Kenya safari and Rwanda gorilla trekking
The shorter version of the combined trip. Fewer transfers, a more predictable trek, and a permit that costs nearly twice Uganda's.
Why this version
We recommend Uganda to most travellers combining a Kenya safari with gorilla trekking, and we operate there. But the Rwanda version is the better trip for a specific set of people, and pretending otherwise would not serve you.
Choose Rwanda if your trip is short and every transfer day counts, you have knee or mobility concerns, photography is a priority, or you simply want the most straightforward possible logistics.
The routing
- Nairobi — arrive, overnight.
- Masai Mara — about 45 minutes by light aircraft from Wilson Airport, or five to six hours by road. Three nights minimum.
- Back to Nairobi, then fly to Kigali — about an hour and a half.
- Kigali to Kinigi — two to three hours by road. No charter required.
- Trek, then either add golden monkeys or the Dian Fossey hike, or return to Kigali.
Nine days is comfortable for this shape. It can be compressed to eight, which is a day less than the equivalent Uganda itinerary needs.
The booked version
Nine days across the Masai Mara and Volcanoes National Park, with the Rwanda transfers done by road throughout.
What it costs relative to Uganda
The permit is USD 1,500 against Uganda's USD 800, so USD 700 more per person, or USD 1,400 on a couple. Against that you save the Entebbe to Bwindi charter and typically one travel day.
The net difference is real but smaller than the headline permit gap suggests. Where the Uganda version wins decisively is if you were going to take the road transfer anyway, or if you are travelling in April, May or November when Uganda's permit drops to USD 600.
Entry requirements
Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorisation costs USD 30 and remains valid for re-entry after a temporary trip to another East African Community country, so the Nairobi-Kigali-Nairobi routing needs only one Kenyan application. Rwanda operates an e-visa system, and an East Africa Tourist Visa covering Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda on one multiple-entry document also exists.
Adding to it
Rwanda is compact by design, which is what makes it good for short trips and limiting for long ones. Golden monkey tracking and the Dian Fossey tomb hike both fit alongside a gorilla trek. Kigali is worth a full day. Nyungwe Forest, for chimpanzees, needs more time than most combined itineraries have.
If you want more to do around the gorilla leg — chimpanzees, a second savannah park, a river — the Uganda version gives you considerably more to work with.
Plan your Kenya and gorilla safari
Tell us roughly when you want to travel and how long you have. We will send a written itinerary and a quotation.