7 Days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Safari: An Ultimate Wildlife Adventure
7 Days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Safari: Hello, fellow adventurer! I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the founder and lead guide at Gorilla Nests Safaris, a boutique tour operator with over 15 years of crafting unforgettable East African journeys.
At Gorilla Nests, we specialize in seamless, eco-conscious safaris that blend the raw thrill of the savanna with the profound intimacy of primate encounters.
Our name reflects our passion for gorilla habitats—those lush, misty nests in the Virunga volcanoes and Bwindi Forest—but our expertise spans Kenya’s golden plains and the forested frontiers of Uganda and Rwanda. We’re not just operators; we’re storytellers, ensuring every trip feels personal, sustainable, and transformative.
If you’ve been dreaming of a safari that combines the iconic Big Five drama of Kenya’s Maasai Mara with the soul-stirring magic of gorilla trekking, our 7 Days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Safari is your golden ticket.
This carefully curated itinerary packs the best of both worlds into one week, balancing adrenaline-pumping wildlife chases with reflective moments in ancient rainforests.
It’s designed for nature lovers, families, couples, or solo explorers aged 16 and up (with special adaptations for fitness levels).
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, we’ll handle every detail—from permits to porters—so you can immerse yourself fully.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: why this itinerary is a game-changer, a day-by-day breakdown, essential packing tips, costs, and how to choose between gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda. By the end, I promise you’ll be ready to book and step into Africa’s wild heart with us. Let’s dive in!
Why Choose us for Your 7 Days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Safari?
East Africa is a tapestry of contrasts—vast grasslands teeming with thundering herds versus mist-shrouded forests where gentle giants roam.
Our itinerary masterfully weaves these threads, starting with three immersive days in the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s crown jewel for wildlife safaris, then transitioning to two nights of gorilla magic in either Uganda or Rwanda.
Why us? We cap groups at six for an intimate experience, partner with local communities for authentic cultural touches, and prioritize low-impact travel—think solar-powered camps and carbon-offset flights.
The Maasai Mara isn’t just a reserve; it’s a living theater of the wild. Spanning 1,510 square kilometers of acacia-dotted plains, it’s home to over 450 bird species, 95 mammals, and the annual Great Migration, where up to two million wildebeest cross the Mara River in a spectacle of survival.
From July to October, this is prime time for river crossings, but our year-round access means you’ll spot lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and cheetahs regardless.
Then, we shift to gorilla country, where you’ll trek to habituated families of mountain gorillas—critically endangered icons whose numbers have climbed to over 1,000 thanks to conservation efforts.
This combo isn’t arbitrary; it’s efficient. Flying between destinations minimizes road fatigue, and our routes leverage the proximity of Kenya to the Virunga region.
Total travel time? Under 5 hours by air. Plus, we include all permits (booked 6-12 months ahead—essential for gorillas), meals, and expert guides who share insider tales, like how Maasai warriors track lions or how rangers protect gorilla troops.
Health and safety first: Both destinations are malaria zones, so we’ll provide prophylaxis advice and ensure mosquito nets. Vaccinations (yellow fever, hepatitis) are recommended, and we’ll arrange rapid tests if needed.
Visas? Kenya offers e-visas for most nationalities; Uganda and Rwanda have seamless online options. We’re fully licensed, insured, and committed to responsible tourism—your adventure supports anti-poaching and community projects.
7 Days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Safari Trip Summary
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Gorilla Nests Safaris, blending the thrilling wildlife spectacle of Kenya’s Maasai Mara with the intimate wonder of gorilla trekking in either Rwanda or Uganda.
This 7-day journey, starting and ending in Nairobi, offers a perfect mix of savanna game drives and misty forest treks, ideal for nature enthusiasts, couples, families, or solo travelers (16+). Experience the Big Five, witness the Great Migration (seasonal), and spend an awe-inspiring hour with mountain gorillas.
With small groups (max 6), eco-conscious practices, and expert guides, we ensure a seamless, sustainable, and transformative adventure.
All-inclusive features cover flights, gorilla permits, full-board meals, and cultural experiences, with options for Rwanda’s polished Volcanoes National Park or Uganda’s adventurous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Key Highlights:
Maasai Mara (Days 1-3): Three days of game drives in Kenya’s iconic reserve, spotting lions, elephants, leopards, and seasonal wildebeest migrations. Stay in luxurious tented camps with gourmet bush dining.
Gorilla Trekking (Days 4-6): Trek to habituated gorilla families in Rwanda or Uganda, with a choice based on budget, terrain, and add-ons like chimp tracking. Enjoy eco-lodges and cultural visits.
Logistics: Internal flights minimize travel time (Nairobi-Mara, Mara-gorilla parks). Permits, visas, and health advice (malaria prophylaxis, vaccinations) handled.
Why Us? Intimate groups, community support, and conservation focus—your trip plants trees and funds anti-poaching.
Brief Itinerary. of the 7 Days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Safari
- Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara
- Day 2: Maasai Mara Full Day
- Day 3: Maasai Mara to Nairobi
- Day 4: Nairobi to Gorilla Country
- Day 5: Gorilla Trekking
- Day 6: Second Trek or Primate Add-On
- Day 7: Return to Nairobi
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary of 7 Days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Safari
Our 7-day blueprint assumes a start in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) and ends there, with flexibility for extensions. We’ll use comfortable 4×4 vehicles for Mara drives and chartered flights for gorilla legs.
Accommodations blend luxury and authenticity: tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, and gourmet bush meals. Expect full-board (three meals daily) with vegetarian/gluten-free options.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Mara Bound – Savanna Welcome
Your journey begins with a warm Gorilla Nests greeting at Nairobi’s airport. After a quick transfer to a boutique guesthouse for refreshment, we board a scenic flight to the Maasai Mara (45 minutes), soaring over the Rift Valley’s dramatic escarpments.
Touch down at a private airstrip, where your open-sided 4×4 awaits for an afternoon game drive. As the sun dips, scan for giraffes silhouetted against the horizon or a pride of lions lounging post-hunt.
Dinner under the stars at our partner camp—think grilled impala with fresh salads—sets the tone for wilderness immersion. Overnight: Luxurious tented camp on the Mara River (e.g., similar to Speke’s Camp). (Meals: Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Full-Day Mara Magic – Big Cats and Endless Plains
Dawn cracks with a sunrise game drive—prime time for predators. Breakfast back at camp (pancakes and coffee with acacia views), then a full morning exploring the reserve’s heart.
Spot the Big Five: elephants trumpeting through thorn scrub, rhinos grazing warily, buffalo herds like living fortresses.
By midday, picnic amid the plains, perhaps witnessing cheetahs on the prowl. Afternoon brings optional add-ons: a hot-air balloon ride at dawn (extra $450, soaring over migrations) or a Maasai village visit ($20, learning beadwork and cattle lore). Evening drive reveals nocturnal stirrings—owls, hyenas’ whoops. Overnight: Same camp. (Meals: All)
Day 3: Migration Thrills and Mara Farewell – River Crossings Await
Another early drive targets the Mara River, where (in season) wildebeest plunge in chaotic ballet, crocs lurking below. Post-breakfast, free time for spa treatments or birdwatching (over 500 species!).
Afternoon drive cements memories—leopard in a fever tree, anyone? Fly back to Nairobi by evening, prepping for gorilla leg. Overnight: Comfortable Nairobi lodge. (Meals: All)
Day 4: Flight to Gorilla Country and Trek Prep – Into the Mist
Morning flight to Kigali (Rwanda) or Entebbe (Uganda)—your choice, detailed below (1.5-2 hours). Transfer to Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda, 2.5 hours) or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. En route, cultural briefing: Rwanda’s rolling hills whisper resilience; Uganda’s green corridors buzz with birdlife.
Afternoon: Park orientation, perhaps a community walk or golden monkey spotting (extra in Uganda). Dinner at a gorilla lodge—volcano views, farm-to-table fare. Overnight: Eco-lodge like a thatched chalet (Rwanda) or forest retreat (Uganda). (Meals: All)
Day 5: The Gorilla Encounter – Hour of Awe
The pinnacle! Breakfast at 5 AM, then briefing at park HQ. Trek with porters (2-7 hours, moderate fitness; easier in Rwanda’s bamboo zones, steeper in Uganda’s dense undergrowth). Spot your assigned family—silverbacks chest-beating, infants tumbling.
One magical hour: sit silently, cameras clicking softly, as they forage and play. Return for debrief and lunch. Afternoon relax: Rwanda’s Iby’Iwacu village tour (cultural dances) or Uganda’s Batwa pygmy experience (traditional songs). Overnight: Same lodge. (Meals: All)
Day 6: Second Trek or Primate Extension – Deeper Connections
Optional second trek (extra permit) or chimp tracking (Uganda’s bonus—Kyambura Gorge, $200). Otherwise, gentle forest walk, spotting colobus monkeys and orchids.
This day reinforces conservation: 80% of permit fees fund rangers and schools. Evening bonfire tales from your guide. Overnight: Same lodge. (Meals: All)
Day 7: Departure
Morning flight back to Kigali airport for departure. (Meals: Breakfast)
Rwanda or Uganda for Gorilla Trekking? Our Guide to Choosing Wisely
The trek itself is similar: guided, 1-hour encounter, porters included. But here’s how to pick:
**Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park): Pros – Easier access (2.5 hours from Kigali), gentler terrain (bamboo forests, 1-4 hour hikes), luxurious lodges (e.g., Bisate Lodge, volcano-view chalets).
Iconic for Dian Fossey legacy. Cons – Pricier permits ($1,500/person, 2025), fewer add-ons (focus on gorillas). Best for: Short trips, luxury seekers, or those short on time. Fly direct from Nairobi; total gorilla leg: seamless 2 days.
**Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park): Pros – Affordable permits ($800/person), more habituated groups (20+ vs. Rwanda’s 12), adventurous hikes (steep but rewarding views), extras like chimp trekking or Queen Elizabeth safaris.
Deeper immersion in Uganda’s biodiversity hotspot. Cons – Longer initial drive (but we fly), muddier trails. Best for: Budget travelers, multi-activity lovers, or extending to white-water rafting on the Nile.
Our verdict? If your budget allows and you crave postcard-perfect volcanoes, go Rwanda—it’s more polished, like a fine wine. For value and variety (pair with Uganda’s “Pearl of Africa” lakes), Uganda wins—half the permit cost means more for Mara balloons! We’ll customize based on your fitness, dates, and dreams.
What You Need to Know: Practical Essentials
Packing List: Lightweight layers (Mara days hit 30°C/86°F; gorilla mists cool to 15°C/59°F), sturdy hiking boots, rain jacket, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent, passport (6+ months validity), and a power bank (220V outlets). We provide water bottles and laundry.
Why Book with Gorilla Nests Safaris Today? Your Adventure Awaits!
Imagine this: The roar of a lion at dawn, the silverback’s gaze piercing your soul, the Mara sunset painting the sky in fire. This isn’t just a trip; it’s a reset for your spirit, a story you’ll tell for generations.
At Gorilla Nests, we’ve turned dreams into realities for thousands—five-star reviews praise our seamless logistics and heartfelt guides. Why wait? Africa’s call is urgent; gorillas need us now more than ever.
Contact us today for a free quote. Spots for September 2025 (peak Mara migration) are filling fast—secure yours and let’s nest in the wild together. Your safari starts with one step: reply now. The adventure of a lifetime is just a booking away!