11 Days Gorillas, Masai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Holiday : Trek to see Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat, enjoy an adventurous wildlife and relax on a tropical island
This 11 Days Gorillas, Masai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Holiday is an incredible East African Adventure taking to 3 adorning jewels of the region, Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park), Kenya’s Masai Mara and the beautiful coastline of Zanzibar.
Your trip starts with your gorilla trek into the Virunga Volcanoes where you will spend your one magical hour with the last of the mountain gorillas.
You then fly on to Kenya for a classic Big 5 safari in Masai Mara, game drives, guided walks and authentic cultural experience are all available for you to enjoy during your Masai Mara safari.
Finally you can unwind and indulge in total relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar to cool off your holiday in real island style.
Highlights of 11 Days Gorillas, Masai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Holiday
Day 1 – Arrive in Kigali & drive to Parc National des Volcans
Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking
Day 3 – Tour of Kigali & fly to Nairobi
Days 6 to 11 – Explore Zanzibar
Day 4 – On safari in the Masai Mara
Day 5 – On safari in the Masai Mara
Day 6 – Masai Mara
Day 7 – Fly to Zanzibar & transfer to the beach
Day 8 – Zanzibar Beaches
Day 9 – Zanzibar Beaches
Day 10 – Zanzibar at your leisure
Day 11- Fly home
Detailed itinerary of 11 Days Gorillas, Masai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Holiday
Days 1 – 2: Parc National Des Volcans
Day 1 – Arrive in Kigali & drive to Parc National des Volcans
On arrival into Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport you will be met by your local guide who will drive through the beautiful Rwanda countryside to Kinigi at the foothills of the Virungas in Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans). The drive typically takes about 2.5 hours, check-in at your lodge where you can enjoy your afternoon at leisure, Relax and rest up this evening ahead of tomorrow’s gorilla trekking adventure.
Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking
After breakfast, you will depart for the headquarters of the park where your guide will complete the necessary formalities for you. Then you will meet your ranger guides for a briefing about the trek and experience in front of you. Then drive you to the trailhead from where you will begin your trek.
Based on your own preferences and fitness levels, you can choose from a number of treks to different gorilla families. Your trek can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and the gorilla family assigned to you, your guide will then lead you along generally clear paths up into the forest, in radio communication with the trackers that stay with the group so that they can be located. The altitude is over 2,500 m, so although the pace is unhurried, the hike is tiring and can be steep in some parts
On the trek, you are allowed to spend only one hour with the gorillas and only one group of tourists can visit each family of mountain gorillas. If you are a keen photographer, taking your own pictures of mountain gorillas is one of the most magical photo sessions you will ever experience.
Note: light can be poor in the rainforest and that use of flash is not permitted. Also, you might need to protect your camera against the possibility of heavy rain.
After your hour with the gorillas you head back to your lodge for lunch and rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 3: Nairobi
Day 3 – Tour of Kigali & fly to Nairobi
After breakfast this morning you will be driven back to Kigali City where you will have a short city tour visiting the Kigali Genocide Museum where you will learn about the recent history of Rwanda and the horrific genocide.
After lunch you will be driven to the airport for your onward flight to Nairobi.
You are met by our guide on arrival and are driven to your hotel, which is conveniently situated in the city.
Days 4 – 6: Masai Mara
Day 4 – On safari in the Masai Mara
This morning, you will be drive to Wilson Airport for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Masai Mara National Reserve, on arrival at your nearest Mara Airstrip you are met by a representative of your camp and are driven to the lodge for check-in.
Your stay in Masai Mara is for the following three nights.
Day 5 – On safari in the Masai Mara
Enjoy your first full day on safari in Masai Mara, the reserve is one of the best Big 5 safari destinations in Africa and is great for either a first safari or for safari aficionados. You will stay at a camp or safari lodge inside the main reserve and in the fantastic outlying conservancies leaves you spoilt for choice in terms of accommodation.
Day 6 – Masai Mara
Have your final full day on safari in the Mara. On safari you will enjoy two shared safari activities each day as standard, this typically means morning and afternoon game drives out into the Mara with your expert local guide. Other activities available include walking safaris, horse riding and more.
You will have more flexibility in the conservancies where you can also avoid the minibus traffic which can spoil parts of the main reserve.
Days 7 – 10: Zanzibar
Day 7 – Fly to Zanzibar & transfer to the beach
Today you can have your morning safari activity and then you are driven back to the airstrip in time for your scheduled light aircraft flight which arrives in Nairobi around midday.
Enjoy lunch and transfer in Nairobi a head of your direct flight to Zanzibar
On arrival in Zanzibar, you are met by our guide and are driven to approximately 1 hour to your beach accommodation where you will stay for the next four nights with breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 – 10: Zanzibar Beaches
Relax and enjoy Zanzibar Island where you can recharge at your leisure, there are a lot of great activities to enjoy. From PADI diving courses to Jozani Forest day trips, to keep you occupied should you wish to explore further afield.
It is worth talking to your guide about smaller neighboring islands as they may be more appropriate for you if you are looking to get off the beaten track.
You can also enjoy a day of relaxing at the beach, perhaps indulging in a visit to the spa or explore Zanzibar at your leisure.
Day 11- Fly home
Check-out of your hotel and be driven to Zanzibar Airport where you check-in for your onward international flight.
What’s Included:
Gorilla trekking permits
Light aircraft flights
National park and conservancy fees
Meals & drinks as mentioned in full itinerary
Private airport transfers
Your choice of accommodation styles
Professional local staff with fair salaries
