9-Day Kenya & Rwanda Safari: Big Five, Maasai Mara & Gorilla Trekking Tour

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara – Begin Your African Safari Adventure

Your private safari driver will collect you from your Nairobi hotel for a scenic drive along the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara National Reserve (approx. 5.5 hours). En route, enjoy a photo stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint — a spectacular geological wonder visible from space.

Arrive at Mara Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. After settling in, depart on your first afternoon game drive. Look out for iconic wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, and more. With luck, you may even spot the entire “Big Nine.” Return to the lodge by 6:30 PM for dinner and an overnight stay.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner (Drinks not included)
• Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drives in the Masai Mara

Start your day early with a sunrise safari game drive—prime time to see predators in action. After breakfast, you can relax or choose to visit an authentic Maasai village to learn about their rich traditions and culture.

In the afternoon, enjoy another game drive through the Mara’s vast plains, home to over 450 recorded animal species. Between July and October, witness the dramatic Great Migration, as thousands of wildebeest and zebra cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti into Kenya.

Optional Activities:

• Hot Air Balloon Safari
• Maasai Village Visit
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Drinks not included)
• Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha – Boat Safari & Walking Tour

After breakfast, travel to Lake Naivasha, the highest lake in the Rift Valley. Known for its dramatic volcanic backdrop and abundant birdlife (over 400 species), this freshwater lake is also home to large hippo populations.

Enjoy a boat safari to spot hippos, fish eagles, and other aquatic wildlife. Then head to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari among giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and wildebeests—an unforgettable, up-close experience.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Drinks not included)
• Accommodation: Naivasha Kongoni Lodge

Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park – Iconic Kilimanjaro Views

Leave Lake Naivasha and drive south past Nairobi to the renowned Amboseli National Park, located near the border of Tanzania. Enjoy lunch at your lodge before setting out on an afternoon game drive.

Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa to get close to free-roaming elephants — often with stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Drinks not included)
• Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Day 5: Full-Day Safari in Amboseli National Park

Spend the day exploring Amboseli’s diverse landscapes, including swamps, savannahs, and acacia woodlands. Morning and afternoon game drives offer the best opportunities to see elephants, lions, wildebeest, giraffes, and more — all set against the dramatic backdrop of snow-capped Kilimanjaro.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Drinks not included)
• Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Day 6: Amboseli to Nairobi – Flight to Rwanda

After breakfast, enjoy a short morning game drive before heading back to Nairobi. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before being transferred to the airport for your evening flight to Kigali, Rwanda.

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, a representative will meet and transfer you to your hotel for the night.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Dinner not included)
• Accommodation: The Boma Hotel / Kigali Hotel

Day 7: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, embark on a Kigali city tour, including a moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and vibrant local markets.

After lunch, enjoy a scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills en route to Volcanoes National Park—home of the endangered mountain gorillas.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Gorilla Lodge

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the highlight of your Rwanda safari: gorilla trekking. After a briefing at park headquarters, set off with a ranger to locate your assigned gorilla family. Trekking duration varies, but the reward is an unforgettable hour observing these majestic creatures in their natural forest habitat.

In the afternoon, enjoy a community visit to Red Rocks, a local initiative supporting conservation and cultural heritage through art, education, and sustainability.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Gorilla Lodge

Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking & Departure

After an early breakfast, head back to the park for Golden Monkey tracking. These rare primates are only found in the Virunga Mountains and are easier to track than gorillas, offering a unique photo opportunity.

After lunch, transfer back to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight.

• Main activity: Golden Monkey Tracking
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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