10-day Kenya, Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari
Two Kenyan parks and a Ugandan savannah park before the gorilla trek. The version for people who came for wildlife generally, not gorillas specifically.
Overview
Ten days is the length at which this trip stops feeling like two rushed halves and starts feeling like one journey. It adds Lake Nakuru in Kenya and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, which means you cross the Ugandan savannah on the way south to Bwindi rather than flying over it.
The Uganda leg here is driven rather than flown. That is deliberate — the road south through Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi passes the Ishasha sector, where the lions climb trees, and it turns the transfer into a destination.
Highlights
- Three nights in the Masai Mara
- Rhino at Lake Nakuru
- The Kazinga Channel boat and Ishasha's tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Day by day
Arrive NairobiMet and transferred to your hotel.
Nairobi to Lake NakuruRoad transfer of about three hours through the Rift Valley, with an afternoon game drive. Rhino and Rothschild's giraffe.
Lake Nakuru to the Masai MaraA long but scenic drive southwest, arriving for an afternoon game drive.
Masai MaraFull day of game drives, built around the river in migration season.
Masai MaraA second full day, with conservancy options.
Mara to Nairobi to EntebbeFly back to Nairobi and on to Entebbe. Overnight on the lake.
Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National ParkThe drive west and south, arriving for an evening game drive.
Queen Elizabeth National ParkMorning game drive, then the Kazinga Channel boat in the afternoon — elephant, buffalo and hippo along the water, and exceptional birding.
Ishasha to BwindiSouth through the Ishasha sector in search of the tree-climbing lions, then on to your Bwindi lodge.
Gorilla trekking, then departureBriefing at 07:00 and into the forest. After the trek, charter from Kihihi or Kisoro to Entebbe for your onward connection. If your international flight is early, we will suggest an extra night.
A note on the last day
Trekking and flying out on the same day is the compromise in this itinerary. If you can add a night, do — it removes the only real pressure point in ten otherwise unhurried days.
Accommodation
One night Nairobi, one Lake Nakuru, three Masai Mara, one Entebbe, two Queen Elizabeth, two Bwindi. Named in your written itinerary once availability is confirmed.
Fitness and difficulty
Undemanding until the trek. Bwindi runs from thirty minutes to eight hours on steep ground. There are several long road days in Uganda on this itinerary — comfortable in a private vehicle, but they are full days.
Best time
July to September, or late December to February. The Ugandan road sections are noticeably harder in the wet months, so this particular itinerary suits the dry seasons more than the flown versions do.
Included
- Uganda gorilla permit, booked in your name
- All park and reserve entry fees in both countries
- Accommodation as specified, with meals as noted
- Light aircraft Masai Mara-Nairobi
- Scheduled flight Nairobi-Entebbe
- Charter Bwindi-Entebbe
- Kazinga Channel boat
- Private vehicle with driver-guide throughout the road sections
Not included
- International flights
- Visas and entry authorisations
- Travel insurance covering non-refundable elements
- Porters and tips
- Drinks, laundry, personal items
This page needs expansion before launch
Per-person price and named accommodation to be added once verified. Kenya Wildlife Service fees for Lake Nakuru still to be confirmed. Owned photography needed.
Plan your Kenya and gorilla safari
Tell us roughly when you want to travel and how long you have. We will send a written itinerary and a quotation.