Kenya and Rwanda Safari (Big 5 and Gorilla Trekking Package)

8-Day All-Inclusive Luxury Kenya and Rwanda Safari Itinerary

The All-Inclusive 8-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari (Big 5 and Gorilla Trekking Package). Visit the Masai Mara or Amboseli and end with gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s volcanoes. A once-in-a-lifetime Kenya and Rwanda safari experience for first-time visitors.

Kenya and Rwanda Safari opens with a classic African spectacle and ends with one of the planet’s most moving wildlife encounters: heart-stopping Big Five game drives across Kenya’s iconic savannas and intimate mountain gorilla treks in Rwanda’s misty Volcanoes National Park. Expect early-morning game drives through the Masai Mara or Amboseli with expert guides who track lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos, followed by boutique lodges and evening cultural visits that bring local stories and conservation work to life. The contrasts, sweeping plains, acacia silhouettes, volcanic slopes, and cloud forests create a layered journey that blends adventure, comfort, and purpose. This is perfect for US, European, and Asian citizens.

Every detail of the 8-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari is designed for seamless travel: chartered transfers, experienced naturalists, family-style cultural exchanges, and small-group treks that prioritize safety and respect for wildlife. In Rwanda, you’ll walk quietly with rangers who protect the gorillas and learn about anti-poaching efforts; in Kenya, you can combine photographic game drives with optional balloon safaris, walking safaris, or community visits that support local livelihoods. Whether you crave dramatic wildlife sightings, close-up primate encounters, or meaningful conservation experiences, the 8-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari delivers a rich, responsible itinerary that feels both adventurous and deeply rewarding, a trip that stays with you long after you return home.

Detailed Itinerary: 8-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Masai Mara

Arrive at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where a private meet-and-greet sets the tone for a seamless luxury 8-day Kenya and Rwanda safari. After a short regional flight to the Masai Mara, you are escorted to a top-tier tented camp with panoramic reserve views. Settle into a spacious suite, enjoy a fresh lunch, then relax with a guided nature walk or sundowner on the lodge terrace. As dusk falls, your lead naturalist holds an orientation briefing covering wildlife expectations, safety, and the week’s highlights before a gourmet dinner beneath the stars and a toast.

Day 2: Full-Day Masai Mara Game Drives and Optional Balloon

Rise before dawn for a game drive when predators are most active; your expert guide uses long experience and tracking knowledge to locate lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhino. Between drives, return to camp for a sumptuous breakfast, poolside relaxation, and storytelling from the guide. In the afternoon, choose a cultural visit to a conservancy or opt for a hot-air balloon flight to see the Mara from above, followed by a champagne landing ceremony. Evenings feature gourmet dining and starlit conversation about conservation and photography with memorable lodge hospitality.

Day 3: Photographic Safari and Cultural Encounters

Today, explore private conservancies for off-road photography and extended wildlife encounters away from main reserve crowds. Your guide will tailor routes to light and animal behavior, maximizing close-up shots and storytelling about animal families and seasonal movements. Enjoy a scenic bush picnic beneath an acacia while rangers share tracking insights. Later, visit a Maasai village to meet elders, learn crafting techniques, and support community projects; return to camp for a relaxed evening reviewing images with your guide and savoring locally inspired cuisine. The day balances excitement with purposeful conservation learning and comfort.

Day 4: Morning Game Drive, Fly to Kigali via Nairobi

Take a last early-morning game drive to capture missed sightings as the Mara wakes, followed by brunch at camp. Transfer to the airstrip for a scheduled flight to Nairobi, where you connect to a short regional flight to Kigali. On arrival in Rwanda’s capital, receive VIP assistance through immigration and a private transfer to a boutique hotel. Unwind, enjoy Kigali’s refined cuisine, and attend a short briefing from your Rwanda guide about the Volcanoes National Park plan and gorilla trekking logistics for the days ahead, and rest overnight comfortably.

Day 5: Transfer to Musanze and Volcanoes National Park Briefing

After breakfast, depart Kigali and drive north through terraced hills toward Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park; the scenic transfer typically takes about two to three hours. Check into a luxury lodge near the park, enjoy a light lunch, then attend the mandatory park briefing led by rangers who explain trekking etiquette, groupings, and safety. In the afternoon, choose a gentle nature walk, visit a local conservation project, or relax at the lodge with panoramic mountain views in preparation for tomorrow’s early start, and hear conservation stories today.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Rise early for transfer to park headquarters, where trackers and rangers brief your small group and assign a habituated gorilla family. Trekking time varies depending on gorilla movements and can range from one to several hours through dense montane forest; the experience is emotionally powerful and guided by strict rules to protect gorillas and visitors. Spend one hour observing the family, photographing respectfully, and learning about conservation efforts before returning to your lodge for hot showers, a celebratory lunch, and an afternoon of reflection and conversation with your ranger and guide.

Day 7: Golden Monkey Trek and Gorilla Guardian Village Visit

Set out for a golden monkey trek for a lighter but equally rewarding primate experience. Alternatively, explore nearby conservation projects and engage in community visits (The Gorilla Guardian Village), where you can learn about traditional crafts, beekeeping, or local reforestation initiatives. In the afternoon, enjoy spa treatments, birdwatching, or a scenic lodge walk. Later, transfer back to Kigali, check into a luxury hotel, and enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the trip’s wildlife highlights and the people who make conservation possible with memorable cultural connections.

Day 8: Kigali City Tour and Departure

Spend your final morning on a curated Kigali tour visiting the Genocide Memorial for a respectful and informative experience, followed by stops at vibrant local markets and galleries showcasing Rwandan art. Savor a Rwandan coffee tasting and a leisurely brunch at a city café while your guide arranges a VIP transfer to Kigali International Airport. Your concierge assists with check-in and documentation, and you depart carrying a deeply personal collection of wildlife photographs, cultural memories, and a renewed appreciation for conservation efforts in both Kenya and Rwanda.

End of your 8-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari Package

Why You Should Consider Booking the 8-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari

The 8-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari is a seamless, all-inclusive luxury journey that pairs classic Big Five game drives across Kenya’s Masai Mara with the life-changing mountain gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Designed for travelers from the US, Europe, and Asia, the package bundles private transfers, expert naturalists, boutique lodges, and tailored cultural visits so you can focus on epic wildlife photography and meaningful local connections. With experienced guides who maximize sightings and responsible tourism practices that directly support conservation and communities, a Kenya and Rwanda safari delivers bucket-list moments, premium comfort, and a genuine chance to give back.