Encounter the legendary wildlife of Africa, from endangered Gorillas to the “Big 5”, on a thrilling 8 Days Uganda and Kenya Safari. Take a short flight from Entebbe to Kisoro and trek into the Ugandan jungle for a face-to-face encounter with a family of rare mountain gorillas.
Embark on a very scenic drive from Uganda to Rwanda for a flight transfer to Nairobi – Kenya’s colorful capital city. From here, head out on safari in world-famous game parks to track elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, lions, zebras, giraffes, and an array of birds. Along the way, you will learn about local conservation efforts from scientists in the field doing their part to protect these precious creatures.
Summary
Day 1: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Kisoro Airstrip
Day 2: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 3: Kigali/Nairobi
Day 4: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
Day 6: Full day in Masai Mara
Day 7: Another full day in Masai Mara
Day 8: Drive Back to Nairobi
Details
Day 1: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will be picked up from your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for scheduled flight transfer to Kisoro Airstrip. From Kisoro, you will be met by a guide and driven to Gorilla Heights Lodge in Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi, your feature stay accommodation for the next three nights.
Sitting high on the Nteko Ridge, Gorilla Heights Lodge offers up glorious views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Gaze out across the jagged Virunga Volcanic Mountains that straddle Uganda’s borders with Congo and Rwanda. Gorilla Heights Lodge is solar-powered and works closely with the local people. Here, you will experience genuinely warm hospitality of Ugandans. There is no better place for soaking in your wild surroundings and searching for mountain gorillas.
This evening will be a truly special experience as you are joined by a field veterinarian from the Gorilla Doctors for a fireside chat. This organization is dedicated to saving the mountain and eastern lowland gorilla species using veterinary medicine and science. They offer medical interventions to protect these endangered Great Apes from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease. You will learn more about their fascinating work during this unique and exclusive experience.
Other Accommodation Options
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – Luxury
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Luxury
Day 2: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Wake up early for a hearty breakfast before taking a short walk to the park offices where you will be briefed on today’s gorilla trekking adventure by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guides.
A trek in search of gorillas is relatively difficult and can be wet and uncomfortable at times but the incredible biodiversity of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the chance to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat makes it so worthwhile.
We suggest that you invest in the help of local porters who can carry your pack and offer expert, local one-on-one assistance along the gorilla trek. Not only does it make for a more comfortable trek, it also provides valuable employment opportunities to locals, boosting their confidence in sustainable tourism.
Gorilla trekking is highly controlled, with few gorilla trekking permits available every day. Once you encounter a family of gorillas you will be able to stay with them for one hour – watch them groom each other, eat, and play, all under the watchful eye of a giant silverback male.
Coming face to face with wild gorillas is sure to be a life-changing experience that will be etched on your mind forever. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush wilderness of the rainforest. At the end of the day the comforts of the lodge beckon, along with a chance to reflect on a memorable day. Freshen up with a hot shower and enjoy a hearty dinner by the crackling fireplace.
Other Accommodation Options
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – Luxury
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Luxury
Day 3: Kigali/Nairobi
After an early breakfast this morning, take a very drive of about 4 hours through emerald green hills of Rwanda “the Land of a Thousand Hills”. The zigzagging roads meander through lush rainforests, skirting hilltops (keep your eyes open for the volcanoes!) and dipping into quite rural villages before arriving in Kigali – the cleanest and greenest city in Africa. You will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your short flight to Nairobi this evening (approximately 1.5 hours). On arrival at Nairobi Airport you’ll be met and transferred to your Nairobi hotel. Check-in, freshen up and get a good night’s rest.
Accommodation Options:
- Four Points By Sheraton – Luxury
- Giraffe Manor – Luxury
- Hemingways Nairobi – Luxury
- Tamarind Tree Hotel – Midrange
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
At 7.00 am, your driver guide shall pick you up from your hotel in Nairobi. You will head out in a 4 x 4 safari vehicle for Lake Nakuru National Park. This is a scenic drive of about 160 kilometers (Approximately 3 hours) through the sweeping farmlands of the central highlands. You pass dramatic towers and gorges of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
En route, you’ll stop to stretch, refresh and enjoy these scenic vistas. You’ll enjoy a full day of game drives over the stunning terrain of Lake Nakuru National Park. This is a place of great rocky escarpments, forests, wooded hills, waterfalls, and of course, the lake itself. Apart from flamingoes, you’ll be treated to flocks of herons, storks, eagles, and pelicans.
The birdlife at Lake Nakuru is profuse but so is the land-based wildlife and you may see some of the larger species like white rhinos, black rhinos, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, lions and possibly leopard. Nakuru is compact which only increases your chances of spotting the great variety of animals that inhabit this very diverse park.
Accommodations Options:
- The Cliff – Luxury
- Sarova Woodlands – Luxury
- Lake Nakuru Lodge – Midrange
- Flamingo Hill Camp – Midrange
- Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge – Midrange
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its prolific birdlife so let’s rise early to enjoy the morning birdsong and the wildlife emerging from the night.
You will enjoy breakfast and embark on a drive of about 300 kilometers (approximately 6 hours) to Masai Mara National Reserve, with stops at scenic vistas along the way. You can always request your driver/guide to make special stops… or not, depending on your preferences.
You will get to the Masai Mara Reserve in time lunch at the lodge/camp and your first game drive over its rolling hills, with picturesque acacia trees adorning the landscape. While at the Mara, you’ll have plenty of time to track its seemingly endless array of wildlife – keep an eye out for lion as sightings are not uncommon. This will be the first of two nights your Masai Mara accommodation.
Accommodations Options:
- The Cliff – Luxury
- Sarova Woodlands – Luxury
- Lake Nakuru Lodge – Midrange
- Flamingo Hill Camp – Midrange
- Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge – Midrange
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6: Full day in Masai Mara
Why is the Masai Mara National Reserve so special? Lots of reasons – the beauty of the landscape with its golds and greens, the great density and variety of wildlife said to be the highest in the region, but also because it is home to the Great Wildebeest Migration – the Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth.
During the months of July to October, massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle invade the game reserve over the Mara River searching for sustenance.
The numbers of wildlife pouring in over a great migration season can be astounding – up to 2 million! You will enjoy a picnic lunch down at the Mara River, viewing Crocodiles and hippos, while in the hills; various predators lie in wait, acting out the timeless cycles of life.
Accommodations Options:
- Mara Serena Lodge – Luxury
- Mara Leisure Camp – Luxury
- Ashnil Mara Camp – Luxury
- Jambo Mara Lodge- Midrange
- Mara Sopa Lodge – Midrange
- Base Camp Masai Mara – Midrange
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7: Another full day in Masai Mara
Enjoy another in Masai Mara National Reserve full of wildlife viewing drives.
You may opt to take a full day game drive or game drives in separate sessions so that you may also have a chance to enjoy lodge facilities. Your guide will be readily available to discuss your daily activities depending on your preferences
Together with game drives and animal sightings, we offer other optional activities to make your experience here even richer. Meet the local Maasai people at their village and learn about their culture and their crafts. Perhaps buy some of their brightly beaded souvenirs.
For a view that few on the planet have experienced, take an early morning hot air balloon safari over the park. You will see the dawn breaking on the savannah and hear the first calls of birds and wildlife as the park comes to life. Not to be missed! Just ask your driver/guide to make the arrangements.
Accommodations Options:
- Mara Serena Lodge – Luxury
- Mara Leisure Camp – Luxury
- Ashnil Mara Camp – Luxury
- Jambo Mara Lodge- Midrange
- Mara Sopa Lodge – Midrange
- Base Camp Masai Mara – Midrange
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Day 8: Drive Back to Nairobi
After a leisurely breakfast at your lodge/camp, your dedicated driver guide will assist you with the checkout process and embark on a drive of about 265 kilometers (approximately 5 hours) back to Nairobi. En route, your guide will point out Mount Longonot and extinct strato volcano which located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya.
It is believed to have last erupted in the 1860s and its name is derived from the Maasai word Oloonong’ot, meaning “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges “. You can opt to drive via Naivasha area for lunch/boat excursion on Lake Naivasha or drive straight to Nairobi city and pass by Kiambethu farm for the tea farm tour inclusive of a three-course buffet lunch or drive straight back to the capital and later transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International airport for your back home.
End of 8 Days Uganda and Kenya Safari
