Kenya & Rwanda

This morning you will transferred to Wilson Airport for your flight to Meru National Park. During your flight keep an eye out of the window and marvel as the landscape changes below you. As you fly north the Aberdare Range will be on your left and, on a clear day, you will have a wonderful view of Mount Kenya on the right. On arrival you will be met by your lodge driver/guide and embark on a short game drive to the property. Accommodation for the following two nights at Elewana Elsa’s Kopje Meru.

Situated east of Meru, in beautiful Kenya, Meru National Park is one of the most popular parks in Kenya. Covering over 800 square kilometres, this park is wild and beautiful featuring diverse scenery with lush swamplands, thick jungle, vast savannah, and no less than thirteen rivers. Game to view includes some of the less regularly sighted animals like oryx, lesser kudu, duiker, dik-dik and over 300 species of birds have been recorded. It is here that Else the famous lion from the book and movie ‘Born Free’ lived out the latter part of her life and is buried. Visitors can soak up the spectacular views of Mount Kenya, spot game along the Tana River and view the cascading Adamson’s Falls.

Set out on morning and afternoon game drives in Meru National Park, renowned for its diverse landscapes and wildlife. The park features a range of ecosystems, from emerald-green swamps and indigenous forests to palm groves and baobab-studded bush. This slice of equatorial Africa is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephant herds, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and iconic lions. Meru, known as the inspiration for the film Born Free, spans 870 square kilometres and is watered by five major rivers, surrounded by protected buffer zones that support its diverse animal population, including the world's largest herds of Cape buffalo.

This morning you will be transferred to Meru Mughwango Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Ol Kiombo Airstrip in the Maasai Mara. During the flight you will cross over some of Kenya's sunning landscape beneath you and as you near the reserve look out of the window for the chance to see elephants, giraffes and more below you. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Lalashe Mara Ripoi Tented Safari Camp for a three-night stay.

The Maasai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park, the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The undeniable highlight of the Maasai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, herds of elephants, as well as giraffes, gazelles and eland can also be spotted in the reserve. Aside from horse riding safaris and traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Mara plains has become almost essential.

Two days to explore the vast expanses of the Maasai Mara on morning, afternoon or even full day game drives. The jewel in Africa's crown, Maasai Mara is host to the most spectacular array of wildlife. Here 1,510 square kilometres of open savannah, woodlands and tree-lined rivers create an eco-system which supports huge numbers of bird and mammal species. The western border of the park is the spectacular Siria Escarpment, and together with the acacia dotted plains, creates scenery of stunning beauty. Lion are found in abundance throughout the park as are elephant, giraffe, a variety of gazelle species and zebra. Cheetah and leopard are also regularly seen and, if lucky, you may also find rhino. Game viewing is never dull in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings.

This morning you will be transferred to the Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Wilson Airport, Nairobi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to connect with your scheduled flight to Kigali International Airport, Rwanda.

Welcome to Rwanda. On arrival at Kigali International Airport, after clearing customs and immigration please collect your luggage and proceed outside the arrivals hall where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to the hotel for the night. Overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel.  

Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, is a vibrant city set across lush hills and valleys, offering scenic landscapes and rich cultural experiences. It blends poignant history at sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial with a thriving arts scene, bustling markets, diverse cuisine, and lively neighbourhoods like Nyamirambo.

This morning you set out with your driver/guide for the Volcanoes National Park which lies on the northern border of Rwanda. This pretty drive will take you through the farmlands and villages of Rwanda, giving you a glimpse into life in this wonderful country. As you near your destination look out for the soaring peaks of the Virunga Mountain Chain. Accommodation for the following three-nights at Wilderness Sabyinyo.

Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda and set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience face to face encounters with these intriguing creatures. Regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, with the beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke being a particular highlight. Make sure to visit the fascinating Karisoke Research Centre and the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey.

After an early breakfast you will be driven to the Gorilla Tracking HQ to meet the guide, porter and the other people tracking your gorilla family.  

Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is often described as “life changing” and with good reason. With only an estimated 1,000 gorillas left in the world, to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat is a truly unique moment. Gorillas make their homes in and amongst the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Mountains in the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. Trek to see them and you’ll be introduced by your expert trackers and guides to one of the fully habituated families of mountain gorillas and you can stay with them for an awe-inspiring hour, often crouching just a few feet away, whilst the gorillas go about their daily lives.

Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours+ depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel at seeing the gorillas!

Expert guides give a pre-trek briefing on specific protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas that live within an altitude of 2500 and 4000m. Porters (supplement applies) are available to help carry backpacks and cameras, as well as helping you with your footing along your hike which can be hard work, but well worth it.

Today you have the day at leisure to explore the Volcanoes National Park with a huge array of activities to choose from, the most famous of them being the gorilla tracking. However there is also golden monkey tracking, visits to the ex-poachers village, the Musanze caves to explore and the many lakes and boats to walk around and paddle on.

Today, you bid farewell to the Volcanoes National Park and drive back to the capital of the city, Kigali. This is a wonderfully scenic drive through the farmlands and rolling hills and gives you time to reflect on the wonderous adventures you have had here. At Kigali International Airport you will be assisted with your onward flight.

• Meet and assist at airports/airstrips
• Transfers with English-speaking driver/guide as specified in itinerary
• 4-nghts' accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary
• Meals as specified in itinerary
• Drinks in the safari lodges – house wine, beer, sodas and soft drinks
• Excursions as per itinerary (note: Gorilla permits quoted separately. These need to be prepaid to secure, and are non-refundable once purchased)
• Services of camp/lodge guides and staff
• Relevant park fees and entrance fees as specified
• Accommodation taxes, the applicable Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax (VAT) or Government Sales Tax (GST)
• Emergency evacuation service within Rwanda
• 24/7 service and full local backup throughout Rwanda
• Africa Travel Notes - issued by Innovative Travel

• International flights and electronic travel authorisation (eTA)
• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Drinks unless specified in itinerary – excludes premium drinks (including champagnes, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, cigars)
• Touring and excursions not specified
• Park fees, entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified in itinerary
• Gorilla permits quoted separately. These need to be prepaid to secure, and are non-refundable once purchased.  
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Departure taxes
• All items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, curio shop purchases
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Travel and Medical Insurance
• Visas (clients are responsible for obtaining their own visa where appropriate and should check entry requirements). Should a visa payment be required, this will need to be made in US Dollar cash
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above