Tour Overview

7 Days Wildebeests & Rwanda Gorillas

Experience the ultimate East African wildlife adventure on this 7-day safari combining the thrill of the Wildebeest Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trek endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Begin in the expansive savannahs of the Mara, where predators and plains game roam freely, and then journey to Rwanda’s misty forests to encounter gentle giants up close. This safari blends dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable primate encounters for a truly immersive East African adventure.

Tour Highlights of 7 Days Wildebeests & Rwanda Gorillas

  • Masai Mara: 4 days of game drives, Wildebeest Migration, Big Five, optional hot air balloon.

  • Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: 2–3 days in Volcanoes National Park with up to two gorilla treks.

  • Scenic Transfers: Great Rift Valley, rolling hills, terraced farms, traditional villages.

  • Cultural Visits: Maasai villages and Batwa communities.

  • Wildlife & Photography: Birdwatching and rainforest wildlife.

  • Comfortable Lodges: Safari and eco-lodges with great amenities and views.

Tour Summary (Day-by-Day Highlights)

  • Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi → Scenic transfer to Masai Mara → First game drive.

  • Day 2: Full-day game drives & Wildebeest Migration viewing in the Masai Mara.

  • Day 3: Additional Mara game drives → Optional hot air balloon or Maasai village visit.

  • Day 4: Morning game drive → Return to Nairobi.

  • Day 5: Fly to Kigali → Transfer to Volcanoes National Park → Check-in and relaxation.

  • Day 6: Gorilla trekking experience → Optional Batwa cultural visit or nature walk.

  • Day 7: Second gorilla trek (optional) → Transfer to Kigali International Airport for departure.

Detailed Itinerary of 7 Days Wildebeests & Rwanda Gorillas

Day 1 : Pick Up→ Transfer to Maasai Mara

After breakfast or pickup from your Nairobi hotel, you will meet your driver-guide and begin the scenic journey to the Maasai Mara National Reserve through the spectacular Great Rift Valley. Along the way, stop at a panoramic viewpoint to take photos of the dramatic escarpment and sweeping landscapes. Continue to the world-famous Masai Mara, part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem and home to the Great Wildebeest Migration and the Big Five — lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in time for lunch, then head out for an introductory afternoon game drive across the open plains, spotting elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.

Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 : Full-Day Safari & Wildebeest Migration

After breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive in the Maasai Mara with a packed picnic lunch. Spend the day exploring the vast plains, where large herds of zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes graze while predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs patrol the savannah. The reserve is rich in wildlife and birdlife, hosting over 400 bird species along with numerous mammals, reptiles, and the iconic Big Five — lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch near the Mara River, a key migration crossing point where, during the July to October season, you may witness the dramatic wildebeest river crossings. Continue with an afternoon game drive before returning to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay. Optional activities include a hot air balloon safari or a visit to a Maasai village.

Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 : Maasai Mara Game Drives

Spend another full day exploring the vast plains of the Maasai Mara, a world-famous extension of the Serengeti ecosystem known for its incredible wildlife density and high concentration of predators, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals, and serval cats. Begin with an early morning game drive when animals are most active, then continue tracking the Big Five across the open savannah. Visit the Mara River to spot hippos and crocodiles and enjoy a scenic picnic lunch before relaxing back at the lodge. Later, head out for an afternoon drive and take in a beautiful sunset over the plains before returning for dinner and your overnight stay.

Overnight: Maasai Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 : Morning Game Drive → Return to Nairobi

Start the day with an early morning game drive when wildlife is most active, offering a final chance to spot predators and other animals across the plains. Return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, and depart for Nairobi by road or flight, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. Arrive in the afternoon and relax at your hotel or be dropped off at your preferred location in the city, marking the end of your Maasai Mara safari adventure.

Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 : Fly to Kigali → Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival, meet your guide and enjoy a brief city tour of Kigali, including key sights and local markets. After the tour, continue with a scenic drive through rolling hills, terraced farmlands, and traditional villages to Volcanoes National Park. Check in at your lodge and relax as you prepare for the gorilla trek the next day.

Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Dinner

Day 6 : Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Begin with an early breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing. Embark on your gorilla trek, guided by experienced rangers. Trek through the lush forest for 2–6 hours depending on gorilla location. Once located, spend one hour observing the gorillas, watching the silverbacks, mothers, and playful infants. Return to the lodge afterward for lunch and relaxation. Optional: visit a Batwa community or take a nature walk in the afternoon.

Overnight: Volcanoes National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 : Transfer to Kigali & Departure

After breakfast, check out from your lodge and begin the scenic drive back to Kigali. Enjoy the lush Rwandan landscapes, rolling hills, and terraced farmlands one last time as you reflect on your incredible gorilla safari experience. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, transfer directly to your flight for onward travel, concluding your unforgettable 3-day Rwanda gorilla adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

End of 7 Days Wildebeests & Rwanda Gorillas