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Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Transfer to Masai Mara

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The drive offers scenic views of the Great Rift Valley and the Kenyan countryside. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. In the evening, embark on your first game drive to spot the Big Five and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: Safari Lodge in or around Masai Mara

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara

Spend the entire day exploring the vast plains of the Masai Mara. Early morning and late afternoon game drives provide the best opportunities to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and possibly the Great Migration if you visit during the right season. Between game drives, relax at the lodge and enjoy the stunning views. The day concludes with a sundowner experience in the bush.

Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: Safari Lodge in or around Masai Mara

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Masai Mara to Kigali, Rwanda

After a morning game drive and breakfast, transfer back to Nairobi for your flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure, perhaps exploring the vibrant city or enjoying a quiet dinner at the hotel.

Main Destination: Kigali

Accommodation: Hotel in Kigali

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. En route, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about Rwanda’s history. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the surroundings. Prepare for the exciting gorilla trek the next day.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation: Lodge in or around Volcanoes National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the highlight of your trip: gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing. Then, embark on a trek through the dense forest to find a gorilla family. Spend an unforgettable hour observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation: Lodge in or around Volcanoes National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking and Cultural Visit

This morning, enjoy a trek to see the endangered golden monkeys. After the trek, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village to experience Rwandan culture, including traditional dances, music, and crafts. Return to the lodge in the evening to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation: Lodge in or around Volcanoes National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Return to Kigali and Departure

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute shopping or a city tour. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of an incredible safari and gorilla trekking adventure.

Main Destination: Kigali

Accommodation: None (End of tour)

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Yes, you can! The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. The reserve’s vast plains and diverse ecosystems provide a perfect habitat for these iconic animals. Whether you’re on a game drive or a guided walking safari, the chances of spotting these magnificent creatures are high.

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents, and $300 for East African citizens and the Rest of Africa pays $500 per person. This fee includes entry into Volcanoes National Park, the services of experienced ranger guides, and an hour spent with the gorillas. The permit cost is higher than in Uganda, where the permit is $800 for foreign non-residents and $400-$500 for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda offers a discount on the license (30% discount) to $1050 during the low season. However, this only works if you have booked a safari to Akagera National Park or Nyungwe after the gorilla trek.

Masai Mara for the Wildebeest Migration: The best time to witness the Great Migration in the Masai Mara is from June to October. During these months, millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds, creating a spectacular natural phenomenon.

Volcanoes for Gorilla Trekking: The ideal time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. These periods offer more manageable trekking conditions and a higher chance of encountering gorillas.

Both Masai Mara National Reserve and Volcanoes National Park are rated among the top wildlife and gorilla trekking destinations in Africa due to their unique offerings:

Masai Mara National Reserve: Known for its vast savannahs, diverse wildlife, and the Great Migration, the Masai Mara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for any safari enthusiast.

Volcanoes National Park: Home to mountain gorillas, Volcanoes offers an unparalleled gorilla trekking experience. The park’s dense forests and rugged terrain add to the adventure, making it a top destination for primate lovers.

Combining a Masai Mara wildlife safari with a gorilla trekking holiday in Rwanda offers a comprehensive African safari experience. This combination allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds: the thrill of big game viewing in the Masai Mara and the intimate encounter with mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. It’s an African safari that caters to diverse interests and provides a deeper understanding of Africa’s rich biodiversity.

To Masai Mara: Our travellers fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and then take a domestic flight to one of the airstrips in the Masai Mara. Alternatively, you can drive from Nairobi, which takes about 6-7 hours. You can then connect to Kigali International Airport by flight or opt for a road trip from Masai Mara to Volcanoes National Park.

To Volcanoes: The nearest international airport to Volcanoes is Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. From there we can transfer by road to Volcanoes National Park, drive from Kigali takes about 2-3 hours.

Both Masai Mara and the Volcanoes are considered safe for tourists. However, it’s essential to follow the guidelines provided by your tour operator and local authorities. Always stay with your group, avoid wandering off alone, and adhere to the rules and regulations of the parks.

Both destinations offer a range of accommodation options, from budget campsites to luxurious lodges. These accommodations are strategically located to provide comfort, proximity to the parks, and stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Many lodges also feature curio shops where you can purchase souvenirs and local crafts

When on a safari in Masai Mara National Reserve, it’s crucial to follow these rules:

• Honour the speed limit while on game drive in the Kenya National game parks to prevent accidents on both the animals and the tourists. Driving off track is not accepted unless permitted by relevant authorities.
• Never disturb the wild animals by hooting at them as you may cause them to run away yet other tourists would like to have some moment with them just like you have. When you find them crossing stop and wait for them. Some of them may charge at you when you sound the dangerous vehicle horn.
• Don’t come with dogs or other pets into the park as chances of getting an infection from the wild animals or the pet may happen which is quite dangerous to conservation.
• Keep all your litter in your car like plastic wraps as these alter the nature of the environment where these animals thrive.
• Carrying ammunition in the park is not acceptable because you may be triggered to use it and kill the wild animals or anyone in your company.
• Never pick flowers or trample on the vegetation in the parks as you destroy the environment where animals thrive. Do not pack anything from the park but just take pictures while on safari and leave only vehicle tire prints.
• Retain all official receipts for verification at exit so that you are not inconvenienced 
• All the park gates are open from 0700 hrs to 1900 hours.

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that were almost extinct due to constant poaching from the locals, but with the coming and conservation ideas of the Rwanda Development Board, gorillas survived. With the help of the government of Rwanda, some rules have been set up to continue conserving the natural habitat of the Mountain gorillas. The rules are to be followed by all who intend to go for a gorilla trek for your safety and the safety of the gorillas, and these include:

• Rwanda’s gorilla trekking age limit is 15 years, and no one below that age will be allowed to trek the gorillas.
• Feeding of the Mountain gorillas is prohibited.
• After locating the gorillas, the trekkers are allowed a maximum of an hour with the gorillas studying their behavioural patterns and taking photos and videos.
• You need to keep a distance of about 7 to 10 meters away from the gorillas.
• Gorillas are not used to flash photography, so make sure that you turn your camera flash off before taking photos.
• A maximum of 8 people is allowed to trek the assigned gorilla families.
• Holes 30 cm deep are to be dug and covered for hikers planning on using the toilet because there are no toilets within the national park.
• Avoid littering the national park with rubbish by leaving it the way you found it.
• Do not in any way get close to the gorillas to avoid passing on infections in case you are sick.
• No one can eat, smoke, or drink with the gorillas.
• Avoid staring at the gorillas in the eye, don’t put on sunglasses, and in cases where the gorillas approach you, follow the instructions given to you by the guides.

For a Masai Mara safari and gorilla trekking in Rwanda, consider packing the following essentials:

• Pack some warm clothes like sweaters for when the weather drastically changes.
• A raincoat is necessary whether you are travelling in the dry or wet season.
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers protect your skin from insect bites, keep you warm, and protect your skin from tree scratches. The clothes packed should be neutral or in brown, khaki, and green colours. Avoid blue, any other brightly colored clothes, and black. Also, make sure to avoid jeans.
• First aid kit fully packed with all the medicines prescribed by your doctor, bandages, spirit, iodine, cotton, tummy ache medicines, pain killers, and other things needed to treat scratches during the trek.
• Gaiters, socks, and garden gloves are needed. The socks are used to keep you warm, and during the trek, trousers are tucked into the socks to prevent insects from crawling up your pants. The garden gloves and non-surgical gloves protect your hands from tree scratches during the trek, and the adjustable gaiters are mainly used during the wet season.
• Strong ankle-length boots are necessary to keep your feet steady on the trek, especially during the wet season. They should be well-fitting to avoid blisters and waterproof if you can get them.

Other items that you need to pack include a refillable water bottle, flashlight, extra batteries, camera and extra lenses, binoculars, wet wipes, biodegradable toilet paper, scarf, sandals, sunscreen, insect repellent, a sun hat, and toiletries, among others.

Booking a Masai Mara safari and Rwanda gorilla safari with Dav Safaris is straightforward. Check our packages, and choose the best suits your interests and budget. Our experienced team will assist you in planning every detail of your trip, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable adventure.

Note that the Rwanda Development Board prints only limited permits daily, so booking early for your trip is important. After purchasing your permit, expect to track gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.

Whether you opt for a 3-day Masai Mara Safari or a longer itinerary, you need to book the Masai Mara Safari and gorilla trekking safari in advance because of the high demand for gorilla permits and easy planning.

For more information Contact Us to help you book the gorilla permit and organize your entire safari to Kenya and Rwanda, depending on your budget. Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor to make the right decision.