Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kigali
You'll be picked up from Kigali airport and transferred to Hotel des Mille Collines. If you arrive early, head around Nyamirambo for grilled tilapia or try Rwandan coffee at a local spot. This evening you'll join your leader and group for dinner at an East African restaurant with live music and regional dishes.
- Meals
- Dinner (East African restaurant with live music, cocktails, great views and authentic shared dining experience full of regional flavour)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Welcome Dinner at East African Restaurant with Live Music
Optional Activities
- Explore Nyamirambo Muslim quarter
- Try giant grilled tilapia at local restaurant
- Visit local cafe for Rwandan coffee
Landmarks/POIs Hotel des Mille Collines Nyamirambo - Day 2
Kigali
Start the morning at Ntarama Church memorial, then continue to Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre. You'll walk through the Genocide Museum to learn about Rwanda's history and resilience. After lunch with traditional Rwandan and Ugandan food, take a guided city tour and check out Kimironko market. The evening is yours to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Rwandan and Ugandan dishes)
Included Activities
- Ntarama Church Guided Tour
- Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre Visit
- Genocide Museum Visit
- Local Food Lunch with Traditional Rwandan and Ugandan Dishes
- Kigali City Tour
- Kimironko Market Visit
Landmarks/POIs Ntarama Church Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre Genocide Museum Kimironko Market - Day 3
Kigali to Bwindi
After breakfast you'll leave Kigali and head into Uganda, arriving at Gorilla Heights Lodge in Bwindi National Park by afternoon. The lodge sits on Nteko Ridge with views of the forest and Virunga Mountains. Solar-powered cottages have private balconies overlooking the canopy. Later, a field veterinarian from Gorilla Doctors joins you to discuss their conservation work with mountain gorillas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Gorilla Doctors Veterinarian Educational Talk
Landmarks/POIs Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Virunga Mountains - Day 4
Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Trek
You'll rise early for a briefing at park headquarters, then head out on the mountain gorilla trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. When you encounter a gorilla group, you'll spend one hour watching them in their natural behavior. The trek can be wet and demanding but offers incredible wildlife. Local porters can help carry your pack. Grab a picnic lunch in the rainforest.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch in the wilderness of the rainforest)
Included Activities
- Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
- Picnic Lunch in Rainforest
Optional Activities
- Hire local porters to carry pack and provide expert assistance
Landmarks/POIs Bwindi National Park - Day 5
Bwindi
Start with a leisurely breakfast on the terrace overlooking the forest. The morning is yours to relax or, if you'd like, do an optional second gorilla trek. This afternoon you'll walk the Buniga Batwa Cultural Trail with indigenous guides who teach you their traditional forest skills like foraging and tool making. Later, rejoin the group for dinner in the terraced restaurant surrounded by mountain views.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Leisurely breakfast on the terrace overlooking the forest), Dinner (Group dinner in the terraced restaurant surrounded by mountain views)
Included Activities
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Buniga Batwa Cultural Trail
- Group Dinner in Terraced Restaurant with Mountain Views
Optional Activities
- Second day of mountain gorilla trekking
Landmarks/POIs Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Day 6
Bwindi to Kigali
After breakfast you'll head back across the border to Kigali, which takes about 4 hours. Arriving in the afternoon, your time is free to rest or explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Kigali
- Day 7
Kigali to Nairobi
You'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Nairobi. From there you're collected and taken to your hotel, which has bold pan-African art, a sauna and steam room. If you arrive before the 6pm welcome meeting, check out Nairobi Gallery or relax by the pool. After meeting your leader, head out to a local restaurant for dinner with traditional food and sharing platters.
- Meals
- Dinner (Colourful local restaurant offering traditional favourites with a modern touch, sharing platters including samosas, fried plantains and tilapia)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Nairobi - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant with Sharing Platters
Optional Activities
- Browse Nairobi Gallery
- Use hotel pool, sauna and steam room
Landmarks/POIs Nairobi Gallery - Day 8
Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
You'll head to the Great Rift Valley, first stopping at Elsamere, the former home of 'Born Free' author Joy Adamson. The house museum shows her conservation work and photos of Elsa the lioness. Then take a boat trip on Lake Naivasha, which sits high in the Great Rift Valley and has many hippos. Have high tea lunch on Joy's grounds, then head to your Lake Nakuru lodge by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (High tea lunch on Elsamere grounds with lake as serene backdrop)
Included Activities
- Lake Naivasha - Elsamere Conservation Centre Visit
- Lake Naivasha - Boat Trip
- High Tea Lunch at Elsamere
Landmarks/POIs Elsamere Conservation Centre Lake Naivasha Lake Nakuru Great Rift Valley - Day 9
Lake Nakuru
This morning you'll drive through Lake Nakuru National Park by 4x4. Bring warm clothes as mornings can be cold. You might see large flocks of flamingos, though recent flooding has reduced birdlife. The park has waterbuck, gazelle and chances to spot leopards and rare black rhinos. Return for lunch, then head back out for an afternoon game drive.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Lake Nakuru National Park - Morning 4WD Game Drive
- Lake Nakuru National Park - Afternoon 4WD Game Drive
Landmarks/POIs Lake Nakuru National Park - Day 10
Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara
You'll head southwest toward the Maasai Mara, crossing the Great Rift Valley and passing the Loita Hills. Stop at Tepesua Village where Maasai warriors welcome you with traditional songs and dance. Walk through the community and learn about the widows' handicraft project. See a traditional Maasai home and cattle enclosure. Later settle into Zebra River Camp, your three-night stay with luxury tented rooms and private verandas.
Included Activities
- Loita Hills - Cultural Talk and Village Visit
- Tepesua Village - Maasai Warriors Welcome with Traditional Song and Dance
- Tepesua Village - Community Village Walk and Tour of Traditional Maasai Home and Cattle Enclosure
Landmarks/POIs Maasai Mara Loita Hills Tepesua Village - Day 11
Maasai Mara
Full-day 4x4 game drives from morning through afternoon. You'll depart early with your packed lunch, heading to the furthest part of the park. Look for wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, elephants, giraffes and with luck, lions, leopards or cheetahs. Watch the sunset with a drink in hand, then head back to camp late evening with time to freshen up before dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Packed lunch during full-day 4WD safari), Dinner
Included Activities
- Maasai Mara - Full-Day 4WD Safari
- Maasai Mara - Sundowner and Snacks
Landmarks/POIs Maasai Mara - Day 12
Maasai Mara
The morning is yours to relax with coffee on your deck or join an optional early game drive or walking safari. You can also do a sunrise hot air balloon ride for a different perspective of the plains. Balloons depart before dawn and profits go to park conservation. In the afternoon, regroup for another 4x4 game drive.
Included Activities
- Maasai Mara - Afternoon 4WD Safari
Optional Activities
- Early morning game drive
- Walking safari
- Sunrise hot air balloon ride
Landmarks/POIs Maasai Mara - Day 13
Maasai Mara to Nairobi
You'll say goodbye to the Maasai Mara and return to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon. Your tour ends this evening. If you'd like to stay longer, additional accommodation can be arranged in advance if available.
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Nairobi with additional accommodation
