7-Day Kenya & Rwanda Gorilla Safari

Your safari begins with a morning departure from Nairobi, driving southwest through the Great Rift Valley and past the escarpment viewpoint. Continue through the wheat fields of Narok to reach the Masai Mara National Reserve by early afternoon. Check into your lodge or tented camp and head out for an afternoon game drive as the savannah comes alive in the golden light. Spot lions resting in the shade, elephants moving in herds across the grasslands, and giraffes browsing on acacia trees. Return to camp for dinner.

A full day of game viewing in one of Africa's premier wildlife reserves. The Masai Mara supports exceptional concentrations of all Big Five species: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Morning and afternoon game drives cover different sectors of the reserve, from the riverine forests along the Mara River to the wide-open Mara Triangle. During the Great Migration season from July to October, you may witness thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing the crocodile-filled river. Enjoy a bush lunch on the plains before continuing the afternoon drive.

An early morning game drive makes the most of your final Mara hours before driving back to Nairobi. Connect with your afternoon flight to Kigali, Rwanda, a journey of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. On arrival at Kigali International Airport, your Rwanda driver-guide welcomes you and transfers you to a hotel in Kigali. The city is remarkably clean, green, and modern. Enjoy dinner at a Kigali restaurant and rest before the drive to Volcanoes National Park the next morning.

After breakfast, drive north from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park at the base of the Virunga Mountains, approximately 2 to 3 hours on well-maintained roads. The scenic route passes through Musanze town and terraced hillsides with views of the volcanic peaks ahead. Arrive at your lodge, many of which sit at the edge of the park with views of the volcanoes. Spend the afternoon relaxing and preparing for your gorilla trek, or visit the nearby Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village to experience traditional Rwandan life through dance, archery, and storytelling.

The highlight of your safari. Report to the park headquarters at 7:00am for your briefing by Rwanda Development Board rangers. You will be assigned to one of the park's 12 habituated gorilla families based on fitness level and preference. Enter the montane forest with your guide and trackers, hiking through bamboo, hagenia-hypericum woodland, and giant lobelia at altitudes between 2,500m and 4,500m. The trek typically takes 1 to 4 hours each way. When you find the gorilla family, spend one extraordinary hour watching silverbacks, mothers, and playful juveniles at close range. This encounter in the misty volcanic forest is consistently rated as one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences.

Morning golden monkey trekking in the bamboo zones of Volcanoes National Park. The endangered golden monkeys are found only in the Virunga Mountains and are a delight to observe as they leap through bamboo stalks and forage in playful groups. The trek is generally shorter and less strenuous than the gorilla trek, making it a perfect complement. Spend the afternoon at leisure at your lodge, take an optional hike to Dian Fossey's tomb at the Karisoke Research Centre, or visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo for scenic views of the volcanic landscape.

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali, arriving in about 2 to 3 hours. If time permits before your flight, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important and moving tribute to Rwanda's history and resilience. Alternatively, explore Kigali's craft markets or enjoy a coffee at one of the city's excellent cafes. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. C.A.T.S can arrange onward connections to Nairobi, Zanzibar, or other destinations.