-
Destinations
East Africa Destinations
Beyond the classic safari trails, East Africa offers destinations that cater to every type of explorer. Venture into Uganda’s lush rainforests to encounter the gentle giants of the animal kingdom, or explore Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, where encounters with majestic mountain gorillas leave a lasting impression.
- Experiences
Safari Inspirations
East Africa is a land of endless safari inspirations, where every journey is an invitation to explore vast landscapes, vibrant cultures, and a rich tapestry of wildlife. From the sweeping plains of the Serengeti to the dramatic highlands of the Rift Valley, the region offers a myriad of experiences that ignite the spirit of adventure.
- Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Trekking
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, has long captured the imagination of adventurers and nature enthusiasts. Its snow-capped peak and diverse ecosystems create a breathtaking backdrop that promises an unforgettable trekking experience.
- Trip Ideas
Trip ideas Packages
Every safari in East Africa is more than a trip—it is a journey of self-discovery and a celebration of life’s raw beauty. The landscapes here are not only visually stunning but also full of lessons about resilience, coexistence, and the ever-changing dance of nature
- About us
About Us
Northern Masailand Safaris stands out as a premier provider of authentic safari experiences in East Africa, dedicated to offering adventures that are as unique as they are unforgettable.
Trip Highlights
What to expect on this trip
For those who want a more complete overview of what makes Rwanda such a wonderful country, our Complete Rwanda tour covers a mixture of its natural beauty and its fascinating culture
This tour really does have it all. Not only do you get to see Rwanda's famous mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, but you also get to mix in engaging cultural experiences and your choice of a variety of optional activities to make the trip your own
. If you're looking to soak in as much of Rwanda's stunning natural beauty as humanly possible, The Complete Rwanda is the tour for you.
- Your Itinerary
-
01 Day 01
: Kigali – Nyungwe National Park
: Kigali – Nyungwe National Park
You'll depart from Kigali after breakfast for the long but beautiful drive south to Nyungwe National Park. Along the way you'll come to understand why they call Rwanda 'The Land of 1000 Hills'. The trip will be broken up with a number of stops. You'll pay a visit to Nyanza, where you can visit the former palace of the last Rwandan king. Further you will make a stop the Butare National Museum. After lunch, you'll proceed to Nyungwe, passing through the forest along the way. You'll have the chance to see playful primates playing by the road as you travel. You'll arrive at your Nyungwe accommodation in time for dinner and a good night's rest.
Discover more about
You'll depart from Kigali after breakfast for the long but beautiful drive south to Nyungwe National Park. Along the way you'll come to understand why they call Rwanda 'The Land of 1000 Hills'. The trip will be broken up with a number of stops. You'll pay a visit to Nyanza, where you can visit the former palace of the last Rwandan king. Further you will make a stop the Butare National Museum. After lunch, you'll proceed to Nyungwe, passing through the forest along the way. You'll have the chance to see playful primates playing by the road as you travel. You'll arrive at your Nyungwe accommodation in time for dinner and a good night's rest.
Accommodations options
- Continue with the other day
-
02 Day 02
: Nyungwe National park
: Nyungwe National park
You'll rise early for breakfast as you go off in search of Rwanda's enigmatic and endangered chimpanzee population. With only four hundred chimpanzees in the country, there's no guarantee you'll see chimps during your day's hike, but your guide will do all he can to get you a glimpse of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Even if you aren't lucky enough to spot a chimpanzee, the national park is a wonderfully diverse place that you'll get a chance to explore both in the morning in your hunt for chimpanzees and after lunch. In the afternoon, you'll go in search of another of the park's primate residents - the cheeky black and white colobus monkey. These playful primates are an easier hike than the chimpanzees, and you'll delight in their antics.
Discover more about
You'll rise early for breakfast as you go off in search of Rwanda's enigmatic and endangered chimpanzee population. With only four hundred chimpanzees in the country, there's no guarantee you'll see chimps during your day's hike, but your guide will do all he can to get you a glimpse of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Even if you aren't lucky enough to spot a chimpanzee, the national park is a wonderfully diverse place that you'll get a chance to explore both in the morning in your hunt for chimpanzees and after lunch. In the afternoon, you'll go in search of another of the park's primate residents - the cheeky black and white colobus monkey. These playful primates are an easier hike than the chimpanzees, and you'll delight in their antics.
Accommodations options
- Continue with the other day
-
03 Day 03
: Nyungwe – Lake Kivu
: Nyungwe – Lake Kivu
You'll start your day with your choice of a guided waterfall walk or a walk along the Nyungwe Forest National Park's famous elevated canopy walk. Both offer a unique perspective on this beautiful park, and you'll find a new appreciation for Rwanda's natural beauty as you move through this dense forest. After your morning activity, you'll make your way to Karongi on the shores of Lake Kivu. The drive to this beautiful city takes you along one of the most scenic stretches of road you'll ever encounter - wending your way through hills and valleys along the way.
Discover more about
You'll start your day with your choice of a guided waterfall walk or a walk along the Nyungwe Forest National Park's famous elevated canopy walk. Both offer a unique perspective on this beautiful park, and you'll find a new appreciation for Rwanda's natural beauty as you move through this dense forest. After your morning activity, you'll make your way to Karongi on the shores of Lake Kivu. The drive to this beautiful city takes you along one of the most scenic stretches of road you'll ever encounter - wending your way through hills and valleys along the way.
Accommodations options
- Continue with the other day
-
04 Day 04
Lake kivu – Volcanoes National park
Lake kivu – Volcanoes National park
You'll start your day with a morning boat ride on Lake Kivu, taking in the serenity and beauty of this massive freshwater lake. As you enjoy your boat ride, you'll take in the gorges, mountains, creeks, and islands that make for one of Rwanda's most beautiful panoramas. After a sumptuous lunch, you'll continue on to Musanze on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park, where you'll pay a visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village to learn more about Rwanda's pre-colonial past.
Discover more about
You'll start your day with a morning boat ride on Lake Kivu, taking in the serenity and beauty of this massive freshwater lake. As you enjoy your boat ride, you'll take in the gorges, mountains, creeks, and islands that make for one of Rwanda's most beautiful panoramas. After a sumptuous lunch, you'll continue on to Musanze on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park, where you'll pay a visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village to learn more about Rwanda's pre-colonial past.
Accommodations options
- Continue with the other day
-
05 Day 05
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you'll proceed directly to the Volcanoes National Park's headquarters to meet your guides. After completing the briefing, you'll embark on the once in a lifetime experience of tracking the enigmatic mountain gorillas. There is no guarantee how long or difficult your tracking experience will be as it depends on where the family of gorillas is and on weather conditions, It can take anywhere from two up to six hours of trekking through the mountain forest at relatively high altitudes. Fitness is definitely recommended for those wishing to undertake the excursion. One of the most memorable experiences you're likely to ever have, you'll be allowed an hour of close contact with the gorillas once you've found them. You'll be privileged enough to come within mere metres of a family of these rare and beautiful animals, observing their family dynamics and getting to learn a bit about each gorilla's distinct personality in serene silence.
Discover more about
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you'll proceed directly to the Volcanoes National Park's headquarters to meet your guides. After completing the briefing, you'll embark on the once in a lifetime experience of tracking the enigmatic mountain gorillas. There is no guarantee how long or difficult your tracking experience will be as it depends on where the family of gorillas is and on weather conditions, It can take anywhere from two up to six hours of trekking through the mountain forest at relatively high altitudes. Fitness is definitely recommended for those wishing to undertake the excursion. One of the most memorable experiences you're likely to ever have, you'll be allowed an hour of close contact with the gorillas once you've found them. You'll be privileged enough to come within mere metres of a family of these rare and beautiful animals, observing their family dynamics and getting to learn a bit about each gorilla's distinct personality in serene silence.
Accommodations options
- Continue with the other day
-
06 Day 06
Golden Monkey trekking - Kigali
Golden Monkey trekking - Kigali
Today after breakfast, we transfer again to the briefing area but this time for golden monkey trekking.Goldenmonkeys areprimates that resideintheVirunga regions ofUganda,Rwanda and DR Congo. The golden monkey is generally more active than the gorillas. This requires that for great photos you will continuously follow them as they forage for food especially the delicious bamboo shoots. Sometimes they are seen getting into the surrounding gardens for potatoes. However, to note is that they are generally not located too far so the trek to their habitatismuch moremanageablethansomeofthegorilla families. Youwill receive abriefing atthe park headquarters before you start your golden monkey trek justlike the previous day. You cancarry packed lunch but usually the trek lasts a fewminutes and youare able to return to the lodge for lunch.After lunch the driver guidewilltransfer you toKigalias he transfer you to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Discover more about
Today after breakfast, we transfer again to the briefing area but this time for golden monkey trekking.Goldenmonkeys areprimates that resideintheVirunga regions ofUganda,Rwanda and DR Congo. The golden monkey is generally more active than the gorillas. This requires that for great photos you will continuously follow them as they forage for food especially the delicious bamboo shoots. Sometimes they are seen getting into the surrounding gardens for potatoes. However, to note is that they are generally not located too far so the trek to their habitatismuch moremanageablethansomeofthegorilla families. Youwill receive abriefing atthe park headquarters before you start your golden monkey trek justlike the previous day. You cancarry packed lunch but usually the trek lasts a fewminutes and youare able to return to the lodge for lunch.After lunch the driver guidewilltransfer you toKigalias he transfer you to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodations options
- Continue with the other day
-
07 Day 07
: Kigali city tour - Departure
: Kigali city tour - Departure
After breakfast you'll be treated to a city tour covering some of the city's most famous sites including the craft markets, genocide memorial and the campaign against genocide museum. Get your last-minute shopping done, and then it's off to the airport for your onward journey
Discover more about
After breakfast you'll be treated to a city tour covering some of the city's most famous sites including the craft markets, genocide memorial and the campaign against genocide museum. Get your last-minute shopping done, and then it's off to the airport for your onward journey
Accommodations options
- the end of your dream journey
Highlights
Trip highlights
-
Trekking with chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains
-
Incredible carnivores in wild Ruaha National Park
-
Walking safaris in on Katavi’s plains
-
Dhow cruises and village life on Lake Tanganyika
Inclusions
What's included
-
Twelve nights of luxury accommodation
-
Safari activities, tours and experiences
-
Internal flights, private transfers, park and conservation fees
-
Price per person based on two adults sharing
Get inspired
with your safari styleSpell-binding safaris paired with beachside bliss
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Info at glance
What should I wear on a safari day?Wear lightweight, neutral-colored clothing (like khaki or beige) to stay cool and blend into the environment. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunglasses are also recommended. Early mornings and evenings can be chilly, so bring a light jacket.
What time do safari game drives usually start and end?Morning game drives typically start around 6:00 AM and last 3–4 hours, while afternoon or evening drives begin around 3:00–4:00 PM and return by sunset. Exact times may vary depending on the season and your lodge’s schedule.
Is it safe to go on a safari?Yes, safaris are safe when conducted by professional guides who follow park rules. Always remain in the vehicle unless instructed otherwise and avoid sudden movements or loud noises near wildlife.
Will I see all the Big Five during my safari?Sightings vary and are never guaranteed as animals roam freely. However, with experienced guides and multiple game drives, your chances of spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo—are high in many national parks.
What should I bring with me on a game drive?Bring binoculars, a camera, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and a small snack. Your guide may also provide some of these items, but it’s best to come prepared.
A Safari Company you can trust
There's a reason why 98% of customers say they'd book an adventure with us again.Unique experiences
From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.
Expert local guides
Chosen for great knowledge of their country, and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.
Small groups
Average groups of 12; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.
Responsible at heart
How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.
WhatsApp ChatQuestions? Doubts?Chat with us via WhatsAppWe will respond as soon as possible.Share to FacebookHideJoin our newsletter
Get travel tips directly to your inbox every week
- Experiences