Kenya & Rwanda Safari Vacation 15 Days
This safari takes you to Maasai Mara, Kenya's most famous and finest game sanctuary particularly during the annual wildebeest (gnus) migration. Then we retreat to Lake Naivasha shaking off the dust of the Mara along the silent shores of the fresh water lake. Not so far a distance from Naivasha, we will head to Amboseli National Park situated at the foothill of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa`s roof top.
We then take you to Diani Beach one of the finest beaches in Africa and the world. The highlight of your East African Vacation is culminated by a visit to the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda for a date with the few remaining Mountain Gorillas in the world before returning back to Nairobi for an onward flight back home.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
On this day, our representative will pick you from the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for a layover after your long journey. Depending on what time you arrive, you have a chance to see Nairobi City. Nairobi Serena Hotel
Day 2: Nairobi – Maasai Mara
At 0700hrs: Our representative will pick you up from your hotel in Nairobi and drive you to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve with packed lunch en-route. We will drive down the escarpment via the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Indulge in a late afternoon game drive before driving back to our lodge for dinner and overnight stay. We stay at Mara Serena Lodge or Ashnil Luxury Camp. In the night you can hear a chorus of different animal sounds as they communicate with each other in the darkness – What better way to experience bush by night?
{Meal plan: PL & D} {Approximate transit time from Nairobi 5 - 6 hrs}
Day 3 & 4: Full Day at Maasai Mara
We spend full day at the Mara in search of the big cats as well as sighting other wildlife species indigenous to this ecosystem. Other than the Great wildebeest migration spectacle that occurs between July – October, the Masai Mara also offers wildlife in such variety and abundance. Over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily spot the Big Five - Lion, Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard, and Elephant.
The famous Maasai tribesmen also live within the dispersal area of the game reserve. {Meal plan: B, L & D}
We will also try our luck at the Mara River and cross our fingers for episode of the wildebeest migrating from the Serengeti into Mara eco system. This is such a phenomenal occurrence. One of the two days, you have an option of indulging in a hot air balloon safari for an aerial view of the game species. (At an extra cost – please see in the exclusions for rates) {Meal plan: B, L & D}
Mara Serena Lodge or Ashnil Luxury Camp
Day 5: Maasai Mara – Lake Naivasha
Indulge in a pre-breakfast game drive (optional) before embarking at the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast. Check out and drive further to Lake Naivasha where you spend the afternoon at own leisure. (Weather permitting, Optional activities like boat excursions or a guided walk at Crescent Island – This attracts an additional but minimal fee) Lunch, Dinner and accommodation will be at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort {Meal plan: B, L & D}
Day 6: Naivasha – Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, we set off for Amboseli National Park with packed lunch en-route. You will pass through the Athi River plains the home of the Maasai tribe to Amboseli National Park a place of stark contrast. The greatest attraction in this park is the vast herds of African Elephant which can be viewed from a very close range. Game drive enroute the lodge.
Dinner and overnight stay at or equivalent {Meal plan: B, PL & D} {Approximate transit time from Naivasha is 5 - 6hrs}
Day 7: Full day at Amboseli
We spend a full day in the park with morning and late evening game drives. Mt Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak will provide a beautiful picture and photography backdrop. A visit to a Maasai Manyatta will enrich your cultural experience with the local people who are known to co-exist with the wildlife.
Also a haven for bird watchers with a record of over 350 bird species. Other wildlife species found here are the lion family, buffaloes, hyenas, silver jackals, cheetah, and various antelope species among many others.
Dinner and overnight stay at Amboseli Serena Lodge or equivalent {Meal plan: B, L & D}
Day 8: Amboseli – JKIA – Diani Beach South Coast
After breakfast, transfer to Nairobi – JKIA in time to catch your domestic flight (1hr) to Diani. Upon arrival at the local airstrip our representative will pick and transfer you to the beach resort (10 - 20 minutes transfer) for a relaxed beach vacation. {Meal plan: B, PL & D} – On All inclusive basis
Day 9 - 11: Leisure days at Diani Beach
Spend the days at own leisure with option of indulging in activities provided at the hotel on all inclusive basis. Please see the various activities here> http://www.baobab-beach-resort.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=24
{Meal plan: B, L & D}
Other excursions like sky diving, snorkelling and scuba diving can be arranged at an extra cost directly by the hotel.
Day 12: Diani – JKIA – Kigali – Kinigi (Approximate transit time 4-5hrs)
After breakfast, catch your flight to Nairobi JKIA in time to connect with another 1.5hrs flight into Kigali Rwanda. Our local representative in Rwanda will be waiting for you to transfer you to the base lodge in Kinigi for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or its equivalent. {Meal plan: B, L & D}
Day 13: Gorilla Tracking – Kinigi
After an early breakfast at the lodge, proceed to the park headquarters in time for Gorilla Trek briefing at 07h00. We will then transfer you to the start point of your guided walk which begins at 08h00. Here, your amazing adventure begins.
Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range and is the home of the rare mountain gorilla and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath, but the high point will be spending an hour with the remarkably peaceful gorillas despite their size and appearance as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young.
After this memorable experience, you will be driven to Mountain Gorilla View Lodge for lunch and cleaning of your trekking boots.
This afternoon at 15h30 – You will visit the Ibyi Iwacu village for a Rwandese cultural experience.
Ibyi Iwacu is changing the traditional perception of what constitutes tourism by turning fate into fame through sharing various aspects of rural cultures and livelihoods into tourist attractions and creating income-generating activities for rural poor people that have reformed from living on bush meat and poaching for generations. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 14: Kigali – Nairobi
After a memorable gorilla tracking experience, embark on your trip back to Nairobi via Kigali. Our representative will meet you at JKIA and transfer you to a Nairobi City Hotel for layover in anticipation for your onward and outbound flight back home.
Time permitting, city tour in Nairobi either on this day or on Day 15 depending on your flight timings.
Farewell Dinner on the house at The Carnivore Restaurant
Day 15: Nairobi – JKI Airport
After breakfast, check out for your Nairobi transfer to catch your international flight back home. {Meal plan: B,}