Rwanda Safari combined with a Kenya Safari
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking Rwanda Safari combined with a Kenya Safari
Are you planning a gorilla trek safari to Volcanoes National Park or a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe National Park? Do you want to combine it with a safari to Kenya? In this article, we will explain a step-by-step procedure. You’ll learn how to organize a Rwanda safari combined with a Kenya 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. 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. Hence, you can choose between Rwanda Air, Kenya Airways, Uganda Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines among others.
Where to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is a top tourist activity in Rwanda in the Volcanoes National Park. This attracts thousands of tourists every year to come and meet the endangered Mountain gorillas. With the combination of gorilla and Kenya safari, you get a chance to meet the gorillas. At the same time, you have fun driving through the different safari destinations in Kenya.
Volcanoes National Park is in Musanze in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It is part of the vast Virunga region among three countries that is; Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are over 400 Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. So far, 12 habituated gorilla families are ready for trekking to the public. Also, there’s hope that there might be more in the coming years. The terrain within the National Park is different. Again, you find the different gorilla families in different parts of the National Park.
You can go Gorilla tracking in Rwanda daily throughout the year. Also, 8 individuals trek each family a day. All visitors to the Park need to have a gorilla permit in advance. Hence, you can purchase it either through a tour operator or directly from the Rwanda Development Board.
Where can you go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda?
In Rwanda, you can do Chimpanzee trekking in the Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda. Nyungwe is home to about 13 different primate species. These include L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Owl faced monkeys, and Dent monkeys among others. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe starts early morning with a briefing from the tour guides. 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 for fantastic wildlife viewing and bird watching. Also, Kenya has 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. Thus, 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. It is near the border of Kenya and Tanzania. The Reserve is popular for its Savannah Plains and the large concentration of wildlife. Henceforth, you can view the wildlife all year round. This is the best place to spot the big five and all the large cats. There’s also a variety of both endemic and migratory bird species, not forgetting the wildebeest migration. Here, you see millions of wildebeest crossing the Mara River into Masai Mara for the lush green pastures and water. There are several activities in Masai Mara that you can do. Some of these 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:
Samburu National Reserve in Northern Kenya is one of Kenya’s secret jewels in the arid areas of the country. The park is small in size but has some of the rare and unique species in Kenya. These include the Beisa Oryx, Reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Gerenuk, and Gravy Zebras. Many refer to these as “the Samburu five”. A safari to Samburu is a satisfying one with views of the large mammals and over 450 bird species. The Samburu people who have a unique culture worth getting to know and experiencing also occupy this park.
Tsavo National Park:
Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest national parks. Furthermore, It is home to a wide range of wildlife. This includes cheetahs, leopards, kudus, lions, monkeys, buffaloes, water bucks, elephants, hippos, gerenuks, oryxes, and crocodiles among others. The National Park has two sections. Tsavo West National Park is mainly characterized by savannah woodland and mountains. Meanwhile, semi-arid and savannah grasslands characterize Tsavo East National Park.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is a birding heaven for all birders across the world. The park has flocks of both greater and lesser flamingos that you can see throughout the year. The famous pink birds create a beautiful scenery that even looks spectacular from a distance. The Park is also home to wildlife species including the endangered white and black rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and lions. Also, you encounter 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. You can thus easily combine it with a gorilla safari in Rwanda. The park has some amazing views of the wildlife, bird species, and Mount Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania. This thus makes it one of the best Kenya safari destinations. The National Park has five different habitats, including savannah, wetlands, Dry bed (Amboseli), woodlands, and sulfur springs. You not only get to experience the cultural trips with the locals around the Park. But also, you 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. A coral reef protects Mombasa, making it the best place to go for a safari of relaxation. Meanwhile, at the same time, you have fun participating in the different activities. These include snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, swimming, and fishing. This is the perfect getaway for locals, families, and couples. Also, it comes with a flawless range of luxurious accommodations and food. Conclusively, the coastline in Mombasa is worth visiting. The attractions in Mombasa that tourists visit the most are Fort Jesus and Diani. Diani additionally has the most pristine beaches and the best snorkeling on the African continent.
Aberdare National Park:
Moorland grasslands and gorges characterize Aberdare National Park in central Kenya. The National Park is home to wildlife including leopards, warthogs, lions, black rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants. Also, you can see spotted hyenas, and primates like baboons, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. Other possible sightings although rare include the giant forest hogs, blue duikers, African golden cats, and civet cats. Also, you can see Bongos and Serval cats among others. It is also home to over 300 bird species both endemic and migratory. Some of these include eagles, sparrow hawks, plovers, and sunbirds among others.
Cost of the Rwanda Safari combined with a Kenya Safari Combo
Gorilla Permits
Planning a gorilla trek involves steps but the first one is to purchase a gorilla trek permit. This is as essential as having a visa and a valid passport. You can purchase the gorilla permit through the Rwanda Development Board or a trusted operator. A tour operator should know and have experience in organizing such safaris as Safari Vacations and Travel Services. The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda is higher than in Uganda. It costs $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%). This is when you have booked to visit Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park and tourists attending conferences in the country. Also, if you purchase the permits in bulk, you get discounts on their permits.
Chimpanzee permits
Chimpanzee trek permits in Rwanda have been changing from time to time. However, the current cost at the moment is $100 for foreign non-residents. 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. Hence, after purchasing them, you have to look at other services like accommodation and transport. Accommodation ranges from $150 to over $600 per person per night. Also, the rates depend on the facility you choose and the time of travel.
Safari Cost in Kenya
The cost of Kenya safari can cost approximately $180 to 259 dollars per person per day. However, this only covers services like transport, meals, and accommodation. The cost of the safari can vary depending on the destination and the type of safari you choose that as 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. Meanwhile, the luxury safaris can range from $600 and above per person per day.
The cost of a combined safari depends on a lot of factors. Also, 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 of traveling, 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.
Factors that Determine the cost of the combined safari
Accommodation
Accommodation in both Rwanda and Kenya is categorized into Budget, mid-range, and luxury facilities. 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. Additionally, 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. Also, 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. This is because all the costs including transport and accommodation are to be paid by one person. However, this is not the case when you travel in a bigger size. Here, you share costs among the group hence reducing the cost of the safari.
Transport
There are two main types of transport to use to travel between Rwanda and Kenya. These are air and road transport. You can decide to go on a road trip from Kigali through the Gatuna border into Uganda. Then, you 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 two and to make the right decision, you have to talk to your guide. He’ll guide you on the best option to use putting your budget into consideration.
When to travel
After deciding on going for a Rwanda Safari combined with a Kenya safari, you have to plan on when to go. The best time to go is during the dry months. This is 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 Rwanda Safari combined with a Kenya safari. Our trained and experienced staff is available to answer any queries you might have and give you a quote.
