When we ask new clients what’s on their list, four things come up more than anything else: the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, and gorilla trekking. This package is built around exactly those four, in the order and pacing that works best.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Nairobi, then a flight or road transfer to the Maasai Mara.
Arrive Nairobi, Transfer to Maasai Mara
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSarova Mara Game Camp
LuxuryAngama Mara
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A full day across the Mara’s plains for lion, leopard and, in season, migrating wildebeest herds.
Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A day based at the Mara River’s crossing points, watching for herds gathering to cross.
Mara River Crossing Points
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A cross-border flight from the Mara to the Serengeti’s northern airstrips.
Fly to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeSerengeti Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryFour Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A full day across the Serengeti’s endless plains.
Full Day Serengeti Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A further day exploring different sectors of the park.
Second Serengeti Game Drive Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A drive to the crater rim via the Serengeti’s southern plains.
Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeNgorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryNgorongoro Crater Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
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 9
A flight via Kilimanjaro or Nairobi to Kigali, then a drive to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Fly to Kigali, Transfer to Kinigi, Rwanda
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through the Virunga volcanoes — the fourth and final bucket list item.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
An optional golden monkey trek, or a free day to rest and reflect on the trip.
Golden Monkey Trekking or Free Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
A drive to Kigali, with time for an optional city tour, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Transfer to Kigali, City Tour
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeUbumwe Grande Hotel
LuxuryKigali Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
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 |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers who want the four most-requested East Africa experiences in one trip, without deciding which one to leave out.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Regional flights & cross-border transfer
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Gorilla permit & all park/reserve/crater descent fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Golden monkey permit (if selected)
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance