Kenya to Rwanda: The Maasai Mara, Gorillas & Chimps

  • thumbnail image_kenyatorwandathemaasaimaragorillaschimps
  • thumbnail map_kenyatorwandathemaasaimaragorillaschimps

Duration: 14 days

Begins: Nairobi

Ends: Kigali

Trip Code: DKMU

From

£5,499 per person

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    East Africa doesn't do small moments — and this trip proves it. Start in Kenya where safari drives through the Great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru turn up Big Five sightings before Uganda and Rwanda take things deeper. Trek with chimps and gorillas in their natural habitat, cruise Queen Elizabeth National Park, and soak up landscapes this wild, this vast, and this alive.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    Classic
    All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
    Service Level
    Standard
    Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
    Physical Rating
    4 - Demanding
    Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your G for Good Moment: Amani Ya Juu Lunch, Nairobi
    • Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali
    • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
    • Lake Nakuru sunset safari drive
    • Maasai Mara village visit and national park safari
    • Full-day Maasai Mara National Park Safari
    • Free time in Lake Nakuru National Park
    • Guest farm stay near Kibale National Park
    • Chimpanzee trek
    • Bigodi community lunch
    • Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife safari drives
    • Guided gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
    • Visit to Kigali Genocide Museum
    • All national park fees and trekking permits
    • Internal flight between Nairobi and Kampala
    • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

    Allow USD190-250 for meals not included.

    Day 1 : Nairobi

    Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening where you will get to know our fellow group members and meet your CEO.

    Meet Your CEO and Group

    1h

    Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

    Acommodation

    Kingfisher Nest Hotel Suites

    Acommodation

    Kingfisher Nest Hotel Suites

    Day 2 : Nairobi/Nakuru

    Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Nairobi then travel by private vehicle to Lake Nakuru National Park. Enjoy an included lunch at the lodge before heading out on a sundown safari drive inside the park in search of the area's wildlife. Return to the lodge in the afternoon, then join the group for dinner on the property.

    Private Vehicle

    Nairobi - Lake Nakuru National Park 3h30m 162km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Lake Nakuru Wildlife Safari Drive

    Lake Nakuru National Park

    Search for, buffalo, impalas, hyenas, and even lions and leopards on the wildlife safari drive in this renowned national park. Head to the shores of Lake Nakuru to see pelicans and cormorants. The park is also rich in other bird life, including grebes, white winged black terns, stilts, avocets, and ducks.

    There are a number of Rothschild's giraffe translocated for safety from western Kenya beginning in 1977. Numerous other mammals can be seen, including zebra, impala, gazelle, waterbuck, lion, warthog, bushbuck, many buffalo, and even at times leopard.

    Acommodation

    Lake Nakuru Lodge

    Acommodation

    Lake Nakuru Lodge

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 3 : Nakuru

    Rise early as the sun is just beginning to colour the sky and enjoy a morning safari drive into Lake Nakuru National Park. Return to the lodge for lunch before enjoying free time to explore the area. You can choose to embark on another safari drive into the park this afternoon or simply relax at the lodge property. Dinner is included at the lodge tonight.

    Morning Lake Nakuru Wildlife Safari Drive

    Lake Nakuru National Park

    Embark on a morning safari drive into Lake Nakuru National Park as the animals are going about their daily routines and observe the beauty of your surroundings.

    Free time:

    Nakuru Half day

    Take advantage of a free half-day in the Lake Nakuru National Park area. Choose to go on another safari drive into the park or simply enjoy the lodge's amenities.

    Acommodation

    Lake Nakuru Lodge

    Optional Activities - Day 3

    Lake Nakuru Afternoon Safari Drive

    Lake Nakuru National Park 3h

    Considered one of the best national parks in the mighty Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most famous for colonies of flamingos living on the shores of the park's namesake lake, you are likely to see a variety of protected wildlife while on open-air safari drive here. Think black and white rhinos and plenty of bird species. This experience comes later in the day when you can enjoy slightly fewer vehicles on the trail and animals often heading to watering holes or returning from whatever mid-day shade they could find.

    Acommodation

    Lake Nakuru Lodge

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 4 : Nakuru/Masai Mara

    After breakfast at the lodge the group will travel to Masai Mara National Park and arrive around lunch time. Head out on a visit to Masai Village and then an afternoon safari drive outside of the Maasai Mara National Park on a private concession to search for giraffe, zebra, hyena, antelope, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos & elephants as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Return to the lodge, relax, and have dinner in the evening.

    Maasai Village Visit

    Masai Mara

    Experience the rare opportunity to visit a Maasai village. Step inside a hut made of cow dung and sticks, let your eyes adjust to the dark, and imagine living in such a small space. Admire the exquisite beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings worn by both the men and women. Marvel at the athletic ability of the young men who jump and bob in greeting. Learn about the traditions of these nomadic people, who seek sustenance from both the blood and milk of their cows. Have your camera ready for some fantastic photo opportunities.

    Private Vehicle

    Lake Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara 4h 246km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Wildlife Safari Drive

    Masai Mara

    You are in one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide on a private concession near the reserve and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.

    Acommodation

    Kenia Safari Camp Cottages

    Acommodation

    Kenia Safari Camp Cottages

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 5 : Masai Mara

    This morning choose to pre-book an early morning safari drive or a hot air balloon safari over the plains of Masai Mara. Then, set out on a full day safari drive. Search for wildlife and enjoy this beautiful part of Kenya. Gather for a packed lunch before arriving at your tented camp area in the later afternoon. Spend the night in this tented camp amid the sounds of the plains.

    Full Day Masai Mara Wildlife Safari Drive

    Masai Mara

    Enjoy a full day in the Greater Mara Ecosystem, renowned for its exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. This is where the Great Migration brings millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle across the plains. It's also known for its high density of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The diverse landscape, from rolling grasslands to riverine forests, provides stunning vistas and an unforgettable drive.

    Acommodation

    Kenia Safari Camp Cottages

    Optional Activities - Day 5

    Masai Mara Balloon Safari

    Masai Mara

    Choose to pre-book a Hot Air Balloon safari over the plains of the Maasai Mara. Your balloon adventure ends with a delicious breakfast. Float above the Mara plains in a dimension of unsurpassed tranquillity and beauty. The hot air balloon lifts you into the clear blue sky at dawn and gives you an eagle’s view of the wildlife pageant below. You will glide over the treetops with the early birds and be wafted gently over the plains, above the bustle and bumps of the ground below, but cruising close to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Balloon Flight Times Pickup at 05:00 Flight at 06:00

    Morning Masai Mara Wildlife Safari Drive

    Masai Mara

    Enter the park early in the morning to witness the magnificent wildlife as the first light begins to glow over the land.

    Acommodation

    Kenia Safari Camp Cottages

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 6 : Masai Mara/Nairobi

    In the morning leave camp and begin to travel back to Nairobi on a route that allows you to spot some wildlife as your exit the area. Stop along the way for lunch at a G Adventure-supported community project. Arrive back to Nairobi and attend an optional group dinner this evening at a nearby local restaurant.

    Private Vehicle

    Masai Mara - Nairobi 6h30m

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle. As you leave the camp you will have a chance to see wildlife on the route taken from the camping area. There will be a a stop outside of Nairobi for lunch at a G Adventures-supported community initiative.

    Amani Ya Juu Lunch

    Nairobi

    In the post-colonial era of East and Southern Africa, Kenya found itself as a refuge for many women who were seeking safety. As a result, a very special G Adventures for Good supported project, Amani ya Juu, was created. Amani ya Juu serves as a community where many of these women can learn entrepreneurship and engage in fair trade activities that allow them to create opportunities for themselves and their families. By creating unique handicrafts symbolic of their cultures, the women can express themselves and receive an impactful income, leading to economic independence. Here you’ll enjoy a locally sourced lunch prepared by women and youth of the community, engage in conversation to learn of their history, and build a greater connection with this incredible program.

    Acommodation

    Kingfisher Nest Hotel Suites

    Acommodation

    Kingfisher Nest Hotel Suites

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 7 : Nairobi/Kampala

    Catch a flight this morning from Nairobi to Kampala. Enjoy free time to become settled and explore the city on your own before the next part of the adventure begins tomorrow.

    Plane

    Nairobi - Kampala 1h15m - 1h30m

    Sit back and enjoy the short flight between Nairobi and Kampala.

    Free time:

    Kampala

    The bustling, vibrant city of Kampala, Uganda, offers a wealth of opportunities for free-time exploration. You might choose to dive into the city's rich history with a visit to the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the burial ground of the Buganda kings, or explore the impressive Baháʼí Temple, the only one of its kind in Africa. For a taste of local life, wander through the colorful stalls of the Owino Market, a massive open-air bazaar. Alternatively, find a quiet moment at the serene Lake Victoria or simply relax at a local café, soaking in the energetic atmosphere of Uganda's capital.

    Acommodation

    Canary Hotel

    Acommodation

    Canary Hotel

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 8 : Kampala/Fort Portal

    Take the scenic route to Fort Portal at the edge of Kibale National Park. Spend the night on a guest farm listening to the sounds of monkeys and birds.

    Accommodation in Fort Portal is on a farm in simple furnished tents with shared bathroom facilities.

    Private Vehicle

    Kampala - Fort Portal 4h - 6h 297km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Acommodation

    Kluges Guest Farm

    Acommodation

    Kluges Guest Farm

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 9 : Kibale National Park

    Explore the evergreen rainforest and trek to spot chimps in the morning or afternoon. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the Bigodi Community.

    Opt to venture deep into the wetlands to spot more wildlife on a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.

    Chimpanzee Trek

    Kibale National Park 1h - 2h

    Embark on a chimp trek with a park ranger/guide. See more than just chimpanzees in their natural environment. Learn about the ecosystem and keep an eye out for other animals. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they are not bothered by humans watching their daily behaviour.

    Bigodi Community Lunch

    Kibale National Park - Bigodi 1h - 1h30m

    Sit down to a traditional buffet-style lunch prepared with fresh, organic local ingredients. Guests dine in a grass thatched hut and learn about Bigodi dining etiquette. Your local hosts describes how the ingredients used in the dishes are grown, harvested and prepared.

    Acommodation

    Kluges Guest Farm

    Optional Activities - Day 9

    Bigodi Swamp Walk

    Bigodi 2h

    Take a guided walk through the Bigodi wetlands. On your tour, you will likely see several kinds of monkeys including black and white colobus, red colobus, mangabey, red tail, vervet, and L’Hoest. Other wetlands mammals include baboons, sitatunga (an increasingly endangered swamp antelope), bush pigs, civet cats, mongooses, bush bucks and an occasional chimpanzee. The area also boasts an incredible bird population. Walking poles are provided, subject to availability. If you require poles, we suggest bringing your own.

    Acommodation

    Kluges Guest Farm

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 10 : Kibale NP/Queen Elizabeth NP

    Continue on to Queen Elizabeth NP, stopping at the equator. Head out on a wildlife safari drive in the afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled for warthogs, elephants, buffalo, five different species of primates, and hippos.

    Queen Elizabeth National Park is characterized by open savannah, large areas of swamp around Lake George, the extensive Maramagambo Forest in the southeast, and the forested Kyambura Gorge along the border with Kyambura Game Reserve.

    Tonight's accommodation is located on a hill, on the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It offers spectacular views of Lake George and the savannah plains.

    Private Vehicle

    Kibale National Park - Queen Elizabeth National Park 3h 115km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Drive

    Queen Elizabeth National Park Afternoon

    Enjoy a wildlife safari drive inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to Uganda's largest wildlife populations. Keep an eye out for buffalo, elephants, hippos, hyenas, lions, warthogs, and the elusive leopards.

    Acommodation

    Simba Safari Camp

    Acommodation

    Simba Safari Camp

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Dinner

    Day 11 : Queen Elizabeth National Park

    Take an early morning wildlife safari drive and enjoy lunch inside the park. Opt for an evening cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

    Enjoy a wildlife safari drive with possible sightings of buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, leopards, hyenas, giant forest hogs, and elephants.

    Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Drive

    Queen Elizabeth National Park Morning

    Enjoy a wildlife safari drive inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to Uganda's largest wildlife populations. Keep an eye out for buffalo, elephants, hippos, hyenas, lions, warthogs, and the elusive leopards.

    Free time:

    Queen Elizabeth National Park Afternoon

    Don't waste a minute— start exploring.

    Acommodation

    Simba Safari Camp

    Optional Activities - Day 11

    Kazinga Channel Cruise

    Queen Elizabeth National Park 3h

    Take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a waterway inside Queen Elizabeth National Park that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Look out for a variety of wildlife who are drawn to the channel shores. Spot birds, crocodiles, hippos, and reptiles.

    Acommodation

    Simba Safari Camp

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 12 : Queen Elizabeth NP/Bwindi Impenetrable NP

    Enjoy the scenic drive south, with views of forests, volcanoes and lakes. Spend the night on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

    Accommodation at Bwindi Impenetrable NP is in simple furnished tents/rooms with ensuite bathroom facilities.

    Private Vehicle

    Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 5h - 6h 200km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Acommodation

    Rushaga Gorilla Camp

    Acommodation

    Rushaga Gorilla Camp

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 13 : Gorilla Trekking

    Rise early for the tour's main highlight – gorilla trekking!

    Head into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on the trek, which can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla family that's being visited. Spend 1 hr (max) observing these beautiful and endangered creatures, a truly privileged experience. Trek back and return to town. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi.

    Mountain Gorilla Trek

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 1h - 6h

    Take an unforgettable guided trek (1-6 hrs) deep into volcano forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a wildlife encounter of a lifetime, and meet a family of mountain gorillas. One of Africa's major highlights, a close encounter with these amazing animals is simply breathtaking. Get prepared before heading out: bring plenty of water and waterproof clothing (it can rain on only a few minutes’ notice), and be sure to bring protective bags for cameras and film. Dress in layers with long sleeves and long pants to protect against stinging nettles found in the forests. The trek’s often chilly, at first, until you start trekking. Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi.

    Take an unforgettable guided trek deep into the volcano forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a wildlife encounter of a lifetime, and meet a family of mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the home to approximately half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, the world's most endangered ape. Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure and currently permit only a maximum of 8 people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. As such, the group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the amount of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days. Get prepared before heading out: bring plenty of water and waterproof clothing (it can rain on only a few minutes’ notice), and be sure to bring protective bags for cameras and film. Dress in layers with long sleeves and long pants to protect against stinging nettles found in the forests. The trek’s often chilly, at first, until you start trekking. Drive to the park office on the morning of your trek, and meet with local mountain guides and porters, who will assist the group during the trek. Be briefed on the etiquette of gorilla trekking, then set off into the forest. Trek from 1-6 hrs, and prepare for varying altitudes, which can exceed altitudes of 2,500m (8,202 ft). Watch your footing - the terrain is rough and at times, and can be muddy and slippery.

    Free time:

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Afternoon

    Depending on when you get back from your gorilla trek, you may have some time to explore more of the area.

    Acommodation

    Rushaga Gorilla Camp

    Optional Activities - Day 13

    Porter Hire

    Hire a local porter to carry your day pack throughout the trek, giving you more ease on your journey.

    Acommodation

    Rushaga Gorilla Camp

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 14 : Bwindi/Kigali

    Cross the border into Rwanda, then head to the capital city, Kigali. Visit the genocide museum to learn more about the dark history of this fascinating country. Enjoy lunch at the G Adventures supported Nyamirambo Women's Centre.

    The tour ends following lunch at Nyamirambo Women's Centre. Please book onward flights no earlier than 6pm.

    Border Crossing (Uganda - Rwanda)

    Gatuna Border Post 1h - 1h30m

    Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

    Private Vehicle

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Kigali 4h30m - 5h30m 175km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Kigali Genocide Memorial Visit

    Kigali 2h

    Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which serves as a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide in 1994. The centre opened on the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, in April 2004, and was built on a site where more than 250,000 people are buried. Please note that content at the Memorial Centre shows the harsh reality of the genocide.

    Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch

    Kigali

    Located in Nyamirambo, the largest and most vibrant township in Rwanda, the centre provides women and girls from a diverse range of backgrounds, the opportunity to support each other and succeed, through education and training programs. Enjoy lunch prepared by women employed at the centre, allowing us to try local foods and popular dishes. After lunch, take some time to browse the centre's shop, which features handmade, high-quality crafts and clothes, made by some of the women at the shop, as well as other women's cooperatives throughout Rwanda. Proceeds from the meal and shop help support the centre’s education and training programs, including a community library.

    Departure Day

    Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

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