Masai Mara and Gorilla Trekking: How to Plan Both in One Trip

Entice Africa October 26, 2026Safari Packages | Booking | Entice Business Insights

You can combine a Masai Mara safari with gorilla trekking in one trip, but the gorillas live in Uganda and Rwanda, so the plan needs a flight out of Kenya. The usual route is a 45 to 60-minute flight from the Mara to Nairobi, then a direct Kenya Airways flight to Entebbe (about 1 hour 15 minutes) for Bwindi in Uganda, or a flight to Kigali for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Allow at least eight days, and budget for a gorilla permit of USD 800 in Uganda or USD 1,500 in Rwanda before you pay for anything else.

We plan Masai Mara and gorilla trekking trips as tailor-made itineraries of 8 to 12 days. If you have a month, our 30-day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania safari starts from USD 13,500 per person (midrange, low season, two sharing; prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice).

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Masai Mara and gorilla trekking at a glance

Can you do the Masai Mara and gorillas in one trip?

Yes, and it is a common pairing. The Mara gives you open-plains game drives in Kenya; the forests of Bwindi and Volcanoes hold the mountain gorillas. Between them sit two flights, a night in Nairobi and some transfers, so seven days is tight.

If you have not chosen your countries yet, our guide to choosing between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for a first safari compares them. For the Uganda side on its own, read gorilla trekking experience in Uganda; for a wider route, see East Africa safari: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in one trip.

How to get from the Masai Mara to the gorillas

Step 1: fly from the Mara to Nairobi

Scheduled Mara flights use Wilson Airport, about 18 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Safarilink says the transfer takes about 25 minutes but advises allowing at least an hour in the morning and evening rush. Safarilink adds that flight times can vary by up to 40 minutes with the routing.

AirKenya’s own page said its direct Mara to Entebbe route would end on 31 December 2025, so plan to connect through Nairobi unless your planner confirms a newer service. We suggest a night in Nairobi between the Mara and your international flight. A missed connection costs more than a hotel room, and Rwanda’s gorilla permit is not refunded for a flight delay.

Step 2: fly from Nairobi to Entebbe or Kigali

Kenya Airways flies direct from Nairobi to Entebbe in about 1 hour 15 minutes. On 25 October 2026 its site showed sample economy return fares from KES 53,950 to Entebbe (travel dates from 12 November to 5 December) and from KES 80,460 to Kigali (October to December). They are samples that may no longer be available.

Step 3: from the airport to the forest

From Entebbe, Bwindi is 8 to 10 hours each way by private 4×4, or you can take a domestic flight to Kihihi or Kisoro, which one guide prices at several hundred dollars per person. Southern Bwindi is about 3 to 4 hours from Kigali, including a border crossing. Volcanoes is about two hours from Kigali by road, and treks start from Kinigi with a 7:00 AM briefing.

Bwindi or Volcanoes: which fits a Mara trip?

Uganda costs less in permits and gives you a direct flight from Nairobi, but the road or domestic flight to Bwindi takes time. Rwanda costs more in permits, yet the transfer from Kigali is short. Because the Bwindi sector you trek in decides where you sleep, secure the permit first and book lodges after. You can also fly into Nairobi and out of Entebbe or Kigali, so you never retrace your steps.

Gorilla permit costs in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda (UWA)

The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s revised tariff, effective 1 January 2027, sets the gorilla tracking permit at USD 800 for foreign non-residents. A letter of 26 February 2026 also introduced discounted low-season permits for April, May and November at USD 600, which cannot be rescheduled. The earlier tariff expired in 2026, so confirm the price for any travel before 1 January 2027. The habituation experience, which allows up to four hours with semi-habituated gorillas, rises to USD 1,800.

Rwanda (RDB)

The Rwanda Development Board booking portal lists USD 1,500 for foreigners. The minimum age is 15 and groups are limited to 8 visitors. If you track all day without meeting a gorilla family, 75 percent of the fee is refunded; late arrival, flight delay and no-shows are not refunded. Check the portal for 2027 rules.

The combined bill

One Uganda permit (USD 800) plus one Rwanda permit (USD 1,500) comes to USD 2,300 per person, or USD 2,100 with a Uganda low-season permit. That is permits only, with no transport, lodging or Kenya costs. Most travellers choose one country.

Fees last verified: October 2026.

Sample 8 to 12-day Masai Mara and gorilla outlines

These are suggestions to show the shape of a trip, not priced packages.

The 12-day outline uses two permits and an open-jaw route, so you finish in Kigali. Want another Kenya stop? A Laikipia conservancy can replace a Mara night; see our guide to Laikipia conservancies.

Best months for the Mara and the gorillas

Gorilla trekking runs all year, and rain can fall in any month in the forest, so drier months mean easier trails.

Fitness, packing and luggage

A trek is a hike through steep, often muddy forest. Uganda’s treks can last 2 to 7 hours before you reach the gorillas, and Rwanda’s depend on the family assigned to your group. Tell your planner your fitness level and ask about hiring a porter at the start point.

Pack layers, long trousers, a waterproof jacket, gloves and sturdy boots. Mara flights are strict on luggage: AirKenya and Safarilink both allow 15 kg per person in soft bags, hand luggage included. Both offer free luggage storage at Wilson, so leave the bulk there. Carry spare lithium batteries and power banks in your hand luggage, and do not fly a drone in a park without a permit.

Visas, health and entry rules

The East Africa Tourist Visa costs USD 100, is non-refundable and covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only. It is valid for 90 days (the page also says three months), allows multiple entry and cannot be extended inside the country. Apply through the first country you enter, with a passport valid for at least six months, a photo, a return ticket and an itinerary.

Kenya has replaced visas with electronic Travel Authorisations, and we could not confirm whether the East Africa visa replaces the eTA. Check both the EATV portal and etakenya.go.ke. Carry your yellow fever certificate: Uganda’s immigration site says it is no longer mandatory, but the visa page still lists it.

Kenya’s health ministry confirmed Ebola cases in October 2026, and the UK Foreign Office says travellers arriving in Kenya from Uganda may face enhanced health screening. Check current advisories for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda before booking, and buy travel insurance.

What drives the total cost

• Permits: USD 800 in Uganda or USD 1,500 in Rwanda per person.
• Flights: one operator guide puts a one-way Nairobi to Mara fare at roughly USD 200 to 350, depending on airline and season, plus Nairobi to Entebbe or Kigali and any domestic flight to Bwindi.
• Road or air: a private 4×4 saves flight fares but costs long days.
• Lodges and season: Safarilink counts 1 July to 31 October as high season.
• Extras: we quote an optional Masai Mara hot-air balloon flight at USD 550 per person.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see gorillas and the Masai Mara on the same trip?

Yes. Gorillas live in Uganda and Rwanda, so fly from the Mara to Nairobi and on to Entebbe or Kigali. Keep a night in Nairobi between flights.

How many days do I need?

Eight days is the practical minimum with flights throughout. Ten to twelve is more comfortable if you drive to Bwindi or want both countries.

Is it cheaper to trek gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda?

Uganda’s permit is lower: USD 800 from 1 January 2027 against USD 1,500 in Rwanda. Bwindi has a longer transfer, so compare the whole route, not only the permit.

Can I fly straight from the Masai Mara to Uganda?

AirKenya’s page said its Mara to Entebbe route would cease on 31 December 2025. Plan to connect through Nairobi unless a planner confirms a current direct service.

Do I need a special visa for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda?

The East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100) covers all three. Kenya also uses an eTA, so check both systems before you travel.

How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?

You need to manage several hours of steep, muddy walking. Treks range from about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the country and the family assigned, and the minimum age in Rwanda is 15.

Are gorilla permits refundable?

Rarely. Rwanda refunds 75 percent if you track all day without contact, but not for flight delays or late arrival. Uganda’s low-season permits cannot be rescheduled. Insure the trip.