6 Days Rwanda and Maasai Mara Safari
This 6 Days Rwanda and Maasai Mara Safari offers a rich combination of primate encounters and classic African safari experiences. Rwanda offers an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime encounter with mountain gorillas, while the Maasai Mara provides vast savannah landscapes and iconic wildlife. The journey is fast-paced yet highly rewarding, making it ideal for travelers seeking diversity in a short timeframe.
Highlight for 6 Days Rwanda and Maasai Mara Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking
Day 4: Drive Back to Kigali and Fly to Nairobi, Kenya
Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara
Day 6: Morning Game Drive and Departure
Detailed Itinerary for 6 Days Rwanda and Maasai Mara Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Arrive at Kigali International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most organized cities. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for an important and moving introduction to Rwanda’s history. Later, stroll through local markets or enjoy a relaxed dinner at a city restaurant. Dinner and overnight stay in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, depart Kigali for Volcanoes National Park, which is approximately 3 hours’ drive from Kigali. The drive to the park is scenic, with views of rolling hills and terraced farmland giving Rwanda its nickname, “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Arrive at your lodge near the park and settle in. Spend the afternoon relaxing, enjoying views of the Virunga Mountains, or taking a guided tour through Iby’iwacu village to experience local culture. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking
Wake early and head to the park headquarters for a briefing before your gorilla trek. You will be assigned a gorilla family group based on your fitness level. The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location; however, the experience is unforgettable. Spend one hour observing these incredible primates in their natural habitat- watching their interactions, movements, and behaviors up close. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Drive Back to Kigali and Fly to Nairobi, Kenya
After breakfast, drive back to Kigali and catch your flight to Nairobi, Kenya. From Nairobi, board a light aircraft to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Upon arrival, transfer to your safari camp or lodge. Enjoy an evening game drive, your first introduction to Mara’s abundant wildlife, such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and possibly cheetahs. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in the reserve.
Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara
Spend the day exploring the Maasai Mara, which is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for game viewing when animals are most active.
You may choose a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the bush or split drives between morning and afternoon with time to relax at camp in between. Depending on the season, you might witness the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains and sometimes the Mara River.
Expect to see the “Big Five” like the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, as well as a wide range of birdlife. Optional activities include a hot air balloon safari at sunrise or a visit to a Maasai village.
Day 6: Morning Game Drive and Departure
Enjoy an early morning game drive for a last chance to spot wildlife and capture photographs. After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi. From there, connect to Jomo Kenyatta international airport for your departure flight.
