8 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kenya Wildlife Safari
Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kenya an incredible 8 days safari with Uganda gorilla trekking, and Kenya tour visiting Hell’s Gate, Lake Nakuru, and Maasai Mara wildlife safari. Lake Nakuru: Enjoy the fabulous water birds and other bird species. The best place to view the birds is from Baboon Cliff, where you get an excellent view over the lake and the wonderful spectacle of pink flamingos along its edge.
Maasai Mara: The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing. Finally, you can relax and enjoy 3 days in Mombasa with amazing landscapes. Includes gorilla trek permits in Uganda, all accommodation with meals in Bwindi and Mara, park fees for wildlife safaris, flights between Uganda and Kenya, transfers. Starting with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where we spend 3 days with on Gorilla trek and then flying to Kenya.
Here’s what you can expect from each destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The highlight of the trip, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, provides a rare opportunity to get up close with the magnificent mountain gorillas. This experience is often considered one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in the world.
Maasai Mara National Reserve:
- Key Attraction: The Great Wildebeest Migration is the most famous event in Maasai Mara. Witnessing the vast herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles crossing the Mara River is a breathtaking experience.
- Wildlife: Maasai Mara is home to the “Big Five” and offers excellent opportunities to spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos. It also boasts an impressive diversity of other wildlife, including cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, and various antelope species.
- Maasai Culture: Interact with the Maasai people and learn about their traditional way of life and unique customs.
Lake Naivasha:
- Key Attraction: Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake known for its abundant birdlife and scenic beauty. Take a boat ride to see hippos, waterfowls, and other bird species up close.
- Activities: Apart from bird watching, you can also explore nearby Hell’s Gate National Park, go on nature walks, or enjoy biking safaris in the area.
Lake Nakuru National Park:
- Key Attraction: Lake Nakuru is famous for its large population of pink flamingos that gather along its shores, creating a breathtaking pink spectacle. The park is also home to both black and white rhinos.
- Wildlife: Besides flamingos and rhinos, you can spot various other bird species and wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffalos, and giraffes.
Amboseli National Park:
- Key Attraction: Amboseli is renowned for its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. The backdrop of the snow-capped mountain provides an incredible setting for wildlife photography.
- Wildlife: Amboseli is famous for its large herds of elephants, and you can also see lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and numerous bird species.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Start your Uganda Gorilla trek tour by driving to Bwindi impenetrable N. Park (the mountain gorillas’ home) Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kenya
Meet and greet with our local guide in Kampala/Entebbe/Kigali at 07:00 hours before starting the gorilla trek tour on your drive heading to southwestern Uganda to the home of the mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. En route, there is a local community popular for making local drums and crafts and a fruit market. Stopover, admire and buy yourself souvenirs.
experience the beautiful scenery at the equator
Proceed to the Equator line taken as one beautiful scenery in Africa – the pathway of the sun and take photographs. Pass by mountains, tropical rainforest and bamboo forest during the nine-hour journey. The drive to the mountain gorilla sanctuary is over 7 hours from Entebbe or Kampala, most of the time on smooth-surfaced road with about 45 minutes of dusty murram. You could choose to fly to Bwindi if you don’t feel like driving. One way flights range from 280$-360$ pp.
Accommodation options (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge | Trackers Lodge Buhoma
Moderate: Engagi Lodge | Silverback Lodge Bwindi | Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge (Ensuite cottages)| Gorilla Mist Camp
Low Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp | Gorilla Valley Lodge | Buhoma Community Campground
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kenya
After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip – gorilla trekking, Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kenya which may last the entire day. We trek the gorillas through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and gorilla trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten.
gorilla encounter
When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes. Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla tracking excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended.
conservation
For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas. While most of today’s forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates.
The latter includes chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge | Trackers Lodge Buhoma
Moderate: Engagi Lodge | Silverback Lodge Bwindi | Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge (Ensuite cottages)| Gorilla Mist Camp
Low Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp | Gorilla Valley Lodge | Buhoma Community Campground
Day 3: Flight Transfer from Bwindi to Entebbe and then to Maasai Mara Kenya.
We set off from your lodge in Bwindi for Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip where we catch our flight to Entebbe and then to Maasai Mara in Kenya. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by camp staff and take a short game drive on the way to the camp. This evening enjoy another game drive in the reserve.
Day 4: Full day game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Today you will have a full day of game drives ahead. Before sunrise, you will try to spot different predators that might made a kill last night. You will return for breakfast at the camp while the sun rises over the game reserve. You can decide to take a packed lunch for a full day game drives or come back at the camp for a hot lunch.
wildlife in Maasai Mara
The secret on sighting a lot of animals is to do different game drives on different time and areas for the highest success rate. Large prides of lions, cheetah, leopard, jackals, elephant, giraffe, African buffalo, eland, ostrich, bat-eared fox, jackal and black rhino are some of the animals you may spot as you drive around. After this exciting day you will come back to the camp where you can relax with a cold drink on your veranda with a view of the Mara river! Overnight at your Camp or lodge.
Day 5: Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru: Afternoon Game drives in Lake Nakuru .
The destination for today is the famous Lake Nakuru. Starting your day early and finishing up a quick breakfast, you will begin the 6 hour long journey covering a distance of about 340 kms to Lake Nakuru. On reaching Lake Nakuru in the afternoon, you will be just in time for a scrumptious lunch and a few hours to rest after checking-in to the lodge.
Early in the evening you will head out on your game drive to see one of the world’s largest ornithological sites. The lake Nakuru region is extremely famous for its flamingoes and diverse wildlife. What adds on even more awe to the place is the Black and White Rhinos that are found in this park. The eventful day comes to an end with freshly prepared dinner and overnight rest at your chosen lodge or camp.
Day 6: Lake Nakuru to Amboseli National Park: Afternoon game drives in Amboseli .
Meanwhile, starting off with an early breakfast, you will head to Amboseli National Park. However, this is a 7 hour long drive and passes through Nairobi and other towns. Eventually on reaching Amboseli in the afternoon, welcomed with a lovely lunch and some spare time for rest.
furthermore, a short game drive in the afternoon in the Amboseli National Park allows you to experience the beautiful scenery along with the backdrop of the snow capped Kilimanjaro. In the same way, this is definitely a sight to cherish and don’t forget to keep your cameras ready to snap away. furthermore, the night will be spent in the lodge or camp of your choice accompanied by a freshly prepared dinner. lastly, rest well for the last leg of your adventure begins tomorrow.
Day 7: Amboseli National Park: Full day Game drives .
furthermore, today you will have a full day game drive at the Amboseli National Park, with all meals provided at your lodge or camp. meanwhile, Amboseli being famous for elephants, you should be able to get close to a few free ranging elephants.
The vegetation of the park is sparse due to the long dry months, thus giving amazing opportunities to spot wildlife. the park houses animals for instance the African bush elephant, buffaloes, impalas, Maasai lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and blue wildebeest among other African animals. However, Keeping your camera ready at hand is highly recommended. meanwhile, the action packed day comes to an end by evening, with a fresh dinner awaiting you at your accommodation you can retire for the night.
Day 8: Amboseli to Nairobi: Morning game drives in Amboseli .
however, on the final day of your safari, you will have an early morning game drive from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM. In the same way, post the game drive, the team will set out on a 265 Km drive to Nairobi. Furthermore, dropped off at your hotel in Nairobi. Together with an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish. This is the time you bid goodbye to your team
The package price includes:
Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
Private transport for 6 days in a well-modified safari land-cruiser (4WD, air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
Flue for 6 days
English safari guide for 6 days
Private mid-range accommodation for 6 nights on full board (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
All en-route meals and bottled mineral water throughout your tour
All park entrance and activities feel and all applicable government taxes
Bigodi sanctuary swamp and community safari
1 chimpanzee tracking permit per person (Kibale forest national park)
A visit to katwe salt mining village
Morning and evening game drive safari at Queen Elizabeth national park
2 hours afternoon boat cruise along the kazinga channel
A visit to the Equator landmark
The package price excludes;
International and domestic flights
Country entry visa
Personal travel insurance
Items of personal nature/laundry/telephone charges
Souvenirs and gifts
Tips
Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice order at the lodge and wines)
