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Overview of Gorillas and the Mara
Gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda's Virungas, then a flight to Nairobi and four days in the Maasai Mara. Eleven days across two countries on one booking.
- Length
- 11 days
- Countries
- Rwanda, Kenya
- Pace
- Steady
- From
- USD 7,350
Best for gorillas and plains game on one booking. Prices are per person sharing a twin or double room and are confirmed on enquiry.
Highlights
- Gorilla trek and golden monkey trek in Volcanoes
- Kigali to Nairobi flight, about 2 hours
- Four nights in the Maasai Mara
- Mara River crossings, July to October
- Giraffe Centre visit in Karen
Where this one goes
6 stops over 11 days, in travel order.
Day 1
Kigali (KGL)
Land and drive two hours north
Days 1 to 4
Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trek, golden monkeys and Intore dance
Days 4 to 5
Kigali
Genocide Memorial, then the flight east
Days 5 to 6
Nairobi
One night in Karen and the Giraffe Centre
Days 6 to 10
Maasai Mara
Four nights on the plains
Day 11
Nairobi (NBO)
Depart
When to travel
The windows below are for the countries this journey crosses. Tell us the month you are thinking of and we will say what it means for this route.
Rwanda
- Jun to SepBest
- Long dry season. Firm trails and the easiest trekking of the year.
- Dec to FebStrong
- Short dry window with thinner crowds than the June peak.
- Mar to MayGreen
- Long rains. Hard going underfoot, lowest rates, forest at its most alive.
- Oct to NovMixed
- Short rains arrive in the afternoon. Mornings usually trek fine.
Kenya
- Jul to OctBest
- Migration herds in the Mara and dry, concentrated game everywhere else.
- Jan to FebStrong
- Hot and dry. Superb cat viewing without the migration crowd.
- Mar to MayGreen
- Long rains. Lush, quiet, cheap, and some camps close.
- Nov to DecMixed
- Short rains, newborn game, good value ahead of the Christmas peak.
What you are likely to see
Listed because this route goes where these animals are, and on which day. None of it is a promise of a sighting, and anyone who gives you a percentage is guessing.
Mountain gorilla
Volcanoes National Park, day 2
Golden monkey
Volcanoes National Park, day 3
In the bamboo below the gorilla sectors
Rothschild's giraffe
Giraffe Centre, Nairobi, day 5
Hand-fed from the raised platform
Lion
Maasai Mara, days 6 to 10
Cheetah
Maasai Mara, days 6 to 10
Elephant
Maasai Mara, days 6 to 10
Hippo and crocodile
Mara River, day 9
Wildebeest
Maasai Mara, July to October
Day by day
Day 1
Land in Kigali, drive to Musanze
Meet at KGL and drive north for 2 hours to Musanze and the lodge near Kinigi. Your guide checks your kit and the next morning's plan.
OvernightMusanze, for Volcanoes National Park. Lodge, full board.
Day 2
Gorilla trek
Briefing at Kinigi at 7:00, then a trek to your assigned family and 60 minutes in their company, in a group of no more than 8. You are back at the lodge by mid-afternoon.
OvernightMusanze, for Volcanoes National Park. Lodge, full board.
Day 3
Golden monkeys and Intore dance
A morning golden monkey trek in the bamboo, an easier walk than the gorillas with quicker, noisier animals. The afternoon is at the Iby'Iwacu cultural village for Intore dance, or a second gorilla trek if you add the permit.
OvernightMusanze, for Volcanoes National Park. Lodge, full board.
Day 4
Musanze to Kigali
Drive 2 hours to Kigali and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi in the afternoon.
OvernightKigali. Hotel, breakfast.
Day 5
Fly to Nairobi
A morning flight from KGL to NBO, about 2 hours, and a transfer to a hotel in Karen. In the afternoon, hand-feed Rothschild's giraffe at the Giraffe Centre.
OvernightNairobi, Karen. Hotel, breakfast.
Day 6
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Drive west for 5.5 to 6 hours, pausing at the Rift Valley escarpment viewpoint. You arrive in the Mara for a late-afternoon game drive.
OvernightMaasai Mara. Lodge or tented camp, full board.
Days 7 to 8
Full days in the Mara
Dawn and late-afternoon drives with a packed lunch in between, for lion, cheetah, elephant and, from July to October, the Mara River crossings. An optional dawn balloon flight and bush breakfast is available on either morning.
OvernightMaasai Mara. 2 nights, Lodge or tented camp, full board.
Day 9
Maasai village and the river
A morning visit to a Maasai village hosted by a family near the reserve, then a last game drive along the Mara River for hippo and crocodile.
OvernightMaasai Mara. Lodge or tented camp, full board.
Day 10
Mara to Nairobi
A final dawn drive, then 5.5 to 6 hours by road to Nairobi, arriving by late afternoon. Farewell dinner in Karen.
OvernightNairobi, Karen. Hotel, breakfast.
Day 11
Depart Nairobi
Airport transfer to NBO for your departure. A day room in Karen can be added if your flight leaves late.
Gorillas and plains game on one booking, over 11 days at a steady pace.
Where you stay
10 nights, in travel order. Prices are per person sharing a twin or double room.
| Nights | Where | Type | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Musanze, for Volcanoes National Park | Lodge | Full board |
| 1 | Kigali | Hotel | Breakfast |
| 1 | Nairobi, Karen | Hotel | Breakfast |
| 4 | Maasai Mara | Lodge or tented camp | Full board |
| 1 | Nairobi, Karen | Hotel | Breakfast |
Photographs from Gorillas and the Mara
Included
- Rwanda gorilla permit (USD 1,500) and golden monkey permit
- Volcanoes National Park and Maasai Mara reserve fees
- Flight from Kigali (KGL) to Nairobi (NBO)
- Private 4x4 with pop-top roof and driver-guide in both countries
- Ten nights in lodges, hotels and tented camps, sharing a twin or double room
- Full board in the parks, breakfast at the city hotels
- Giraffe Centre entry and Maasai village visit
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers at Kigali (KGL) and Nairobi (NBO)
Not included
- International flights to Kigali and from Nairobi
- Visas and eTA fees
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation cover
- Tips for guides, rangers and lodge staff
- Drinks other than bottled water
- A second gorilla trek (permit USD 1,500)
- Optional hot-air balloon safari
Questions
- Why fly between Kigali and Nairobi rather than drive?
- Because the road between them is not a travel day worth having. The flight is about two hours and it is included in the price, which leaves day five with an afternoon at the Giraffe Centre in Karen instead of a border and a highway.
- Which permits are included?
- The USD 1,500 Rwanda gorilla permit and the golden monkey permit, plus Volcanoes National Park and Maasai Mara reserve fees. A second gorilla trek is not included and would be another USD 1,500.
- How many days are actually in the Mara?
- Four nights, covering two full days of dawn and late-afternoon drives, a Maasai village visit and a last drive along the river. From July to October that window also covers the Mara River crossings.
- What happens on the two days in Rwanda after the trek?
- Day three is golden monkeys in the bamboo and Intore drumming and dance, which is a light day on purpose. Day four drives two hours to Kigali and visits the Genocide Memorial at Gisozi before the flight the next morning.
- Is this better than doing the two countries separately?
- It is cheaper and shorter than two trips, and the flight does the work. The trade is that eleven days gives you one gorilla trek and four Mara nights rather than a deep stay in either country.
Read before you book
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From USD 7,350 per person sharing a twin or double room. The lead-in price is confirmed on enquiry.