Kenya and Uganda Safari

Explore the Best of Kenya and Uganda on Safari for 20 days of Wildlife and Gorillas. Kenya and Uganda Safari can start from either country. Kenya’s wildlife parks are brimming with plenty of wildlife amidst the picturesque scenery. Starting with Amboseli National Park for example, you will witness the scenes of huge elephants under the gazing Kilimanjaro. Take a relaxing break as you go west to enjoy Lake Naivasha with its flamingos and hippos. Go on to The Great Mara and use those two nights to forge memories and images of the Big five that will last forever. As you go back to Nairobi, stop for a night at the gorgeous Lake Nakuru. Fly to Uganda from Nairobi for a blend of wildlife, boat safaris, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkey treks, unique birds and cultures among others.

Kenya and Uganda Safari itinerary in detail

Day 01: NAIROBI

Upon arrival, you will be briefed about your trip, transferred to your city hotel for check in and rest after a long flight.

Day 02: AMBOSELI (4hrs)

After breakfast you will drive to Amboseli national park where you will arrive in time for lunch. After noon at leisure. In the afternoon, go for your first game drive. The Park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants among other wildlife species. The ecosystem is mainly savannah grassland, spread across the Kenya-Tanzania border.

Other attractions of the parks include opportunities to meet the Masai and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Even though the majestic Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, the best view of it is in Amboseli National Park which is strategically located at the foot of the mountain. From the prehistoric site of Observation Hill, the sunset over Kilimanjaro is magnificent. Get your dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 03: NAIVASHA (6hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Naivasha. On arrival check into hotel, later have afternoon at leisure, enjoy boat ride at lake Naivasha, later dinner and overnight at your lodge. Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions. Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding des-tination. The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo population sleep the day out in the shallows

DAY 04: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE (4hrs)

After breakfast, check out and drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve via Narok Town. Arrive and commence on a game drive. Check in and lunch at the lodge. Afternoon game drive until late evening. Drive back to the lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 05: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE

Your 5th day of the Kenya and Uganda Safari commences with a morning game drive in the reserve. Carry lunch boxes ready for a full day. Embark on an afternoon game drive in the reserve until sunset. You can visit Masai Village this evening. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge. You have the choice of going out on full day game drive with picnic lunches or half day drives.

Masai Mara offers a unique variety of animals. The reason is that this hilly region is both humid and fertile, and is crossed by the rivers Mara and Talek, full of crocodiles and hippos, which carry water the whole year round. The banks of the rivers are covered in thick forest, which gradually makes way for bush and grassland. The abundance of water and excellent availability of food are the reasons why the Masai Mara, which in fact is a continuance of the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park, has the greatest population of wild animals in the whole of Africa. There is a particularly dramatic “spectacle” from July to November, the annual migration of huge herds of Gnus and Zebras. Predators such as Hyenas, Jackals, Leopards, and Lions of course, closely follow these herds. Gigantic herds of over 200 buffaloes can also be observed. Plenty of food is available for elephants, giraffes, and the many species of antelopes.

DAY 06: NAKURU (4.5Hrs)

After breakfast you will drive to Nakuru Arrive in time for lunch and check in at the lodge. Lake Nakuru Sopa lodge. Afternoon enjoy a game drive at the Nakuru National Park. Later get back to hotel for dinner and overnight. Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake’s abundance of algae used to attract a vast quantity of flamingo that famously lined the shore. Other birds also flourish in the area, as do warthogs, baboons, and other large mammals. Eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos have also been introduced.

DAY 07: SWEETWATERS (4hrs)

After breakfast drive to SWEETWATERS SERENA CAMP with views across the plains to the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya, the camp overlooks a waterhole where giraffe, gazelle and warthogs come to drink. Afternoon game drive in the predator-rich Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which also contains two prominent sanctuaries, one for chimpanzees and another for rhino. Later, drive back to your camp for dinner and overnight stay. Host to all the members of the ‘Big Five’ (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, and leopard), the conservancy has a higher wildlife-to-area ratio than any Kenyan national park and is one of only four private game con-servancies to have been founded in Kenya. At the forefront of the Kenyan conservancy programme, the conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, hosts the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya, and shelters large numbers of rare and endangered species.

DAY 08: KENYA – UGANDA FLIGHT

Enjoy your early morning breakfast at the camp, you drive back to Nairobi to catch your flight to Entebbe. Pick up and transfer to a hotel in Entebbe.

DAY 09: MABAMBA SHOEBILL WETLAND

Rise up very early and start your day with a taste of local Uganda coffee followed by a transfer to Mabamba wetland, a home to the Shoebill stork and a rewarding spot for bird watching. This wetland is linked with a stretch of Lake Victoria’s arm and birding takes place on a motorised canoe that sail along the shoreline and papyrus grass thronged by an array of bird species. The highlight being the Shoebill stork, Mabamba swamp is a haven for many other bird species including the Warblers, Weavers, Papyrus Gonolek and several other swamp specialities. After the boat ride and an encounter with the Shoebill Stork, drive back to your hotel for lunch and afternoon/evening relaxation.

DAY 10: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK (6hrs)

After breakfast, drive northwards to the renowned Murchison Falls national park. Make a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rare rhinos that are protected in this sanctuary. Later after lunch, proceed to Murchison falls national park, Uganda’s largest well protected wildlife area covering 3,840 Sq km. Move to the top of the Falls to view the natural beauty of these falls. At this place, is one of the wonders of the Nile River. You shall see River Nile squeezee itself through a 7meter narrow gorge from a width of more than 1 km and drops below with a thunderous roar forming a water spray that is flanked by a stunning rainbow. Check into your lodge to refresh and relax before dinner.

DAY 11: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

On this day, you will have a tasty breakfast and set out for a game drive. The tour guide will lead you to the finest places to easily see the animals. Head back to your lodge after the game drive. Have an early delicious lunch and some rest as you prepare for the afternoon Nile boat cruise. On the boat you will have a great time on the Victoria Nile, the boat takes you to the bottom of the falls. You will observe various animals like elephants, crocodiles, large numbers of hippos, buffaloes, water bucks and also birds such as the storks, fish eagle among others. While at the bottom of the falls you will have a great time watching the magnificent waterfalls. Return to the lodge for dinner and over night.

DAY 12: KIBALE FOREST PARK (6hrs)

Set off after breakfast for a scenic drive to Kibale Forest Park via Hoima Oil city. The drive from Fort portal city shall be alongside views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, tea plantations and the crater lakes as you advance to your lodge. Check into your lodge for lunch and some afternoon rest. Evening visit to the Bigodi wetland for a swamp walk that takes about 2-3 hours. The walk involves an interaction with the local communities from whom you get to learn about their day today lives. With in Bigodi wetland sanctuary are 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, various reptiles and different butterflies. Return to the lodge after this exciting walk.

DAY 13: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING

Drive to Kanyanchu park headquarters after breakfast to have a briefing about the Chimpanzee trekking activity. Ascend to the forest with your informative guides and rangers who shall make the trek interesting and exciting with their passionate talks about the Chimpanzees and the forest. You shall be cautioned to adhere to the Chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations as you approach the animals. When around them, it’s strictly one hour of photographing and observing their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging. It’s quite an incredible experience! Return to your lodge after the trekking expedition for your hot lunch and live the remaining part of the day to yourselves.

Day 14: KIBALE – QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK (2hrs)

The 14th day of the Kenya and Uganda Safari shall be started with a tasty breakfast at the lodge before embarking on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Exit the lodge heading for a short but a very scenic drive with views of captivating landscapes – the crater lakes, green hills, water streams and the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Make a short introductory drive through the park to your lodge. Lunch shall be served after checking into your safari Lodge and later transfer down to the pier for a boat ride on Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. It’s at this time of the day when the sun is high in the sky that most animals make their way to the water channel to quench their thirst, swim and play. It presents a great opportunity to see many at a closer range as you cruise on the water. You shall spot more hippos than you can possibly imagine! Herds of elephants, buffaloes, several birds and alot more can be viewed moving up and down the channel banks. Return to your lodge after the 3 hours boat cruise.

DAY 15: ISHASHA TREE LIONS

Wake up to the sounds of nature and have breakfast before embarking on a game viewing drive to Ishasha sector of the park. Through a network of trails here, avenues for encountering the magical tree climbing lions are availed. The sights of these big cats hanging up in the fig trees are so incredible! Expect to spot other savannah inhabitants on your search for the tree lions. Check into your lodge for lunch and return to the jungles later for another chance on the lions. Have a sun downer before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest.

DAY 16: ISHASHA – BWINDI (2hrs)

Watch the sun rise over the Ishasha plains, have breakfast, and have a last chance on the tree lions. Exit Ishasha for a drive to the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Lunch enroute and check into your lodge on arrival.

DAY 17: GORILLA TREKKING

This day is for tracking the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Wake up very early for breakfast and prepare well for the trekking activity. With your packed lunch boxes, rain gear and drinking water, drive to the park headquarters for the general briefing conducted by the head ranger. Pick walking sticks, hire a porter (not a must) and ascend to the forest following your allocated guide and rangers who shall lead you to where the Gorillas were last seen the previous evening so that you start trekking them. It can take 1 to several hours trekking through a physically demanding terrain. The beauty of this forest however is the surrounding scenery plus the sounds and sightings of several birds that shall keep you moving until you find the amazing Gorillas. Follow and photograph them for one hour after finding them. Check out of the forest and drive to Lake Mutanda Resort. Evening relaxation.

DAY 18: GOLDEN MONKEYS

Wake up to a delicious breakfast, pick your lunch boxes and drive to Mgahinga Gorillas Park headquarters for a briefing preceding the Golden Monkey trekking expedition. Trek the slopes of the Mufumbiro Mountains in search of these amazing primates and after finding them, observe them for an hour after which you trek out of the jungle. Return to Mutanda Lake Resort and relax away the evening.

DAY 19: LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK (4 hrs)

Check out of your lodge to drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Check in for lunch at Rwakobo Rock Hotel and have some rest before a night game drive that shall present more chances on the elusive cats specifically the leopard.

DAY 20: Flight back home (5hrs to Entebbe)

Check out of Rwakobo Rock Hotel and return to the park for a game walk to admire the wildlife and the park scenery. Later on, check out for a purely scenic drive to Entebbe. Stops shall be made for photography and the one for lunch at the Equator Restaurant. After the last photo moments at the Equator, continue to the airport to check in for your flight back home. End of the 20 Days Kenya and Uganda Safari.

Kenya and Uganda Safari inclusions

Services of an English-speaking professional driver guide (other languages guide available at an extra cost)
Accommodation on full board
One way flight from Nairobi to Entebbe
Game drives in our 4×4 safari Land cruisers
Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkey permits – to be secured in advance
Boat rides
Masai Village visit
Return Transfers as specified in the program
Complimentary 500ml mineral water per person per day during the safari in our vehicle.
All park fees and Govt. taxes