10 Day Best of Masai Mara and Gorilla Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda – Arrival in Entebbe

Your adventure starts the moment you touch down at Entebbe International Airport. A warm smile and a cheerful wave from our guide will be your first welcome. We’ll drive you to your hotel, where a comfy bed and a quiet atmosphere are ready for you. If you arrive early enough, a golden sunset over Lake Victoria may greet you at the hotel, or you can wander the garden paths and relax before dinner.

Overnight:

• Budget: Forest Cottages, Entebbe
• Standard: Cassia Lodge, Kampala
• Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Resort

Day 2: Scenic Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

We start the day with breakfast, then hit the road heading west through rolling green hills, endless tea fields, and shimmering crater lakes. Along the way, we’ll pause for cold drinks and snap photos of the stunning scenery. By afternoon we reach Kibale, where 13 primate species swing through the canopy, the chimps being the stars of the show. You can unwind at the lodge or choose to stroll through nearby villages or along the crater lakes.

Overnight:

• Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
• Standard: Turaco Treetops
• Luxury: Ndali Lodge

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha

We rise before dawn, grab a quick bite, and head into the forest for chimp trekking. Their hoots and pant hoots filtering through the trees will stay with you forever. After an afternoon meal, we hit the road for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, driving through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep your camera ready for a glimpse of the famous tree-climbing lions as we pass through Ishasha heading to Bwindi. Upon arrival, you have little to do as you prepare for tomorrows exciting gorilla trekking encounters.

Overnight:

• Budget: Rafiki Safari Lodge
• Standard: Buhoma Gorilla Camp
• Luxury: Mahogany Springs

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Optional Batwa Experience

Today many travellers say it’s the best day of the trip. After a short briefing, we step into the emerald Bwindi Forest, guided by a veteran ranger, and start the search for one of the world’s last mountain gorilla families. The hike could be gentle or a bit of a workout, depending on the gorillas’ position, but when you finally step into the clearing and see them—watching a silverback shrug off the morning dew, mothers cradling tiny faces, a youngster swinging from a vine—the world distills to this beautiful moment. In the afternoon you have the choice to continue with a visit to the Batwa community, hearing stories of a life lived under the forest canopy, of medicine plants and moonlit dances.

Overnight:

• Budget: Rafiki Safari Lodge
• Standard: Buhoma Gorilla Camp
• Luxury: Mahogany Springs

Day 5: Return to Entebbe and Fly to Nairobi

We start with a peaceful drive back to Entebbe, the road winding through quilt-like hills and the cheerful bustle of small villages. After a brief rest, you may enjoy a cool drink or the last cups of Ugandan coffee—we board an evening flight to Nairobi. Once the plane lands, our Nairobi team will be waiting to take you straight to your hotel.

Overnight:

• Budget: Ibis Styles Nairobi
• Standard: Eka Hotel Nairobi
• Luxury: Fairmont The Norfolk

Day 6: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast we set out into the Wonders of the Great Rift Valley. As we glide down into the valley, we’ll pause for coffee and photos, then continue to Lake Nakuru. This lovely park is famed for its black and white rhinos, vast flamingo clouds, and vibrant birdlife. An afternoon game drive gives us a chance to roam the pink shores and rolling acacia hills, then we’ll slide into the comfort of our lodge by sunset.

Overnight:

• Budget: Zinoni Buhara
• Standard: Ziwa Bush Lodge
• Luxury: The Cliff

Day 7: From Nakuru to the World-Famous Masai Mara

After breakfast we swap the shores of Nakuru for the sweeping Mara. The drive takes us across rich farmland, past scattering Maasai bomas, and into the rolling plains made legendary by the Great Migration. At the lodge we’ll enjoy lunch then head straight into the reserve for our first Mara safari. The afternoon light is enchanting, and we’ll witness the savanna’s parade of wildebeest, elephants, and predators—perfect for that postcard wildlife shot.

Overnight:

• Budget: Lechanda Tourist Camp
• Standard: Talek Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Day 8: Full Day in the Mara

Today is yours to roam the Mara’s golden grasslands and riverbanks. We’ll load a picnic basket and set off from dawn until dusk, tracking the Big Five and watching predators in their element. If the timing is right, you’ll witness the dramatic river crossings of the Great Wildebeest Migration, a spectacle you won’t soon forget.

Overnight:

• Budget: Lechanda Tourist Camp
• Standard: Talek Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Day 9: Flexible Day of Adventure

This morning you can choose between another complete game drive, or a quieter morning at the lodge. If you wish, we can arrange a visit to a nearby Maasai village, where you’ll hear ancient songs, see traditional crafts, and gain insight into daily Maasai life. For the adventurous, a sunrise hot air balloon ride can also be booked, floating above the plains on a gentle breeze.

Overnight:

• Budget: Lechanda Tourist Camp
• Standard: Talek Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Day 10: Final Journey Back to Nairobi and Departure

Savor one last breakfast in the Mara, then we’ll head back to Nairobi, leaving the dust and drama of the plains behind. If your flight allows, we can pause at a craft market, a small museum, or a coffee-cooperative on the way—little stops that add a final dash of color to the trip. At Nairobi Airport, we’ll help you with check-in and luggage, then wave you off as you board your flight with a heart full of stories.