7 Days Kenya & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be warmly received by your safari representative and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre, or simply relax at your lodge as you prepare for your upcoming adventure. Enjoy dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in Kenya’s vibrant capital.

Destination: Nairobi, Kenya
Accommodation: Hemingways Nairobi / Fairmont The Norfolk
Meal Plan: Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. As your plane glides over the Rift Valley, enjoy aerial views of patchwork plains and winding rivers before landing in the heart of the Mara.

Your guide will meet you on arrival for a transfer to your luxury safari camp. After lunch, set out for an afternoon game drive across the golden savannahs, where lions, elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs roam freely. The Mara’s breathtaking scenery and rich wildlife make it one of the world’s premier safari destinations.

Destination: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Angama Mara / Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Spend a full day exploring the endless plains of the Maasai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives. Witness Africa’s iconic wildlife, including the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo — and countless other species such as wildebeests, zebras, and hyenas.

For photography lovers, the Mara offers incredible opportunities to capture sunrise and sunset moments over the savannah. Between drives, enjoy a bush lunch or return to your lodge to relax. Optional activities include a hot air balloon safari followed by a champagne breakfast — a truly magical experience over the vast plains.

Accommodation: Angama Mara / Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, take a flight from the Maasai Mara (via Nairobi) to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your Rwandan guide for a brief Kigali city tour, including visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the colorful local markets.

After lunch, enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour drive north to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s premier gorilla trekking destination. The journey offers breathtaking views of terraced hills and distant volcano peaks. Upon arrival, check into your luxury lodge and relax as you take in the beauty of Rwanda’s highlands.

Destination: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Accommodation: Bisate Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing before embarking on your mountain gorilla trekking adventure. With your ranger guide, hike through the lush rainforest, alive with birds, butterflies, and the occasional golden monkey, as you track one of the habituated gorilla families.

Once you encounter them, spend a magical hour watching these gentle giants feed, play, and care for their young — a deeply moving and unforgettable experience. Return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest, lunch, and relaxation surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature.

Accommodation: Bisate Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you have the option to embark on a golden monkey trek, another thrilling primate experience unique to the Virunga Mountains. These endangered monkeys are known for their playful energy and bright golden-orange coats.

Alternatively, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll interact with local communities, learn about Rwandan traditions, and enjoy vibrant drumming and dancing performances. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure at your lodge, soaking in the stunning mountain views.

Accommodation: Bisate Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, take a scenic drive back to Kigali, enjoying your last glimpses of Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes. Depending on your flight time, you may stop for souvenir shopping or a visit to a local coffee cooperative before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight home.

This marks the end of your incredible 7-day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari — a journey that beautifully blends classic wildlife encounters with the rare privilege of meeting the mountain gorillas.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch