Masai Mara & Uganda Wildlife Safari

Join Nairobi

Upon arrival into Nairobi on Day 1, you will be met at the airport and taken to the group hotel. Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and the commercial capital of East Africa. Our comfortable, well located hotel is in a lovely residential suburb. Please note that if you arrive on any day other than Day 1 of the trip, private transfers can be arranged at additional cost. Alternatively, please make your own way to the starting hotel. Accommodation: Panafric Hotel or similar

To Masai Mara National Reserve

This morning we drive to the outstanding Masai Mara National Reserve arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon we explore this amazing nature reserve on a game drive. The Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most renowned wildlife reserve; the wildlife is abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Famous for the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, there wildlife year round is plentiful. Accommodation: Mara River Lodge (http://www.marariverlodge.net) Approx. driving time 5 - 6 hours

Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve

We spend the next two days on morning and afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve, searching for the Big 5! All meals and overnight are at the Mara River Lodge.

Transfer to Busia border (Uganda), drive to Jinja

After breakfast we drive to the Uganda (Busia) border, where you will meet your Ugandan driver-guide and change vehicles. After finalising border formalities, you will be transferred to Jinja for overnight. Accommodation: The Haven (Jinja) or similar Approx. driving time 9 - 10 hours, excluding border crossing

Source of the Nile river cruise, visit Mahatma Gandhi's memorial statue, transfer to Entebbe

Today you will go for a boat ride to the Source of the Nile River. The Nile is a major north-flowing river in north eastern Africa, regarded as the longest river in the world (6,853 km long). Afterwards we enjoy bird watching on Lake Victoria, and visit the Mahatma Gandhi memorial statue which commemorated the scattering of some of Gandhi's ashes in the Nile River. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the group hotel in Entebbe where you will join the rest of the group. Accommodation: Boma Guest House or similar

Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will undertake a walking safari to view the Southern White Rhinos that have been re-introduced in Uganda. In the afternoon you will drive to the legendary Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda’s largest national park. Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge or similar Approx. distance 364 km Approx. driving time 6 hours

Morning game drive, afternoon River Nile boat cruise to Murchison Falls

After an early breakfast, we will undertake a morning game drive. This is a beautiful drive across savannah, Borassus Palm Forest and grassland down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile River heads north. We drive in the open African savannah in search of Lions, Leopard, Hyena, Buffalo, Elephant, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribi, Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, in addition to spotting various bird species such as the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles, Carmine and Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters, and many more. In the afternoon, we enjoy a boat ride up the Nile River to the spectacular Murchison Falls. We hike to the top of the falls and marvel as the Nile squeezes through a 7 metre gap, with enormous Nile Crocodiles basking at the bottom. Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge or similar Approx. distance 65 km Approx. driving time 3-4 hours game drive

Drive to Kibale National Park

This morning you will drive to Kibale National Park. Along the way you will pass many tea plantations and have an opportunity to visit a tea plantation. We will also stop in Fort Portal and visit the Toro Palace. In the afternoon you will arrive at your accommodation. Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Isunga Lodge or similar Approx. distance 370 km Approx. driving time 8 hours

Morning chimp trek, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will undertake a chimp trek. Note: the chimp permits are subject to availability - there are two slots in either the early morning (when they are often up in the trees feeding and more active) or at mid morning (when they often come down to take a nap as it is cooler on the forest floor and therefore closer and more relaxed). Both of these viewing slots are rewarding and interesting. Kibale’s 795 sq km National Park contains one of the most beautiful and varying tracts of tropical forest in the whole of Uganda. This is home to 13 species of primate including chimpanzees. The park’s highest point is at 1590m above sea level. After lunch we will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and enjoy a game drive on the way to our lodge. Named after Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth of England, it is Uganda’s most popular and scenic game reserve. It stretches from the crater-dotted foothills of the Rwenzori range in the north, along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south, incorporating a wide variety of habitats that range from open savannah, wetlands, crater lakes and rainforest. Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge or similar Approx. distance 130 km Approx. driving time 4-5 hours (including game drive speed)

Morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise

This morning we will have an early morning game drive. Queen Elizabeth National Park includes parts of Lakes Edward and George which are linked by the Kazinga channel. The park boasts the world’s highest bio-diversity rating with over 600 bird and 100 mammal species including lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopard, Spotted Hyena, elephants and the elusive Giant Forest Hog. The primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Blue, Black faced Red Colobus, and Red tailed monkeys and Olive Baboons. Lunch at the lodge will be followed by an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise. Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge or similar Approx. distance 40 km Approx. driving time 3 hours game drive

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, game drive in Ishasha enroute

After breakfast, you will be driven to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, passing through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree climbing lions. Bwindi National Park is the habitat of half of the world’s Mountain Gorilla population and also home to chimpanzee, monkeys, elephants, small antelope and birdlife. Your accommodation tonight is located near Bwindi National Park. Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp or similar (2019); Haven Lodge Buhoma or similar (2020) Approx. distance 150 km Approx. driving time 5 hours (including game drive speed)

Gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, drive to Lake Bunyonyi

A very early start for the short drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for your Gorilla trek. You will be taken to the Park Headquarters for a short briefing after which you will enter the forest and start your Gorilla trek (please note that a drive may be required to your trekking starting point). The trek can be anything from 2 hours to 6 hours or longer depending on the location of the Gorillas on the day. The terrain is rough, often over steep slopes covered with matted vegetation. You will be led by an experienced ranger who will tell you interesting facts about the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. Be prepared for rain, mud and giant stinging nettles – long trousers, gloves and a waterproof jacket will help. The mountain gorillas have inspired travellers from all over the world to experience one of nature’s greatest interactions. Anyone who has witnessed the Mountain Gorillas of East Africa will strongly agree that it is a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten. Afterwards we will drive to Lake Bunyonyi for overnight. Accommodation: Birds Nest Resort or similar Approx. distance 60 km Approx. driving time 1.5 hours

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

This morning after breakfast we will depart Bwindi and drive to Lake Mburo National Park, the only park in Uganda with an entire lake. Here we enjoy a brief game drive along the way to your accommodation. Lake Mburo National Park forms a mosaic-like habitat with rocks, dry slopes, open and wooded savannahs, forests and swamps. These diverse habitats are home to 313 recorded bird species including Flame Head Barbet, Long-tailed Zitting Cisticola (Tabora), African Bins Rail, Collared Barbet and Binding Bush Singer. Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock or similar Approx. distance 180 km Approx. driving time 4-5 hours (including game drive speed)

Nature walk, drive to Entebbe, trip concludes

You will get up early morning for a guided nature walk before returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Then you will drive to Entebbe. Time permitting you can stop for a photo opportunity at the Equator. Transfer to Entebbe Airport, where trip concludes. (Please note: earliest departure time is 18:00hrs). Approx. distance 270 km Approx. driving time 5 hours

An African experience which serves up the best wildlife encounters in Uganda and the Masai Mara in Kenya, along with wonderful hospitality and superb lodge accommodation. Take a relaxing cruise along the shores of Lake Victoria to the Source of the Nile River where some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were scattered. Tracking the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an incredible bucket list experience culminating in the thrill of standing within metres of a male silverback and his family. With an opportunity to view prolific wildlife in its natural environment such as chimpanzees and other primates, a walking safari to spot reintroduced white rhinos, some of the best bird watching in Africa with over 1000 different species, a large variety of plains game and big cats in both the renowned Masai Mara and Uganda, and the famous tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park; there are too many highlights to name. Coupled with its diverse habitats, lush forests, mountainous scenery, beautiful lakes and spectacular waterfalls; this exceptional itinerary showcases the best of Uganda and the Masai Mara in Kenya, and is the perfect addition to any Africa itinerary.