8 Days Kenya Big Five & Uganda Gorillas Safari

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be met by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the city’s attractions such as the Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, or simply relax at your hotel. Enjoy a delicious dinner and a restful night as you prepare for the adventure ahead.

Destination: Nairobi, Kenya
Accommodation: Hemingways Nairobi / Fairmont The Norfolk
Meal Plan: Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve. This short flight offers stunning aerial views of the Great Rift Valley and the sprawling plains below. On arrival, your safari guide will meet you and transfer you to your lodge or tented camp.

After lunch, head out for your first game drive in the Maasai Mara, home to some of Africa’s richest wildlife concentrations. Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and possibly cheetahs on the prowl. As the sun sets over the savannah, return to your lodge for a hearty dinner and relaxation.

Destination: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Angama Mara / Mara Serena Safari Lodge / Governors’ Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Rise early for a full day of thrilling game drives in the Maasai Mara, exploring its vast plains and diverse habitats. The park is teeming with wildlife year-round, offering excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo — as well as hippos, hyenas, and antelopes.

Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the wilderness, then continue your exploration through the Mara’s scenic landscapes, capturing unforgettable moments. For an optional experience, enjoy a hot air balloon safari at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast in the wild — an unforgettable way to experience Africa’s beauty.

Accommodation: Angama Mara / Mara Serena Safari Lodge / Governors’ Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy one last game drive as you transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi, where you’ll connect to your flight to Entebbe, Uganda. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be warmly received by your Ugandan guide and transferred to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a short evening walk along the shores of Lake Victoria or relax as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure.

Destination: Entebbe, Uganda
Accommodation: Hotel No.5 / Protea Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe Airport for your scheduled flight to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip, depending on your lodge location. This scenic flight offers panoramic views of Uganda’s lakes, mountains, and terraced farmlands. Upon landing, you’ll be met by your driver-guide and transferred to your luxurious lodge in Bwindi.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge, taking in views of the mist-shrouded forest and the distant calls of tropical birds.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge / Bwindi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll then begin your trek into the forest, guided by experienced trackers in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can last between two and six hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.

When you find them, spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants — watching them groom, feed, and interact. The experience is both emotional and humbling, a true highlight of your African adventure. Return to your lodge for lunch, relaxation, and a cozy evening by the fire.

Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge / Bwindi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed morning with optional activities around Bwindi. You may choose to take a forest walk to discover the area’s rich birdlife and butterflies or visit the nearby Batwa pygmy community, where you’ll learn about their traditional forest life, music, and crafts.

For a slower pace, simply unwind at your lodge, enjoying the views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the soothing tranquility of the forest.

Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge / Bwindi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe. Enjoy your last aerial views of Uganda’s beautiful countryside before connecting to your onward international flight. This marks the end of your 8-day Kenya Big Five & Uganda Gorillas Safari, a journey that perfectly blends thrilling savannah adventures with the serenity of Uganda’s misty jungles.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch