The 18-Day Masai Mara &Gorilla Safari around Kenya and Uganda will take you around the two countries, where you will be able to see the Gorillas in the wild, the migration of the wildebeest in the Masai Mara game reserve. This experience is a memorable one in these two beautiful countries

Safari Highlight

1. Lake Nakuru National Park
2. The Great Rift Valley
3. Chimpanzee Trekking
4. Gorilla Trekking
5. Masai Mara
6. Queen Elizabeth National Park visit
7. Kibale National Park
8. Visit Bwindi Impenetrable N.P
9. Lake Bunyonyi

Itinerary

Below is a detailed 18-day Masai Mara &Gorilla Safari from Kenya to Uganda.

Day 1

Nairobi- Lake Nakuru National Park

Kenya, being East Africa’s most popular safari destination, warmly welcomes visitors to their beautiful country. The Kenyan capital of Nairobi has grown vastly in recent years, but still maintains a relatively small city center and a city market that has much to offer. It is recommended that you arrive at least a day before departure in order for you to recover from any jet lag and have time to relax and maybe have a chance to see the beautiful city of Nairobi.

Departing from the gorgeous Nairobi in the morning hours, we begin our descent into ‘the Great Rift Valley’, a gigantic cleft in the Earth’s surface that stretches from the Red Sea to Madagascar. On the way, we stop at a specific lookout point to drink in the majestic views provided to us by the African landscape.

The overnight stop we take is close to Lake Nakuru National Park, abundant in fauna and flora on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The shallow soda lake within the park is home to a wide variety of extraordinary birdlife, specifically flamingos (attracted by the abundance of algae in the lake) that, when gathered in their massive numbers, form a dazzling pink ‘fringe’ around the edges of the water. This splendid lake also attracts wildlife such as buffalo, lion, black and white rhinoceros, leopard, warthog, baboon, antelope, and a large assortment of smaller animals, too. We then embark on an afternoon game drive searching for more elusive and diverse wildlife, led by local guides and smaller safari vehicles in order to obtain a more intimate experience with African nature.

Accommodation: Punda Milias camp

Meals: lunch, breakfast and dinner

Day 2: Lake Nakuru- Eldoret

From Nakuru, we continue northwest, through the highlands, towards the town of Eldoret, which is en route to the Ugandan frontier. We will cross from the Southern to the Northern hemisphere, over the Equator, where we spend some time learning about the significance of the crossing. We stop to rest and give photographers a chance to capture this beautiful part of their trip. We then head to Eldoret, the town’s name originates from the Masai word Eldoret, meaning ‘stony river’, inspired by the stony bed of the nearby Sosiani River. The town is the 5th largest in Kenya, with a fast-growing population of approximately 194,000.

We stay outside of town in a unique area created on hilly forest tribal land, once home to members of the ancient Sirikwa tribe. Preserved on the site are excavations with stone sides, commonly called Sirikwa holes, which are believed to have been roofed and occupied by the inhabitants of a bygone age.

Accommodation: Naiberi overland camp

Day 3: Eldoret-Kampala

On the 3rd day, we make the cross into Uganda, a country that is a rich painting brought to life. With its breathtaking natural scenery and vibrant collection of tribes and cultures, it’s no wonder it was termed by Winston Churchill as the ‘Pearl of Africa’. The locals are warm and friendly people, and the landscape is overwhelmingly beautiful. Our first night is spent camping in Uganda’s attractive and hilly capital, Kampala. Here you will find bustling roadside traders, quaint local markets, and busy mini-bus taxi stands.

accommodation: free man campsite

Day 4: Kampala-Queen Elizabeth National Park Transfer

Leaving Kampala, we make our way west, where we once again cross the Equator. Along the way, you can expect to see lush green hillsides, flourishing banana plantations, steep mountains, and dense forests, along with herds of Ankole cattle boasting astonishingly long and curving horns that roam the roads and paddocks freely. Upon arrival at your accommodation, you will have some leisure time, and perhaps you can take a walk in the surrounding areas or mingle with the local community.

Accommodation: Murchison backpackers

Day 5:Queen Elizabeth National Park- Kibale National Park

Embark on an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park. Unlike mountain gorillas, these primates spend most of their time in the trees, so prepare to gaze high into the forest canopy for a glimpse of these fascinating creatures. Witnessing a man’s closest relative in the wild is a truly memorable experience. Due to permit limitations, your trek may occur on the afternoon of Day 4, morning or afternoon of Day 5, or morning of Day 6, adding an element of anticipation to your adventure.

Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp

Day 6- 8: Kibale- Lake Bunyonyi- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Our next destination is Lake Bunyonyi, ‘Place of many little birds’. This lake is 900m deep and is the second deepest lake in Africa. When we are not trekking to see the mountain gorillas,29 islands that can be explored by boat, where you can spend time at your leisure. You will be split into groups over the next three days, while each group takes turns trekking to see the gorillas while the rest explore Lake Bunyonyi.

     lake Bunyonyi

The lake located in the south western part of Uganda between Kisoro and kabale districts near the border of Rwanda covering an area of 60 km2 and length of 25km You will have time to hire canoes and row on the lake, visit some of the local tribes or spend some time with the children in the orphanages. There is also plenty of bird watching and walks that you can partake in. Later, relax as you feel the cool breeze of nature around the area.

   Mountain Gorilla trekking

The park is home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, It was named a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a visit for every tourist who comes to Uganda.

On the day of the trek, the group gathers early in the morning to be introduced to our local guide and tracker. Following this, we walk in small groups, trekking through the lush rain forest. This journey can be physically demanding at times due to the uneven terrain and the hilly forest itself, but the privilege of spending quality time with a family of these gentle and peaceful primates makes the effort worthwhile. Even to people who live permanently in this area, this trek and encounter with the gorillas has proven to be one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in Africa.

The usual protocol once our group has located a gorilla family is to sit down and simply observe the magnificent creatures for about an hour, which is the time set strictly by the Uganda Wild Life Authority Gorillas are rather sociable, living in groups of between 12 and 20, each usually led by the alpha male – the ‘silver back’, named so due to the silver hair on his back that begins to grow once the male gorilla reaches maturity. You will find that the gorillas and their tendencies are remarkably human-like, especially in the social interaction that takes place between the gorilla family members and their play time, in which their children are encouraged to engage. Photographers may take as many photographs as they like, but are under strict instructions not to use any flashes. There are also certain restrictions to those who wish to use a video camera.

Your permit allows for one trek and gorilla viewing, with your time limited to one hour. However, because the authorities maintain strict limits on the number of visitors permitted to view the animals each day, we may spend several days in the area so as to allow for all members of the tour to complete their trek and viewing.

Accommodation:

Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park- Kampala

Depart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and make our way back across the Equator, stopping for photograph opportunities if we did not have any en route to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We pass lush pastures and the northern reaches of Lake Victoria, which is the largest lake in Africa, all en route to Uganda’s capital, Kampala, about 500 km from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where we will be spending the night. Kampala is known for its great food and entertainment, and, if time allows, you are welcome to take in the nightlife and try the local cuisine as well as enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the locals.

Day 10: Transfer From Kampala-Jinja

We leave Kampala and drive a short distance to Jinja, situated on the fresh, grassy banks of the longest river in the world, the River Nile. British explorer John Hanning Speke first recognized Lake Victoria as ‘the source of the Nile’ in 1862, settling a long-running debate about Africa’s (and the world’s) longest river. From Lake Victoria, the Nile begins its 4132-mile course through Uganda, Sudan, and eventually Egypt, leading to the Mediterranean Sea.

Our campsite is on the banks overlooking the Nile River, where we will have the opportunity to try our hands at the art of rafting. This is an exhilarating day for any adventure-seeker. Other activities that you can take part in during your stay in Jinja include mountain biking, quad biking, village walks and for the adrenaline junkies, even bungee jumping!

The following two days, you are free to explore this beautiful area or participate in the many optional activities on offer. For those seeking a more relaxed day, take time to visit the local community or spend your time relaxing. You can spend the day on the banks of the Nile learning about the community, the town of Jinja, enjoying the stunning views of the river, or participating in the variety of activities on offer here.

Day 13: Transfer to Eldoret from Jinja

Following our refreshing stop at Jinja, we head back across the border to the frontier of Kenya and onto the town in which we will be camping for the night – Eldoret. The evening is dedicated to celebration with your fellow adventurers, where everyone is encouraged to share their favorite experiences and stories around the campfire.

Day 14-15:Eldoret-Nairobi

We cross the Equator once more and make our way South, towards our base just outside of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

The next day is for relaxing, and you are free to explore the city and the surrounding areas. Your guide can help arrange optional excursions, like diving into the city’s shopping, markets, bars, and restaurants; visiting the National Museum of Kenya; indulging at Carnivore Restaurant; embarking on a Nairobi National Park safari; encountering elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery; meeting giraffes at the Giraffe Centre; or exploring the Karen Blixen Museum. Alternatively, simply relax and enjoy some well-deserved downtime.

Day 16-18: Transfer to Masai Mara National Park, Then To Nairobi

After breakfast at our accommodation, we leave the city early in the morning, and we travel back across the Great Rift Valley, this time to the Masai Mara National Reserve, enjoying the splendid views on the way. We travel in small safari vehicles, enabling us to have much more intimate wildlife views. Two nights will be spent camping on the edge of the Reserve, giving you time to explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives. The magnificent continent of Africa is represented extremely well by the vast, sweeping plains, the low-hanging acacia trees, the abundant fauna and flora, and the awe-inspiring view of the horizon.

The ‘Mara’ is crossed each year between July and October by massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, and other grazing animals during their migration from the adjoining Serengeti plains toward southern Tanzania. The length of the animals’ stay is dependent on rainfall and subsequent grass growth throughout the rainy season. Predators, such as lions, cheetahs and leopards as well as scavengers, such as hyenas and vultures, shadow the grazing animals in wait. This enormously spectacular congregation of wildlife forms a fantastic display of Africa’s natural resources and inhabitants. This being said however, the Mara is still excellent for game viewing at most any time of year and, regardless of when you can visit, we aim to see as many of Africa’s ‘Big Five’ as possible (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard) as well as an array of other wildlife.

After spending two days in the Masai Mara, we travel back to Nairobi, where our tour comes to an end.

Accommodation: Echoro wildlife camp.

Meal plan-breakfast,lunch,Diner

Inclusions

• Meals
• Accommodation
• Camping and cooking equipment
• All road tolls and taxes
• Equipped safari vehicle
• All ground transportation

Exclusions

• Gorilla permit
• visas
• travel insurance
• sleeping bag
• Tips
• Personal expenses