12 days Rwanda and Kenya (with Mombasa) : Our 12-day Rwanda and Kenya safari presents the most enjoyable adventure travelers can’t get to experience in the exciting destinations of East Africa. Visitors on this exciting trip will have the golden opportunity to observe the wonderful mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and have an exploration of Masai Mara National Reserve which is a renowned habitat for a variety of mammals highlighted by the big 5 animals, cheetahs and thousands of wildebeests.
Visitors will then proceed to the captivating Amboseli National Park that parades the beauty of the far Mt. Kilimanjaro, home to countless unique mammals and a handful of bird species. Upon accomplishment of exploring these beautiful National Parks, you then proceed to Mombasa to have a coastal experience and enjoy the blue waters and beaches to enrich your experience with marine life.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Arrive at Kigali International Airport and with your safari guide, embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park which will take you approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Upon arrival in the National Park, you will drive through as you explore and observe the distinguished flora and fauna.
Continue to the lodge. Enjoy the views of the environment and relish the fascinating greenery. A delicious dinner will be served later this evening, and you will have a restful night.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking
Enjoy the tasty breakfast and thereafter depart for a briefing with the rangers of the park to learn about the rules of the gorilla tracking exercise. Rangers will then accompany you to the jungle as you undertake the trek of the gentle giants. Enjoy the views of these interesting creatures, you will be allowed a maximum of 1 hour to be with the Gorilla family, as you observe and watch them interact in their natural habitat.
The trek will end in the afternoon, then you will drive back to the lodge to have a delicious meal. After lunch, you will unwind in the lodge premises as you enjoy the views of the forests and volcanoes. Dinner will be served later at sunset, and you will have an overnight stay.
Day 3: Return to Kigali and take a flight to Nairobi
At the crack of dawn, wake up to a delicious morning meal prepared at the lodge. Enjoy the breakfast and later embark on the returning journey to Kigali which will take you approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. On arrival in the bustling Kigali city, you will continue to Kigali International Airport to get on board for the flight to Nairobi.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will continue to the hotel to relax and have a delicious lunch. Enjoy the views of the city as you unwind in your comfortable room. You will have dinner and overnight at your hotel in Nairobi.
Day 4: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve. Evening game drive
Have breakfast at sunrise at the lodging facility after which you will check out to undertake the journey to Masai Mara National Reserve which will take you approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes through the various landscapes and towns of Kenya. Check in at the lodging facility upon arrival in the national reserve and relax in your unit as you enjoy the views of the animals on the beautiful vegetation of the reserve.
Enjoy lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. An evening game drive will be conducted in the northern ends of the national reserve to allow you an opportunity to observe and marvel at the serenity of wildlife. You will especially encounter animals of the wild like cheetahs, spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, jackals, servals, hippos, and crocodiles. Transfer back to the lodge at twilight for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Full-day game drives in Masai Mara
Wake up to a scrumptious breakfast at sunrise and later embark on the morning game drive which will present opportunities to observe a handful of wild animals especially the carnivores encompassing the lions, leopards, caracals and herbivores. Other animals to be encountered include, hartebeests, Defassa waterbucks and wildebeests. The game drive will take you through the captivating areas in the northern parts of the reserve until the afternoon when you drive back to the lodge to have a delicious lunch.
After lunch, continue with the afternoon game drive as you explore more of the central areas of the reserve for the opportunity to further spot more animals of the wild. At sunset, you will then drive back to the lodge to rest from the day’s activities, have dinner, and overnight rest.
Day 6: Flight from Masai Mara to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, transfer to the nearest airstrip and get on board for the flight to Amboseli National Park for yet other exciting adventures. On arrival in Amboseli, you will check into the lodge and relax as you enjoy the views of the lush vegetation, wild animals, and the far snowcapped beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro.
A delicious lunch will be served later in the afternoon and later in the evening, a walk will be conducted to allow the visitors to set their eyes on interesting creatures especially encounters with the bird species encompassing the secretary birds, scavengers, vultures, hamerkops, lanner falcons and antelopes. Head back to the lodge at sunset for dinner and an overnight rest to prepare you for the next day’s adventures.
Day 7: Full-day game drive in Amboseli National Park
An early delicious breakfast meal will be served in the golden hour of the morning. Depart for the morning game drive where you will have the opportunity to view a variety of animals, especially the big four mammals. Enjoy the views of the animals and rare plants the entire morning and later at noon transfer back to the lodge to relax and have lunch.
An afternoon game drive will be conducted in the afternoon to equip you with more chances to watch lush flora and fauna in the National Park. At sundown, you will be transferred back to the lodge where you will enjoy your dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Fly to Mombasa
Enjoy your breakfast before your transfer to Amboseli airstrip where you’ll catch the flight to Mombasa. On arrival in Mombasa, you will check in at the reserved hotel and relax as you enjoy the views of the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. A delicious meal will be served to you in the afternoon by the team of hospitable staff at the hotel.
After lunch, you will spend your time at leisure. An evening beach soccer will be conducted for entertainment after which you will have a sundowner party for a better experience. The party will keep you entertained up to twilight when you will be served dinner and have a restful night.
Day 9: Old Town tour, Ferry ride. Mombasa nightlife.
This day after breakfast, you will embark on an Old Town exploration tour. The tour will take you through the most interesting destinations in Mombasa especially the new Nyali bridge which is a favorite for photography and sightseeing of the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Proceed and visit Mama Ngima waterfront for more opportunities for enjoyment to elevate the overall experience. Transfer to the restaurant at noon and have a delicious lunch served to you to keep you energetic and motivated for the day’s activities. A ferry ride will then be conducted along the coast in the afternoon to equip you with more stunning views of the ocean, dolphins, the rare plant species alongside other beautiful attractions at the coast. The ferry ride will keep you occupied until sunset when you will be transferred to the hotel for an evening meal and relaxation. Mombasa nightlife experiences will then follow on the agenda up to the time of your wish and later back to the hotel for overnight.
Day 10: Fort Jesus museum, relax at the beach
Wake up at sunrise and enjoy your breakfast meal comprised of local delicious dishes to have a taste of the scrumptious cuisine at the coast. Embark on the visit to Fort Jesus Museum for a deep dive into the history of Mombasa since the times of the slave trade and beyond. Enjoy the storytelling at the museum and views of the remains of the early inhabitants.
The activity will keep you occupied until noon tide when you will be transferred to a nearby hotel for lunch. Relax at the beach in the afternoon as you enjoy the views of the ocean and the sand activities. At sunset, you will then travel back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Cycling and bike experiences, snorkeling.
After breakfast, depart for cycling and biking experiences along the coastal areas. Explore the captivating areas at the coast and enjoy the views of the gigantic ocean the entire morning. You will then be transferred back to the hotel at noon for lunch.
After lunch, you will undertake the snorkeling activity which is such an opportunity to enjoy the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and swim along with the marine life. The activity will keep you occupied until twilight when you will transfer back to the hotel for an evening meal and overnight rest.
Day 12: Depart from Moi International Airport
Savor the breakfast in the golden hours as you enjoy the views of the sun rising from the breathtaking Indian Ocean. Carefully check out of the lodge ensuring that none of your belongings is left behind and then embark on the transfer to Moi International Airport for your onward flight back home.
End of Safari