Iconic Rwanda and Kenya Big-Game Safari

Iconic Rwanda and Kenya Big-Game Safari

What to expect on this itinerary

Walk to gorillas while surrounded by rhinos and this surreal experience will be merely the start of what you can do in East Africa. This signature luxury safari will celebrate the beautiful diversity as you mix the timeless highlights of Kenya and Rwanda. Intimate Big Five introductions will begin in Ol Pejeta, continue with wild and wonderful adventures in Samburu, with predators and herds on the Masai Mara plains, and then conclude with mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the thick Volcanoes rainforest.

Countries Visited

Kenya, Rwanda

Places Visited

Nairobi, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kigali, Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Volcanoes National Park

Suggested Duration

13 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Nairobi – Giraffe Welcome You to East Africa

In the distance will be the mid-sized scrapers of the city for a backdrop to a tower of giraffe and an elephant. That will be the strange juxtaposition in Nairobi as urban and rural mix seamlessly. Touch down in Kenya’s capital, and you will be transferred into the suburbs, where the wildlife is almost close enough to touch. Rare and endangered Rothschild’s giraffe wander through the grounds, occasionally using giant necks to poke their heads through your bedroom windows. Part of a conservation and rehabilitation program, these remarkable characters provide an introduction that few people would expect on a capital city layover. This night in Nairobi is required for almost all Kenya safari itineraries as flights to the national parks and reserves leave in the morning. Dinner at the lodge is included tonight as you settle in.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Dinner
Day 2 - 3

Ol Pejeta Conservancy – A Private Big Five Safari

Day 4 - 5

Samburu National Reserve – Big-Game Adventure

Day 6 - 7

Mara Naboisho Conservancy – Predator Meets Prey

Day 8

Masai Mara National Reserve – Hot Air Ballooning Safari

Day 9

Kigali – Fascinating Stories in Rwanda’s Capital

Day 10

Volcanoes National Park – Exploring the History

Day 11

Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

Day 12

Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkey Trekking

Day 13

Kigali – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Savor the unforgettable intimacy of a gorilla trek as you watch the giant primates for an hour from just seven meters away
  • Receive a timeless introduction to safari with Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a compact and charming private reserve that makes it easy to encounter the Big Five and more
  • Celebrate the enormity of Samburu National Reserve with big game wilderness on an adventure through a land of serenity and surprise
  • Be surrounded by the battles between predator and prey in the Masai Mara, constantly listening and watching the drama on the famous plains
  • Take a hot air balloon safari over the Mara and admire the scale of the landscape and the migratory patterns of the herds
  • Enjoy not only the mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, but also enjoy a day with mysterious golden monkeys
  • Learn and listen to the haunting and heartwarming stories of Rwanda’s history with a night spent in capital Kigali
  • Experience four diverse safari destinations to take in the complete sphere of East African wildlife, from the primates to the spotted predators, black and white rhinos to a sundry of ungulates
  • Combine a mix of private conservancies and national parks as you explore a diverse range of safari activities, including nighttime drives, walks with Masai and Samburu warriors, and exploration alongside conservationists

Starting Price

$24,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 276 reviews

Judy E.
Kenya, Tanzania Tour Review: Wildlife, Plane Rides, 2 Weeks

We received excellent communication from Zicasso's travel agents. They were very prompt and proactive. The itinerary was prepared to meet our requests and matched our interests. Comprehensive planning and preparation for the trip were provided and all logistics were taken care of.

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Rick S.
Kenya Travel Review: Safaris, Cuisine, 10 Nights

My family of six, ages 12 to 72, visited Kenya for an extraordinary 10-day trip in June 2025. Zicasso put us in touch with our travel company, which provided an itinerary and quote after interviewing us. We live in Indiana, and it was easy to conduct business with them via the internet and phone. Every one of us had a wonderful time.

We stayed at three locations in luxury tented camps. The accommodations were great and we enjoyed the friendly staff and managers. The meals at all three camps were creative and delicious. All the transfers were professionally done and on time.

We did not expect to see so many animals and get so close. What really made the trip great were the outstanding guides. They were tremendous in knowledge and service. I highly recommend using our travel company and considering the camps we stayed at.

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Gayle S.
Kenya Vacation Review: Maasai Mara, Local Cuisine, Culture, Wildlife, Nature, 10 Nights

Zicasso's travel agent arranged our trip. She did a wonderful job listening to our wants and needs, and created a magical itinerary.

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Daniel P.
Kenya Tour Review: Nairobi, Safari, Culture, Scenery, 10 Days

Our recent journey to Kenya was flawlessly planned and executed from the moment we arrived in Nairobi to the day of our departure. Every aspect of the itinerary ran smoothly, reflecting a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.

We were consistently pampered and cared for with genuine warmth and hospitality. The natural beauty of the Kenyan landscape is breathtaking, surpassed only by the graciousness and kindness of its people.

Highlights of our trip included the unforgettable safari experiences, the exceptional quality of the camp accommodations, and meaningful visits to local villages. Each moment offered a sense of wonder and cultural connection.

The memories we have made—from the landscapes to the people—will remain with us for a lifetime. We are deeply grateful for the care and excellence that made this trip truly extraordinary.

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Deirdre N.
Kenya Travel Review: Mombasa, Wildlife, Nature, 13 Days

We had a very good travel experience with Zicasso's tour company. Our travel agent was organized and responsive to our requests before the trip, and he stayed in communication with us throughout the trip. We traveled as a couple and were delighted with the intimate and comfortable safari camp and the luxurious city and Diani Beach accommodations. Our guides in the cities and in the Maasai Mara National Reserve were knowledgeable and helpful. Overall, it was a great experience.

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John G.
Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania Vacation Review: Great Migration, 12 Nights

We can't speak highly enough about using Zicasso's travel specialist and her company. They put together a complicated package covering three completely separate areas and were able to connect us with local guides in each place. The guides they worked with were all fabulous, as were the locations we stayed at.

At one point, the airline that was handling our trip out changed the flight due to local conditions. I learned of this first through our specialist, who was immediately on the situation and kept us apprised of the change. The company provided us with an online portal that covered every part of our trip. It was constantly updated and we always knew who the next contact was in the new area.

Throughout the process, we had constant questions and changes. Our travel company was very pleasant and accommodating of our concerns. Their work was in the middle of a larger trip. Even though they were not handling the stops before and after their portion, they were more than happy to help out with those portions and added that information to our itinerary at no cost.

In a word, they were fabulous. If you want more detail on their work and my unqualified recommendation of them, please reach out and I'm happy to provide you with more information.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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