Combining gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with a Kenya safari

Are you planning a gorilla trek safari to Volcanoes National Park or a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park and at the same time want to combine it with a safari to Kenya? In this article, we will explain a step by step procedure of organizing the combined gorilla trek safari in Rwanda with Kenya safaris and help you plan and book for your safari combo. Is the combination of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and Kenya safaris possible? The answer is yes. It is very possible and we can help you plan for all this.

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One of the most frequently asked questions is how to combine the safari. There are so many options to choose from and you start with a gorilla and chimpanzee trek in Uganda and then fly to Kenya for the safari. There are so many airlines that fly between the two countries and you can choose Rwanda Air, Kenya Airways, Uganda Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines among others.

Where in Rwanda is gorilla trekking done?

Gorilla trekking is a top tourist activity in Rwanda done in the Volcanoes National Park which attracts thousands of tourists every year to come and meet the endangered Mountain gorillas. With the combined gorilla and Kenya safari, you get a chance to meet the gorillas and at the same time have fun driving through the different safari destinations in Kenya. 

Volcanoes National Park is located in Musanze in the northwestern part of Rwanda and is part of the vast Virunga region shared among three countries that is; Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are over 400 Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and so far there are 15 habituated gorilla families that have been opened up for trekking to the public and there might be more in the coming years. The terrain within the National Park is different and the different gorilla families are found in different parts of the National Park. Some of the gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include

Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is done daily throughout the year and 8 individuals are allowed to trek the families daily. All visitors to the Park need to have purchased a gorilla permit in advance either through a tour operator or directly from the Rwanda Development Board.

Where in Rwanda is chimpanzee trekking done?

Chimpanzee trekking is done in the Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda. Nyungwe is home to about 13 different primate species including L’Hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Owl faced monkeys, golden monkeys, and Dent money monkeys among others. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe starts early morning with a briefing from the tour guides and the trek begins at either of the Centres within the National Park which include Kitabi, Uwinka, and Gisakura. 

Where to go for a Kenya safari

With a variety of Game Reserves, National parks, and beaches, Kenya offers a magical safari experience to travelers all over the world. The country is very popular with safaris best known for the fantastic wildlife viewing, bird watching, cultural trips to the Masai, Turkana, and Samburu tribes among others, and Mountain climbing. Watching the big five should be a top priority when it comes to safaris in Kenya and some of the destinations that are perfect for a combination with gorilla trekking in Rwanda include the following:

Masai Mara National Reserve:

Masai Mara National Reserve is the top tourist destination in Kenya located near the border of Kenya and Tanzania. The Reserve is popular for its Savannah Plains and the large concentration of wildlife that can be viewed all year round. This is the best place to spot the big five, all the large cats, a variety of both endemic and migratory bird species and not forgetting the wildebeest migration where millions of wildebeest are seen crossing the Mara River into Masai Mara for the lush green pastures and water. Several activities are done in Masai Mara some of which include bird watching, wildlife viewing, cultural trips to the Masai, and guided nature walks. 

Masai Mara National Reserve should be on your bucket list when planning a gorilla trek in the Rwanda and Kenya safari combo.

Samburu National Reserve:

Located in Northern Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is one of Kenya’s hidden jewels in the arid areas of the country. Samburu is small in size but has some of the rare and unique species in Kenya like the Beisa Oryx, Reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Gerenuk, and Gravy Zebras all referred to as the Samburu five. A safari to Samburu is a satisfying one with views of the large mammals and over 450 bird species. It is also occupied by the Samburu people who have a unique culture worth getting to know and experiencing. 

Tsavo National Park:

Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest national parks and is home to a wide range of wildlife including cheetahs, leopards, kudus, lions, monkeys, buffaloes, water bucks, elephants, hippos, gerenuks, oryxes, crocodiles among others. The National Park is divided into Tsavo West National Park, mainly characterized by savannah woodland and mountains, and Tsavo East National Park, characterized by semi-arid and savannah grasslands.

Lake Nakuru National Park:

Lake Nakuru National Park is a birding heaven for all birders across the world with flocks of both greater and lesser flamingos seen throughout the year. The famous pink birds create a beautiful scenery that even when seen from a distance looks spectacular. The Park is also home to wildlife species including the endangered white and black rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, bushbucks, antelopes, leopards, baboons, Impalas, and other bird species both endemic and migratory. It is a good place to go sightseeing and tourists have a chance to explore the Great Rift Valley.

Amboseli National Park:

Amboseli National Park popular for the huge crowds of elephants is a top safari destination in Kenya and can easily be combined with a gorilla safari in Rwanda. Amboseli has some amazing views of the wildlife, bird species, and Mount Kilimanjaro in the neighboring Tanzania making it one of the best Kenya safari destinations. The National Park has five different habitats, including savannah, wetlands, Dry bed (Amboseli), woodlands, and sulphur springs. You not only get to experience the cultural trips with the locals around the Park but you also have a chance to spot the big five.

The Kenya Coastline:

Exploring the Kenya coastline is the best way to end your safari in Kenya. Protected by a coral reef, Mombasa is the best place to go for a safari of relaxation while at the same time having fun participating in the different activities that include snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, swimming, and fishing. This is the perfect getaway for locals, families, and couples, and with a flawless range of luxurious accommodations and food, the coastline in Mombasa is worth visiting. The most visited attractions in Mombasa are Fort Jesus and Diani which has the most pristine beaches and the best snorkeling on the African continent.

Nairobi National Park:

Right in the heart of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya is Nairobi National Park, making Nairobi the only city in the world with a national park. The National Park is located south of Nairobi and boasts a wide range of wildlife and bird species. The Park is an exciting experience with over 400 bird species, gazelles, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, lions, leopards, and giraffes among others. Tourists have two options for viewing the wildlife: either by a game drive or from a raised canopied bridge with the help of an experienced tour guide. 

Aberdare National Park:

Aberdare National Park is located in central Kenya and is characterized by moorland grasslands and gorges. The National Park is home to wildlife including leopards, warthogs, lions, black rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, spotted hyenas, and primates like baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. Other possible sightings although rare include the giant forest hogs, blue duikers, African golden cats, civet cats, Bongos, and Serval cats among others. It is also home to over 300 bird species both endemic and migratory and some of these include eagles, sparrow hawks, plovers, and sunbirds among others.

Meru National Park:

This is one of the least visited national parks in the country located east of Mount Meru and 350km from Nairobi city. The Park has an unspoiled wilderness that is worth exploring and some of the wildlife you get to spot include hyenas, giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos, jackals, cheetahs, hartebeests, zebras, gazelles, leopards and crocodiles among others. The National park is also home to over 427 bird species and a wide range of snake species like cobras, pythons, and puff adders. 

Cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee trek in Rwanda and Kenya safari Combo 

Planning a gorilla trek involves steps but the first one is to purchase a gorilla trek permit which is as essential as having a visa and valid passport. The gorilla permit can be purchased through the Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted operator who knows and has experience in organizing such safaris as Encounter safaris. The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda is higher than in Uganda at $1500 for non-residents, $500 for African residents, and $250 for East African citizens. The cost is set by the Rwanda Development Board and they are the only ones who can make any changes. There are special occasions when the government of Rwanda offers discounts on trek permits (10%), and this is when you have booked to also visit Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park and tourists attending conferences in the country and purchase the permits in bulk also get discounts on their permits.

Chimpanzee trek permits in Rwanda have been changed from time to time and the current cost at the moment is $90 for foreign non-residents, $25 for East African citizens and foreign residents pay $75. The chimp trek permit has to be booked in advance as well for proper planning. 

The cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee trek permit greatly affects the cost of the safari and after purchasing them, you have to look at other services like accommodation and transport. Accommodation ranges from $150 to over $600 depending on the facility chosen and the time of travel.

The cost of Kenya safari can cost approximately $180 to 259 dollars per person per day and this only covers services like transport, meals, and accommodation. The cost of the safari can vary depending on the destination chosen and the type of safari chosen that is mid-range or luxury safari. Mid-range safaris are what most tourists go for and these can range from $290 to $500 per person per day and the luxury safaris can range from $600 and above. 

The cost of a combined safari depends on a lot of factors and there are so many hidden costs you should look out for when planning your safari. Some of the factors that greatly affect the cost of a safari include the size of the group, the time/season you have traveled, transport, and accommodation. The type of safari you choose to have will greatly impact the cost of the combined gorilla, chimpanzee trek, and Kenya safari.

Accommodation: Accommodation in both Rwanda and Kenya is categorized into Budget, mid-range, and luxury facilities and the choice you make will increase or reduce the cost of your combined safari. The luxury accommodation facilities are expensive but come with the best services, mid-range facilities are better than the basic ones and can be used by tourists traveling on a budget. Check in with your operator and make the right choice when it comes to accommodation and make sure that you book in advance. 

The size of the group: Tailored trips can be organized for individuals, couples, and groups and the size of the group you decide to travel with affects the cost of the safari. Traveling in smaller groups of about two or alone is a bit expensive because all the costs including transport and accommodation are to be paid by one person which is not the case when you travel in a bigger size where costs are shared among the group hence reducing the cost of the safari.

Transport: There are two main types of transport used to travel between Rwanda and Kenya and these are air and road transport. You can decide to go on a road trip from Kigali through the Gatuna border into Uganda and then proceed to drive to Busia the land border between Kenya and Uganda before crossing after clearing customs. This is a longer journey and you need to have proper documentation as you travel through the different land borders. The other option is to fly directly from Kigali International Airport to Kenyatta International Airport for your safari. Flying takes about an hour or an hour and a half and to make the right decision, you have to talk to your guide about the best option to use putting your budget into consideration.

When to travel: After deciding on going for a gorilla, chimpanzee, and Kenya safari combo, you have to plan on when to go. The best time to go is during the dry months: June to September and December to February however it is a peak season as well and the most expensive time to travel for the safari. If you want to cut costs on the safari, the advised time is during the wet/low season of October to November and March to May.                                                                             

Contact us for more information about organizing a combined gorilla and chimpanzee trek in Rwanda with a Kenya safari. Our staff trained and experienced staff is available to answer any queries you might have and give you a quote.