This is a genuine point-to-point overland journey rather than a loop back to your starting city — departing Nairobi, crossing Kenya, Tanzania and into Rwanda entirely by road, with gorilla trekking as the finale before flying home from Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Nairobi, meeting your overland group and truck crew.
Arrive Nairobi, Overland Briefing
Accommodation
BudgetNairobi campsite, dome tents
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
An overland drive to the Maasai Mara, with an afternoon game drive on arrival.
Transfer to Maasai Mara
Accommodation
BudgetPublic campsite, dome tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A full day across the Mara’s plains for lion, leopard and elephant.
Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
An overland border crossing into Tanzania, continuing toward the Serengeti.
Cross Border to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Accommodation
BudgetPublic campsite, dome tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A full day across the Serengeti’s plains for lion, leopard and, seasonally, the migration.
Full Day Serengeti Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
An overland drive to the crater rim, camping at a site on the rim itself.
Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation
BudgetSimba Public Campsite, crater rim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A full day descended onto the crater floor among lion, elephant and black rhino.
Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A long but scenic overland drive west across Tanzania, a genuine “on the road” day with stops in local towns along the way.
Long Overland Transfer Toward Rwanda
Accommodation
BudgetBasic guesthouse en route
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
An overland border crossing into Rwanda, continuing to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Cross Border to Rwanda, Transfer to Kinigi
Accommodation
BudgetKinigi Guest House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through the Virunga volcanoes, the trip’s finale.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
A drive to Kigali, with time for an optional city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Transfer to Kigali
Accommodation
BudgetDiscover Rwanda Youth Hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure from Kigali
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Maasai Mara conservancy/reserve fees | ~$100 per person per day |
| Serengeti park entry | ~$82 per person per day |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee | ~$70 per person per day, plus crater descent |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person (fixed government fee) |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers with time to spare who genuinely enjoy overland travel itself, not just the destinations, and want a point-to-point rather than round-trip journey.Tour Includes
- Shared overland truck transport, Nairobi to the Rwanda border
- Ground transport in Rwanda
- Camping equipment where applicable
- Professional driver and cook crew
- Meals as specified
- Park entry, crater descent & gorilla permit
Tour Excludes
- International flights (arriving Nairobi, departing Kigali)
- Sleeping bags (available for hire locally)
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance