To plan the game safari in Masai Mara Kenya and gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda you need know the fundamental items of this African safari. For gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda, the gorilla permit is key to confirming this tour. For game safaris in Masai Mara National Park you must reserve necessary safari accommodation. Enquire Now
In case you hope to do the combination of Masai Mara game safari in Kenya and gorilla trekking in Rwanda beware of the season you hope to travel for this African safari. The peak tourism seasons of Rwanda and Kenya are normally June to September and December to January. The demand for most safari logistics is over the top with less or no options left for last minute safari bookings.
Great wildebeest migration is the primary seasonal safari event of Masai Mara National Reserve with its peak season expected in July and August where Mara River crossing is expected to happen. When you opt for a hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara National Reserve, you get to watch a wildlife fiesta as almost every part of the reserve is dotted with wild animals.
The mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda are more dramatic in the dry season when new additional or are expected in most gorilla families. Even the trails leading to the location of the mountain gorillas are drier since the forest is expected to have less humidity in this period.
Organise the necessary transport means to get to Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Road transport being the main means to get to most African safari destinations, Rwanda and Kenya area not excluded but may take sometime on the way. It is best to use a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle and for more private travel experience a jeep may be better but quite costly.
Air transport can be arranged to the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Reserve necessary accommodation within or closer to the gorilla and game safari destinations in Rwanda and Kenya respectively. It is safer to reserve the accommodations to use during this African safari in advance. Most accommodations to use during safaris in Rwanda and Kenya sell out early for the peak season leaving no or less options for late bookers.
Identify the category of safari package you are interested in according to your budget.
Do not forget to book a Kenyan or Rwanda visa in advance in case you must have one before entering any of these countries. Note that Kenya and Rwanda are in the East African community and you can cross into either countries by passing through Uganda on road or by air transport which is about 1 hour flight.
Brief Itinerary of Game safari in Masai Mara in Kenya and Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Day-1 Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
Drive to Masa Mara National Reserve but enroute, you may take a break at the rift valley view point to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The towering escarpments that overlook the rift valley leave you wondering how this natural architecture was formed.
Take more breaks along the way as desired then finally get into Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara National Reserve is the prime game safari destination in Kenya because of the great wildebeest migration. The great wildebeest migration is a seasonal event when millions of animals both ungulates and predators do massive migration from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania into Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya.
Even when it is not the season for great wildebeest migration, a game drive on the tracks of Masai Mara National Reserve give you the opportunity to spot lions, leopards, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and more. In Africa, Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the few destinations where you can find the famous big five.
Check in
Masai Mara Accommodations: Saruni Basecamp, Keekorok Lodge,
Day-2 Game Drive in Masai Mara National reserve
Get up early and head for a game drive in Masai Mara national Park. You need to pack some snacks to munch on and enough water to rehydrate because the park experiences hot conditions later in the day. Masai Mara National Reserve is home to lush African wildlife. While on game drive, you may get to spot Wildebeests, lions, leopards, gazelles, giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, waterbucks, bushbucks and more.
Take a picnic lunch break and relax for a while before continuing with the game drives. You can also return to your lodge in case it is within the park and you can watch game from the comfort of your balcony.
Get back to your lodge
Day-3 Second Game Drive or Option Hot Air balloon in Masai Mara national reserve
Rise up for another game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve. While driving on the park tracks, you may find some animals you may have missed the previous day. More resident animals of Masai mara National Reserve include herds of elephants, buffaloes, African Hare, hippos, crocodiles, aardwolf, Banded Mongoose, Fox, Hyenas, Bush baby, Hartebeests, elands and more.
Other optional activities you may choose on this day to do in Masai Mara National reserve include:
Hot air balloon in Masai Mara national Reserve
During this adventure, you get to view the vast scenery of Masai Mara National reserve from an aerial view. The hot air balloons happen in the morning as the animals arise to start the day. From the basket, you get to take aerial photographs and film too. You get to spots that are hard to reach when in the vehicle because off track driving is not accepted.
Masai Community Visit in Masai Mara National reserve
The Masai are a unique community who are stuck to their cultural beliefs of cattle keeping since time immemorial. The Masai depend on cattle for most of their food supplies and live in Manyattas. The Masai communally offer security to their cattle to protect them from predators and rustlers.
When on a Masai community visit, you may participate in craft making, bead work, the folk-dance moves, purchase souvenirs and more. The funds collected from the Masai community visit are used to support community projects and improve the way of life of the Masais.
Day-4 Drive to Nairobi Airport then Kigali International airport
After spending and enjoying the beauties of Masai Mara National Reserve, drive to Nairobi International Airport to catch up with your flight to Kigali International Airport.
You may book a room to freshen up
Day-5 Drive to Volcanoes National Park
Start the drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda on the winding roads because of the general topography of this country. The roads are fairly smooth in the town areas but in the countryside, they may get quite bumpy and slippery.
Volcanoes National Park is a pristine rain forest home to the few surviving mountain gorillas in the world. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is quite steep because of the several highlands that compose its topography. Some of the notable highlands of Volcanoes national Park include Mountain Gahinga, Bisoke, Muhavura, Karisimbi and sabyinyo.
At times the mountain gorillas find their way to the slopes or deep in the valley so tourists must hike to find them. Volcanoes forest is home to over 200 birds species too, other primates species and more.
Day-6 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Get up for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing. Later each tourists is allocated a gorilla trekking family. Followthe trail leading where the mountain gorillas were last seen and watch out for other possible in habitants. The trails are wet most of the day from the severe rains that fall and forest environment humid all day.
As you get closer to the mountain gorillas, you hear them before facing them so the ranger guide will give the final instructions as you draw towards the gorilla family. Do not panic to take out your cameras but wait for the ranger guide to determine the mood of the family.
Enjoy the one hour allowed with the mountain gorillas and do not forget get to use your camera to the best of your ability but use your eyes too.
Get back to Your lodge to relax
Day 7 Departure from Rwanda
After morning breakfast, check out and drive to Kigali airport from Volcanoes National Park which is about 3 hours drive. End
What is the cost of a Combo of Masai Mara game safari in Kenya and Gorilla Trekking safari in Rwanda
The cost of game safari in Kenya and Gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda differs with the type of safari package you choose. The cost of the gorilla permit for Rwanda is currently $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents or other Africans and $200 for East Africans.
For Rwanda gorilla trekking permit cost it has a fixed cost across all safari budgets.
Every visitor to the Masai Mara National Reserve is expected to pay entrance fees but these vary with season. At the moment, Masai Mara National Reserve Park entrance fees:
high season are $200 ( July to December and low season $100( January to June) for adults
High season for children (9 to 17 years) $50 per person
Children (0 to 8 years) Free
Students in an organized group $50 per person
Other safari logistics like accommodation costs, transport costs, meals and more must be included in the total quotation but these vary with type of safari package you choose that is upscale, midrange or basic.
Carry some hard cash for on ground transactions including tipping, purchasing souvenirs and more.
What to Expect on Game safari In Masai Mara Kenya and Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
In general expect to see some of the best wildlife safari experiences in Africa.
For Masai Mara game safaris during the great wildebeest migration season expect the park to have millions of animals both herbivores and carnivores. While on game drive in Masai mara National Park, you get to be part of the 8 natural wonders in the world.
For gorilla trekking in Rwanda expect to meet some of the largest and endangered primates in Africa in their natural habitant. Even though the environment of Volcanoes national Park has high humidity almost the entire day but seeing the gorillas is guaranteed.
Expect to encounter other tourists in Masai Mara National Reserve and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda especially during the peak season that is June to October and December to January.
For game drives in Masai Mara National Park safari vehicle are used to explore the park. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is on foot while you search for the mountain gorillas.
Expect to pay park entrance fees before entering Masai Mara national Reserve and this is a compulsory cost no matter the type of safari package you choose. The cost of park entrance fees to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is included in the gorilla trekking permit cost.
What are the requirements for Game safari in Masai Mara Kenya and Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Book the Rwanda gorilla permit
For gorilla trekking in Rwanda, book the gorilla permit first as this is the only confirmation for this adventure.
Reserve necessary accommodations for either gorilla safaris and game tours
Where to spend your nights during the gorilla safari in Rwanda or game tours is very important. This helps in the feeling you get at the end of this African safari. Accommodation to use on safari contributes a great deal to the type of safari package you choose. Reserve the accommodation within your budget and inclusive of atleast basics.
Secure transport to and from the safari destination
Transport costs are inclusive of gas or fuel, driver guide hire, vehicle hire, reserve charter flights and more. Do not forget to include the cost of a transfer vehicles from the airport to your hotel or guest house where you will be picked to start the safari. At Arch safaris and tours we offer airport transfers on request.
Pack the necessary safari gears Do not over back because so many bags or over weight bags may be hard for you to handle too. For gorilla trekking check with the list of gorilla trekking gears. Try to avoid colors that may attract insects but park clothes that are jungle friendly like Khaki, beige, tan but try not to pack camouflage because this is regarded as military we