Overview
Seventeen days that open with the savannah chapters of East Africa and then turn to Uganda’s wild heart: the thundering Murchison Falls, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, and an hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A genuine expedition, and our home turf.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi. Transfer to your hotel, welcome dinner and briefing.
Days 2–4: Masai Mara
Twice-daily game drives among the big cats, a Maasai cultural visit and sundowners over the plains. Optional dawn balloon flight.
Day 5: Nairobi to Arusha
Fly from the Mara to Nairobi, connect to Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to Arusha.
Days 6–7: Serengeti National Park
Fly in and track the southern herds across the plains, with an optional dawn balloon safari.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater
A full crater-floor day among the big five, then overnight among the coffee farms of the Karatu highlands.
Day 9: To Entebbe
Fly to Entebbe, Uganda, and relax on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Day 10: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Drive north to Murchison Falls, stopping at Ziwa to track white rhino on foot, the only place in Uganda to do so.
Day 11: Murchison Falls National Park
A morning game drive on the northern bank for elephant, giraffe, lion and Uganda kob, then an afternoon boat cruise up the Nile to the base of the falls and a hike to the Top of the Falls, where the river explodes through a seven-metre gorge.
Day 12: To Kibale Forest
A scenic drive south through Hoima to Kibale Forest, arriving among the crater lakes of Fort Portal.
Day 13: Kibale National Park
Morning chimpanzee tracking in East Africa’s primate capital, home to 13 primate species, then an afternoon guided walk in the community-run Bigodi wetland.
Day 14: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi
Travel through Queen Elizabeth National Park with a game drive en route, watching for the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector, then continue to Bwindi.
Day 15: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla trekking: an early briefing, a guided hike into the ancient forest, and one unforgettable hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Day 16: Bwindi to Entebbe
A morning at leisure or an optional Batwa community experience, then fly from Kihihi airstrip to Entebbe.
Day 17: Departure from Entebbe
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Where You’ll Stay
Our luxury lodge selection for this route, with the nights at each stop.
- Nairobi, 1 night: Tamarind Tree Hotel
- Masai Mara, 3 nights: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
- Arusha, 1 night: Mount Meru Hotel
- Serengeti, 2 nights: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
- Karatu and Ngorongoro, 1 night: Ngorongoro Farm House
- Entebbe, 2 nights: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe
- Murchison Falls, 2 nights: Paraa Safari Lodge
- Kibale Forest, 2 nights: Kyaninga Lodge
- Bwindi, 2 nights: Mahogany Springs Lodge
What’s Included
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi and chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale, secured well in advance
- Ziwa rhino tracking on foot, the Murchison Nile boat cruise and Top of the Falls hike, and the Bigodi wetland walk
- All game drives in private 4×4s with professional driver-guides
- All park fees, internal and regional flights, and transfers
- Optional dawn balloon safari in the Masai Mara or the Serengeti on request
