11 Days Kenya Safari and Gorilla Trekking Safari
This 11 Days Kenya safari and Gorilla Trekking Safari takes you on a wild journey on which you will experience the best of East Africa in one trip. You will spend unforgettable days on safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara, tracking lions, elephants and following herds of wildlife, before flying to Kigali and head to Volcanoes National Park for intimate encounters with mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
On this 10 Days Kenya and Rwanda safari you will stay at award – winning camps and lodges, while experiencing some of the world’s most sought-after wildlife experience, and a touch of city culture. This East Africa safari is a mix of adventure, luxury, and once-in-a-lifetime memories.
Highlights
- Experience two of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations, from the vast savannah of the Masai Mara to the mystical rainforests of Volcanoes National Park
- Trek to encounter mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for a truly once-in-a-lifetime primate encounters
- Break up your safari with city stays in Nairobi and Kigali to experience the vibrant culture, cuisine and local highlights
- Stay in intimate, award-winning lodges and camps that combine luxury, comfort, and world class hospitality.
Detailed Itinerary of 11 Days Kenya Safari and Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative carrying a name board and be transferred to your hotel in Nairobi in a private vehicle.
Overnight at Hemingways Nairobi
Tucked between the rolling Ngong Hills and the vast Nairobi National Park lies Hemingway’s Nairobi, a boutique all-suite hotel offering a serene escape from the bustle of the city. The hotel is set in the leafy suburb of Karen, just minutes from cultural landmarks like the Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe Centre. The hotel is perfectly placed for both relaxation and exploration.
Day 2: Fly to Masai Mara
You will be met by our representative and transferred from Hemingways Nairobi to Wilson Airport by private vehicle. The drive is around 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. You will take a scheduled light flight from Wilson Airport to Masai Mara.
On landing, you will be met by your safari – drive guide and head to your lodge with en-route game drive.
Overnight at Wilderness Mara
Located in the heart of the Mara Triangle – one of the most wildlife rich areas in Masai Mara National Reserve, Wilderness Mara offers guests unrivalled access to both of the Mara River. The camp’s unique position provides access to a rich diversity of habitats while ensuring fewer crowds, more meaningful wildlife encounters.
The camp has 12 elegantly appointed tented suites set along the edge of a seasonal marsh, designed to immerse you in the surrounds. Each canvas suite features an indoor and outdoor shower, and an elevated private deck to maximize the views filled with wildlife and birds.
Day 3-5: Masai Mara Safari
Days on safari in the Masai Mara’s Mara Triangle – the most exclusive region of the reserve. Your days typically begin with an early morning game drive, when the predators – lions, leopards and hyenas are most active and the golden light creates superb photographic opportunities. With fewer vehicles than elsewhere in the reserve, sightings of lions, elephants and even the elusive black rhino feel more intimate.
After a leisurely breakfast at camp, bird enthusiasts can explore the region which is one of East Africa’s richest avian habitats with over 470 bird species ranging from crowned cranes to vibrant cinnamon – chested bee – eaters. Alternatively, you may choose simply to relax and enjoy the views, the spa, gym or pool.
In the afternoons, head out for another game drive, perhaps following the wildebeests, zebras and giraffes as they move through the savannah grasslands. For those seeking a cultural experience, you may choose to visit a nearby Maasai Manyatta, offering insight into traditional ways of life, storytelling, and song. As the sun sets, return for sundowners and dinner under the stars.
Day 6: Fly to Kigali City, Rwanda
Meet your driver-guide and transferred to the airstrip for a scheduled flight to Wilson Airport, connect to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight to Kigali International Airport.
Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our representative and be transferred to your hotel in Kigali City in a private vehicle.
Overnight at Hemingways Retreat
This boutique hotel sits in a residential neighbourhood in Kigali, the hotel brings together an eco-conscious design ethos with genuine urban access. It is in a close reach to the city’s markets, art galleries and the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Day 7: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Today we dive into the vibrant heart of Rwanda with a guided Kigali city tour, where history, art and culture converge. Explore the city’s origins at its first modern building and stroll through bustling neighborhood that reveal its transformation into one of Africa’s safest and most welcoming cities.
Wander through the colorful city markets, and walk the streets whirling with vegetable s, fruits, woods and textiles. Visit the Museum of Natural History with panoramic views of Kigali, then head to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a poignant and powerful site honoring the victims of the 1994 genocide to pay your respects while offering insight into Rwanda’s journey of healing and unity.
After the experience, journey to Volcanoes National Park which is a drive of about 3 hours. On arrival you will check in at your lodge and spend the evening at rest.
Overnight at Wilderness Bisate
Located in the natural Amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone and has dramatic views of the peaks of the Volcanoes – Bisoke and Karisimbi, rearing up through the Afro-alpine forest of nearby Volcanoes National Park.
The lodge has six luxurious en-suite Forest Villas boasting incredible views and maximizing comfort while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of rural Rwanda.
Day 8 – 10: Primate Experience in Volcanoes National Park
Embark on an unforgettable trek through the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park. Guided by expert trackers, venture further into the mist – shrouded mountains in search of a habituated gorilla family – each with its own unique hierarchy, personalities, and rhythms of life.
Depending on where your gorilla group is located, the drive to the starting point takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours and the trek through the forest takes approximately 2 to 4 hours or more. The symphony of the jungle surrounds you, the rustle of bamboo, the songs of vibrant bird species, and the playful chatter of golden monkeys leaping through the canopy.
Every step in Volcanoes National Park reveals a new facet of this rich montane ecosystem, from the whispering bamboo groves to open glades bathed in filtered light. When you finally encounter your gorilla family, time seems to stand still. For one precious hour, observe their gentle interactions – the watchful silverback, nurturing mothers and curious juveniles – offering an intimate glimpse into one of nature’s most profound bounds.
Return to camp exhilarated, carrying with you not just photographs, but an indelible sense of awe and connection that only a second day in the presence of these great primates can bring.
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, you will be drive back to Kigali where you will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your departure flight bringing your safari to an end.
End of 11 Days Kenya Safari and Gorilla Trekking Safari
Includes
- All safari accommodation & meals
- Twice daily safari activities
- Park fees and concession fees
- Laundry service
- Airport and inter-camp transfers as specified
- Meet & Greet
- Kigali city tour
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey permit
Excludes
- International flights
- Gratuities
- Personal purchases
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees