Tour Overview
Experience the ultimate East African adventure on this 12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Maasai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday. This carefully crafted itinerary combines thrilling wildlife encounters, unforgettable primate experiences, and relaxing tropical beaches into one extraordinary journey.
Your safari begins in Rwanda, where you’ll trek through the lush forests of Volcanoes National Park for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. From there, fly to Kenya to explore the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, renowned for its incredible wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five on exciting game drives.
The adventure concludes on the idyllic island of Zanzibar, where you can unwind on pristine white-sand beaches, swim in crystal-clear turquoise waters, and immerse yourself in the island’s rich Swahili culture. Whether you’re relaxing by the Indian Ocean, exploring historic Stone Town, or enjoying optional water activities, Zanzibar provides the perfect ending to your East African safari.
Combining gorilla trekking, exceptional wildlife viewing, and a tropical beach escape, this 12-day safari offers the perfect balance of adventure, nature, and relaxation for an unforgettable African holiday.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide who will assist you with your luggage before transferring you to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax after your flight or enjoy the hotel’s facilities while preparing for the exciting adventure ahead.
Your guide will brief you about your 12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Maasai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday, highlighting the activities, destinations, and travel logistics for the journey. Spend the evening at leisure before enjoying dinner and an overnight stay in Kigali.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most vibrant cities. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you will gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and remarkable journey of reconciliation. Continue to the lively Kimironko Market, where local vendors sell fresh produce, traditional fabrics, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
After lunch, embark on a scenic drive through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside to Volcanoes National Park, located in the picturesque Virunga Mountains. The drive offers spectacular views of rolling hills, terraced farms, and charming rural villages. Upon arrival, check into your lodge, relax, and enjoy dinner while preparing for the next day’s unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Guardians Village Cultural Experience
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before transferring to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters for a briefing by experienced park rangers. You will learn about gorilla trekking regulations, safety guidelines, and the behavior of the mountain gorillas before being assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families.
Accompanied by ranger guides, venture into the lush rainforest in search of these endangered primates. Depending on their location, the trek may last between 2 and 6 hours. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend a magical hour observing them as they feed, groom, play, and interact within their family group—one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.
After returning to the lodge for lunch and relaxation, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village). Here, experience traditional Rwandan culture through dance performances, local crafts, storytelling, traditional medicine demonstrations, and interactions with community members.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking and Flight to Nairobi, Kenya
After breakfast, return to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure. Following a briefing at the park headquarters, hike through the bamboo forests in search of these rare and playful primates found only in the Virunga Mountains. The trek is generally less strenuous than gorilla trekking and offers fantastic opportunities for wildlife photography.
Following the trek, return to the lodge for lunch before driving back to Kigali International Airport for your scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Kenyan safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, depart Nairobi for the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. Drive through the scenic Great Rift Valley with a stop at one of its spectacular viewpoints before continuing to the reserve.
Arrive at your safari lodge in time for lunch before relaxing briefly. Later in the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive across the vast savannahs of the Maasai Mara. Keep an eye out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, and numerous antelope species as the African sunset paints the landscape in golden hues.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Full-Day Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Spend the entire day exploring the incredible landscapes of the Maasai Mara on extensive game drives. The reserve is home to the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, wildebeests, and hundreds of bird species.
If visiting between July and October, you may witness the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River in search of greener pastures.
A picnic lunch will be served in the reserve before continuing your wildlife adventure until evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Another Full Day in Maasai Mara
Enjoy another full day discovering different areas of the Maasai Mara. Early morning and late afternoon game drives offer the best opportunities to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs when they are most active.
Optional activities such as a hot air balloon safari or a visit to a traditional Maasai village can be arranged at an additional cost, providing unique perspectives of the reserve and local culture.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Maasai Mara – Nairobi – Flight to Zanzibar
After breakfast, check out and begin your drive back to Nairobi, enjoying wildlife viewing en route as you leave the reserve. Upon arrival in Nairobi, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight to Zanzibar.
On arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, you will be met by your local representative and transferred to your beach resort. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing beside the Indian Ocean before dinner.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 9: Stone Town Tour and Spice Farm Experience
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich Swahili culture, historic buildings, bustling markets, and winding streets.
Later, visit one of Zanzibar’s famous spice farms where you will discover why the island is known as the “Spice Island.” Learn about the cultivation of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, black pepper, and tropical fruits while enjoying fresh tastings and cultural demonstrations.
Return to your beach resort for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 10: Safari Blue Excursion
After breakfast, depart for the famous Safari Blue excursion in the beautiful Menai Bay Conservation Area. Cruise aboard a traditional wooden dhow while exploring sandbanks, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and crystal-clear lagoons.
Enjoy opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on pristine sandbanks before savoring a delicious seafood lunch served on one of the islands. This full-day excursion offers an unforgettable taste of Zanzibar’s marine beauty.
Return to the resort in the evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Leisure Day on Zanzibar Beach
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Relax on Zanzibar’s powdery white-sand beaches, swim in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, or simply unwind at your resort.
Optional activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin tours, sunset dhow cruises, kayaking, or visiting nearby villages to experience local island life.
Enjoy another peaceful evening at your beach resort.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 12: Departure from Zanzibar
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and spend your remaining free time relaxing at the resort before checking out. Depending on your flight schedule, your driver will transfer you to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight home, marking the end of your unforgettable East African adventure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
End of 12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Maasai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday