12 Days Kenya Elephant Safari Big Cats and Rwanda Gorillas
This is a 12 day tour focusing on the Big Five and Big Cats in Kenya followed by Gorilla Trekking trip in Rwanda. The trip begins with visits to Kenya’s Amboseli, Aberdare national park, Ol Pejeta conservancy, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara before flying to Kigali for a 3 day gorilla tracking expedition.
| Day | Activities | Hotels and Meals |
| Day 1 | Arrival Meet and Greet Transfer to Hotel | EKA Hotel Breakfast |
| Day 2 | Transfer – Nairobi – Amboseli [4 Hour Drive] – Van Afternoon Game Drive Park Fees | Amboseli AA Lodge Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 3 | Full Day Game Drive Activities Optional Activities Park Fees | Amboseli AA Lodge Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 4 | Transfer Amboseli – Aberdares – Van Picnic Lunch Box Game Viewing from Lodge Park Fees | The Ark Lodge Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 5 | Transfer -Aberdare – Ol Pejeta [3 Hour Drive] – Van Afternoon Game Drive Conservancy fees | Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 6 | Morning Game Drive – 4X4/Guide Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park Afternoon Game Drive Park Fees | Flamingo Hill Tented Lodge Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 7 | Transfer – to Masai Mara [5 Hours Drive] – Van Game Drive En Route Park Fees – Masai Mara | Mara River Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 8 | Full Day Game Drive with Picnic lunch box – van Optional Activities Park Fees | Mara River Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 9 | Transfer Masai Mara to Nairobi – Fly to Kigali Nairobi – Kigali Flight Tickets | Flame Tree Village Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 10 | Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Kinigi | Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 11 | Gorilla Trekking Gorilla Permit | Flame Tree Village Hotel Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 12 | Transfer to Airport – Fly to Nairobi – Depart Kigali – Nairobi Flight Tickets | Breakfast |
Day 1: Arrival Nairobi – Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel after your journey or explore some of the city’s attractions at your leisure.
Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital, offers a unique blend of modern urban life and rich cultural heritage. You may choose to visit local markets, museums, restaurants, or simply unwind before the start of your safari adventure.
Day 2: Drive from Nairobi to Amboseli
Breakfast at the Hotel. Early morning depart for drive via Mombasa – Nairobi highway to Amboseli National Park, to arrive for lunch at the respective Lodge.
Day 3: Day of Safaris in Amboseli
Morning and late afternoon game drives. Or full day safari activities with picnic lunch boxes from the lodge. Second in popularity after the legendary Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park not only offers great game viewing but is also the place to go for the best views of iconic Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 4: Drive Amboseli to Nairobi to Aberdare
Early morning game drive in Amboseli. After breakfast at the Lodge, depart for Nairobi. Lunch at a Nairobi restaurant. After lunch, drive North West through the town of Thika, known for its beautiful pineapple plantations. This is the home of the kikuyu community. They are known for their devotion to the agriculture and have excelled in the business world too. Mt. Kenya, Kenya’s highest and Africa’s second at 5,189 meters is to your right visible on a clear day. The Aberdares Ranges are to the left. Drive to The Ark Lodge, a tree Lodge inside the park.
Day 5: Drive from Aberdare to Ol Pajeta Conservancy.
After breakfast at the tree hotel, depart for Pejeta conservancy. On arrival, we start with a visit to the chimps. Rescued from markets in Burundi by a top conservationist Ms Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee have found a safe refuge here and are multiplying in healthy numbers.
Day 6: Drive from Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru.
Afternoon game drives of this Ornithologists paradise- over 450 bird’s species have been recorded here. The lake is a Ramser Site and home to over 2million Flamingoes. It is a rhino sanctuary. The endangered Rothschild’s giraffe has found a safe haven here. Lake Nakuru has the big five but for the elephant. Dinner and overnight Flamingo Hill Tented Lodge.
Day 7: Drive Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
Early morning breakfast . After breakfast leave Lake Nakuru National park for Masai Mara Game reserve. You expect to arrive in time for lunch. Check in at your safari lodge or camp and have lunch.Rest till around 1600 hours, time for an afternoon game drive through the park in search of the Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Buffalo and other members of the Big five plus other animals. Game drive till sunset. Dinner and overnight at Mara River camp.
Day 8: Day in Masai Mara
After breakfast you will spend the full day in the park enjoying a lengthy game drive with packed lunch in search of its popular residents like the well known predators and their opponents like the Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hippo and the dangerous Crocodiles with a visit to Mara river.
Day 9: Drive asai Mara to Nairobi. Fly to Kigali, Rwanda
After breakfast we depart for Nairobi through the towns of Narok and Mai Mahiu. Lunch on the way. Upon arrival Nairobi, transfer to airport for our flight to Rwanda which will take about 1hr 30mins.
Day 10; Kigali Tour – Drive to Volcanoes Park
Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter enjoy a City Tour of Kigali. (Cost of city tour included) The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare.
Day 11: Gorilla Trekking Day
Once you are in groups, each group’s lead guide briefs you of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. Then, drive up the mountain to the starting point. Trekking can take from 2 to 6 or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. After the trek, rejoin your driver guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch.After lunch, depart from foothills of the volcanoes and drive south past coffee, tea and banana plantations on a scenic drive to Kigali. Overnight Kigali – Flame Tree Village.
Day 12: Flight Kigali to Nairobi – Depart
Breakfast at your hotel in Kigali. Thereafter, transfer to the airport for flight to Nairobi. Connect your home-bound flight from here.
Tour Price Per Person
| Dates | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
| 02 Jan to 31 Mar 2024 01 Nov to 15 Dec 2024 | $5905 | $5584 | $5477 |
| 01 Apr to 30 May 2024 | $5760 | $5540 | $5934 |
| 01 Jun to 31 Oct 2024 16 Dec to 03 Jan 2025 | $6510 | $6190 | $5983 |
12 Days From USD 6,300 Per Person
Wild Animals You Would See on Safari
Giraffe Buffalo Lions Cheetah Leopard Zebra Hyena Impala Hippo Crocodile Wildebeest Warthog Gazelles
INCLUDED:
- Park entrance fees in Kenya
- Gorilla Permits in Rwanda (Value US$1500)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
- Accommodation on the day before the tour departs
- Round trip airport transfers
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- Nairobi – Kigali – Nairobi flights
- All Taxes/VAT
NOT INCLUDED:
- Accommodation on the last day
- International flights (from/to home)
- Visa fees into Kenya
- Tips
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance)