Imagine Rwanda and Kenya

Showcasing East Africa’s wildlife gems, journey through Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda in search of mountain gorillas and observe the behaviours of these mysterious primates. Top off this bucket list experience with an unbeatable safari in the vast grassy plains and rolling hills of the Masai Mara in Kenya. This trip is ideal for those travellers who are short on time but want an action-packed wildlife adventure.

1. Fly to Kigali

2. Days 1-3: Volcanoes National Park, Virungas and northern Rwanda, Rwanda

   On arrival into Kigali, you’ll be met by your specialist driver/guide and driven to the Volcanoes National Park, a stunning series of volcanoes encased by jungle, and the home of mountain gorillas. Gaze out the window in admiration of this scenic country which has been termed the Switzerland of Africa and the land of a thousand hills.  On the way, you will stop off at the Genocide Memorial Centre. The memorial is a journey through one of the most savage genocides in history and takes you through what happened with enormous visual and emotional impact. Your base for the next two nights is The Bishop’s House, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Spend this afternoon at your leisure and relish on a delicious dinner in the tranquil courtyard before getting some rest for the night. 
   
   This morning feel your excitement build as you embark on your trek to find the mountain gorillas. Firstly, you will be driven 15 minutes to the park headquarters to find out which gorilla family you will be tracking.  You will then journey through the forest, clambering through dense jungle and hiking up steep gradients. It can take anything from 45 minutes to 5 hours to find the gorillas depending on their movements, but as you can imagine it’s totally worth it when you come across these majestic animals. Spend a magical hour with these habituated gorillas, watching them interact as a family and admire the adorable babies playing and tumbling amongst the ferns.  After the trek you will spend the remainder of your day unwinding at Bishop’s House, looking back on the extraordinary experience you have encountered.

   Accommodation: The Bishop’s House (2 nights)

3. Days 3-4: Nairobi

   This morning enjoy a well-deserved lie in and a leisurely breakfast before being driven back to Kigali in time for your international flight to Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. At the airport you will be greeted by your driver who will transfer you to the Tamarind Tree Hotel for the night, where you can unwind before your safari begins in the morning.

   Accommodation: Tamarind Tree Hotel (1 night)

4. Days 4-7: Maasai Mara

   After breakfast your driver will transfer you to Nairobi Wilson domestic airport, which is just 10 minutes away from your hotel. You will board a light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. Approaching the Mara, you will see endless open plains dotted with acacia trees and rolling hills in the distance. Landing in the wilderness on a dirt airstrip, you safari begins as a herd of wildebeest look over at you curiously as you step off the plane. Your guide will game drive you to Naibor Camp, your home for the next 3 nights. After settling into camp, you will enjoy a light lunch overlooking the Talek River, listening to the grunts of hippos before heading out on your afternoon game drive. If you travel between July-September, you are in a prime spot to feel the thundering movements of the wildebeest migration. Aside from this, the wildlife sightings in the Masai Mara are phenomenal. Follow a coalition of cheetah through the plains and wait in anticipation for them to begin a hunt. Watch lion cubs frolicking around in the grass whilst their mother keeps a watchful eye on them. Evenings will be spent reminiscing on the day’s events around a roaring campfire, listening to the sounds of lions in the distance.

   Accommodation: Naibor Camp (3 nights)

5. Days 7-8: Nairobi

   Today after a final game drive, soaking up your last wildlife sightings, you will enjoy a leisurely meal back at the camp and say farewell before catching your light aircraft flight back to Nairobi. You will spend the afternoon and night at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport Hotel, which is well located to catch your flight home the following morning. 
   
    

   Accommodation: The Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (1 night)

6. Fly Home

Volcanoes National Park, Nairobi, Masai Mara