What You Need to Know: This 14-day private safari covers the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli in Kenya, then flies to Rwanda for gorilla trekking and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park and two nights by Lake Kivu, before a last day in Nairobi. It costs from US$8,348 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the US$1,500 gorilla permit.
Is the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Right for You?
It is a two-week trip with time to slow down: three nights in the Volcanoes area and a lake stay after the treks.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want Kenya's big parks and gorillas, at an easy pace | You have under 10 days: see the 9-day Mara and Rwanda safari |
| You prefer Rwanda's short drives and well-run parks | You want to keep permit costs down: Uganda's permit is US$800, see the Kenya and Uganda safari |
| You'd like a lake stay to rest after the trek | You fly home from Kigali: we can end the trip there instead |
The 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Route at a Glance
Six nights in Kenya, five in Rwanda, then two more in Nairobi.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Nairobi | Airport transfer, 30–60 minutes | Nairobi |
| 2 | Nairobi to the Maasai Mara | Drive 5–6 hours (or a 45-minute flight) | Maasai Mara |
| 3 | Full day in the Maasai Mara | Full-day game drive | Maasai Mara |
| 4 | Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru | Drive 5–6 hours | Lake Nakuru |
| 5 | Lake Nakuru to Amboseli | Drive 7–8 hours | Amboseli |
| 6 | Amboseli National Park | Full-day game drive | Amboseli |
| 7 | Amboseli to Nairobi, fly to Kigali | Drive 4–5 hours, flight 1.5 hours | Kigali |
| 8 | Kigali to Volcanoes National Park | Drive 2.5–3 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 9 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 10 | Golden monkeys and a free afternoon | Golden monkey trek 2–4 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 11 | Volcanoes to Lake Kivu | Drive 1–1.5 hours | Lake Kivu |
| 12 | Lake Kivu to Kigali, fly to Nairobi | Drive 3.5 hours, flight 1.5 hours | Nairobi |
| 13 | Nairobi National Park and the city | Game drive and city tour | Nairobi |
| 14 | Departure from Nairobi | Airport transfer, 30–60 minutes | — |
14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
The Kenya half is a road safari; the Rwanda half starts with a 1.5-hour flight to Kigali.
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Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Your driver-guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and takes you to your hotel. If you land in the morning, there is time for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's orphaned baby elephants (late morning visiting hour) and the Giraffe Centre in Karen, where you can feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform.
In the evening your guide runs through the days ahead, checks your passports and visas, and answers last questions.
Airport transfer, 30–60 minutesNairobiDinner -
Day 2: Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Leave Nairobi at about 8:00 and drop down the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley, with a stop at the viewpoint over the valley floor. The road continues through Narok, the last town before the reserve.
You arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, then head out on an afternoon game drive from about 4:00 to 6:00, when the cats start to move.
Drive 5–6 hours (or a 45-minute flight)Maasai MaraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Full day in the Maasai Mara
Leave after an early breakfast with a packed lunch and spend the whole day on the plains, so you can follow lions, cheetahs and leopards without heading back at midday. From July to October the wildebeest and zebra herds are here, and crossings of the Mara River are possible if the herds are near the water.
Optional extras: a sunrise balloon flight (US$460 per person) or a visit to a Maasai village near the reserve.
Full-day game driveMaasai MaraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
A morning game drive, then north through the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru for an afternoon drive in this fenced rhino sanctuary.
Drive 5–6 hoursLake NakuruBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Amboseli
A long drive south via Nairobi to Amboseli, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive around the swamps, where elephants feed with Kilimanjaro behind them.
Drive 7–8 hoursAmboseliBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Amboseli National Park
A full day in Amboseli: sunrise views of Kilimanjaro, elephant families at the swamps, and the view from Observation Hill.
Full-day game driveAmboseliBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Amboseli to Nairobi, fly to Kigali
Drive back to Nairobi for the flight to Kigali, about 1.5 hours. Your Rwandan driver-guide meets you and takes you to your hotel in the city.
Drive 4–5 hours, flight 1.5 hoursKigaliBreakfast, lunch -
Day 8: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the morning, then drive north-west to Musanze, about 2.5 hours, with the Virunga volcanoes rising ahead. Afternoon at your lodge near Kinigi.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
Meet the rangers at Kinigi at 7:00 for the briefing, then climb through farmland into the bamboo zone to find your gorilla family and spend one hour with them.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 10: Golden monkeys and a free afternoon
Track golden monkeys in the bamboo zone, a lively, playful hour, then rest. In the afternoon you can walk to Dian Fossey's grave (a steep half-day hike) or visit the Iby'Iwacu cultural village.
Golden monkey trek 2–4 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 11: Volcanoes to Lake Kivu
A short drive to Rubavu on the shore of Lake Kivu for a quiet afternoon: swim, take a boat to the islands or watch the fishermen go out at dusk.
Drive 1–1.5 hoursLake KivuBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 12: Lake Kivu to Kigali, fly to Nairobi
Drive back to Kigali, about 3.5 hours, and fly to Nairobi, about 1.5 hours, for a night in the city.
Drive 3.5 hours, flight 1.5 hoursNairobiBreakfast, lunch -
Day 13: Nairobi National Park and the city
An early game drive in Nairobi National Park, where lions and rhinos live with the city skyline behind them, then the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's baby elephants, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum.
Game drive and city tourNairobiBreakfast, lunch -
Day 14: Departure from Nairobi
Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.
Airport transfer, 30–60 minutesDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
- Maasai Mara: big cats, and the migration from July to October
- Lake Nakuru: rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes
- Amboseli: elephants with Kilimanjaro behind them
- Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virunga mountains
- Nairobi National Park: lions and rhinos minutes from the city
Your Vehicle, Guides and Who Runs the Trip
In Kenya you travel in a private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and sliding windows, a fridge for drinks, a pair of binoculars and eco-friendly trash bags. In Rwanda you travel in a private 4x4 safari vehicle suited to the mountain roads, with your own English-speaking driver-guide. The vehicle and driver-guide are for your group only, so you set the pace at sightings and photo stops.
In Kenya and Rwanda the trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators we work with. This is how it works: you tell us your dates, group and interests; our partners in Kenya and Rwanda prepare the costing for the country, and we send you one written quotation and itinerary. We stay your contact before and during the trip, and we handle the permits, flights and border connections between the countries.
Where You Stay on the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
| Nights | Area | Country | Example lodges (or similar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | Kenya | Sarova Panafric Hotel |
| 2 | Maasai Mara | Kenya | Mara Sopa Lodge, Talek Bush Camp |
| 1 | Lake Nakuru | Kenya | Named in your quotation |
| 2 | Amboseli | Kenya | Named in your quotation |
| 1 | Kigali | Rwanda | Named in your quotation |
| 3 | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) | Rwanda | Named in your quotation |
| 1 | Lake Kivu | Rwanda | Named in your quotation |
| 2 | Nairobi | Kenya | Sarova Panafric Hotel |
How Much Does the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Cost?
From US$8,348 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Rwanda gorilla permit | US$1,500 |
| Golden monkey permit | US$100 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas; the Maasai Mara fee doubles from July to December
- Flights: the Nairobi–Kigali flights are quoted with your trip
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Maasai Mara National Reserve (Narok County) | US$100 per adult per day January–June, US$200 July–December; children 9–17 US$50 |
| Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya Wildlife Service) | US$90 per adult per 24 hours |
| Amboseli National Park (Kenya Wildlife Service) | US$90 per adult per 24 hours |
| Volcanoes gorilla permit (Rwanda Development Board) | US$1,500 per person, including park entry |
| Golden monkey tracking (RDB) | US$100 per person |
| Nairobi National Park (Kenya Wildlife Service) | US$80 per adult per 24 hours |
What the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide in each country
- 13 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Rwanda gorilla permit, Golden monkey permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Regional flights between countries (quoted with your trip)
- Visas and Kenya's eTA
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Optional Maasai Mara balloon flight, US$460 per person
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
Borders, Flights and Visas on the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Two flights link the countries: Nairobi to Kigali on day 7 and back on day 12, about 1.5 hours each. You need a Kenya eTA (apply for one valid for the return too), a Rwanda visa and your yellow fever certificate.
How the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Gorillas in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara and Rwanda | 9 | US$5,938 | Volcanoes, Rwanda |
| Kenya and Uganda | 10 | US$5,620 | Bwindi, Uganda |
| Kenya and Uganda, 14 days | 14 | US$7,798 | Bwindi, with chimps |
| Kenya and Rwanda, 14 days | 14 | US$8,348 | Volcanoes, with golden monkeys |
Rwanda's treks start closer to the lodges and the drives are short, which is why many guests choose it despite the higher permit.
How to Book the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
This page covers what is particular to the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- East Africa safaris: when to go in each country.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
In Volcanoes the treks start at around 8,200 ft (2,500 m), so the altitude makes them tiring; rangers match groups to fitness, and porters are available. The minimum age is 15.
Can we end the trip in Kigali instead of Nairobi?
Yes. We drop the last Nairobi days and you fly home from Kigali; we requote the trip.
Can we add a beach?
Yes. Diani on Kenya's coast or Zanzibar are both easy to add at the end.
How much does the 14-Day Kenya and Rwanda Gorilla Safari cost?
From US$8,348 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
Two weeks gives you Kenya's three great parks and Rwanda's gorillas at an unhurried pace. Reserve your gorilla permit as soon as your dates are set.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.