10 DAYS KENYA, BWINDI AND CONGO NYIRAGONGO TOUR
Discover the jaw-dropping sights and charm of Kenya, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mount Nyiragongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo on this 10-day tour. Explore the breathtaking Lake Kivu (6th largest Lake in Africa), the World’s largest Lava Lake, trek the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and cap it up with a wildlife experience in Kenya.
For tours of magical Kenya, our trip leads to the crème de la crème of this popular safari country. Explore Lake Nakuru, Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve. Set on the floor of the spectacular Great Rift Valley, fringed by savannah woodlands and bushy grasslands is the jaw-dropping Lake Nakuru National Park. Animals here include Cape buffaloes, Black and white Rhinoceros, African wild dogs, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, Defassa waterbucks, giant elands, lions and so much more.
Masai Mara National Park is one of the top five safari destinations in the African Continent and covers an area of 1510 square kilometers. Here, the bat-eared foxes, wildebeests, African bush elephants, Aardvarks, Banded mongoose, Cape buffaloes, bushbucks, impalas, cheetahs, zebras, leopards, Defassa waterbucks, lions, Hippos, Crocodiles, serval cats and jackals among others.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Rwanda: Kigali International Airport to Gisenyi area, Lake Kivu.
Day 2: Cross the Rwanda-Congo border to Virunga National park; ascend Mount Nyiragongo.
Day 3: Day 3: Virunga National Park: Mount Nyiragongo descent and trip to Uganda’s Bwindi Forest
Day 4: Bwindi National Park tours: Gorilla Trekking Experience, drive to Kigali and flight to Kenya
Day 5: Kenya tours: Scenic drive from Nairobi City to Amboseli National Park
Day 6: Amboseli National Park tours: Whole-day Game viewing Experience.
Day 7: Lake Nakuru National Park: Road transfer from the outstanding Amboseli National Park
Day 8: Masai Mara National Reserve: Road trip from Lake Nakuru National Park.
Day 9: Masai Mara Tours: Wildlife viewing experience.
Day 10: Nairobi City: Road trip from Masai Mara National Reserve
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Rwanda: Kigali International Airport to Gisenyi area, Lake Kivu.
Arrive in Rwanda! Our Company representative who will also be your safari driver will welcome you. Alternatively, meet at your accommodation facility in Kigali to start-off the scenic drive with a short City excursion. This involves visits to the Gisozi genocide memorial site, Craft markets and local markets before settling for lunch. Embark in the transfer you to spell-binding Lake Kivu for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation;
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (upmarket).
- Hotel Paradis Malahide (standard).
- Beach Garden BnB (basic).
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 2: Cross the Rwanda-Congo border to Virunga National park; ascend Mount Nyiragongo.
On this day you will have a wonderful time in Virunga National Park and therefore, first have an early breakfast. Be prepared to transfer to Grande Barriere Border crossing between Gisenyi and Goma for a meeting with your new guide on the Congo side and embark on a drive to Mount Nyiragongo.
Climbing Mount Nyiragongo starts by 10:00am after a short briefing at Kibati Ranger Post and at this point, get ready to hike 4-6 hours to the summit of this active Volcano. You will be at the summit by 5:00pm and interestingly, the guided hike is a wonderful experience where travellers are fed on breathtaking views while ascending to the World’s largest Lava Lake at its summit. Given the nature of terrains and 3470-meter elevation, hikers are advised to carry a walking stick from the briefing point, hire a porter to help carry your backpack and don on hiking boots, gardening gloves, rain jacket, wide brim hat and long safari pants. The scenery at the summit is undoubtedly phenomenal at night while gazing at the glowing red Lava as well as the mighty fire flames.
Accommodation;
- Nyiragongo Summit Shelters.
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Virunga National Park: Mount Nyiragongo descent and trip to Uganda’s Bwindi Forest
Early in the morning (by 6:00am), meet your hiking crew and start descent of Mount Nyiragongo. This is slightly easier than the ascent and your driver guide will be waiting at the base of the mountain (Kibati Ranger Post) for the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda via the Bunagana border point.
Accommodation;
- The stupendous Buhoma Lodge or secluded Mahogany Springs Camp (upmarket).
- Lake Kitandara Camp or Engagi Lodge (midrange).
- Virunga Campsite & Backpackers or Bwindi View Bandas (basic).
Meal Plan:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Bwindi National Park tours: Gorilla Trekking Experience, drive to Kigali and flight to Kenya
In the morning, you will have the chance to trek the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Therefore, be at the Park Head office by 7:00am to meet Park Rangers where visitors gather for a briefing on how the gorilla trekking tours are done.
First, visitors are split in groups of 8 persons and placed into habituated gorilla families to trek and spend quality time.
Afterwards, hit the jungle trails in search of the beautiful forest giants and once you locate your gorilla family, a maximum of an hour will be spent observing the endangered mountain gorillas live their normal lives and go about their daily activities. On your way back to the briefing point see more animals and on getting there, receive your trekking certificate. Have lunch at the Lodge and drive to Kigali Airport for your scheduled flight to Nairobi City. Our Kenyan guide will be waiting to pick you up from the airport on-board an open safari vehicle and get transferred to the Nairobi Hotel.
Accommodation;
- House of Waine or Hemingways Nairobi (luxury).
- Villa Rosa Kempinski or Radisson Blu Hotel (standard).
- Marble Arch Hotel or Hotel Embassy Nairobi.
Meals for this day:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Kenya: Scenic drive from Nairobi City to Amboseli National Park
Today you will relish the picturesque views while getting transferred from your Hotel in Nairobi to Amboseli National Park. This Protected is known for its free-ranging elephants plus the back-drop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Here, animals like lions, African bush elephants, Buffaloes, Kirk’s Dik-dik, lesser kudu, Crocodiles, Tree hyraxes, African wild dogs, Mongoose and cheetahs are part of everyday adventures. Arrive the park in time for a hot lunch then officially start your Kenya wildlife encounters with an afternoon game drive for about 3-4 hours.
Accommodation;
- Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli or Kibo Safari Camp (upmarket).
- Little Amanya Camp or Ol Tukai Lodge (Standard).
- Amboseli Eco-Camp or WE4kenya Guesthouse and Campsites (basic).
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Amboseli tours: Game viewing Experience.
Begin the day early with a hearty breakfast at your Wilderness Lodge or Camp in Amboseli National Park before embarking on the guided drive through its animal-filled game tracks. This guided drive will take about 3-4 hours and involves relishing phenomenal landscapes featuring the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania, the savannah plains and so much more.
As you drive through changing ecosystems through Amboseli National Park, keep clear and open eyes for the lions, free ranging elephants, cape buffaloes, leopards and so much more. Stop for a lunch break at the Lodge and continue with the afternoon game drive where more of this 321-square kilometer protected Area will be explored. By sunset, drive back to the Lodge in or around Amboseli National Park to dine and rest.
Accommodation;
- Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli or Kibo Safari Camp (upmarket).
- Little Amanya Camp or Ol Tukai Lodge (Standard).
- Amboseli Eco-Camp or WE4kenya Guesthouse and Campsites (basic).
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Lake Nakuru National Park: Road transfer from Amboseli National Park
In the morning of this day, meet your driver at the Lodge and start the drive to Lake Nakuru, where you will arrive in the late afternoon and undertake a guided evening game drive. The road leads through stunning landscapes and once at Lake Nakuru National Park, start driving slowly during animal hotspots while spotting Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, Reedbucks, common warthogs and occasionally leopard. With over 400 species of birds residing in this Park, your game drive will be filled with some of them and this ends late when you have to get to the Lodge to dine and sleep.
Accommodation;
- The Cliff Nakuru or Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (upmarket).
- Lake Nakuru Lodge or Soi Safari Lodge (standard).
- HomeBase Gardens or Hotel Bison (basic).
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8: Masai Mara National Reserve: Road trip from Lake Nakuru National Park
Undertake an early morning game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park with more and more views Leopards, Cape buffaloes, Reedbucks, Defassa waterbucks, Dik-diks, common warthogs and lions. Also, sights and sounds of the pink flamingos are enjoyed here and later head back to the Lodge for breakfast and exit with packed lunch.
Continue to the 1510-sqauare kilometer Masai Mara National Park to explore its open savannah plains roamed by African wild dogs, jackals, wildebeests, Cape buffaloes, Burchell’s zebras, lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, Masai giraffes, Cape buffaloes, warthogs, stripped and spotted hyenas, leopards, African bush elephants, mongoose and several others.
For visitors that visit in the drier months of June, July, August, September and October, Masai Mara Reserve offers the phenomenal annual migration of millions of wildebeests, gazelles and zebras from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park while searching for water and greener pastures. It’s such a dramatic spectacle that you can’t afford to miss.
Accommodation;
- Ol Seki Hemingway’s Mara Camp or Angama Mara (upmarket).
- Oldarpoi Mara camp or Talek Bush Camp (standard).
- Enchoro Wildlife Camp or Semadep Mara Camp (basic).
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Masai Mara National Reserve Tours: Wildlife viewing experience
Be sure to properly fuel up at breakfast this day, as this whole-day wildlife viewing experience doesn’t need distractions of hunger or anything and will take the entire day with breaks for photography or lunch. Start exploring right from your Lodge and go on and on encountering African bush elephants, cheetahs, serval cats, Cape buffaloes, wildebeests, lions, zebras, leopards, gazelles, Topis, impalas, olive baboons, Aardvarks, spotted and striped hyenas, black-backed and side-striped jackals, to mention but a few. During the visit, you will learn about different ecosystems and attractions. Have a picnic lunch and after continue with your expedition that ends around late afternoon.
What next? Well, you will have some quality time with the Masai pastoralists to have an insight into their cultural and traditions that have remained authentic regardless of modernity. They are famous for their invigorating traditional dances and many other things that will take your breath away.
Accommodation;
- Ol Seki Hemingway’s Mara Camp or Angama Mara (upmarket).
- Oldarpoi Mara camp or Talek Bush Camp (standard).
- Enchoro Wildlife Camp or Semadep Mara Camp (basic).
Meals:
Full Board.
Day 10: Nairobi City: Road trip from Masai Mara National Reserve.
This is your last day in Kenya! You will be met at your Safari Camp/Lodge for a road transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Airport, in Nairobi City. However, you can use this opportunity to extend your time in magical Kenya, as there is still a lot to see. Kwaheri!!!
Inclusions of our 10 days Kenya, Bwindi and Congo Nyiragongo Tour;
- Bwindi Gorilla permit.
- Mount Nyiragongo hiking permit.
- Game viewing experience.
- Village/community walks.
- Entry fees into National Parks, Reserve and other tourist sites.
- 9 nights’ Accommodation
- Ground Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water.
- English speaking safari Guide.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Flight from Kigali to Nairobi.
- Meals per the itinerary.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
- Driver allowances and Fuel
What’s not included on our 10 days Kenya, Bwindi and Congo Nyiragongo Tour?
- Travel and medical insurance.
- International flights
- Visa fees.
- Laundry fees.
- Gratuities to guides. Driver and Rangers.
- Souvenirs shopping.
- Telephone calls, to mention but a few.