This 7 days’Gorilla Trekking and Masai Mara safari takes you to the Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas as well as Africa’s famous big five mammals at the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Masai Mara also known as the Maasai Mara or more commonly as “the Mara” is an extension of the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. It is a large wildlife reserve found in Kenya’s’ Narok County. The park was named after the great Maasai Nomads who inhabit the surrounding areas. Mara means scattered and refers to the many trees that dot the vast Savannah.
Along with the Serengeti, the Masai Maraa makes for the arguably the most visited wildlife conservation areas in the world. As the leading tourist destination in Kenya, the Masai Maraa is home to high population of elephants, lions, cheetahs and leopards. The annual migration of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle is considered to be one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle.
The Volcanoes National Park on the other hand stands out for having what the Mara doesn’t have – Mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are the most intriguing creature because they look and behave like we humans. They are endangered and only 1,000 remain in the wild. Mountain gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Mountain gorillas live in the same zone and countries as the smaller but equally endangered golden monkey. The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is also home to five volcanoes including Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabinyo.
This 7 days’ safari is an excellent choice for travelers who want to see Africa’s six most sought out creatures. The tour also includes encounters with golden monkeys and cultural visits to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre and the Masai. The tour starts from Rwanda and ends in Kenya. You might want to check out our 8 Days Uganda Gorilla trekking and Masai Mara Safari package which includes chimpanzee trekking. If you are only interested in the big five mammals, you might found our 3 Day Masai Maraa Wildlife Safari more interesting. We even have a 6 Days gorilla safari and Serengeti tour package for those interested in Tanzania.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Rwanda
Day 2 – Kigali City – Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
Day 3 – Golden Monkey Trekking – Nature Walk and Visiting the twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Day 4 – Gorilla Trekking – Transfer to Nairobi
Day 5 – Nairobi to Masai Mara Game Reserve – Afternoon game drive
Day 6 – Full day game drives at the Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 7 – Visit the Masai – Transfer back to Nairobi – Departure
Full Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival and Pickup in the evening
This day is reserved for your arrival. You will be picked up from the airport by our Driver and taken to your hotel in Kigali.
Dinner and Overnight at Lebanon Hotel Kigali (Budget), Heaven Hotel Kigali (Mid-range) and Marriott Hotel (Luxury)
DAY 2: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park – Visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
Wake up at 6:30 am and take breakfast as you wait for our company representative/Driver. The Driver will pick you up at 8:00 am and brief you about the Rwanda tour. After the briefing, you will be taken for a city tour of Kigali. This tour includes visiting the city museum, the genocide memorial site in Kigali, the former president’s palace, city markets and art shops. After this you will have lunch and depart for the Volcanoes National Park.
On reaching the park, you will be taken straight to your lodge for check-in. After refreshments, the driver will take you to visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre. This Centre showcases all that is good about Rwandan culture. Spend time watching traditional dances, hearing local stories and visiting the local medicine man to learn how common illnesses were treated hundreds of years go. You may buy souvenirs or taste the local Rwandan food in one of the sections.
Dinner and overnight at Five Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury, Mountain gorilla view lodge (Mid-range) and Muhabura Hotel (Budget).
DAY 3 Golden Monkey Trekking – Visit the twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
Wake up at 6:30 am and take breakfast as you wait for the guide to transfer you to the park offices for briefing. The park Guides will share information about the golden monkeys, how to prepare for the hike and what not to do while with the primates. Golden Monkeys are subspecies of the blue monkey. They 
live in the same area as mountain gorillas though they prefer the lower slopes of the volcanoes because of the bamboo trees. They feed on tree shoots, fruits, seeds and insects. They will raid farms whenever they can for potatoes. Golden monkeys have only two main enemies – man and the African eagle. They are only found in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. There overall number has dwindled considerably and are now considered endangered. While with monkeys, you will watch them play, feed and climb trees. Golden monkeys are very playful and stubborn. They love flash photography and you should take some good photos for your records. Expect to also spot other primates like baboons and vervet monkeys while searching for these beautiful primates.
After being with the monkeys for one hour, you will be taken back to your hotel for refreshments, lunch and rest. In the evening, the Guide/Driver will take you to visit the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo as well as nature walks around the park.
Dinner and overnight at Five Volcanoes Lodge (Luxury, Mountain gorilla view lodge (Mid-range) and Muhabura Hotel (Budget).
DAY 4: Gorilla Trekking at the Volcanoes National Park – Transfer to Kigali for a flight to Nairobi
Once again, you will wake up at 6:30 am. Take breakfast and start the journey back to the park offices. The park wardens will let you know about what to do and not to do. Each group of eight will be assigned a gorilla family. After this you will be led by the rangers to track the primates. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park is very exciting because it exposes you to beautiful scenery, birds, butterflies 
and smaller primates. You are allowed only one hour with the primates. Use this time to take photos and do not forget the gorilla trekking rules. Do not surround the primates or give them any impression that you are a threat. Mountain gorillas are very gentile creature but can be aggressive if they feel threatened. Keep a distance and refrain from feeding while near the primates. Gorilla trekking Rwanda takes between 3 to 6 hours but you will only be allowed one hour with the primates.
After tracking the primates, spending one hour with them and getting the certificate of participation, you will go back to the hotel to have lunch. After lunch, the Driver will start the journey to Kigali international airport for departure to Nairobi. On arrival in Nairobi, a driver will be waiting for you at the airport. He will welcome you to Kenya and then take you to the hotel for check-in and refreshments.
Dinner and Overnight will be at Meridian Hotel Kenya or Sopa Lodges
DAY 5: Transfer from Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve – Afternoon game drive
Wake up at the usual time (6:30am) and take breakfast as you wait for the Guide/Driver. This journey will be interesting as you drive through amazing Kenyan countryside and the great Rift Valley. As you drive to the reserve, you will bypass Masai villages and see one of Africa’s great nomads tending to their domestic animals. You will have lunch at the lodge and then head out for the first game drive in the afternoon. During the game drive, you will see all of the big five mammals including Rhinos, Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions and Leopards.
Dinner and Overnight at Little Governors’ Camp (Luxury) Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp (Mid-range) and Masai Mara Sopa Lodge (Budget)
DAY 6: Entire Day of Game drives at the Masai Mara National Reserve
Wake up early as usual. Shower and take breakfast as you wait to picked for the game drive. You will spend the whole day doing game drives in different sections of the reserve. You will see the big cats, antelopes, zebras, elands, giraffes, rhinos and elephants. The afternoon is excellent for driving to the mara river to spot wildebeest and other animals drinking by the shores of the river
Dinner and Overnight at Little Governors’ Camp (Luxury) Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp (Mid-range) and Masai Mara Sopa Lodge (Budget)
DAY 7: Visit the Masai Village – Departure to Nairobi from the Masai Mara National Reserve
Wake up at your leisure as you wait for the company Driver/Guide to take you for a cultural visit to one of the Masai Villages. After visiting the Masai and learning about their culture and way of living, you will start the journey back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
End of Tour
The tour cost includes
The tour cost includes
- A Gorilla permit
- Golden monkey Permits
- Park entrance
- Cultural visits
- Game drives in Kenya
- Full board Accommodation including meals
- Transport in a safari vehicle with a roof that opens for easy views of wildlife
- An English speaking safari Guide
- Meals and Water throughout the safari
- Flight from Rwanda to Kigali
- Airport transfers
The tour excludes
- International flights before and after the safari.
- Visa fees.
- Expenses of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, telephones and beverages.
- Any tips to the hotel staff, wardens, rangers, Guides or drivers.
- Medical and Travel insurance.
Hotels and Lodges
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge: This lodge is built on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo. It has great views of the national park and the five volcanoes. The lodge has 40 spacious, comfortable and self-
contained rooms with warm showers, private verandahs and a central lounge with a fireplace. The cottages are designed with grass thatched roofs and stone walls to offer that feeling of being in Africa. The lodge has a restaurant with an experienced chef who prepares delicious meals from across the world. If you want to try out the local beer brands and international wines, then you can visit the bar. Other positive things about the lodge are free Wi-Fi, a large beautiful compound and parking space. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is close to the park offices and the point where gorilla trekking starts. Because of this and the other mentioned amenities, it is an excellent choice for those who are traveling on budget but want to stay in a quality hotel as they plan to track mountain gorillas or the golden monkeys.
Meridian Hotel Kenya: This Luxury hotel is built in the heart of the capital giving one an opportunity to tour the city as soon as a chance presents itself. Meridian Hotel is an excellent choice for tourists and 
business travelers who value quality and attention to detail. They have Superior rooms, Executive rooms, studio rooms and family rooms. Each of the rooms are self-contained with free internet, flat screen televisions, a balcony, working tables and comfortable beds. Food is served in the rooms or at the restaurant on the ground floor. This restaurant is the meeting place for residents and offers a very relaxed atmosphere. If you are planning for a meeting during your safari, the hotel has teleconference facilities in the meeting/seminar rooms. Meridian Hotel Kenya has highly trained staff and professional who will be available to help you once you make a request.
Little Governors’ Camp: This is a luxury accommodation facility located close within the boundary of the Masai Mara National Reserve. It offers seventeen self-contained luxury tents which are built close to a large water point where birds and wild animals gather to drink. The tents are built on raised platforms 
to allow Guests have constant views of the animals from their verandahs. To reach the camp, Guests are taken by boat through the Mara river and then escorted through thick forest to the lodge premises. The camp is very quiet with no disturbance because all vehicles are left behind before crossing the river. Meals (especially lunch) are served in the open and animals like warthogs can be seen loitering around the camp and close to the dining tables. In the evening a fire is set to provide warmth as dinner is served closer to the tents. Little Governors’ Camp offers spa and massage from the comfort of one’s tent. The Camp is Eco-Friendly and uses solar to generate power in the lodge. For this among other things, the lodge has received several Eco-tourism awards.
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