7 Days Best Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda

Arrival and pick up marks the beginning of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure as you land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Your professional English-speaking driver-guide will warmly welcome you and provide a comprehensive briefing about your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda journey ahead. The transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve covers approximately 280 kilometers through Kenya's Great Rift Valley, taking 5-6 hours including scenic stops at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. Your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda experience begins with an evening game drive upon arrival, offering your first glimpse of Africa's magnificent wildlife in their natural habitat.

Continue with extensive game drives throughout Masai Mara National Reserve, the crown jewel of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure. This world-renowned reserve spans 1,510 square kilometers and hosts the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration between July and October, making it a highlight of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda experience. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal the Big Five animals including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and the rare black rhinoceros, while numerous big cats prowl the acacia-dotted savannah. Your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda journey continues with picnic lunch in the wilderness, surrounded by endless plains where Maasai warriors once roamed with their cattle herds.

Proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park after an early morning game drive in Masai Mara, continuing your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure through Kenya's diverse landscapes. The journey covers 350 kilometers and takes approximately 6-7 hours, passing through Narok town and the scenic Mau Escarpment with breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley. Your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda expedition leads you to Lake Nakuru National Park, established in 1961 and famous for its alkaline lake that attracts millions of flamingos during peak seasons. The Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda itinerary includes an evening game drive upon arrival, searching for both black and white rhinoceros in this 188-square-kilometer sanctuary.

Continue with morning game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park before transferring to Nairobi, maintaining the momentum of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure. Lake Nakuru National Park offers excellent opportunities to spot both black and white rhinoceros, lions, leopards, and over 400 bird species, enriching your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda wildlife portfolio. The park's acacia woodlands and rocky outcrops provide perfect habitats for Rothschild's giraffes and various antelope species, while the absence of elephants makes it particularly family-friendly for your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda experience. After lunch, the 160-kilometer journey to Nairobi takes approximately 3 hours, where you'll spend the night preparing for the Rwanda portion of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure.

Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Rwanda, marking the transition phase of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure from classic safari to gorilla trekking experiences. Upon arrival in Kigali, Rwanda's clean and organized capital city, your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda journey continues with a brief city tour including visits to local markets and genocide memorial sites. The scenic 116-kilometer drive to Volcanoes National Park takes approximately 2.5 hours through Rwanda's famous "Land of a Thousand Hills," with terraced hillsides and rural villages enhancing your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda experience. Your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure reaches its climax as you arrive in Musanze town, gateway to the legendary Volcanoes National Park where mountain gorillas await your encounter.

Continue with the ultimate highlight of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure as you embark on gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, home to several habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek through bamboo forests and steep volcanic slopes can take 2-6 hours depending on gorilla location, but the one-hour encounter with these gentle giants represents the pinnacle of your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda experience. After this life-changing encounter, your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda journey continues with an afternoon visit to Ibyiwacu Cultural Village, where former poachers now work as cultural ambassadors sharing traditional Rwandan customs. The Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure concludes this day with traditional performances, local beer brewing demonstrations, and insights into ancient Rwandan royal traditions at this authentic cultural center.

Transfer to Kigali International Airport marks the conclusion of your unforgettable Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure, with departure arrangements tailored to your international flight schedule. The morning journey from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali covers 116 kilometers and takes approximately 2.5 hours, allowing time for last-minute souvenir shopping and reflection on your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda experiences. Your driver-guide will ensure timely arrival at the airport while sharing final stories and answering questions about the wildlife and cultures encountered during your Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda expedition. This Kenya Safari and Gorilla Tracking Rwanda adventure concludes with lasting memories of Africa's most magnificent creatures, from the Big Five of Kenya's savannahs to the mountain gorillas of Rwanda's volcanic forests.