27 Dec 2026
Twin share
£10,090pp
Escorted tour
Luxury Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya: Gorillas & the Maasai Mara – 13 Days
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and safaris at Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara, in comfortable lodges with a group of up to 12.
13 days
From £9,730
Tour overview
This 13-day small-group safari combines a trek to see mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with classic game drives in Kenya's Great Rift Valley and the Maasai Mara, staying in comfortable hotels and lodges. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout and expert local guides and rangers. You stay twelve nights, including the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, three nights at Gorilla Heights Lodge with cottages overlooking the forest, a game lodge above Lake Nakuru and three nights at a camp in the Maasai Mara. Twelve breakfasts, nine lunches and ten dinners are included, with welcome dinners in Kigali and Nairobi and a high-tea lunch at the Elsamere Conservation Centre.
Your safari begins in Kigali, Rwanda's clean, green capital, with a sobering visit to the Ntarama Church genocide memorial and time to learn about the country's remarkable recovery. Crossing into Uganda, you reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to around half the world's mountain gorillas.
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Early in the morning you set off from the park headquarters with rangers to trek through the dense rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family, spending a remarkable hour in their company. A relaxed day at the lodge follows, before you return to Kigali and fly to Nairobi.
Heading into the Great Rift Valley, you visit Lake Naivasha and the Elsamere Conservation Centre, former home of Joy Adamson, then explore Lake Nakuru National Park by 4WD, looking for rhinos, flamingos and tree-climbing lions. Three nights in the Maasai Mara bring game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and vast herds of wildebeest and zebra, with the option of a hot-air balloon flight at dawn, before you return to Nairobi.
The physical rating is medium, with a gorilla trek that can be steep and muddy. This safari suits wildlife lovers who want gorillas and the big game of East Africa in comfort, with a small group. Gorilla permits are limited, so early booking is recommended. A good level of fitness is needed for the forest trek, and porters can be hired locally to help carry your bag.
Trip highlights
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Kigali and the Ntarama memorial (Day 2)
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Three nights at Gorilla Heights Lodge (Days 3–5)
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Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi (Day 4)
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High tea at Elsamere (Day 8)
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Lake Nakuru by 4WD (Day 9)
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Game drives in the Maasai Mara (Days 10–12)
Your route
9 stops from Kigali to Nairobi
- Kigali Days 1–2
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Days 3–5
- Lake Mutanda Day 5
- Kigali Day 6
- Nairobi Day 7
- Lake Naivasha Day 8
- Lake Nakuru National Park Days 8–9
- Maasai Mara Days 10–12
- Nairobi Day 13
Why choose this tour
Mountain gorillas and the Maasai Mara in one comfortable safari. Small groups of up to 12 and characterful lodges.
Best suited to
- Wildlife lovers
- Travellers who value comfort
- Couples and solo travellers
- First-time safari-goers
Day-by-day itinerary
13 days from Kigali, Rwanda to Nairobi, Kenya
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Day 1 · Kigali Arrive in Kigali
An airport welcome and dinner.
- Hotel
- Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Ntarama, Kigali Kigali
A memorial visit and the city.
- Hotel
- Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 3 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Bwindi
Cross into Uganda.
- Hotel
- Gorilla Heights Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla trek
An hour with a gorilla family.
- Hotel
- Gorilla Heights Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Bwindi
A relaxed day at the lodge.
- Hotel
- Gorilla Heights Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Kigali Kigali
Return to Rwanda.
- Hotel
- Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Nairobi Nairobi
Fly to Kenya for a welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- The Social House or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Lake Naivasha, Elsamere Rift Valley
High tea at Elsamere.
- Hotel
- Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Lake Nakuru National Park Lake Nakuru
Game drives for rhinos and flamingos.
- Hotel
- Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 10 · Maasai Mara Maasai Mara
Travel to the great reserve.
- Hotel
- Zebra Valley Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 11 · Maasai Mara Maasai Mara
Full days of game drives.
- Hotel
- Zebra Valley Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 12 · Maasai Mara Maasai Mara
An optional balloon flight at dawn.
- Hotel
- Zebra Valley Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 13 · Nairobi Nairobi
Return to Nairobi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Kigali (2 nights) Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (3 nights) Gorilla Heights Lodge or similar
- Kigali (1 night) Hôtel des Mille Collines or similar
- Nairobi (1 night) The Social House or similar
- Lake Nakuru (2 nights) Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge or similar
- Maasai Mara (3 nights) Zebra Valley Camp or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 12 nights in hotels, lodges and a safari camp
- Meals 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Flight from Kigali to Nairobi and private safari vehicles
- Ntarama memorial visit
- Elsamere high tea and Lake Nakuru game drives
- Maasai Mara game drives
- Leader throughout
Not included
- Meals not included 2 lunches and 2 dinners
- International flights
- Visas for Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya
- Optional balloon flight
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You are not fit enough for a steep forest trek
- You want a budget safari
- You dislike early starts
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–13 · Lunch: Days 2–5 and 8–12 · Dinner: Days 1, 3–5 and 7–12
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £9,730 per person, twin share, tour only. 27 upcoming departures.
31 Jan 2027
Twin share
£10,230pp
30 May 2027
Twin share
£9,740pp
13 Jun 2027
Twin share
£9,730pp
20 Jun 2027
Twin share
£9,735pp
27 Jun 2027
Twin share
£10,435pp
11 Jul 2027
Twin share
£10,815pp
18 Jul 2027
Twin share
£10,815pp
01 Aug 2027
Twin share
£10,710pp
15 Aug 2027
Twin share
£10,710pp
05 Sept 2027
Twin share
£10,710pp
26 Sept 2027
Twin share
£10,710pp
10 Oct 2027
Twin share
£10,710pp
26 Dec 2027
Twin share
£10,710pp
30 Jan 2028
Twin share
£10,740pp
28 May 2028
Twin share
£10,740pp
11 Jun 2028
Twin share
£10,740pp
18 Jun 2028
Twin share
£10,955pp
25 Jun 2028
Twin share
£10,955pp
09 Jul 2028
Twin share
£11,355pp
16 Jul 2028
Twin share
£11,355pp
30 Jul 2028
Twin share
£11,245pp
13 Aug 2028
Twin share
£11,245pp
03 Sept 2028
Twin share
£11,245pp
24 Sept 2028
Twin share
£11,245pp
08 Oct 2028
Twin share
£11,245pp
24 Dec 2028
Twin share
£11,245pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Is the gorilla permit included?
Yes, the gorilla trekking permit is included.
How hard is the gorilla trek?
It can take from one to several hours through steep, muddy forest. Porters can be hired.
Is the flight to Nairobi included?
Yes, the flight from Kigali to Nairobi is included.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors need visas or electronic travel authorisations for Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 15, as required for gorilla trekking.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers, with a leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary