Ultimate 8 Days Unforgettable Uganda and Kenya Safari Guide – Bwindi, Kibale and Masai Mara

Safari Overview: 8-Day Uganda & Kenya Safari – Bwindi, Kibale & Masai Mara

Ultimate 8 Days Uganda and Kenya Safari Guide – Bwindi, Kibale and Masai Mara. This exceptional 8-day journey through Uganda and Kenya offers a rare and powerful blend of two very different African safari experiences: the deeply immersive, forest-based primate trekking in Uganda, and the wide-open savannah Big Five game drives in Kenya’s world-famous Masai Mara.

Begin your adventure in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, where you’ll venture into the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track endangered mountain gorillas, a truly once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. Then travel north to Kibale Forest, one of the best places in the world to encounter wild chimpanzees. Along the way, enjoy Uganda’s lush highlands, crater lakes, and the warm hospitality of its people.

After your close encounters with the great apes, fly to Kenya, where the terrain opens into the endless golden plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Here, you’ll enjoy classic African safari game drives, spotting lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and (seasonally) vast herds of wildebeest during the Great Migration.

With seamless logistics, expert local guides, and comfortable lodges and tented camps throughout, this cross-country adventure showcases the incredible ecological diversity of East Africa from misty mountain forests to sunlit savannahs.

Ultimate 8 Days Uganda and Kenya Safari Highlights

• Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Spend time with one of the world’s most endangered species in their natural rainforest habitat
• Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale – Walk through lush jungle trails to observe chimpanzees and other primates in the wild
• Big Five Safari in Masai Mara – Experience world-class game drives in one of Africa’s richest wildlife ecosystems
• Scenic Cross-Country Travel – Enjoy the beauty of Uganda’s crater lakes and farmlands and Kenya’s wide-open plains
• Cultural Encounters – Optional visits to local communities and Maasai villages offer insight into East African traditions
• Small Group or Private Travel – Personalized service from expert driver-guides and flexible travel pace

Who Is This Safari For?

This safari is ideal for:

• Wildlife enthusiasts looking to combine rare primate experiences with traditional game drives
• Adventure travelers seeking an immersive, off-the-beaten-path experience
• Couples and honeymooners looking for meaningful, intimate travel
• Families or small groups wanting a guided and safe East Africa itinerary with strong logistical support
• Photographers and nature lovers seeking diverse landscapes and close-up wildlife opportunities

Itinerary Breakdown

• Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
• Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park and Transfer to Kampala
• Day 5: Fly to Nairobi and Transfer to Masai Mara
• Day 6: Full Day Masai Mara National Park
• Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Drive to Nairobi
• Day 8: Nairobi City Tour and Flight Back home

Day by day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/ Four Gorillas Lodge/Buhoma Gorilla Haven

Drive time: Approx. 8–9 hours by road / Optional domestic flight available

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your private safari guide. Begin your journey through Uganda’s lush countryside, passing rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural villages en route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the evening, relax at your lodge nestled in the forest and prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla encounter.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Trekking duration: 2 to 6 hours (moderate to challenging)

Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/ Four Gorillas Lodge/Buhoma Gorilla Haven

Rise early for a briefing at the park headquarters before heading into the forest with experienced trackers. Gorilla trekking is a bucket-list experience—spend one awe-inspiring hour observing a gorilla family in their natural habitat, a humbling and emotional wildlife encounter.

Return to the lodge for a hot meal and the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Note: Gorilla trekking permits are included in the tour and are limited to protect the species. Advance booking is essential.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Drive time: Approximately 5–6 hours

Accommodation: Chimpundu Lodge/Kibale Forest Camp/ Turacco Treetops

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and journey north through the scenic Albertine Rift to Kibale Forest, often referred to as the primate capital of the world. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of crater lakes, banana plantations, and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Check in to your eco-lodge and enjoy dinner surrounded by rainforest sounds.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale – Drive to Kampala

Drive time to Kampala: Approximately 5–6 hours

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel/Speke Resort Munyonyo

Join expert guides for a chimpanzee trekking adventure through the dense jungles of Kibale. This region is home to over 1,500 chimps, as well as other primates like black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

After lunch, depart for Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 5: Fly to Nairobi – Transfer to Masai Mara, Kenya

Flight time: Approximately 1 hour (Kampala/Entebbe to Nairobi)

Drive time to Masai Mara: 5–6 hours (road) or optional flight to Mara airstrip

Accommodation: PrideInn Mara Camp/Zebra Plains Mara/Masai Mara Serena Lodge

Early morning transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival, meet your Kenyan guide and begin your journey to the Masai Mara National Reserve—one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.

Check in to your tented safari camp or lodge, enjoy a sunset drink, and soak in the magic of the African wilderness.

Day 6: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: PrideInn Mara Camp/Zebra Plains Mara/Masai Mara Serena Lodge

Spend the day on an extended game drive through the vast savannahs of the Masai Mara. This reserve is famous for its abundant wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. If traveling between July and October, witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s most incredible spectacles.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and return to camp for dinner under the stars.

Optional activity: Visit a local Maasai village to learn about traditional culture and daily life.

Day 7: Morning Game Drive – Return to Nairobi

Drive time: 5–6 hours

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton/ Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel/ Nairobi Serena Hotel

Begin the day with a final morning game drive, capturing the beauty of dawn on the Mara plains. After breakfast, check out and begin your drive back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax or explore the city on your own.

Day 8: Nairobi City Tour – Flight Back Home

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a half-day city tour of Nairobi, including optional visits to:

• Giraffe Centre – Feed endangered Rothschild giraffes
• David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage – See rescued baby elephants (advance booking required)
• Karen Blixen Museum – Former home of the Out of Africa author

In the afternoon or evening, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home, filled with unforgettable memories of East Africa.