A mountain gorilla resting in green forest

Rwanda & Kenya

One hour at ten metres from a silverback, then a million wildebeest on the plains of the Mara. Forest and savanna, the two great African encounters, in a single arc.

10 days · 9 nights Route: Kigali → Volcanoes NP → Nairobi → Masai Mara Gorilla permit included ($1,500 value) Best months: Jun–Sep & Dec–Feb

The journey, day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Kigali

    Met on arrival; an afternoon at the Genocide Memorial — a necessary, quietly devastating hour — then dinner in Africa’s cleanest capital.

    Boutique hotel, Kigali

  2. Day 2

    Up to the volcanoes

    Two scenic hours through terraced hills to the foot of the Virungas. Afternoon at leisure; a briefing and an early night before the trek.

    Volcano-view lodge

  3. Day 3

    The gorillas

    Dawn briefing, then a trek of one to four hours behind trackers who have followed the family since first light. Then the hour: a silverback’s indifference, juveniles tumbling past your boots. Nothing prepares you.

    Volcano-view lodge

  4. Day 4

    Golden monkeys, back to Kigali

    A gentler morning trek to the golden monkeys in the bamboo, then the drive back to Kigali for the night.

    Boutique hotel, Kigali

  5. Day 5

    Fly to Nairobi

    A short flight east across the Rift; overnight at a garden estate on the city’s edge.

    Garden hotel, Nairobi

  6. Days 6–9

    The Masai Mara

    Forty-five minutes by air to a private conservancy: off-road with the big cats, walking safaris, night drives, and — in season — the river crossings minutes away. Four unhurried nights in the most concentrated cat country in Africa.

    Conservancy camp — 4 nights

  7. Day 10

    Home

    Morning flight to Nairobi and your onward connection.

What it costs — honestly

TierFrom, per personWhat changes
Classic$6,200Comfortable lodges; Mara reserve rather than private conservancy
Luxury$7,900Premium volcano-view lodge, private Mara conservancy camp
Ultra$12,600World-list lodges throughout, a second gorilla permit optional

Per person sharing, including the $1,500 Rwanda gorilla permit, golden-monkey permit, all park and conservancy fees, internal flights, private guiding and full board on safari. Excluded: international flights, visas, gratuities.

Handled for you

  • Gorilla permits secured months ahead — the immovable piece, booked first
  • The Kigali–Nairobi connection and all internal flights
  • Fitness-matched gorilla-family assignment arranged quietly with the rangers
  • Private Mara conservancy placement for the crossings in season

The forest and the plains

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