Upgraded Rwanda & Kenya

If you arrive early, take some time to explore the city, known for its pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Kigali also has some interesting and historic sites outside of the city. If you want more time to explore, we recommend booking a pre-night.

Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. While the most famous resident is the mountain gorilla, there’s plenty of other wildlife roaming around: buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, numerous bird species, and some elephants call this place home.

Trek through the lush jungle-covered hills with a park ranger as the group tries to track and catch a glimpse of the golden monkey. Afterwards, visit the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Karisoke Research Center and meet with some of the organization’s gorilla experts.

Approximately 800 mountain gorillas exist globally in the wild today. They are found in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. In DRC and Rwanda, gorillas live in similar ecosystems/areas. The gorilla species found in these three areas are called highland gorillas. In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail. Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers. Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.

Akagera National Park offers a remarkable conservation story and is home to the Big Five, zebras, giraffes, elephants and hundreds of bird species. Running directly along the boarder with Tanzania, the park covers 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) and offers a variety of landscapes including highlands, savannah plains, swamps, wetlands and lakes.

Embark on an early morning safari drive this morning keeping an eye out for wildlife in the area. Take advantage of some mid-morning free time to relax back at the lodge and have some lunch. Explore the waters of Lake Ihema in the afternoon and spot the animals that call this place home.

Eat a packed breakfast before the final safari drive early in the morning. The bonus is that animals are more active during this time of day. Afterwards the group will depart for Kigali traveling through the northern edge of the park on the way.

After your flight, transfer to the hotel. Take some time to explore Nairobi before meeting your group back at the hotel for a second orientation meeting. Here, you will meet your Kenyan CEO for this duration of the tour, and new travellers that may join you for the rest of your journey.

Rise early for our drive to Lake Nakuru, which is known for housing a large variety of birds. We’ll arrive at our lodge inside the park around lunchtime. Get settled and head out to spot some rhinos and other wildlife on an afternoon safari drive.

Enjoy two safari drives; one in the morning and one in the afternoon, catching this park and the wildlife at different times of day. Afterwards, drive along the shimmering shores of Lake Nakuru.

This morning attend a talk given by a representative of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) about the issues surrounding poaching and wildlife conservation. Then, travel south to Lake Naivasha passing through the lands of the Great Rift Valley en route. This large freshwater lake is surrounded by olive trees and grassy banks. We’ll set off on a boat to cruise the waters in search of hippos and buffalo. Then, enjoy a guided walk on Crescent Island—a peaceful wildlife sanctuary located in the middle of the lake.

We can’t start a day of adventure on an empty stomach! Tuck into breakfast before we depart for the famous National Reserve of the Masai Mara. Arrive in the afternoon and take some time to settle into our safari camp before venturing into the reserve on a wildlife safari drive. There will be an excellent chance here of seeing the “big five”: buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino.

Rise and shine for an early morning safari drive into the reserve to try and track the animals that roamed through the savanna during the night. This is the time of day when ungulates like Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle are at their most active. In the late afternoon, set out on another safari drive to appreciate the timeless landscapes of the Masai Mara.

Check another item off those travel lists as you watch the sunrise over the savannah on your final safari in Masai Mara. Afterwards, journey back to Nairobi stopping along the way at Café Ubuntu, a G Adventures–supported project that trains and employs local women and mothers of children with disabilities. Here, visit the craft centre to meet some of the women and sit down for a wonderful farm-to-table lunch.

Depart at any time.