16 Days Uganda & Kenya Safari

The 16-day Kenya Uganda Safari takes us to the magnificent Murchison Falls for a spectacular scenic view of the park’s magnificent thundering Murchison Falls, Nile Riverbank mammals, birds, and water animals.

Then you trek through the rainforest jungle of Kibale Forest National Park in search of the elusive and playful Chimpanzees and other monkey species.

Still in the “Pearl of Africa” countryside, you enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is known for its diversity of big game wildlife, bird life, and picturesque geographical features, not to mention the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha Sector, before we take it up a notch and head up the Virunga Massive mountains into mountain gorilla territory.

Before venturing into the jungle, the Kenya Uganda Tour Safari recommends a visit to the unforgettable Lake Bunyonyi, which is dotted with 20 small islands and surrounded by steep terraced hills for canoe rides and hiking – ideal for unwinding from your travel excitement.

Following that, you will have an encounter with Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, as well as the opportunity to hike the volcanoes and visit the Equator before flying from Entebbe to Jomo Kenyata Airport and driving through Kenya’s beautiful savannah-covered Masai Mara.

The wildlife magic will be observed in Masai Mara – the migration drama of wildebeest and zebras, the big cats such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and many more on their daily action hunts, and a lucky day, you can catch live action as a coalition of cheetahs take down gazelles or see a pride of lion hungrily feasting on their latest catch.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Landing in Uganda

Our Kenya Uganda Tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Forest Cottages in Kampala for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will embark on the first Kenya Uganda Tour journey to Kibale Forest National Park via Fort Portal. The drive takes you through beautiful countryside dotted with traditional homesteads, crop gardens, Crater Lakes visits, and massive Tea plantations, as well as trading centers and towns. You’ll eat lunch on the way and arrive in the late afternoon.

Day 3: Chimp Acclimatization/Trekking

After breakfast, you will report to the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre at 08.00 a.m. for a briefing on chimp trekking or habituation rules. Kibale Forest National Park has the most primates in East Africa, with the greatest variety and concentration. The Chimpanzee, a delightful ape, is the most well-known of its 13 species.

The habituation process takes almost the entire day and allows you to see a variety of other primates and animals, as well as birds and butterflies.

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, followed by a boat launch on the Kazinga channel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will have lunch at the lodge of your choice. Take a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon (3:00 pm). This is a 42-kilometer-long channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George.

This Kenya Uganda Tour trip passes through an area with a high concentration of hippos and provides excellent opportunities for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. With over 550 resident species, the abundant bird life is vibrant.

Day 5: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector.

After breakfast, you will travel to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is famous for its tree-climbing lions lounging in the tree branches while keeping a close eye on herds of Uganda kob, their preferred prey.

It is also home to many buffaloes, elephants, and the endangered shoebill. You will spend the day playing in this area of the park before returning late in the afternoon to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Visit the Ruhiija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

After breakfast, travel to Kagamba, then to Ntungamo town, where you will have lunch en route, and then to Bwindi Forest, where you will arrive late in the evening and check into your lodge for dinner and overnight at Broadbill Forest.

Day 7: Gorilla trekking in the Ruhiija sector of Bwindi

We’ll eat breakfast first thing in the morning and then head to the park headquarters at 7:45 a.m. for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the gorillas, which can take 2-8 hours depending on their location in the impenetrable forest.

You will have one hour with these intelligent, majestic, and gentle giants who share more than 90% of their genetic material with humans.

Day 8: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi – Canoe ride / Hiking to the viewpoint / Swimming

After breakfast, you will go canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is regarded as one of the most beautiful in western Uganda. It is Africa’s second deepest lake [900 meters deep] and one of the few places in the country where swimming is considered safe due to the absence of bilharzia. The journey takes 2 hours.

The surrounding landscape is made up of terraced hills that protrude from the lake’s edge.

In the afternoon, you will have the option of going on a canoe ride, swimming in the lake, or hiking to a viewpoint on the hills to take in the breathtaking scenery of this part of the country.

Day 9: Batwa trails and culture around Lake Bunyonyi, then return to Kampala.

After breakfast on this Kenya Uganda Tour, you will take a 2-3 hour walk along Lake Bunyonyi [14 Kms] to enjoy different viewpoints of this beautiful place. You will walk through their villages to see how they go about their daily routine activities and be amazed at how they skillfully cultivate the hillsides and care for their animals (cows), which are a source of pride for them. After departing for Kampala, you will make a stop at the Equator, where you will be able to stand in two hemispheres at the same time and take photos as you arrive in Kampala in the evening.

Day 10: Transfer to Jinja

We leave early in the morning for Jinja to visit the Nile’s source and participate in some of the adventurous activities available, which include white water rafting, jet boating, horseback riding, mountain biking, quad biking, and bungee jumping.

En route, you will see the spectacular Ssezibwa waterfalls, which are thought to have been created by humans hundreds of years ago. The falls are a spiritual and cultural center where many natives come to seek blessings, wealth, and fortune.

Another photography stopover at Mabira Forest. Mabira Forest is a 300 square kilometer (120 square miles) (30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) rainforest area in Uganda located in Buikwe District between Lugazi and Jinja.

Day 11: Nile adventure and departure

After breakfast, try your hand at white water rafting on the Nile River. The rafting begins at 09:30 am at the Nile’s Source, with a thorough briefing and fitting with special rafting equipment. The rafting takes place on an 18-kilometer stretch of the Nile River, and no prior rafting experience is required.

The first few rapids are of low grade (1, 2) to build participants’ confidence before gradually guiding them into the more difficult grades. To maximize the adrenaline rush of this adventure, eight major rapids are rafted. Following your rafting adventure, you will be treated to a barbecue lunch and drinks before returning to Kampala.

DAY 12: Take a flight to Nairobi.

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe International Airport to catch your flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our Kenya Uganda Tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Nairobi’s restaurant scene provides for an exciting evening out.

13th Day: Nairobi/Masai Mara National Reserve

On this day, you will be met at your hotel/residence by our Kenya Uganda Tour Safari guide and depart for Masai Mara-descend into the Great Rift Valley with scenic views of Mt. Longonot and the Menengai on a clear morning.

You will have photo shoot stops at the viewing point. A second big game drive in the morning takes you through the famous Masai land and Narok town, arriving in Masai Mara in time for lunch.

DAY 14: Mara game drive

Wake up in the morning, have your breakfast, and set off for an early game drive. It will take you a full day to enjoy the migration of animals, especially wild beasts, zebras are in abundance, and they chase carnivores like lions, hyenas, and so many more. Later, return to your hotel for late lunch, dinner, and overnight.

DAY 15: Visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve (Full Day)

This Kenya Uganda Tour Safari Day will be spent on a full-day game drive in the Mara. Clients and their safari guide plan the best game drives and timings. You can do a full day with packed lunches or a half day with packed lunches. Afternoon game drive/leisure at the lodge or excursion to Maasai village

NB – While in Maasai Mara, you can choose to go on a balloon safari.

The park’s various herbivores, such as gazelles, zebras, antelopes, and giraffes, are nourished by the lush green vegetation; the herbivores, on the other hand, provide food for the park’s many predators. This includes lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and other big cats.

On a lucky day, you might get to see a group of cheetahs taking down gazelles or a pride of lions hungrily feasting on their latest catch.

DAY 16: Masai Mara National Reserve/Nairobi, and Departure

A pre-breakfast game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve (06h30-09h00), followed by breakfast at the lodge and departure for Nairobi with a packed lunch. A scenic drive through the popular Masai land and the Great Rift Valley, with stops along the way for photo shoots and souvenirs.

Another afternoon drive as you climb the Great Rift Valley, arriving in Nairobi late afternoon/evening to be dropped off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for an evening/night flight.

NOTE: Any tours can be combined or changed to meet your specific requirements.