Giants of Volcanoes National Park as well as the Unique Mammal species of Maasai Mara.

Safari destinations

Volcanoes National Park

Also known as Parc National de Volcans (PNV) is one of the Oldest parks in Africa garzetted in 1925 mainly to conserve the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The park is covers an area of about 162sqkm and it is located in the Northern Province of Rwanda in Musanze. The park lies within the Great Virunga Volcano Conservation region and it is home to various Wildlife species including mammals like Bufaloes, forest elephants, bush pigs, duikers, forest hogs, spotted hyenas and primates like the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and chimpanzees and about 178 bird species including about 29 species that are endemic to Rwenzori mountains and the Virunga.

Nestled in the heart of Kenya’s Capital City, Nairobi National Park boosts of wide open grass plains with a back drop of the City Scrappers, scattered acacia bush which hold a variety of Wildlife with over 100 species including 4 of the Big 5 which are lions, Buffalos, leopards, rhinos and other animal species including the endangered black rhinos, lions, hyenas, leopards, baboon, zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, buffaloes numerous reptile and various species of Antelopes. It also has a diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded at least 20 of which are seasonal European migrants. Some of the bird species in the park include the Secretary bird, Grey crowned crane, Martial eagle, lesser kestrel, Pallid harrier, White-bellied bustard, Sooty falcon, Corncrake and many others.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Also known as a “Beautiful bird Haven” is located in the West Central Kenya and it is one of the saline lakes of the lake system lying within the Great rift valley of Eastern Africa. The park boosts of over 400 bird species including vast numbers of pink flamingoes, Abyssinian thrush, large flocks of pelicans, Bateleur, Arrow-marked babbler, and also mammals like waterbucks, impalas, warthogs,  elands, lions, leopards, hippopotamus, giraffes, black and white rhinos, African wild dog, vervet monkeys, olive baboon, colobus monkeys and many more.

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Located in the South Western region of Kenya along the Great Rift Valley area in Norok County Kenya adjacent to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Maasai Mara National Reserve was established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 520sqkm of the current Mara Triangle.  Later it was converted into a Game Reserve and by 1984 the park had a total area of 1510sqkm. The park is dotted with acacia trees, shrubs and bushes and has 2 draining rivers which are Maasai Mara River and Talek River. A unique wildlife conservation haven famous for its Natural diversity of wildlife like the Big 5 mammals which are Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes and Rhinos in large numbers as well as other mammals like Cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, duikers, impala hartebeests, roan antelopes, topi, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelles.

Also boosts of over 500 bird species like Bateleur, Secretary bird, Schawlow’s turaco, Abdim’s stork, Hammerkops, Temminck’s courser, Southern ground hornbill, Usambiro barbet, Saddle-billed stork, Giant kingfisher, Woolly-necked stork, Black-headed heron, Giant kingfisher, African jacana, Crowned lapwing, Malachite kingfisher, Grey-headed kingfisher among others. Maasai Mara National Reserve is also famous for its annual Wildebeest Beast Migration where Millions of these creatures migrate from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park which occurs between July and October making it one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Day 1: Pick up from Kigali International Airport – Kigali City Tour and Visit to the Genocide Memorial Site – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

The 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya will begin with a pick up from Kigali International Airport by our Professional driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations who will meet and greet you, he will then brief you about the journey and thereafter drive you through Kigali City for a Tour. You will also visit the Genocide Memorial Site where you will learn about the history of The Rwandan Genocide which occurred between 7 April and 15 July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War. During this period of around 100 days, over 800,000 members of the Tutsi minority ethnic group as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa were brutally slaughtered by armed Hutu militias. Later you will drive to Volcanoes National Park for your dinner as well as an overnight.

Location: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 2: Volcanoes National Park – First Gorilla Trekking

Day 2 of your 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya will start with a lovely breakfast and then get ready to explore the Volcanoes with an Ultimate experience with the Mountain Gorillas. Wear appropriate clothing for the day like a long sleeved shirt, a pair of karky or jean trousers, a round cap, water proof boots to protect you against the falling tree branches of the Volcanoes National park and also in case of bad weather,  Pack some snacks and water to help in keeping you hydrated during the trek.

First Gorilla Trekking

Proceed to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing on the Do’s and the Don’ts while you are with the mountain gorillas, you will also be assigned a park ranger who will guide you during the trek and also a gorilla family to look out for and then start the search for the mountain gorillas which will take about 2 to 8 hours depending on their movement and feeding range.

During your trek, you will encounter various bird species like Long crested eagle, stonechat, cinnamon-breasted bee eater, grey throated throat, African marsh harrier, common moorhen, paradise flycatcher among other bird species. As your gaze meets the gentle eyes of Africa’s dark-furred Great Apes, you will be allowed to spend a maximum of 1 hour with these majestic creatures as you watch and capture every moment while they go about their day to day activities and the young ones playing around the old ones, feeding each other and also eating foliage. Feel free to ask as many questions as possible about these gorillas and take memorable pictures, you will then return back to your accommodation for a delicious lunch. You will spend the rest of your afternoon resting and relaxing at your lodge.

Location: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 3: Volcanoes National Park – Second Gorilla Trekking – Relaxation at Leisure

Upon waking up by the beautiful sounds of the birds singing in the sky, you will start day 3 of your 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya with an early morning breakfast. Wear appropriate clothing for the day like a long sleeved shirt, a pair of karky or jean trousers, a round cap, water proof boots to protect you against the falling tree branches of the Volcanoes National park and also in case of bad weather,  Pack some snacks and water to help in keeping you hydrated during the trek.

Second Gorilla Trekking

Proceed to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing on the Do’s and the Don’ts while you are with the mountain gorillas, you will also be assigned a park ranger who will guide you during the trek and also a gorilla family to look out for and then start the search for the mountain gorillas which will take about 2 to 8 hours depending on their movement and feeding range.

During your trek, you will encounter various bird species like Long crested eagle, stonechat, cinnamon-breasted bee eater, grey throated throat, African marsh harrier, common moorhen, paradise flycatcher among other bird species. On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend a maximum of 1 hour with them as you learn about their ways of life, how they feed and take care of their young ones, how they communicate among others. Feel free to ask as many questions as possible about these gorillas and take memorable pictures and then you will return back to your accommodation for lunch. You will spend the rest of the day resting and relaxing from the long day.

Location: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 4: Fly from Kigali Rwanda to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – Transfer to Nairobi National Park – Evening Game Drive

After a lovely breakfast on day 4 of your Safari, you will transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya. Upon arrival in Kenya, you will be picked up by our guide who will be waiting to welcome you at the Airport and then transfer you to your The Emakoko for your dinner as well as an overnight.

Location: Nairobi National Park

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 5: Drive to Giraffe Manor – Visit the Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

On waking up on a lovely morning in Kenya, you will have a delicious breakfast and then later proceed to the Giraffe Centre. This place was established in 1979 to educate the school children about their country’s incredible wildlife and environment as well as their breeding programme of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Here, you will get extremely up-close with these tall species and also get an opportunity to feed them since they love to interact with visitors. Later in the day, you can as well stretch your legs through a small nature trail within the sanctuary and then transfer to Elephant Orphanage in search for the white rhinos. Later return to your lodge for your dinner and overnight.

Location: Nairobi National Park

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 6: Transfer to Sweetwaters Game Reserve – Encounter with Chimpanzees

On waking up on this day 6 of your Safari, you will have your hot breakfast and then drive to Sweetwaters in the secluded heart of Ol Pejeta Ranch and Rhino Reserve. This drive will take about 4 hours and it will give you magnificent views of the snowcapped Mount Kenya and upon reaching, you will check into your accommodation for a hearty lunch. Later you will take a boat trip through the 1sqkm Chimpanzee sanctuary and spot some of the 26 Orphaned Chimpanzees that inhabit the forest though it has a population of over 40 chimpanzees. You will then return to your accommodation for your dinner as well as an overnight.

Location: Sweetwaters Game Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 7: Sweetwaters Game Reserve – Morning Game drive – Night Game drive

On day 7 of your Adventure, you will have your delicious breakfast and then you will embark on an early morning game drive through the reserve, you will have sightings of different mammal species including the black and white rhinos, African Wild Cat, lions, Aardwolf, African Civet, Baboons, Beisa Oryx, Bohor Reedbuck, Black-Back Jackal, Bruchell’s Zebra including possible sightings of the wild dogs among others. Later you will return back to your accommodation for a hearty lunch. You will spend your afternoon relaxing and then later in the evening, you will go for a night game drive with an armed park ranger and spotlight torches to help you see nocturnals in the night while hunting and feeding on their prey like African wild dog, Oryx, cheetah, lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, serval and bat-eared fox among others.

Location: Sweetwaters Game Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 8: Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park – Stopover at Nyahururu Town

After a relaxed breakfast on day 8 of your 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya, you will then drive to Lake Nakuru National Park which is about 4 hours from Sweetwaters game reserve. The journey will take you through the Great Rift Valley stopping at one of the highest Cities of Kenya, Nyahururu at an elevation of 7700ft.  You will then drive to Thomson falls a 74m waterfall which is located 3km away from Nyahururu Town and upon reaching you will be impressed by the stupendous thundering of the waters which drops several hundred feet down into a fearful gloomy gorge. Later you will continue to Lake Nakuru National park where you will see the beautiful Lake filled with pink flamingoes, later you will have your dinner and an overnight.

Location: Lake Nakuru National Park

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 9: Lake Nakuru National Park – Morning Game drive – Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Day 9 of your safari will have an early morning delicious breakfast and thereafter embark on a game drive through the park which will give you sightings of various mammal species including waterbucks, impalas, warthogs, elands, lions, leopards, hippopotamus, giraffes, rhinos among others. You will then proceed to Maasai Mara National Reserve which will take about 5 hours including a lunch stopover enroute.

Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 10: Maasai Mara National Reserve – Full day Game Drive  

After your delicious breakfast, you will embark on a full day game drive with your packed lunch  which will give you an encounter with mammal species like zebras, wildebeests, hippos, giraffes, duikers, impala hartebeests, roan antelopes, topi, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelles, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants and if lucky you will as well spot leopards, lions, hyenas. Later in the evening hours, return back to your lodge with an amazing game drive which will give you sights of more wildlife species to spice up your day. You will then have your dinner and an overnight.

Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner, a selection of drinks, laundry, activities at the lodge

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 11: Morning Game Drive – Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your Hotel

On the final day of your Safari, you will have breakfast and check out of your accommodation to proceed to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your Hotel with a Sunrise Game drive as you exit the park. Thank you so much for specifically choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on the 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya and we hope to see you again!!!

Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)

The Safari Package Includes on 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya

Meet and greet on arrival

Airport and inter-hotel transfers from day 1 to the last day

Meals as indicated in the itinerary

Accommodation rate includes: meals, alcoholic and soft drinks, laundry services, any activities at the lodges, and one complimentary massage per guest and applicable VAT

Exclusive use of a private safari land cruiser 4×4 with WI-FI in receptive areas

Services of a professional, experienced English speaking driver guide

A complimentary flower bouquet and a bottle of wine

Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour

1 Gorilla permit per person (this includes briefing at RDB offices, guide, trek – US$ 1,500.-)

All activities, visits and extra meals mentioned in the itinerary

Emergency Medical Evacuation Services

All government taxes.

The Safari Package Includes on 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya

International and domestic airline tickets unless where indicated,

Entry visa fees, Optional extras whilst in Kigali

Drinks throughout the trip, Tips and gratuities,

Personal expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar, porter-age, travel insurance, etc.

 Passenger Information on 11 Days Rwanda Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari Kenya

In case of non-availability, we may have to reroute and provide alternative accommodation at lodges of similar category.

Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris as our vehicles have limited luggage space

All the passengers must have Identification Card/Passport with them throughout their travel