This 12-day safari takes you on an outstanding journey through the heart of East Africa, combining Uganda’s rich rainforests and gorilla-filled mountains with Kenya’s iconic savannahs and wildlife-rich plains. The itinerary offers a seamless blend of primate trekking, classic game drives, cultural encounters, and scenic beauty.
Your adventure begins in Entebbe, Uganda, where you travel westward to explore Kibale Forest, home to playful chimpanzees. From there, journey into the rich savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park for traditional game drives and a cruise on the wildlife-dense Kazinga Channel.
Day by Day Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel near the shores of Lake Victoria. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a leisurely visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, where you can spot various bird species, colobus monkeys, and enjoy the lush lakeside atmosphere.
This is a gentle way to acclimate and enjoy Uganda’s natural beauty. In the evening, savor a welcome dinner at your lodge or a local restaurant. Your guide will brief you on the adventure ahead, ensuring you’re well-prepared. Overnight stay will be at a comfortable hotel in Entebbe, allowing you to rest and reset for the journey ahead.
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest – Primate Paradise
After an early breakfast, depart Entebbe for Kibale National Park, renowned for its high concentration of primates. The scenic drive takes around 5–6 hours, with a stop in Fort Portal to enjoy lunch and take in views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Upon arrival in the Kibale area, check in to your forest lodge nestled in lush greenery. In the afternoon, opt for a guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run reserve rich in birds, monkeys, and beautiful flora.
This area is a birder’s paradise and offers cultural insight into the local community. After a day of travel and exploration, return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation. Overnight in the Kibale Forest region.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking & Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start your day with an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest, often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World.” Accompanied by trained guides and rangers, you’ll track and observe these intelligent and playful creatures in their natural habitat.
After a rewarding morning, enjoy lunch before setting off for Queen Elizabeth National Park, a 3-hour drive through scenic crater lake country. Upon arrival, check in to your safari lodge and embark on an evening game drive.
This is your first chance to spot elephants, Uganda kobs, and perhaps lions or leopards. After sunset, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight within or near Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 4: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Begin your day with an early morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, known for its lion prides and abundant prey species like antelopes and warthogs. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and enjoy some rest before lunch.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. This waterway teems with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and an astonishing variety of birds. Photographers will especially enjoy the close-up encounters.
The cruise offers a relaxing way to see wildlife from a different perspective. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and a well-earned rest.
Day 5: Ishasha Sector – Tree-Climbing Lions
After breakfast, transfer to the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park known as Ishasha, a 2–3-hour journey through savannah and riverine forest. Ishasha is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, which can often be seen lounging in large fig trees during the heat of the day.
Enjoy a game drive in search of these unique predators, as well as sightings of buffaloes, topis, and numerous birds. A picnic lunch will be provided to enjoy in the wild. In the afternoon, you may visit a nearby community project to learn about local conservation efforts.
Check into your intimate safari lodge near the river and enjoy dinner as you listen to the sounds of the African bush. Overnight in Ishasha.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today you leave the lowlands behind and journey to the mist-covered hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a 4-hour drive through southwestern Uganda’s dramatic landscapes.
The drive offers photo opportunities of terraced farms, banana plantations, and villages nestled in the rolling Kigezi Highlands. Upon arrival, check into your lodge on the edge of the rainforest and enjoy a hot lunch.
In the afternoon, attend a gorilla trekking briefing with park rangers and prepare for the following day’s adventure. Those interested can visit a Batwa (pygmy) community for a cultural experience, learning about their history as forest dwellers. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Bwindi.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today is the highlight of your Ugandan journey: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi’s thick jungle. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a safety briefing and group assignment.
You’ll then begin a guided trek through the dense forest, sometimes steep and muddy, but immensely rewarding. Upon locating your assigned gorilla family, spend a magical hour observing their behavior – grooming, feeding, and interacting – just a few meters away.
Return to base for your trekking certificate and enjoy a packed or late lunch. Spend the afternoon resting at the lodge or indulging in a massage. Dinner will be a celebratory affair, marking this once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Overnight in Bwindi.
Day 8: Flight to Nairobi, Kenya
Following breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip for your domestic flight to Entebbe. Upon arrival in Entebbe, connect to your international flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, your Kenyan guide will receive you and escort you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, optional visits to the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre, or a local market can be arranged.
Nairobi offers a blend of wildlife and cosmopolitan culture. In the evening, enjoy a Kenyan-style dinner at a renowned local restaurant such as Carnivore or Talisman. Overnight in Nairobi.
Day 9: Drive to Lake Naivasha – Boat Safari
After breakfast, depart Nairobi for the beautiful Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha, about a 2–3 hour drive. Stop along the way at scenic viewpoints to admire the rift’s dramatic escarpment. Upon arrival, check in to a lakeside lodge and enjoy lunch with views over the water. In the afternoon, take a boat safari on Lake Naivasha to observe hippos, fish eagles, and many waterbirds.
You can also disembark for a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, where giraffes, zebras, and antelope roam freely. Return to your lodge as the sun sets for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay by the lake.
Day 10: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
Today you journey into one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves, the Masai Mara. After an early breakfast, drive through the Loita Plains and pass by traditional Maasai villages during the 5-hour journey.
Arrive in time for lunch at your luxury lodge or tented camp, then set out on an afternoon game drive. The Mara is teeming with wildlife-zebras, wildebeests, elephants, lions, and more.
The rolling savannahs and scattered acacias make for iconic safari scenes. As the day ends, enjoy sundowners in the bush. Dinner and overnight will be in your Masai Mara lodge or camp, surrounded by nature.
Day 11: Full Day Safari in Masai Mara
Spend the entire day exploring the vast plains of the Masai Mara. With a packed lunch, venture deep into the reserve for exceptional wildlife viewing. This is the best chance to witness the Great Migration (seasonal from July to October), as thousands of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River.
Visit known predator territories for a chance to see lion prides, cheetahs, or even leopards. If you wish, a hot air balloon safari can be arranged at dawn for a breathtaking aerial view (optional, extra cost). In the late afternoon, visit a Maasai village to learn about their traditions and culture.
Return to camp for dinner and a final overnight in the Masai Mara.
Day 12: Return to Nairobi & Departure
Enjoy your final morning game drive or relax with breakfast at the lodge. After check-out, begin your journey back to Nairobi either by road or optional bush flight. Time permitting, make a stop at a local craft market for souvenirs.
Once in Nairobi, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or hotel. A day-use room may be provided to freshen up before your flight. Later, your driver will transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international departure.
This marks the end of your unforgettable 12-day journey through the wild heart of Uganda and Kenya.