12-Day Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda Safari

The 12-Day Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda Safari starts from $6,600 per person sharing, but the net cost depends on your group size, travel season, chosen accommodation level, and whether any internal flights are included. That starting price covers accommodation and meals as listed in the itinerary, park and reserve entrance fees, scheduled game drives, the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit, private 4×4 safari transport with an experienced driver-guide, fuel, bottled drinking water, and government taxes. International flights, visas, optional activities, extra nights before or after the safari, souvenirs, tips, and porter hire are not included. Your final quotation confirms exactly what applies to your chosen accommodation level and travel dates.

The safari begins in Nairobi, Kenya, before moving to Amboseli National Park for elephant viewing and Mount Kilimanjaro scenery. You then continue to Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara, where you enjoy full-day game drives and, seasonally, the Great Migration. From Kenya, the journey proceeds into northern Tanzania for the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. The final stage takes you to Kigali and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda for mountain gorilla trekking, before your departure from Kigali International Airport.

The itinerary includes Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya; Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania; and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Together, these destinations offer elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, flamingos, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, and mountain gorillas. The exact routing and number of nights in each park are confirmed in your final itinerary.

Several transfers involve a good amount of road time, but the routes are scenic and your driver-guide builds in comfort stops. Nairobi to Amboseli takes roughly four to five hours, while the drive from Lake Nakuru to the Maasai Mara takes about five hours. The transfer from the Maasai Mara to northern Tanzania and onward to the Serengeti can take a full day depending on the border crossing and park routing. The journey from Ngorongoro to Kigali is long if travelled by road, so some travellers choose a short flight from Arusha to Kigali where available. Travel times vary with traffic, road conditions, park gates, and border queues.

You travel overland between Kenya and Tanzania, with your guide assisting at the border formalities. For the transfer from Tanzania to Rwanda, the itinerary may use a road transfer or a short regional flight from Arusha to Kigali, depending on your preferred itinerary and flight availability. Keep your passport, visa, vaccination certificate if required, and travel documents in your hand luggage. Border procedures and entry requirements can change, so we confirm the latest requirements with you before departure.

Amboseli is especially known for large elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, while Lake Nakuru is famous for rhinos, flamingos, and varied birdlife. The Maasai Mara offers lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, and, during the migration season, vast herds crossing the plains. In Tanzania, the Serengeti provides outstanding big-cat viewing and migration sightings, while the Ngorongoro Crater offers a high chance of seeing the Big Five within a compact caldera. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but early morning and late-afternoon game drives give you the best chances.

The Great Migration moves through different parts of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystem during the year. In general, the herds are in Tanzania’s southern and central Serengeti during the calving period in the early part of the year, move through the western and northern Serengeti in the middle of the year, and often reach Kenya’s Maasai Mara from around July to October. Exact movements depend on rainfall and grazing conditions, so no operator can guarantee a river crossing. We help match your travel dates to the section of the migration most likely to be accessible at that time.

Your gorilla trekking day begins with a briefing at Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi. After the briefing, rangers assign you to a habituated gorilla family and lead the trek through montane forest, bamboo zones, and volcanic slopes. Once the family is located, you are allowed one hour with the gorillas. The time taken to find them can range from under an hour to several hours, depending on where the family moved overnight, so the full experience may take most of the morning.

Gorilla families are assigned by park rangers at the morning briefing rather than selected in advance. Rangers consider fitness levels, trekking conditions, and the location of each habituated family. If you prefer a shorter or less strenuous trek, tell your driver-guide early so they can raise this with the rangers. Assignments ultimately depend on the day, permits, and where each gorilla family is located.

Yes. Visitors must be at least 15 years old to trek mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and this rule is strictly enforced by the park authorities. Younger children cannot join the trek, even with a parent. If you are travelling as a family, tell us the ages of everyone in your group so we can suggest suitable alternatives, such as cultural visits, Kigali experiences, or additional wildlife activities.

Follow your ranger’s instructions at all times. Keep the distance specified by the rangers, speak quietly, and avoid sudden movements. Do not use flash photography, and never touch or feed the gorillas. Do not eat, drink, or smoke near them. If a gorilla comes close, remain calm and follow your guide’s directions. Because primates are vulnerable to human illnesses, visitors may be required to wear a face mask and follow hygiene guidance during the encounter.

Tell your driver-guide and park staff immediately if you have flu symptoms, a cold, diarrhoea, or any other contagious illness. Mountain gorillas can catch human diseases, so rangers may prevent unwell visitors from trekking. Whether you can reschedule or receive a refund depends on the permit conditions set by the Rwanda Development Board. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical issues, emergency evacuation, and trip interruption.

Sightings of habituated gorilla families are highly likely because trackers follow the animals daily and guide visitors to their location. However, gorillas are wild animals, so no operator can offer an absolute guarantee. The length and difficulty of the trek depend on where the family has moved overnight. We secure your gorilla permit in advance and plan the Rwanda section to give you the best practical chance of a successful and comfortable encounter.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park can be moderately demanding because the terrain includes forest trails, bamboo zones, mud, and volcanic slopes. The hike may last from one to several hours each way, depending on the assigned gorilla family. Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, gloves if you prefer, and bring a rain jacket, warm layer, insect repellent, drinking water, and snacks. Porters are available for hire and can carry your daypack while supporting the local community.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check the current rules before you travel. Because this trip visits three countries, you must be able to enter Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Some travellers may qualify for the East Africa Tourist Visa, but it does not automatically cover every routing or every nationality, so confirm the correct visa arrangement for your itinerary. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months and has enough blank pages for entry stamps. Ask your doctor about recommended vaccinations and any yellow fever certificate requirements for your route.

You can choose from budget, mid-range, and luxury lodges or tented camps at each stop. Accommodation is selected for comfort, location, and access to the parks, with options ranging from safari camps near the Maasai Mara and Serengeti to lodges around Ngorongoro and Volcanoes National Park. Lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking, and your final quotation lists the confirmed properties before you pay. If you have a preferred lodge, camp, or room category, let us know when requesting your quotation.

Yes. A hot-air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara or Serengeti is a popular optional add-on, usually followed by a bush breakfast. Maasai cultural visits can also be arranged in Kenya or Tanzania, offering insight into local traditions, music, crafts, and community life. These experiences are not included in the starting safari price, so let us know if you would like them added and we will include them in your quotation.

Tips are not included in the safari price, but they are a customary way to thank the people who look after you. Many travellers tip their driver-guide at the end of the trip and give separate tips to rangers, trackers, camp staff, and porters after the gorilla trek. Porter hire is optional and carries its own fee. There is no fixed amount, so tip according to the service you receive and what feels comfortable.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and interruption. Carry some US dollars in recent, undamaged notes, and bring a card for lodge extras where accepted. Local currency in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda is useful for small purchases such as souvenirs, drinks, and tips, and small denominations make tipping easier. Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda have restrictions on single-use plastic bags, so avoid packing them in your luggage.

Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation level. We first check gorilla permit availability, park accommodation, and any internal flight options, then prepare a detailed quotation with your lodges, inclusions, and total cost. Once you approve the itinerary and agree the payment terms, we purchase your permits and confirm the lodge and transport reservations. Because gorilla permits and peak-season lodges are limited, we recommend booking at least four to six months ahead, and earlier for travel during busy periods.