14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari

Gorilla Safari Rwanda & Wildlife Safaris Tour in Kenya

The 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari is an expertly curated journey designed for travelers who desire both iconic wildlife experiences and rare primate encounters. This multi-border safari blends the open plains and dramatic migrations of Kenya with the misty forests and intimate wildlife encounters of Rwanda. With a focus on comfort, authenticity, and educational insight, this itinerary delivers a comprehensive East African adventure, appealing to safari enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike.

The 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari begins in Kenya, where travelers immerse themselves in the country’s celebrated wildlife sanctuaries. From Nairobi, guests venture to the tranquil Lake Naivasha, known for its serene waters and diverse birdlife, before exploring Lake Nakuru National Park, home to vibrant flamingo populations and critically endangered rhinos. Guided nature walks and boat excursions provide both relaxation and close-up encounters with Kenya’s diverse ecosystems, allowing guests to experience the flora and fauna at a more intimate level.

The Journey to Masai Mara National Reserve for Kenya Safari

The journey continues into the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, a highlight of every 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari. With three full days dedicated to game drives, guests witness the African Big Five lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino alongside cheetahs, hyenas, and countless herbivores roaming the savannah. For travelers visiting during July to October, the timing aligns with the spectacular Great Migration, an unparalleled natural event that draws millions of wildebeest and zebras across the Mara River. Each day in the Mara is a balanced combination of adventure, observation, and mid-range experiential comfort, with evening relaxation at carefully selected lodges.

After the Kenyan leg, the safari transitions seamlessly into Rwanda via Kigali International Airport, where travelers are greeted and transferred to the country’s scenic regions. The itinerary balances Rwanda’s primate-rich forests with cultural insights and scenic exploration. In Nyungwe Forest National Park, guests enjoy chimpanzee trekking and guided primate viewing, encountering Ruwenzori colobus monkeys and numerous bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics. A canopy walk allows a unique perspective of the forest canopy, while guided tours reveal the ecological and cultural significance of the park.

Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience in Volcanoes National Park

The Rwanda leg culminates with Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas. Guests embark on a guided trek into the lush forest, where observation of gorilla families becomes a highlight of any wildlife adventure. The hour spent with these gentle giants is transformative, offering insight into primate behavior, conservation efforts, and the emotional power of wildlife connection. Additional exploration of Lake Kivu and visits to orphanages and cultural centers enrich the safari experience, creating a holistic journey that blends wildlife, culture, and breath-taking scenery.

This 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari itinerary is expertly designed for a seamless multi-country experience. It balances active exploration with rest, adventure with comfort, and wildlife encounters with cultural immersion. Every component from airport transfers and accommodations to guided excursions is managed by Deks Uganda Tours, ensuring safety, quality, and professional oversight. This safari provides not just travel, but a curated narrative of East Africa’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities, leaving guests with enduring memories and a deep appreciation for one of the world’s most extraordinary regions.

 

Detailed 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari

Day 1: Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, guests are met by Deks Uganda Tours representatives and transferred to their Nairobi hotel. The first day is dedicated to rest and acclimatization after international travel, providing time to settle in before the adventure begins. Guests enjoy dinner at the hotel, reflecting on the journey ahead and receiving an itinerary briefing.

Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, is a city of dynamic contrasts: modern architecture juxtaposed with historic sites, bustling markets alongside quiet parks. Though the day focuses on relaxation, guests can optionally explore nearby attractions, such as Nairobi National Park, located just a short drive from the city center. This urban wildlife park offers close encounters with lions, giraffes, and rhinos against the city skyline a gentle introduction to Kenya’s iconic wildlife.

Overnight accommodation in Nairobi ensures a comfortable start to the safari. Travelers enjoy a professionally managed environment where meals, transportation, and guidance are coordinated by Deks Uganda Tours, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition into the safari experience. This initial evening sets the tone for the careful balance of comfort, organization, and adventure that defines the 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari journey.

• Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel
• Meal Plan: Dinner

 

Day 2: Lake Naivasha – A Serene Freshwater Retreat

Day two begins with an overland journey of approximately two hours from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake celebrated for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. The area offers opportunities to observe numerous bird species, including fish eagles and kingfishers, as well as hippos and other wildlife along the lake shores.

Guests have the flexibility to select optional activities. A boat cruise provides close-up encounters with the lake’s wildlife and stunning photographic opportunities. A guided walk with a local botanist allows travelers to explore the surrounding flora, including papyrus swamps and native forests, fostering an appreciation for the region’s ecology. Alternatively, a visit to Loldia Ranch offers an interactive experience with plains game and a chance to explore Kenya’s pastoral landscapes.

Accommodation is provided at Loldia House, a mid-range lodge on the shores of Lake Naivasha. With meals and selected activities included, this setting combines comfort with immersive natural experiences. The tranquil environment allows guests to relax, enjoy the waterside views, and prepare for the wildlife-rich days ahead.

• Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 3: Lake Nakuru National Park Adventure Flamingos, Rhinos, and Leopard Sightings

Following breakfast, the 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari continues to Lake Nakuru National Park, a globally recognized wildlife sanctuary known for its flamingo populations and rhino conservation initiatives. This park provides some of the most accessible and rewarding wildlife viewing in Kenya.

A full-day game drive allows guests to observe black and white rhinos, lions, buffaloes, and an array of antelope species. The park’s location in the Great Rift Valley offers breathtaking panoramic views, and the pink-hued shores of Lake Nakuru present a surreal visual spectacle. Guided interpretation from professional drivers ensures that visitors understand the ecological importance of each species and the conservation efforts in place.

Lunch is served in a scenic setting under acacia trees, providing a blend of relaxation and immersion in the natural environment. Following lunch, the safari returns to Lake Naivasha, allowing for afternoon relaxation at Loldia House, or additional optional activities such as another boat ride or guided nature walk along the lake.

This day exemplifies the balance of adventure and comfort that defines the tour, blending accessible wildlife encounters with education and scenic appreciation.

• Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 4: Guided Nature Walks and Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve

The morning offers guided nature walks or another leisurely boat excursion, focusing on the smaller details of Kenya’s diverse ecosystems. Guests observe aquatic birds, local flora, and potentially small mammals that inhabit the lake’s surrounding areas. Knowledgeable guides provide context and storytelling to enhance the educational experience.

Afterward, guests are transferred via light aircraft to Masai Mara National Reserve, approximately a one-hour flight. Arrival at the Mara introduces travelers to the heart of Kenya’s wildlife, with open savannahs stretching as far as the eye can see and wildlife encounters abundant from the first moment.

Accommodation for the next three nights is at Kicheche Mara Camp, a mid-range tented camp designed to balance comfort with authentic safari immersion. Guests enjoy all meals and included game-viewing activities, allowing for immediate engagement with the reserve’s abundant wildlife. Evening discussions with guides prepare travelers for the upcoming days of intensive wildlife exploration.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5–6: Wildlife Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve – Big Five and the Great Migration

The next two days are dedicated entirely to game drives and immersive wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s premier safari destination. Each day includes early morning and late afternoon game drives, when animal activity is at its peak. Professional guides assist in locating and interpreting animal behavior, ensuring that travelers observe not only the Big Five lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo but also cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and a multitude of antelope species.

For visitors traveling between July and October, these days coincide with the Great Migration, a natural phenomenon where over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti into the Mara in search of fresh grazing. Witnessing river crossings, predator-prey interactions, and massive herds moving across the plains offers an unparalleled safari experience.

Meals are served in scenic locations or at the lodge, while evenings provide opportunities to reflect on the day’s wildlife encounters. Accommodation at Kicheche Mara Camp ensures comfort, allowing guests to rest amidst the sounds of the African bush. Optional activities include sundowner drives or photography sessions, enhancing the safari’s depth.

• Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 7: Nairobi – Kigali, Rwanda – City Tour and Cultural Introduction

After breakfast, travelers are transferred back to Nairobi to connect with a flight to Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by local guides and transferred to their Kigali hotel.

The afternoon is devoted to a guided Kigali city tour, visiting neighborhoods such as Nyamirambo, the Muslim Quarter, handicraft villages, and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, providing context to Rwanda’s history and culture. Travelers may also witness traditional dance and pottery demonstrations, offering a meaningful connection to the country’s living heritage.

Accommodation is at Hotel Mille Collines, known internationally as the setting for the feature film Hotel Rwanda. The evening includes dinner and preparation for the subsequent forest and primate-focused portion of the safari.

• Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collins
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 8: Nyungwe Chimpanzee Safari – Journey into the Rainforest

The 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari transitions to Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda’s premier primate destination. Along the route, a stop in Butare allows exploration of the National Museum, renowned for its ethnographic collection, and an opportunity to watch Intore dancers, exemplifying Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Accommodation is at Gisakura Resthouse, situated on the forest edge, combining simplicity with immersion in nature. After settling in, travelers may engage in short nature walks before dinner. The serene environment and the anticipation of chimpanzee trekking create a reflective and engaging start to the forest adventure.

• Accommodation: EAR Ken Barham Guest House
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 9: Primates Viewing in Nyungwe Forest

This day is devoted to guided walks in Nyungwe Forest, focusing on the observation of primates, including chimpanzees and Ruwenzori colobus monkeys. With 13 primate species and over 275 bird species, the park offers a biodiversity hotspot unmatched in the region. Knowledgeable 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari guides lead walks along established trails, highlighting ecological relationships, conservation efforts, and species behaviors.

Optional activities include the canopy walk, providing a unique perspective over the forest and opportunities for photography. Lunch and dinner at the resthouse allow time for reflection and appreciation of the rainforest’s tranquility.

• Accommodation: EAR Ken Barham Guest House
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 10: Lake Kivu – Scenic Drive and Lakeside Exploration

On day ten, travelers embark on a scenic drive of approximately five hours to Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest lake, known for its tranquil waters and lush surrounding hills. The route offers a rare glimpse into rural Rwandan life, with traditional farms, small villages, and terraced hillsides that have remained largely unchanged for generations. Travelers gain appreciation for local agriculture and community life, observing daily routines and engaging with the environment’s natural rhythm.

Upon arrival in Kibuye, guests check into Cormoran Lodge, located along the lakeshore. Optional afternoon activities include a boat ride to explore the lake’s calm waters, observing fishing communities and local wildlife along the shore. Lake Kivu’s pristine waters and the surrounding green hills provide exceptional photographic opportunities, while the tranquil environment offers a chance to relax and reflect on the journey so far.

Evening meals are served at the lodge with local and international cuisine. This location serves as both a scenic interlude and a point of connection to Rwanda’s natural beauty, bridging the primate-focused adventures in Nyungwe with the upcoming gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

• Accommodation: Paradise Malahide Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Gisenyi and Imbabazi Orphanage – Cultural and Humanitarian Insights

Travelers continue to Gisenyi, located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu. The area is characterized by its vibrant fishing activities, trading communities, and striking lake vistas that form part of the Rwanda-Congo border. A boat cruise provides immersive lake exploration, revealing local livelihoods and birdlife along the shoreline, including pelicans and herons.

A highlight of the day is a visit to Imbabazi Orphanage, where guests meet with staff and children, learning about community initiatives and supporting local education and welfare programs. Travelers gain insight into Rwanda’s commitment to community development, creating meaningful cultural connections beyond conventional tourism.

The afternoon allows for exploration of nearby natural sites, including a drive into the Gishwati Forest, offering lush landscapes and wildlife observation opportunities. Accommodation for the night is at Kivu Serena Hotel, providing comfort and lakeside views. Dinner is served at the hotel, combining relaxation with preparation for the mountainous terrain ahead in Musanze and Volcanoes National Park.

• Accommodation: Paradise Malahide Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 12: Drive to Musanze Gateway to Volcanoes National Park

Day twelve involves a transfer to Musanze, the town closest to Volcanoes National Park, the focal point of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking. The 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari journey passes through rolling hills, terraced farms, and small rural communities, emphasizing Rwanda’s moniker as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Travelers can observe daily life, engage with locals, and appreciate the nation’s natural beauty.

Accommodation is at Gorillas Nest Lodge, a mid-range yet comfortable option located near the park entrance, offering quick access to trekking points while maintaining an immersive natural environment. Evening activities include a briefing about gorilla trekking protocols, preparation of necessary gear, and guidance on safety and etiquette in the forest. Guests rest early to prepare for the early morning adventure into Volcanoes National Park.

• Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 13: Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park – The Ultimate Wildlife Encounter

The pinnacle of this 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari arrives on day thirteen with Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park, one of the world’s most sought-after wildlife experiences. After an early breakfast, guests meet with park staff for a thorough briefing on safety and behavior while in proximity to mountain gorillas.

Accompanied by expert trackers, travelers enter dense forest slopes in search of a gorilla family. Treks vary in length but are facilitated to optimize the wildlife encounter while minimizing environmental impact. Once a family is located, visitors spend one hour observing gorillas in their natural habitat. Silverbacks, females, and playful infants provide a deeply moving and educational wildlife experience. The 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari guides interpret gorilla behaviors, social structures, and conservation measures, ensuring the encounter is not only memorable but informative.

Following the trek, guests may take a short excursion to the scenic twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo, where pelicans, herons, and other waterfowl abound. These lakes offer panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes and provide opportunities for reflection and photography.

Evening meals and overnight accommodation are at Gorillas Nest Lodge, where travelers can share experiences and insights with fellow guests, cementing the emotional impact of the day.

• Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 14: Departure – Farewell to East Africa

The final day of the safari begins with breakfast at the lodge, followed by transfer back to Kigali International Airport for departure. Travelers reflect on a transformative journey encompassing Kenya’s iconic savannah, Rwanda’s misty forests, and the rare, intimate encounters with primates that define this multi-country safari.

This 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari itinerary leaves guests with vivid memories: lions stalking the Mara plains, flamingos coloring Lake Nakuru’s shores, chimpanzees calling from the canopy, and mountain gorillas moving gracefully through Volcanoes National Park. Beyond wildlife, the journey’s cultural engagements, scenic drives, and local interactions provide context and depth, ensuring travelers leave with a holistic understanding of East Africa’s natural and human heritage.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast

 

14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

• Airport transfers in Kenya and Rwanda
• Accommodation in mid-range lodges, tented camps, and rest houses
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Domestic flights or road transfers between Nairobi and the Masai Mara
• Guided game drives in Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Masai Mara National Reserve
• Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park
• Chimpanzee trekking and guided primate walks in Nyungwe Forest
• Boat rides on Lake Naivasha and Lake Kivu
• Cultural visits to Imbabazi Orphanage and Gisenyi communities
• Kigali city tour including handicraft villages and memorials
• Professional English-speaking guides and drivers
• Park entrance fees, conservation fees, and game-viewing activities
• Bottled drinking water during excursions

 

Safari Exclusions

• International flights to and from East Africa
• Visa fees for Kenya and Rwanda
• Travel and medical insurance
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (hot-air balloon safaris, additional excursions)
• Personal expenses such as tips, beverages, laundry, and souvenirs
• Any other services not explicitly mentioned under inclusions

 

About Deks Uganda Tours

Deks Uganda Tours is a trusted East African safari operator with years of expertise in crafting immersive wildlife and cultural experiences. Our team of professional guides and logistical experts ensures seamless multi-country adventures, balancing comfort, authenticity, and safety. Committed to responsible tourism and conservation, we provide unparalleled access to East Africa’s wildlife, landscapes, and communities, making every 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari a transformative journey.

 

Start Your East African Adventure Today

From the golden savannahs of Kenya to the misty mountains of Rwanda, this 14 Days Best Kenya Rwanda Safari offers encounters and experiences found nowhere else on Earth. With Deks Uganda Tours, travelers gain insider access to iconic wildlife, rare primates, and authentic cultural connections all while enjoying comfort and professional guidance.

Book your journey today and discover the wonders of East Africa with Deks Uganda Tours where adventure, wildlife, and culture converge.