12 Days Kenya Elephant Safari Big Cats and Rwanda Gorillas

$6,510.00

Description

This is a 12 day tour focusing on the Big Five and Big Cats in Kenya followed by Gorilla Trekking trip in Rwanda. The trip begins with visits to Kenya’s Amboseli, Aberdare national park, Ol Pejeta conservancy, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara before flying to Kigali for a 3 day gorilla tracking expedition.

Day Activities Hotels and Meals
Day
1
Arrival Meet and Greet
Transfer to Hotel
EKA Hotel
Breakfast
Day
2
Transfer – Nairobi – Amboseli [4 Hour Drive] – Van
Afternoon Game Drive
Park Fees
Amboseli AA Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
3
Full Day Game Drive Activities
Optional Activities
Park Fees
Amboseli AA Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
4
Transfer Amboseli – Aberdares – Van
Picnic Lunch Box
Game Viewing from Lodge
Park Fees
The Ark Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
5
Transfer -Aberdare – Ol Pejeta [3 Hour Drive] – Van
Afternoon Game Drive
Conservancy fees
Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
6
Morning Game Drive – 4X4/Guide
Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park
Afternoon Game Drive
Park Fees
Flamingo Hill Tented Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
7
Transfer – to Masai Mara [5 Hours Drive] – Van
Game Drive En Route
Park Fees – Masai Mara
Mara River Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
8
Full Day Game Drive with Picnic lunch box – van
Optional Activities
Park Fees
Mara River Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
9
Transfer Masai Mara to Nairobi – Fly to Kigali
Nairobi – Kigali Flight Tickets
Flame Tree Village
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
10
Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Kinigi Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
11
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Permit
Flame Tree Village Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
12
 Transfer to Airport – Fly to Nairobi – Depart
Kigali – Nairobi Flight Tickets
 Breakfast

Day 1: Arrival Nairobi

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, met by Hallmark Travel Planners’ escort and transfer to the Tamarind Tree Hotel.  Remainder of the day at leisure. At 19.00hrs, cross over to Carnivore Restaurant for dinner.
Tamarind Tree hotelTamarind tree Hotel Nairobi
Overnight at The Tamarind Tree Hotel.

Day 2: Drive from Nairobi to Amboseli

Breakfast at the Hotel. Early morning depart for drive via Mombasa – Nairobi highway to Amboseli National Park, to arrive for lunch at the respective Lodge.
amboseli safariscultural safaris
Late afternoon game viewing drive. Dinner and overnight at Amboseli AA Lodge.

Day 3: Day of Safaris in Amboseli

Morning and late afternoon game drives. Or full day safari activities with picnic lunch boxes from the lodge. Second in popularity after the legendary Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park not only offers great game viewing but is also the place to go for the best views of iconic Mount Kilimanjaro.

amboseli elphantsamboseli elephants on safari
The world’s tallest free-standing mountain actually rises just across the border in Tanzania but Amboseli has a postcard-perfect view of its snow-capped peaks, rising almost six vertical kilometres above the savannah. The best time to view ‘Kili’ is at dawn and sunset when the clouds lift and the light is clear and soft. All meals and overnight at Amboseli AA Lodge.

Day 4: Drive Amboseli to Nairobi to Aberdare

Early morning game drive in Amboseli. After breakfast at the Lodge, depart for Nairobi. Lunch at a Nairobi restaurant. After lunch, drive North West through the town of Thika, known for its beautiful pineapple plantations. This is the home of the kikuyu community. They are known for their devotion to the agriculture and have excelled in the business world too. Mt. Kenya, Kenya’s highest and Africa’s second at 5,189 meters is to your right visible on a clear day. The Aberdares Ranges are to the left. Drive to The Ark Lodge, a tree Lodge inside the park.

The Ark Lodge Kenyaleopard kenya
The Ark lodge resembles and is named after Noah’s Ark, the Ark is designed with ‘decks’ from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. The Ark has four viewing areas from which to observe the ever-present animal activity. There is also a ground level bunker – the perfect hideout for the discerning photographer. This is a circular pillbox-like structure, and it is from this vantage point that pictures of animals on the salt-lick only yards away may be taken through the view holes in complete safety.

Day 5: Drive from Aberdare to Ol Pajeta Conservancy.

After breakfast at the tree hotel, depart for Pejeta conservancy.  On arrival, we start with a visit to the chimps.  Rescued from markets in Burundi by a top conservationist Ms Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee have found a safe refuge here and are multiplying in healthy numbers.
rhino at Ol PejetaChimps at Ol Pejeta
A visit to this conservancy should include Baraka, the blind  and tame black rhino. The big five – Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino live in the conservation area as well as a host of herbivores and birdlife.  Dinner and overnight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp

Day 6: Drive from Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru.

We depart and drive North West through Thomson falls, Kenya’s deepest (96 meters) named after an early explorer and then further to the south west into Lake Nakuru National Park for lunch at Flamingo Hill Tented Lodge.
Flamingo Hill Tented CampLake Nakuru Flamingos
Afternoon game drives of this Ornithologists paradise- over 450 bird’s species have been recorded here. The lake is a Ramser Site and home to over 2million Flamingoes. It is a rhino sanctuary. The endangered Rothschild’s giraffe has found a safe haven here. Lake Nakuru has the big five but for the elephant. Dinner and overnight  Flamingo Hill Tented Lodge.

Day 7: Drive Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

Early morning breakfast . After breakfast leave Lake Nakuru National park for Masai Mara Game reserve. You expect to arrive in time for lunch. Check in at your safari lodge or camp and have lunch.
zebralion and cubs
Rest till around 1600 hours, time for an afternoon game drive through the park in search of the Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Buffalo and other members of the Big five plus other animals. Game drive till sunset. Dinner and overnight at Mara River camp.

Day 8: Day in Masai Mara

After breakfast you will spend the full day in the park enjoying a lengthy game drive with packed lunch in search of its popular residents like the well known predators and their opponents like the Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hippo and the dangerous Crocodiles with a visit to Mara river.
masai mara zebramasai dance
Alternatively you can opt for 2 separate game drives returning to the lodge for your meals. Meals and overnight at Mara River camp

Day 9: Drive asai Mara to Nairobi. Fly to Kigali, Rwanda

After breakfast we depart for Nairobi through the towns of Narok and Mai Mahiu. Lunch on the way. Upon arrival Nairobi, transfer to airport for our flight to Rwanda which will take about 1hr 30mins.
Flame tree village hotel kigaliFlame tree village room
On arrival at Kigali Airport, you are picked up by Hallmark Travel Planners rep and transfer to Flame Tree Village for dinner and overnight.   http://3bhotels.com/our-properties/flame-tree-village/

Day 10; Kigali Tour – Drive to Volcanoes Park

Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter enjoy a City Tour of Kigali. (Cost of city tour included) The history of Rwanda dates back centuries, Kigali has been a part of it for 100 years. Founded in 1907 as a German settlement, Kigali did not become the capital until Rwanda’s independence in 1962 when it replaced the colonial seat of power in Butare.
kigali city tourmountain gorilla view lodge
Visit the Kandt museum, see old Kigali and the craft centres then visit the genocide memorial site. Learn about Rwanda’s history from pre-colonial times to the 1994 genocide; learn about other genocides in the world and how this country has dealt with that past. Tour more and see the new developments in Rwanda; the recovery has been incredible, a testament to humankind’s resilience. Lunch in Kigali. Later, depart Kigali and drive to Ruhengeri. Approximately 2.5 hrs arriving in the early evening at the Volcanoes National park. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.   http://3bhotels.com/our-properties/mountain-gorilla-view-lodge

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking Day

Breakfast at the lodge. Registration follows: This is a process where the park staff determines which group of gorillas you will visit. The park staff discusses your fitness level and advises you of the trekking times and conditions to the various groups based upon their location in the park the previous evening.

Africa Gorilla tracking safariGorilla tracking Africa
Once you are in groups, each group’s lead guide briefs you of the trekking procedures as well as the “do’s and don’ts” while in the presence of gorillas. Then, drive up the mountain to the starting point. Trekking can take from 2 to 6 or more hours if the gorillas move before the park rangers locate them the next morning. The guides stop frequently to allow trekkers a chance to rest and take photos along the way. After the trek, rejoin your driver guide for a transfer to your lodge for lunch.

After lunch, depart from foothills of the volcanoes and drive south past coffee, tea and banana plantations on a scenic drive to Kigali. Overnight Kigali – Flame Tree Village.

Day 12: Flight Kigali to Nairobi – Depart

Breakfast at your hotel in Kigali. Thereafter, transfer to the airport for flight to Nairobi. Connect your home-bound flight from here.

Tour Price Per Person

Dates 2 People 4 People 6 People
02 Jan to 31 Mar 2024
01 Nov to 15 Dec 2024
 $5905  $5584  $5477
01 Apr to 30 May 2024  $5760  $5540  $5934
01 Jun to 31 Oct 2024
16 Dec to 03 Jan 2025
 $6510  $6190  $5983

Rates are subject to change with notice.

Important to Know

  • This tour can’t be booked by solo travelers.
  • Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
  • Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.

12 Days From USD 6,510 Per Person

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION
Starts from Nairobi City and Ends in Nairobi City

DEPARTURE TIME
Flexible

Wild Animals You Would See on Safari
✔ Elephant
✔ Giraffe
✔ Buffalo
✔ Lions
✔ Cheetah
✔ Leopard
✔ Zebra
✔ Hyena
✔ Impala
✔ Hippo
✔ Crocodile
✔ Wildebeest
✔ Warthog
✔ Gazelles
✔ Wild Dogs
✔ Mountain Gorillas

INCLUDED:

  • Park entrance fees in Kenya
  • Gorilla Permits in Rwanda (Value US$1500)
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
  • Accommodation on the day before the tour departs
  • Round trip airport transfers
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • Nairobi – Kigali – Nairobi flights
  • All Taxes/VAT

NOT INCLUDED

  • Accommodation on the last day
  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Tips to guides and others
  • Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.

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