11 Day Masai Mara and Uganda Gorilla Trekking

 Your East African adventure begins in Nairobi with a visit to the Giraffe Centre, where you can get up close to the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe and learn about conservation efforts protecting this iconic species.

Continue to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a renowned elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre. Learn about the organisation’s work caring for orphaned elephants and supporting their eventual reintegration into the wild.

After the visits, depart Nairobi and travel towards the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, passing through the scenic landscapes of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and countryside.

Arrive in the Mara later in the day and enjoy an authentic Maasai Boma and Manyatta cultural experience. Meet members of the Maasai community, experience traditional dances and learn about their culture, traditions and way of life.

Return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening, ready for your first full day of wildlife exploration in the Masai Mara.

Rise early for a sunrise game drive, when the Mara is at its most atmospheric and predators are often active. Spend the day exploring the reserve in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes and large herds of wildebeest.

Enjoy a bush breakfast or packed lunch during your safari before continuing towards the Mara River, where hippos and large crocodiles can often be seen. Later, return across the plains as the golden light of sunset transforms the Mara into a photographer’s dream.

After breakfast, depart the Masai Mara and continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, travelling through the scenic landscapes of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. Enjoy the changing scenery as the open savannahs of the Masai Mara give way to the dramatic escarpments, farmlands and landscapes of the Rift Valley.

Arrive in the Lake Nakuru area and enjoy lunch before setting out on an afternoon game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s renowned wildlife destinations. The park is particularly known for its important populations of black and white rhinos, making it an excellent destination for close encounters with these endangered giants.

Continue exploring the park’s diverse habitats around the lake and surrounding woodland, keeping watch for buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes, waterbucks, zebras and other wildlife. The park’s varied landscapes also provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.

As you explore the shores of Lake Nakuru, look out for flamingos and other waterbirds, depending on seasonal conditions and water levels. With its combination of rhino conservation, diverse wildlife, birdlife and spectacular Rift Valley scenery, Lake Nakuru adds a valuable and distinct wildlife experience to your Kenya safari.

After the game drive, continue to your lodge for check-in, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and travel south towards Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations, renowned for its spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large herds of elephants.

Journey through the changing landscapes of southern Kenya, passing rural settlements, open plains and Maasai communities along the way. Enjoy the scenic drive as you approach Amboseli, with the landscape gradually opening into the vast plains surrounding the park.

Arrive at Amboseli in time for lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Explore the park’s diverse habitats and keep watch for its famous elephant herds, as well as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, antelopes and a variety of bird species.

With Mount Kilimanjaro rising dramatically in the distance, Amboseli offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography, particularly when elephants and other animals are framed against Africa’s highest mountain.

After the game drive, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Begin the day with an early morning game drive, offering some of the best opportunities to see Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds gather around the summit.

Spend the day exploring Amboseli’s open plains, wetlands and marshlands, where elephants gather and abundant birdlife thrives. Continue your wildlife search for buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes and other species before returning to your lodge for the evening.

After breakfast, depart Amboseli and return to Nairobi for your flight to Uganda.

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your Ugandan driver-guide and transfer to your accommodation. Relax and enjoy a peaceful evening before continuing your Uganda safari the following morning.

After breakfast, begin your scenic journey westwards towards Kibale National Park, passing through Uganda’s lush countryside, tea plantations, rolling hills and crater-lake landscapes.

Enjoy suitable stops along the way for photography, refreshments and lunch before continuing to Kibale. Arrive at your lodge and relax in preparation for tomorrow’s chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Start the morning with an early breakfast before heading to the Kibale Forest ranger station for your chimpanzee trekking briefing.

Enter the rainforest with experienced guides and trackers as you search for a habituated chimpanzee community. Along the trail, keep an eye out for other primates, colourful forest birds, butterflies and the fascinating wildlife that inhabits this lush tropical forest.

After the trek, enjoy lunch before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park through scenic crater-lake country. As you travel, watch the landscape transform from dense rainforest and rolling hills into the open savannah plains of the park.

In the afternoon, enjoy a memorable boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward and one of Uganda’s richest wildlife and birdlife viewing areas. Keep watch for large concentrations of hippos, elephants, buffaloes and crocodiles, while the surrounding shores provide excellent opportunities to spot African fish eagles, kingfishers, weavers and many other waterbirds.

As the sun begins to set, leave the channel and continue to your accommodation for check-in, relaxation and a well-deserved evening in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Begin the morning with breakfast before departing south through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy a wildlife drive through this beautiful and less-travelled section of the park, keeping an eye out for its famous tree-climbing lions, as well as topis, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife.

Continue your journey towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through the scenic landscapes of southwestern Uganda. As you approach Bwindi, the scenery transforms into rolling hills and dense rainforest, setting the stage for the following day’s unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.

Arrive at your lodge later in the day, check in and enjoy some time to relax and prepare for your gorilla trek.

Today is the highlight of your Uganda adventure—gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting out with your ranger guide and experienced trackers. Trek through the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family, enjoying the forest’s rich biodiversity along the way.

Once you locate the gorillas, spend a magical hour observing them in their natural habitat as they feed, interact, play and move through the forest. This intimate encounter with one of the world’s most endangered great apes is an experience that will stay with you long after your safari ends.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and a well-deserved afternoon of rest and relaxation. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Bwindi, reflect on the day’s incredible experience and prepare for your journey back to Entebbe the following day.