This circuit pairs the gorilla-trekking countries with Kenya’s most famous savanna reserve, giving three genuine nights in the Maasai Mara rather than a single overnight stop — enough time to catch a river crossing in migration season or simply let the game viewing breathe.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive Entebbe, Transfer to Bwindi
Arrival at Entebbe, then a road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family.
As above
Cross Border to Kinigi, Rwanda
A drive to the Cyanika border, continuing to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
A second gorilla trek on the Rwandan side of the Virungas.
As above
Fly Kigali to Nairobi to Maasai Mara
A transfer to Kigali, flying via Nairobi to a Maasai Mara airstrip, with an afternoon game drive on arrival.
Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives
A full day exploring the Mara’s plains for lion, leopard and elephant.
As above
Full Day Maasai Mara, Mara River
A day focused on the Mara River area, prime territory for river crossings in migration season and reliable for hippo and crocodile year-round.
As above
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari, Maasai Mara
An optional pre-dawn hot air balloon flight over the Mara, followed by a champagne bush breakfast, then a further afternoon game drive.
As above
Fly to Nairobi, City Tour
A flight to Nairobi, with the afternoon free for an optional visit to the Giraffe Centre or Nairobi National Park.
Free Day in Nairobi
A free day for rest, shopping, or an optional day trip; ideal as a buffer against any flight delays earlier in the trip.
As above
Departure
Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
Permits & Costs
| Uganda gorilla permit | $800 per person |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person |
| Maasai Mara conservancy/reserve fees | ~$100 per person per day |
| Hot air balloon safari (optional) | ~$550 per person |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers who want the gorilla-trekking countries plus genuinely unhurried Mara time, not a single overnight stop treated as a formality.
Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Regional flight segments
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Both gorilla permits & Mara reserve fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Hot air balloon safari (if selected)
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Why three nights in the Mara instead of two?
A third night noticeably improves your odds of a good sighting sequence — predators, river crossings in season — without the trip feeling rushed at either end.
Is the Nairobi day necessary?
It functions as a practical buffer against regional flight delays, and doubles as a relaxed close to an otherwise activity-packed trip.
Ready to Plan This Trip?
Tell us your dates and we’ll confirm flights and lodges within one business day. Get in touch to start planning.