15 days Gorillas, Kenya and Diani Beach safari
These 15 days Gorillas, Kenya and Diani Beach safari experience will take you from the hilly and lush vegetation cover of Rwanda where you will encounter the gentle yet highly endangered mountain gorillas to the countless wildlife encounters in the Kenyan national park plains and summing up the entire experience with a relaxation on the sands of the Diani beach as you reminiscence on the wildlife and primates encounters.
Overview
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Ibyi’wacu visit
- Day 3: Return to Kigali and transfer to Nairobi International Airport
- Day 4: Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to the hotel
- Day 5: Transfer to Sweet waters
- Day 6: Full day at Sweet waters sanctuary
- Day 7: Transfer from Sweet waters sanctuary to Samburu National Reserve
- Day 8: Full day in Samburu
- Day 9: Maasai Mara
- Day 10 & 11: Maasai Mara Two full days in Maasai Mara
- Day 12.Masai Mara -Nairobi-Diani Beach
- Day 13-14.Time at Diani Beach
- Day 15.Departure to Nairobi
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali international airport and transfer to Volcanoes national park
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and greeted by your designated driver guide who will who will welcome you to Rwanda, give an insight into your safari then assist you into your Safari vehicle. You will then drive to your gorilla lodge near Volcanoes national park where you will enjoy the rest of the unwinding from the flight and relaxing. Dinner will be served later in the evening before you can take your night’s rest.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Ingagi Park view lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 2: Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes & Ibwiwacu visit
Wake up before sunrise for a breakfast at the hotel then your driver guide will pick you up and transfer you to the Volcanoes national park headquarters for the gorilla trek. The briefing for the trek will start at 7:30 am and at 8:30am, in your group, you will penetrate the forest in search of the gorilla family assigned to you. This trek takes 4-5 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla family on that day. The trek is a bit quite strenuous therefore a certain level of physical fitness is highly recommended.
After meeting the gorillas, you will be allowed 1-hour with them then you will hike out of the forest and return to the lodge for a hot lunch. After lunch, take a visit to the Ibyi’wacu cultural village also known as the gorilla guardian village. This is a small community of former gorilla poachers who became gorilla guardian. This visit will give you an experience of the cultures and traditions of people of Rwanda through music, dances, dress code, stories, among others. Later return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Ingagi Park view lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: Return to Kigali and transfer to Nairobi
After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and transfer back to Kigali International Airport for your transfer flight to Nairobi.
Day 4. Arrival in Nairobi
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, our company representative will welcome you together with your safari guide, give a brief insight into your Kenya safari and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 5. Transfer to Sweet waters
Depart from Nairobi and proceed on a 3-hours’ drive to Sweet waters Game Reserve, arriving with game drive en route to Sweet waters Tented Camp in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive, including a visit to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya. Dinner and overnight at the tented camp.
Accommodation: Sweet waters tented camp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 6. Full day at Sweet waters sanctuary
Spend a full day at this private sanctuary with morning and afternoon game drives, as well as visit to Morani, the tame rhino and the Information Center within the reserve too. Other optional activities include guided nature walks, camel riding and a night game drive. All meals and overnight at Sweet waters Tented Camp. Overlooking a floodlit waterhole, the camp offers visitors the opportunity to watch and photograph animals in their natural habitat.
Accommodation: Sweet waters tented camp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 7: Transfer from Sweet waters sanctuary to Samburu National Reserve
In the morning, you will have your breakfast at the lodge then set off for a 3-4 hours’ drive to Samburu National Reserve. You will arrive just in time for lunch then after lunch there will be an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the camp
Accommodation: Samburu sopa lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 8. Full day in Samburu.
Morning and afternoon game drives. Optional activities include Camel and walking safaris outside the reserve, visits to neighboring Samburu communities and traditional dances by local warriors and maidens. Meals and overnight at the camp.
Accommodation: Samburu sopa lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 9. Maasai Mara
Depart after breakfast in the morning and transfer to the airstrip for scheduled flight to Maasai Mara Game Reserve. On arrival transfer to the North Mara Conservancy. The flight itself offers stunning aerial views, a preview of the natural wonders that await. Once you touch down in this conservation haven, you’ll be greeted by the serene ambiance and pristine surroundings. As you make your way to your accommodation in the North Mara Conservancy, the commitment to sustainable practices will be evident. Expect to be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wilderness, fostering a deep connection with the natural environment. check in and have lunch. Afternoon game drive back for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Maasai Mara Serena lodge/Sarova Mara tented camp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 10 & 11. Maasai Mara Two full days in Maasai Mara
Your sustainable travel adventure unfolds as you immerse yourself in the vast landscapes and rich biodiversity of this iconic region. The primary focus will be seeking out the majestic big cats— lions, leopards, and cheetahs—in their natural habitat. Your experienced guides, well versed in the ways of the wilderness, will lead you on exhilarating game drives, sharing insights into the behavior and ecology of these magnificent creatures.Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Maasai mara Serena lodge/ Sarova Mara tented camp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 12.Masai Mara -Nairobi-Diani Beach
Early breakfast at the camp. You will check out and then proceed to the airstrip with a game viewing drive on the way. Upon landing in Nairobi, you will have your lunch before catching another flight to Diani Beach via Ukunda Airstrip. You will arrive late in the afternoon, check in to your hotel and you may have an evening stroll along the beach for an evening breeze.
Accommodation: Diani baobab spa resort
Meal plan: Half board
Day 13-14.Time at Diani Beach
You’ll spend your next 2 days exploring the 25-kilometre strip of coastline around Diani Beach, where powdery white sands sit between the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean and the lush forests of the Shimba Hills National Reserve.After safari adventure, you may wish to relax and soak up the sun, or if you want to get active there are plenty of things to do. You can go snorkeling or diving in the stunning coral reefs, try kite surfing, take a boat excursion to Kisite Mpunguti National Marine Park to spot dolphins
Accommodation: Diani baobab spa resort
Meal plan: Half board
Day 15.Departure to Nairobi
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airstrip for your 1-hour flight back to Wilson Airport. From Wilson Airport you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in time for your onward journey home.
End of tour
Inclusions
- 2 Gorilla trekking permit
- Transfers in Rwanda
- 2 nights at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Full board meals at accommodation
- Arrival / departure transfers in Nairobi & the Coast as per itinerary
- Private and unlimited daily game drives as per itinerary
- Park entrance fees to the mentioned reserves
- Local flight as mentioned
- One-way schedule flight Diani
- Wilson Airport incl. of local departure taxes
- Transport and exclusive use of a custom safari-built
- 4×4 Land Cruiser with an accredited English-speaking safari guide
- 1 night bed & breakfast accommodation at the Nairobi hotel, Standard double room
- Full board accommodation in Lodges or tented camps
- 3night half board accommodation in beach hotel
Exclusions
- Entry visas and airport taxes
- Air tickets
- Tips and gratuities
- Nonalcoholic drinks
- Items of personal nature
- Transfer from Kigali to Nairobi
- Extra cost incurred if there is a change in itinerary
- Any extras not mentioned above i.e. meals, excursions etc
- Items of a personal nature i.e. beverages, laundry, tips & gratuities etc
