5 Days Rwanda Luxury Gorilla Safari
17-Day Luxury Rwanda and Kenya Safari
From Rwanda’s mountain gorillas to Kenya’s Great Migration, with private wildlife encounters, conservation experiences and exceptional safari stays.
Discover the extraordinary diversity of East Africa on a carefully curated 17-day luxury safari through Rwanda and Kenya. Begin beneath the mist-covered Virunga volcanoes, where mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking offer rare encounters with some of Africa’s most remarkable primates. Continue to Kenya for rhino conservation in Laikipia, guided bush walks and intimate wilderness experiences in Naboisho Conservancy, before spending five nights exploring the wildlife-rich plains of the Maasai Mara.
Throughout the journey, enjoy thoughtfully selected accommodation, business-class air travel between Kigali and Nairobi, private game drives, guided bush walks, sundowners, bush breakfasts and a private cultural experience with the Maasai community.
From the quiet beauty of Rwanda’s forests to the drama of the Mara, this journey balances extraordinary wildlife with unhurried days, personal service and the freedom to experience Africa at your own pace.
Journey Highlights
Duration: 17 days, 16 nights
Countries: Rwanda and Kenya
Destinations: Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Nairobi, Laikipia, Naboisho Conservancy and the Maasai Mara
Wildlife highlights: Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, rhinos, elephants, big cats and the Great Migration
Signature experiences: Gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, guided bush walks, private game drives, night drives where available, a private Maasai cultural visit, a private hot air balloon safari, bush breakfasts and sundowners
Travel style: Tailor-made luxury safari with private transfers and confirmed flight arrangements
Accommodation: Kigali Marriott Hotel, Virunga Inn Resort & Spa, Hemingways Nairobi, Kicheche Laikipia Camp, Kicheche Valley Camp and Entim Mara
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Your Day-by-Day Journey
Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali | Elegant Welcome
Arrive in Kigali and enjoy a VIP meet-and-greet followed by a private transfer to the elegant Kigali Serena Hotel.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the large outdoor pool or enjoying the hotel’s refined facilities. In the evening, savor a leisurely dinner as you prepare for the remarkable journey ahead.
Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Kigali Genocide Memorial & Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving and essential experience that provides insight into Rwanda’s history, resilience, and reconciliation.
Following the visit, transfer north to Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas and part of the greater Virunga ecosystem.
Arrive at the spectacular Bisate Lodge in time for lunch.
Afternoon Experience:
Guided walk to the Dian Fossey Research Camp
Learn about gorilla conservation and Dian Fossey’s legacy
Community and cultural interactions in the surrounding area
Return to the lodge for dinner with breathtaking views of the volcanic peaks.
Overnight: Bisate Lodge
Meals: All-inclusive
Day 3 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake early and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting out on foot into the rainforest.
Gorilla Trekking Experience:
Trek duration: typically 3–8 hours, depending on gorilla movement
Guided by expert trackers and rangers
Spend one magical hour observing a habituated mountain gorilla family
Witness feeding, play, grooming, and family dynamics
This is widely regarded as one of the most emotional wildlife encounters on the planet.
Return to Bisate Lodge for a hot shower, fine dining, and a well-earned rest.
Overnight: Bisate Lodge
Meals: All-inclusive
Day 4 – Second Gorilla Trek & Return to Kigali
Enjoy a second early start for your second gorilla trekking experience, visiting a different gorilla family for a new perspective and encounter.
After the trek, return to the lodge to freshen up before transferring back to Kigali in the afternoon.
Spend your final night at a luxury hotel, relaxing or enjoying optional city dining.
Overnight: Luxury hotel in Kigali
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5 – Departure or Onward African Safari
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey.
This Rwanda gorilla safari pairs seamlessly with:
Your Accommodation
Rwanda
Kigali Marriott Hotel: 1 night
Virunga Inn Resort & Spa: 3 nights
Kenya
Hemingways Nairobi: 1 overnight stay, plus a day room on departure
Kicheche Laikipia Camp: 3 nights
Kicheche Valley Camp, Naboisho Conservancy: 3 nights
Entim Mara: 5 nights
17-Day Luxury Rwanda and Kenya Safari
Included
Business-class commercial flight from Kigali to Nairobi.
VIP fast-track assistance with immigration at Kigali and Nairobi airports, subject to service availability.
All transfers specified in the itinerary.
Bush flights for the confirmed safari sectors.
Accommodation on a full-board basis.
Guided bush walks at Kicheche camps, subject to the camp’s programme and local regulations.
Daily private game drives as specified in the itinerary.
Sundowners during the Kicheche stays in accordance with the inclusive arrangements, plus one specifically planned sundowner at Entim Mara.
Bush breakfasts during the Kicheche stays in accordance with the inclusive arrangements, plus one specifically planned bush breakfast at Entim Mara.
Applicable national park and conservancy charges for the activities and destinations included in the confirmed itinerary.
Private hot air balloon safari in the Maasai Mara, subject to confirmation of the exclusive arrangement.
Private cultural experience in the Naboisho area.
Private Maasai village visit, arranged with the local community.
Gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking arrangements, with permits included only where expressly confirmed in the final quotation.
Dian Fossey Museum and Campus visit, subject to opening arrangements and the confirmed programme.
Not Included
Unless specifically stated otherwise in the final written quotation, the following are excluded:
Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, camp staff and other service providers.
Personal items and expenses, including souvenirs, personal purchases and incidental costs.
Travel insurance, including medical, evacuation, cancellation and interruption cover.
International flights to and from Africa, unless expressly included in the quotation.
Visas, vaccinations, medical expenses and personal travel documentation costs, where applicable.
Any permits, activities, meals, drinks, services or experiences not expressly listed as included in the confirmed quotation.
Signature Experiences
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Enter the forests of Volcanoes National Park with experienced guides and trackers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. This is one of the defining experiences of the journey and requires advance permit arrangements.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Explore the bamboo forests beneath the Virunga volcanoes in search of golden monkeys, observing their distinctive social behaviour in their natural habitat.
Guided Bush Walks with Kicheche
Experience Laikipia and Naboisho on foot with knowledgeable guides. Learn about animal tracks, plants, birds and the smaller details of the ecosystem that add depth to a safari.
Rhino Conservation at Ol Pejeta
Discover the work being done to protect endangered rhinos and support wildlife conservation in one of Kenya’s most significant conservation landscapes.
Sundowners in the Wilderness
Enjoy sundowners during your Kicheche stays, alongside the specifically arranged sundowner at Entim Mara. These moments offer time to pause and appreciate the changing colours of the African landscape.
Bush Breakfasts
Enjoy bush breakfast experiences during your Kicheche stays in line with the camp’s inclusive arrangements, as well as one specifically arranged private bush breakfast at Entim Mara.
Private Maasai Village Visit
Spend time with members of the Maasai community during a privately arranged cultural experience in the Naboisho area, learning about local traditions, heritage and the relationship between community life and the surrounding landscape.
Private Hot Air Balloon Safari
See the Maasai Mara from above during a private balloon experience, followed by breakfast after landing. The exclusive arrangement is subject to confirmation, availability and weather conditions.
Great Migration Safari
Spend five nights exploring the Maasai Mara during a season that may offer opportunities to encounter migrating wildebeest and zebra. The exact location of the herds and any river crossings depend on natural conditions.
Best Time to Travel
Late August and early September can be an excellent period for combining Rwanda’s primate experiences with a Kenya safari. In the Maasai Mara, the Great Migration may be present during this period, although its location and movements depend on rainfall, grazing and other natural factors.
Gorilla and golden monkey trekking are available throughout the year, subject to permit availability and park regulations. Laikipia and Naboisho also provide rewarding wildlife experiences across different seasons.
For travellers hoping to see a particular stage of the migration, flexibility is important. The safari will be most rewarding when guided by current wildlife conditions rather than relying on a guaranteed crossing or specific sighting.
Important Travel Notes
Gorilla and golden monkey permits: Advance arrangements are essential. The final quotation must clearly confirm whether permit fees are included.
Flight arrangements: Confirm the business-class Kigali to Nairobi flight, all bush flight sectors, luggage limits and schedules.
Road transfer to Entim Mara: The journey from Kicheche Valley Camp to Entim Mara is by road, with safari viewing en route where permitted and practical.
Kicheche experiences: Guided walks, sundowners and bush breakfasts follow the camp’s inclusive arrangements and daily programme.
Private balloon safari: Subject to operator confirmation, weather and availability.
Maasai cultural visit: Arranged with the local community, with the programme and location confirmed in advance.
Wildlife sightings: No specific animal sighting or Great Migration river crossing can be guaranteed.
Accommodation: All properties and room categories remain subject to availability and confirmation.
