11 Days Rwanda and Kenya Safari : This 11 Day Rwanda and Kenya Safari is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts looking for encounters with the endangered mountain gorillas and African wildlife in their natural habitats. Fly to Rwanda’s Kigali City and head to Rwanda’s forest mountains in Volcanoes National Park. Then head to Kenya’s famous Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara National Reserve where you will experience thrilling Big Five game drives.
Highlights of 11 Day Rwanda and Kenya Safari
Day 1: Transfer to Ruhengeri
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking
Day 4: Transfer to Kigali
Day 5: Fly to Nairobi for Giraffe center experience
Day 6: Sheldrick animal orphanage and afternoon game drive in Nairobi National Park
Day 7: Transfer to Ol Pejeta
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Nakuru
Day 9: Transfer to Maasai Mara
Day 10: Full day in Maasai Mara
Day 11: Departure
Detailed itinerary of 11 Day Rwanda and Kenya Safari
Day 1: Transfer to Ruhengeri
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our joyful African Vacation Safari representative and guide. After a short briefing about the safari and what to expect, you shall embark on a journey to Ruhengeri situated on foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes.
When you arrive, you will check-in at your lodge and spend the rest of the day at relaxing, preparing for the next day’s adventure. Have dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking
Today, you will enjoy an early breakfast, head to the park for an opportunity to observe the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Join other trekkers at park headquarters in Kinigi for briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking, in groups of 8 people you will be assigned a gorilla family to trek. Then head to starting point, with armed rangers and porters, head into the forests looking for mountain gorillas. The whole trekking experience can last 2-6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour in the presence of gentle giants taking pictures, watch them groom each, play and feed.
You will head back to your lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the day at rest.
Overnight stay: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking Gorilla Guardians Tour
After breakfast, you will be picked by your driver-guide who will transfer you to the park headquarters for a briefing. Then head into the jungle of Volcanoes National Park looking for golden monkeys, these beautiful small primates thrive in the bamboo forest where you will watch jump from one branch to another, pick bamboo shoots, feed and groom each other among others. After taking as many photos and videos as possible, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
In afternoon, enjoy some relaxation at the lodge or we will go to the Gorilla Guardians Village to enjoy and experience the unique culture of Rwandese. Later head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Kigali
After breakfast, you will be picked up by our driver and embark on a journey to Kigali. You will have a short Kigali City after lunch, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Craft Markets among other sites. Dinner and overnight in Kigali City.
Overnight stay: Des Mille Collins
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Fly to Nairobi for Giraffe center experience
Today you will enjoy breakfast, be picked up by your guide and head to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya. On landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide and head to your hotel for check-in and lunch. In the afternoon you will go for a visit to the Giraffe Centre where you will feed the giraffes and have a guided walk with them. Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Tamarind Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Sheldrick animal orphanage and afternoon game drive in Nairobi National Park
Enjoy breakfast and head to the Sheldrick animal orphanage for an encounter with the orphaned rhinos and get a chance to watch them enjoy their meal and play in the mud ponds. The Sheldrick Animal Orphanage is opened only for one hour a day, from 11:00 am to mid-day.
Enjoy lunch in Nairobi and later go for an afternoon game drive in Nairobi National Park, a unique national park, one of its kind in the world (it is the only national park in the world found in a capital city). Here you will see several animals including lions, leopards, giraffes, rhinos and zebras among others. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Tamarind Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Ol Pejeta
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your driver-guide and embark on a journey to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to Big Five animals (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffaloes) and chimpanzees thriving in the sweet waters sanctuary. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, then depart for an afternoon game drive. Enjoy sight of several animals including lions, leopards, zebras, rhinos, gazelles among others. Return to your lodge, freshen up and enjoy you dinner.
Overnight stay: Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, check out of your camps and proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park which is approximately 4 hours away. Upon reaching Lake Nakuru, check in at your lodge for lunch. Later depart for a game drive exploring the savannah plains of the park and enjoy sighting of various wildlife species including Rothschild Giraffes, buffaloes, rhinos, zebras, elands and several bird species including flocks of flamingoes and pelicans on shores of Lake Nakuru. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Transfer to Maasai Mara
After breakfast, check out and depart to Masai Mara National Reserve which is about 5 hours’ drive from Lake Nakuru. Arrive in the time for lunch at your lodge after check-in and later depart for an afternoon game drive giving a proper introduction to this iconic wildlife destination. Enjoy seeing several iconic wildlife species including the Big Five – lion, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants thriving in the endless savannah plains. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Jambo Mara Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Full day in Maasai Mara
Today shall be spent exploring the vast plains of Maasai Mara National Reserve, however it is flexible and you can discuss with your guide. You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for a full day game drive around 9:00 am with packed lunch and return back to the lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM.
Alternatively you an depart at 6:00 Am on an early morning game drive, this is the best time to see the animals and a good chance to witness hunt/kill. Return to the lodge for breakfast and relax for a while and depart on an afternoon game drive after lunch till evening. Regard less of your choice, you will have a superb experience, exploring Masai Mara and see abundant wildlife including lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, gazelles, wildebeests, cheetahs, African wild dogs among others. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight stay: Jambo Mara Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Departure
After a relaxed breakfast, head back to Nairobi where you will be dropped off at the airport or hotel, bringing our service and our safari to an end.
End of 11 Days Rwanda and Kenya Safari
