Masai Mara & Uganda Wildlife Safari (15 days)
Spectacular wildlife & wilderness on this safari adventure
Trip highlights
- Looking for the Big 5 in the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Tracking Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat
- Boat cruise in the Kazinga Channel
- Search for tree-climbing lions and other wildlife in the Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary walking safari
- Cruise along the River Nile to spectacular Murchison Falls
- Nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park
- Source of the Nile River cruise
- Mahatma Gandhi's memorial statue and bird watching on Lake Victoria
Overview
An African experience which
serves up the best wildlife encounters in Uganda and the Masai Mara in Kenya,
along with wonderful hospitality and superb lodge accommodation. Take a
relaxing cruise along the shores of Lake Victoria to the Source of the Nile
River where some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were scattered. Tracking the
mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an incredible bucket
list experience culminating in the thrill of standing within metres of a male
silverback and his family. With an opportunity to view prolific wildlife in its
natural environment such as chimpanzees and other primates, a walking safari to
spot reintroduced white rhinos, some of the best bird watching in Africa with
over 1000 different species, a large variety of plains game and big cats in
both the renowned Masai Mara and Uganda, and the famous tree-climbing lions of
Queen Elizabeth National Park; there are too many highlights to name. Coupled
with its diverse habitats, lush forests, mountainous scenery, beautiful lakes
and spectacular waterfalls; this exceptional itinerary showcases the best of
Uganda and the Masai Mara in Kenya, and is the perfect addition to any Africa
itinerary.
Day 1: Join Nairobi
Upon arrival into Nairobi on Day
1, you will be met at the airport and taken to the group hotel. Nairobi is the
capital of Kenya and the commercial capital of East Africa. Our comfortable,
well located hotel is in a lovely residential suburb. Please note that if you
arrive on any day other than Day 1 of the trip, private transfers can be
arranged at additional cost. Alternatively, please make your own way to the
starting hotel.
Accommodation: Panafric Hotel or similar
Meals: Nil
Day 2: To Masai Mara NationalReserve
This morning we drive to the
outstanding Masai Mara National Reserve arriving in time for lunch. In the
afternoon we explore this amazing nature reserve on a game drive. The Masai
Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most renowned wildlife reserve; the wildlife
is abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure that animals are never out
of sight. Famous for the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, there
wildlife year round is plentiful.
Accommodation: Mara River Lodge approx. driving time 5 - 6 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3-4: Game drives in MasaiMara National Reserve
We spend the next two days on
morning and afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve, searching
for the Big 5! All meals and overnight are at the Mara River Lodge.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 5: Transfer to Busia border (Uganda), drive to Jinja
After breakfast we drive to the
Uganda (Busia) border, where you will meet your Ugandan driver-guide and change
vehicles. After finalising border formalities, you will be transferred to Jinja
for overnight.
Accommodation: The Haven (Jinja) or similar Approx. driving time
9 - 10 hours, excluding border crossing
Meals: B,D
Day 6: Source of the Nile river cruise, visit Mahatma Gandhi's memorial statue, transfer to Entebbe
Today you will go for a boat ride
to the Source of the Nile River. The Nile is a major north-flowing river in
north eastern Africa, regarded as the longest river in the world (6,853 km
long). Afterwards we enjoy bird watching on Lake Victoria, and visit the
Mahatma Gandhi memorial statue which commemorated the scattering of some of
Gandhi's ashes in the Nile River. In the afternoon you will be transferred to
the group hotel in Entebbe where you will join the rest of the group.
Accommodation: Boma Guest House or similar
Meals: B,L
Day 7: Drive to Ziwa RhinoSanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, you will drive
to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will undertake a walking safari to view the
Southern White Rhinos that have been re-introduced in Uganda. In the afternoon
you will drive to the legendary Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda’s
largest national park. Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge or similar Approx.
distance 364 km Approx. driving time 6 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 8: Morning game drive,afternoon River Nile boat cruise to Murchison Falls
After an early breakfast, we will
undertake a morning game drive. This is a beautiful drive across savannah,
Borassus Palm Forest and grassland down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile
River heads north. We drive in the open African savannah in search of Lions,
Leopard, Hyena, Buffalo, Elephant, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribi, Waterbucks,
Uganda Kobs, in addition to spotting various bird species such as the Secretary
Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles, Carmine and Swallow
Tailed Bee-Eaters, and many more. In the afternoon, we enjoy a boat ride up the
Nile River to the spectacular Murchison Falls. We hike to the top of the falls
and marvel as the Nile squeezes through a 7 metre gap, with enormous Nile
Crocodiles basking at the bottom. Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge or
similar Approx. distance 65 km Approx. driving time 3-4 hours game drive
Meals: B,L,D
Day 9: Drive to Kibale National Park
This morning you will drive to
Kibale National Park. Along the way you will pass many tea plantations and have
an opportunity to visit a tea plantation. We will also stop in Fort Portal and
visit the Toro Palace. In the afternoon you will arrive at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Isunga Lodge or similar Approx. distance
370 km Approx. driving time 8 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 10: Morning chimp trek, driveto Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early morning breakfast,
you will undertake a chimp trek. Note: the chimp permits are subject to
availability - there are two slots in either the early morning (when they are
often up in the trees feeding and more active) or at mid morning (when they
often come down to take a nap as it is cooler on the forest floor and therefore
closer and more relaxed). Both of these viewing slots are rewarding and
interesting. Kibale’s 795 sq km National Park contains one of the most
beautiful and varying tracts of tropical forest in the whole of Uganda. This is
home to 13 species of primate including chimpanzees. The park’s highest point
is at 1590m above sea level. After lunch we will proceed to Queen Elizabeth
National Park, and enjoy a game drive on the way to our lodge. Named after Her
Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth of England, it is Uganda’s most popular and scenic
game reserve. It stretches from the crater-dotted foothills of the Rwenzori
range in the north, along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River
in the south, incorporating a wide variety of habitats that range from open
savannah, wetlands, crater lakes and rainforest.
Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari
Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge or similar Approx. distance 130 km Approx.
driving time 4-5 hours (including game drive speed)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 11: Morning game drive,
afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise
This morning we will have an
early morning game drive. Queen Elizabeth National Park includes parts of Lakes
Edward and George which are linked by the Kazinga channel. The park boasts the
world’s highest bio-diversity rating with over 600 bird and 100 mammal species
including lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopard, Spotted Hyena, elephants and the
elusive Giant Forest Hog. The primates include Chimps, Black and White Colobus
Monkeys, Blue, Black faced Red Colobus, and Red tailed monkeys and Olive
Baboons. Lunch at the lodge will be followed by an afternoon Kazinga Channel
boat cruise.
Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge or
similar Approx. distance 40 km Approx. driving time 3 hours game drive
Meals: B,L,D
Day 12: Drive to BwindiImpenetrable Forest, game drive in Ishasha enroute
After breakfast, you will be
driven to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, passing through the Ishasha
Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree climbing lions.
Bwindi National Park is the habitat of half of the world’s Mountain Gorilla
population and also home to chimpanzee, monkeys, elephants, small antelope and
birdlife. Your accommodation tonight is located near Bwindi National Park.
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp or similar (2019); Haven Lodge Buhoma or
similar (2020) Approx. distance 150 km Approx. driving time 5 hours (including
game drive speed)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 13: Gorilla trek in BwindiImpenetrable Forest, drive to Lake Bunyonyi
A very early start for the short
drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for your Gorilla trek. You
will be taken to the Park Headquarters for a short briefing after which you
will enter the forest and start your Gorilla trek (please note that a drive may
be required to your trekking starting point). The trek can be anything from 2
hours to 6 hours or longer depending on the location of the Gorillas on the
day. The terrain is rough, often over steep slopes covered with matted
vegetation. You will be led by an experienced ranger who will tell you
interesting facts about the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas.
Be prepared for rain, mud and giant stinging nettles – long trousers, gloves
and a waterproof jacket will help. The mountain gorillas have inspired
travellers from all over the world to experience one of nature’s greatest
interactions. Anyone who has witnessed the Mountain Gorillas of East Africa
will strongly agree that it is a once in a lifetime experience that will never
be forgotten. Afterwards we will drive to Lake Bunyonyi for overnight.
Accommodation: Birds Nest Resort or similar Approx. distance 60 km Approx.
driving time 1.5 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 14: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
This morning after breakfast we
will depart Bwindi and drive to Lake Mburo National Park, the only park in
Uganda with an entire lake. Here we enjoy a brief game drive along the way to
your accommodation. Lake Mburo National Park forms a mosaic-like habitat with
rocks, dry slopes, open and wooded savannahs, forests and swamps. These diverse
habitats are home to 313 recorded bird species including Flame Head Barbet,
Long-tailed Zitting Cisticola (Tabora), African Bins Rail, Collared Barbet and
Binding Bush Singer.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock or similar Approx. distance
180 km Approx. driving time 4-5 hours (including game drive speed)
Meals: B,L,D
Day 15: Nature walk, drive to
Entebbe, trip concludes
You will get up early morning for
a guided nature walk before returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Then
you will drive to Entebbe. Time permitting you can stop for a photo opportunity
at the Equator. Transfer to Entebbe Airport, where trip concludes. (Please
note: earliest departure time is 18:00hrs). Approx. distance 270 km Approx.
driving time 5 hours
Meals: B,L
Inclusions
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 12
dinners
airport transfers (day 1 and 15
only)
10 nights in 3 star safari lodge
on a twin share basis
1 night in 3 star permanent
safari camp on a twin share basis
3 night in 3 star
hotel/guesthouse on a twin share basis
English speaking local
driver-guides in Kenya and Uganda
private transport in 6-seater
safari minivan (Kenya) and 4wd safari vehicle (Uganda)
game drives and excursions as
listed in itinerary
national park and conservation
fees (including gorilla and chimp permits) valued at US$750
*payment is required for the
Gorilla and Chimp permits at time of booking and is not refundable
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