The East Africa Arc

FLAGSHIP
14 days
Rwanda + Kenya

Wild Akagera Day Safari

THE EXPERIENCE

This is the flagship. The itinerary that Twende Safaris was built to deliver. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Virunga volcanoes. Golden monkeys the following morning. Then across to Kenya: the Masai Mara for Africa’s greatest predator plains, Amboseli for Kilimanjaro and the elephant herds, and finally four nights on Diani Beach as the Indian Ocean reward. Fourteen days. Four landscapes.

Two countries. One operator who handles every detail across both borders — from the gorilla permit in Kigali to the fresh crab dinner on the Diani sand. There is no equivalent journey that a single operator can deliver with this depth of local knowledge across every destination on the route.

Itinerary

Arrive Kigali. City orientation: Genocide Memorial, Inema Arts, rooftop dinner. Briefing for the full journey.

Transfer northwest. Virunga volcanoes on the horizon. Afternoon at the lodge. Ranger briefing.

Pre-dawn departure. Trek into the Afromontane forest. One hour with a habituated gorilla family.

Morning golden monkey trek in the bamboo zone. Transfer to Kigali for the evening Nairobi flight.

Domestic flight. Afternoon arrival game drive. First wildebeest. First lions. The Mara opens up.

Pre-dawn lion hunt. Cheetah on the plain. Leopard in the riverine forest. River drive — crocodile and hippo.

Day in Mara North. Walking safari. Maasai cultural evening. Campfire.

Morning drive. Post-lunch transfer southeast. Kilimanjaro on the horizon. Arrival lakebed drive.

Pre-dawn Kilimanjaro drive. Great elephant bulls. Midday break. Afternoon lakebed circuit.

Dawn drive — Kilimanjaro one final time. Transfer or flight to Mombasa. Likoni ferry. Arrive Diani. First swim.

Total leisure. The earned reward of everything that preceded it.

Full-day boat to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park. Spinner dolphins, sea turtles, coral. Beach lunch.

Last full day. Dhow sailing at sunset. Farewell seafood dinner on the beach.

Transfer to Mombasa airport. Domestic flight to Nairobi JKIA. Onward international connection.

  • Gorilla trekking permit — USD 1,500 per person
  • Golden monkey trekking permit
  • All domestic flights, including Nairobi–Masai Mara and Amboseli–Mombasa
  • International transfer from Kigali to Nairobi
  • All road transfers in Rwanda and Kenya
  • 13 nights’ accommodation
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, and conservancy fees
  • Porters on both trekking days in Rwanda
  • Edgar on call throughout the journey in both countries

Excluded

  • International flights to Rwanda and from Kenya
  • Rwanda and Kenya e-Visas
  • Travel insurance — required
  • Kisite Marine Park entry — optional
  • Balloon safari in the Masai Mara — optional
  • Personal spending
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages

Start your trip now

At a glance

Permit USD 1,500 PP
With gorillas 1 hour
Group max. 8 visitors
Minimum age 15 years
Best season Jun–Sep · Dec–Feb
Fitness Moderate
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