10-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Kenya Wildebeest Migration Safari

Experience two of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles on one seamless journey. This 10-day Rwanda gorilla trekking and Kenya wildebeest migration safari combines face-to-face encounters with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys in Rwanda with the drama of the Great Wildebeest Migration across Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

You’ll begin in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, before heading into Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and a visit to Dian Fossey’s legacy at the Ellen DeGeneres Camp. From there, explore Nyungwe National Park’s chimpanzee communities and canopy walk, then fly across to Kenya for game drives, a hot air balloon ride, and an authentic Maasai cultural visit in the Maasai Mara.

At a glance:

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, City Tour & drive to your lodge.

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your safari guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and a briefing on your 10-day Rwanda and Kenya safari.

After a short rest, set out on a Kigali city tour, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Kimironko Market, and local artisan cooperatives. The tour offers insight into Rwanda’s history, culture, and remarkable resilience. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and a briefing on the days ahead.

Accommodation: Millie Colline Hotel

Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Iby’iwacu Cultural Village

After breakfast, drive roughly 2.5 scenic hours from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s base for gorilla trekking. Check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch before visiting the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where former poachers now gorilla protectors  share traditional dance, drumming, storytelling, and a taste of local banana beer.

Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Lodge

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Today is the heart of your safari: a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience. After breakfast, meet park rangers at headquarters for a safety briefing before trekking through bamboo forest and jungle trails to find a habituated gorilla family.

You’ll spend up to one hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat  an encounter many describe as deeply emotional. Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch and rest.

In the late afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Camp, home to the research legacy of primatologist Dian Fossey. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Lodge

Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, head to park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey trekking. Hike into the bamboo forest of the Albertine Rift to watch these playful, endangered primates feed and play.

Return to the lodge for lunch, then drive to Gisenyi on the shores of Lake Kivu. Relax on the beach or take a sunset boat cruise, then settle in for the night at a lakeside resort.

Accommodation: Lake Kivu Marina Bay Resort

Day 5: Scenic Transfer to Nyungwe National Park

Depart early for the 6–7 hour drive to Nyungwe National Park, home to one of Africa’s largest chimpanzee populations. The route winds through Rwanda’s tea plantations and rolling hills, with a meal en route.

Check into your forest lodge and unwind with a guided nature walk or bird watching session in the evening.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Hill View Lodge (midrange) or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (budget)

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking & Nyungwe Canopy Walk

Set out at first light for chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo or Uwinka, following expert guides through dense forest to observe chimpanzee social behavior up close.

After the trek and a relaxed lunch, walk the famous Nyungwe Canopy Walk  a suspended bridge offering sweeping views over the forest treetops and valleys below.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Hill View Lodge (midrange) or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (budget)

Day 7: Fly to Maasai Mara, Kenya — Afternoon at Leisure

After breakfast, transfer to Kigali for your flight to Nairobi, then connect onward to the Maasai Mara. On arrival, transfer to your safari camp near the Mara River or within a private conservancy.

Settle into your tent and take in panoramic views of the savannah. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon  a spa treatment or sun downer, if you wish  followed by dinner under the stars.

Day 8: Full-Day Game Drive — Great Wildebeest Migration

This is one of the signature experiences of the trip. Spend a full day tracking the aGret Wildebeest Migration across the Maasai Mara plains, watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra move in their seasonal procession sometimes crossing the Mara River, where lions and crocodiles lie in wait.

Enjoy a bush picnic lunch amid the wide-open scenery, then return to camp for a fireside dinner and stories from the day.

Day 9: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari & Maasai Cultural Visit

Rise early for a hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara, taking in sweeping views of elephants, antelope, and migrating herds from above, followed by a bush breakfast on landing.

In the afternoon, visit a Maasai village to learn about traditional pastoral life, bead work, and customs  a meaningful cultural exchange that adds depth to your safari.

Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.

Day 10: Morning Game Drive & Departure

Enjoy one final game drive to spot anything you may have missed, then check out and transfer to the airstrip for your domestic flight to Nairobi.

Depending on your flight schedule, you can visit the Giraffe Centre or Karen Blixen Museum before your onward departure or hotel drop-off in Nairobi.

What’s Included

• Ground transportation throughout
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Meals en route as specified
• Accommodation as listed
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Chimpanzee trekking permit
• Golden monkey trekking permit
• Park entrance fees
• Bottled drinking water

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Tips and gratuities
• Laundry services
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, soft drinks, alcohol, etc.)
• Any item not specifically mentioned in the itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time for this Rwanda and Kenya safari? The dry seasons (June–September and late January–February) offer the best trekking conditions in Rwanda and align with peak wildebeest migration activity in the Maasai Mara, especially July through September when river crossings are most common.

Do I need a visa for Rwanda and Kenya? Most nationalities can use the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda on a single visa. Check current requirements for your nationality before booking.

How fit do I need to be for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking? Moderate fitness is recommended. Treks involve hiking on uneven, sometimes steep and muddy jungle terrain for one to several hours, depending on where the primates are located that day.

How far in advance should I book gorilla permits? Gorilla permits are limited and in high demand booking 3–6 months in advance is strongly recommended, especially for travel during peak season.

Why Book This Safari

This itinerary is one of the few that combines Rwanda’s three primate trekking experiences  gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys with Kenya’s Great Wildebeest Migration in a single, logistically smooth trip. Ready to witness it for yourself? Contact us today to check availability and lock in your gorilla permits.