Journeys: Legendary Wildlife of Rwanda & Kenya
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
From AUD $18099
Small Group
Demanding
Rating
(3 reviews)
Journeys: Legendary Wildlife of Rwanda & Kenya
Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply
15 days
Small Group
Moderate
Demanding
English
Experience Overview
Encounter Africa’s legendary wildlife, from the “big five” to endangered primates, on a thrilling adventure into the wilds of eastern Africa.
Includes
Activities
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Mountain Gorilla Conservation Sundowner Experience, Volcanoes National Park Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Akagera National Park - Conservation and Community, Parc National de l’ Akagera Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kenya Wildlife Service Conservation Talk, Lake Nakuru National Park Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Café Ubuntu and Ubuntu Made, Maai Mahiu Your G for Good Moment: Nyamirambo Women's Centre, Local Lunch, Kigali
- Arrival transfer
- All national park entrance fees
- Genocide memorial entrance
- Mountain gorilla trek with permits
- Golden monkey trek with permits
- Local village walk
- Safari drives in Akagera National Park
- Wildlife boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- Wildlife safari drives in Masai Mara National Reserve, and Lake Nakuru National Park
- Boat trip on Lake Naivasha and wildlife walk on Crescent Island
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotel/Lodge – 12 nts, comfortable tented camps – 2 nts.
- 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
- 7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle, walking, hiking, boat, plane.
Group Leader
- National Geographic Expedition Leader, local guides, experienced gorilla trackers, park rangers, certified driver/guide in Kenya.
Highlights
- Observe gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
- Embark on safari in Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara
- Share lunch and stories with the inspiring women of Kigali’s Nyamirambo neighbourhood
- Enjoy an insider’s perspective on anti-poaching efforts at Rwanda’s Akagera National Park.
Trip Details
15 days
7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle, walking, hiking, boat, plane.
English
Kigali, Rwanda
Nairobi, Kenya
Moderate
National Geographic Journey, Budget
Demanding
Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali
If you arrive early, take some time to explore the city, known for its pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Kigali also has some interesting and historic sites outside of the city. If you want more time to explore, we recommend booking a pre-night.
Exclusive inclusions: Accommodation - Hotel des Mille Collines
Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains can be found here. The volcanoes and highlands of the park are covered in lush rainforest and bamboo (a favourite snack of the gorillas). While the most famous resident is the mountain gorilla, there's plenty of other wildlife roaming around: buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, hyenas, numerous bird species, and some elephants call this place home.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which serves as a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide in 1994. The centre opened on the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, in April 2004, and was built on a site where more than 250,000 people are buried. Please note that content at the Memorial Centre shows the harsh reality of the genocide.Activity - Located in Nyamirambo, the largest and most vibrant township in Rwanda, the centre provides women and girls from a diverse range of backgrounds, the opportunity to support each other and succeed, through education and training programs. Enjoy lunch prepared by women employed at the centre, allowing us to try local foods and popular dishes. After lunch, take some time to browse the centre's shop, which features handmade, high-quality crafts and clothes, made by some of the women at the shop, as well as other women's cooperatives throughout Rwanda. Proceeds from the meal and shop help support the centre’s education and training programs, including a community library.Transport - Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.Accommodation - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Embark on a trek in Volcanoes National Park to view a species even more endangered than the mountain gorilla – the golden monkey. It is only in Rwanda where this interesting species has been successfully habituated. Look (and listen) for these lively and curious creatures that like to chatter – they are often only seen high up in the trees, but, with luck, hikers may have a close encounter. Golden monkeys mainly live in the lower parts of the bamboo forests; they are not as socially “tight” as gorillas and chimpanzees, and the number in the habituated troupe can vary on any given day between 20 and 80.Activity - Founded 50 years ago by Dian Fossey, the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda is considered the world’s best hope for the survival of endangered mountain gorillas. The Fossey Fund is also the world’s longest running and largest organization dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation. More recently, the organization moved to its permanent home near the gorgeous landscape of Volcanoes National Park and has now been named the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Karisoke Research Center. During the evening visit you’ll be invited to check out the immersive activities in the public exhibit while learning about the biodiversity of this region. Then, the group will meet one of the resident researchers at the center and enjoy a talk with the organization’s gorilla experts at the Virunga Overlook. They will share their experiences working with the organization and answer any questions you may have. There will be a selection of non alcoholic beverages, wine, and light snacks included. Thanks to the work Karisoke does, the mountain gorillas of this region are the only species of great ape to have increased in number in recent decades. Between 1967 and 1983, Dian Fossey received over 16 grants from National Geographic and was featured many times in the pages of National Geographic magazine.Accommodation - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park
Approximately 800 mountain gorillas exist globally in the wild today. They are found in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. In DRC and Rwanda, gorillas live in similar ecosystems/areas. The gorilla species found in these three areas are called highland gorillas.
In Rwanda there are ten habituated gorilla families that are open to visits – the visit to a gorilla family is done once per day, with a maximum 8 trekkers per group and the duration of a visit is limited to one (1) hour with the gorilla family. The time spent with them is limited due to conservation considerations and to minimize impact on the day-to-day life of the gorilla family you are visiting. It is important to be well prepared for the trek — you never know if your total trek will be short or long. The total duration of a trek can vary and be anything between 4 and 9 hrs in length depending on the location of the gorillas, which are constantly moving. You will mainly walk where there are no paths apart from the occasional buffalo or elephant trail.
Touching the gorillas is not allowed (although in some cases they may touch you). Making loud noises or sudden movements is also not allowed. You should attempt to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, however the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to slowly move away. At all times you must abide by the instructions of the trackers and rangers.
Please note that porters are available at approx. $10USD per person. The porters are all hired from local villages and not only can carry your day pack, but assist you with a welcome hand over difficult spots. Regardless of your fitness level, we highly recommend hiring a porter as some tracks can be very muddy and elevation can affect even the most fit person. It also provides employment and supports the local community.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit a small farming village where the locals have put a stop to poaching and put their focus on sheep farming. Meet the local people and get a first hand look at rural life in this area.Activity - Depart early and transfer to the national park to meet the park ranger/guide for orientation. Embark on the trek, which can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the location of the gorilla family that's being visited. Spend an hour observing these beautiful and endangered creatures. Trek back and return to the hotel with the remainder of the afternoon to yourself. Accommodation - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park/Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park offers a remarkable conservation story and is home to the Big Five, zebras, giraffes, elephants and hundreds of bird species. Running directly along the boarder with Tanzania, the park covers 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) and offers a variety of landscapes including highlands, savannah plains, swamps, wetlands and lakes.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.Activity - Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the African Parks headquarters here. Gain insights into issues of modern wildlife conservation, the day-to-day process of managing a protected zone, and the importance of community support to protect the park. Visit the anti-poaching room to learn about monitoring and methods of protection, including the use of a canine unit. Then head to the Akagera Village and learn about an outreach project that helps educate the local community about conservation and sustainability.Accommodation - Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Day 6: Akagera National Park
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - This morning, wake early and head out into the park for sunrise and try and spot the early risers. Look out for lion, elephants, buffalo, hyenas and others who graze freely in the park. Giraffe are a popular site as well as others in the growing park such as; warthog, waterbuck, zebras, roan antelope, eland, topis, and impala.Activity - Enjoy safari by boat on Lake Ihema. The cruise will give you a chance to spot more wildlife, such as elephants and buffalos who tend to gather at the banks to have a drink of water. Search out Nile crocodiles and observe birds; there are over 500 species around the lake and its surrounding wetlands. Keep an eye out for shoebill and papyrus Ganolex as well as endemic species such as; herons, ibis, jacanas, plovers, malachite Kingfisher and Hawks.Accommodation - Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Day 7: Akagera National Park to Kigali
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - This morning, wake early and head out into the park for sunrise and try and spot the early risers. Look out for lion, elephants, buffalo, hyenas and others who graze freely in the park. Giraffe are a popular site as well as others in the growing park such as; warthog, waterbuck, zebras, roan antelope, eland, topis, and impala.Transport - Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.Accommodation - Hotel des Mille Collines
Day 8: Kigali/Nairobi
After your flight, transfer to the hotel. Take some time to explore Nairobi before meeting your group back at the hotel for a second orientation meeting. Here, you will meet your Kenyan Expedition Leader for this duration of the tour, and new travellers that may join you for the rest of your journey.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Take some time to explore Nairobi before meeting your Kenyan Expedition Leader at the orientation meeting.Activity - Meet fellow travellers and learn more details about the upcoming itinerary from the Expedition Leader.Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Accommodation - Sarova Panafric Hotel
Day 9: Nairobi/Lake Nakuru National Park
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.Activity - Search for, buffalo, impalas, hyenas, and even lions and leopards on the wildlife safari drive in this renowned national park. Head to the shores of Lake Nakuru to see pelicans and cormorants. The park is also rich in other bird life, including grebes, white winged black terns, stilts, avocets, and ducks.Accommodation - Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Day 10: Lake Nakuru National Park
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.Activity - Search for, buffalo, impalas, hyenas, and even lions and leopards on the wildlife safari drive in this renowned national park. Head to the shores of Lake Nakuru to see pelicans and cormorants. The park is also rich in other bird life, including grebes, white winged black terns, stilts, avocets, and ducks.Accommodation - Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Day 11: Lake Nakuru National Park/Lake Naivasha
The name Naivasha comes from the Maasai “Nai'posha”, which means “rough water”, though Lake Naivasha is generally calm as we watch for hippos and birdlife. Bring your binoculars and scan for lovebirds, ibis, and fish eagles, watch buffaloes wallow in the swamps and listen to colobus monkeys call from the treetops.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Gain a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding poaching and Elephant conservation during a lecture by an accredited speaker from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The major topics will be Elephants, martial Eagles & Pangolins and how they conduct animal census. The KWS strives to sustainably conserve and develop Kenya’s wildlife and its habitats, as well as create programs to enable communities living in wildlife areas to benefit from wildlife revenue. National Geographic has supported many research projects working jointly with KWS researchers in the field. The chairman of the KWS is renowned conservationist Walter Raria Kaipaton.Transport - Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.Activity - Enjoy a scenic boat ride on this fresh water lake, popular with people seeking wildlife and bird watching. Once at Crescent Island walk amongst the acacia trees and come face to face with herds of wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck and giraffe. Along the shore you may see hippos and buffalo wallowing in the mud. Scan the treetops for the African fish eagle, waiting to snatch a fish from the lake.Accommodation - Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp
Day 12: Lake Naivasha/Masai Mara
After breakfast, we depart for the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. No trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit here. In the afternoon, we will arrive in the area, and get settled at our safari camp, our base for our time here. Then we'll make our way into the reserve for an afternoon wildlife safari drive, with excellent chances of seeing the "big five": buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.Activity - Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.Accommodation - Fig Tree Camp Masai Mara
Day 13: Masai Mara
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.Activity - Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.Activity - Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.Accommodation - Fig Tree Camp Masai Mara
Day 14: Masai Mara/Nairobi
Rise early for a final morning wildlife safari drive, enjoying the African sun as it rises over the savannah of the Mara plains. Return to Nairobi in the late afternoon and opt to join the Expedition Leader in a farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.Transport - Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.Activity - In the rural settlement of Maai Mahiu is the very special G Adventures for Good supported project, Ubuntu Café. A true social enterprise in the heart of Kenya, this initiative empowers the community, creating over 400 sustainable local jobs for mothers of children with disabilities, and supporting pediatric health and education programs in the region. Enjoy a guided tour of the centre and meet some of the mothers who work here creating handicrafts. Learn how the lives of these "mamas" have been impacted and, in turn, their communities empowered through this G Adventures-supported initiative. Then, sit down to a delicious, organic farm-to-table lunch. Enjoy the real tastes of quality coffee, breakfast tacos, soup, salad, freshly made pizzas, curry dishes,and burritos.Accommodation - Sarova Panafric Hotel
Day 15: Nairobi
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Duration: 15 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Demanding
Encounter Africa’s legendary wildlife, from the “big five” to endangered primates, on a thrilling adventure into the wilds of eastern Africa.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 13 Dec 2026
Customer Reviews
10/06/2019
Absolutely fantastic! I was with a lovely group of people, the guide and driver were brilliant and the accommodation was out of this world. Only down side is lots of travelling but the experience made up for it. Loved the Fig Tree and masi mara.
08/20/2019
It is Tim and I first time at a safari and we had a fantastic experience because Lilian and Vincent the driver from G-adventure was knowledgeable in their work. We very much enjoy it and is looking forward for the next trip. Thanks.
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
10/06/2019
Absolutely fantastic! I was with a lovely group of people, the guide and driver were brilliant and the accommodation was out of this world. Only down side is lots of travelling but the experience made up for it. Loved the Fig Tree and masi mara.
08/20/2019
It is Tim and I first time at a safari and we had a fantastic experience because Lilian and Vincent the driver from G-adventure was knowledgeable in their work. We very much enjoy it and is looking forward for the next trip. Thanks.
07/31/2024
This was a trip of a lifetime. The attention to detail was outstanding. Our guides were excellent and very knowledgeable and the lodges were first class.
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