10 Day Safari to See the Gorillas and The Masai Mara
10 Day Safari to See the Gorillas and The Masai Mara
Tour Overview
Experience Africa’s greatest animal migration in the Masai Mara National Reserve and visit the great apes in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A combination of two of Mother Nature’s most beautiful and unforgettable adventures. Mountain gorilla trekking is usually a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It leaves an unforgettable impression and is unlike any other safari experience.
Highlights
- An encounter with the gorillas is an unforgettable experience.
- Standing eye to eye with the great apes
- Big Five in the Masai Mara
- Experience Africa’s greatest animal migration, depending on the season.
- Out of Africa feeling amidst the African wilderness in authentic accommodations
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Welcome to the “Pearl of Africa”! This is the name once bestowed upon this country by Sir Winston Churchill – and you will soon understand why. After landing at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), a professional English-speaking driver guide from Greenway Nature Tours will warmly welcome you at the exit and escort you to your first accommodation via a short, relaxed route. Use this introductory evening to settle into the tropical climate, recover from your flight, and prepare yourself for the wonders of Uganda.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day: Entebbe – Bwindi (flight time approx. 1.5 hours)
Today you will travel to the mystical, mist-shrouded hills of southwestern Uganda. This morning you will be transferred back to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There, a driver from your accommodation will be waiting to welcome you and then take you to your lodge. The drive takes approximately 1- and 30-minutes hour. Settle into your rooms and enjoy lunch overlooking the rainforest. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure: relax on your veranda, soak up the magical atmosphere of the forest, or take a guided village tour to immerse yourself in the local culture. The accommodation offers a variety of activities. Let the rainforest envelop you.
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Gorilla Trekking
In the morning, you will be gently awakened by the sounds of the rainforest. After breakfast, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the ranger station, where you will receive a briefing on the rules of conduct for gorilla trekking.
You will then set off with the ranger into the mountain rainforest. The ranger follows the instructions and paths of the trackers, who started at sunrise. They first head to the place where the gorillas were encountered the previous day and then follow their movements from there. Once the trackers locate the gorillas, they inform the guide, and you will carefully approach the gorilla family and its silverback.
It is an amazing moment when you finally stand face to face with these gentle giants of the rainforest. Your visit with the gorilla family is limited to one hour to minimize disturbance to their natural behaviour.
The hike can be strenuous, depending on the gorilla family you are visiting. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended, and you should be in good health. Even a cold can prevent you from trekking to the gorillas, as this helps protect them from human illnesses. Trekking time varies depending on the location of the gorilla family. Good footwear, gaiters and rain gear are essential, while gloves are highly recommended when moving through thorny vegetation.
Enjoy your time with the gorillas. This is much more than simply observing wildlife. Standing so close to these magnificent animals and watching the family interact in the forest is a truly memorable experience. The young gorillas are often playful, while the adults feed, rest and move through the forest around them.
A late lunch awaits you at your accommodation. Afterward, you can relax at the lodge and enjoy a quiet afternoon surrounded by the rainforest.
Accommodation: Engagi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Bwindi – Flight Entebbe – Mabamba Wetlands
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to the mystical rainforests of Bwindi and your guide. He will take you to the Kihihi airstrip in time for your morning flight back to Entebbe. You’ll arrive in Entebbe around midday. Our driver will be waiting for you. You will then be transferred to the hotel for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you will be taken to the boat dock. From there, you will travel by motorboat towards the famous Mabamba Papyrus Wetlands on Lake Victoria. There, you will board a small wooden boat with a local birdwatcher, which will take you through the narrow channels of the papyrus swamp. While searching for the legendary shoebill, you’ll discover many different bird species. Named for its powerful beak, this bird is one of Uganda’s iconic symbols. After this unique nature experience, you will first return to the landing stage in the wetlands by small wooden boat and then continue your journey back to Entebbe by motorboat. There, you will be met again by a driver and taken back to the hotel for relaxat.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 5: Entebbe - Nairobi (flight time approx. 1.5 hours)
After a final breakfast in the pearl of Africa, you will be taken to Entebbe Airport where you will catch your connecting international flight to neighboring Kenya. Karibu Kenya! At Nairobi International Airport (NBO), our representative in Kenya will be waiting for you at the exit of the arrivals hall and will warmly welcome you. He will then transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy the evening to settle in and look forward to the golden savannah that awaits you tomorrow.
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 6: Nairobi – Masai Mara (travel time approx. 6 hours)
Today you will trade the vibrant capital of Kenya for the endless expanses of Africa. Your private driver guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 a.m. and take you along Africa Great Rift Valley to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. During the drive, small villages and colorful markets will glide past your window, giving you a vivid and authentic glimpse into Kenyan rural life. The closer you get to the legendary Masai Mara, the more civilization gives way to pristine wilderness. Soon, the first wild animals will appear at the roadside. After reaching the entrance to the Masai Mara, a first game drive will take you to your accommodation.
After a delicious lunch and a short rest, you will set off in the afternoon on your first extended game drive. Bathed in the soft afternoon light, you will search for the iconic “Big Five animals” and experience the incredibly high concentration of wildlife in this reserve. As dusk falls, you’ll end the day around a crackling campfire. Listen to the nightly chorus of the wilderness: lions roar, hyenas cry, and hippos snort in the distance.
Accommodation: Soroi Mara Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 – 9: Masai Mara
The coming days are entirely yours to explore the endless expanse of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Your driver guide and vehicle are at your complete disposal for game drives throughout the entire safari, within the reserve opening hours. Full-day game drives with a picnic lunch instead of breakfast and/or lunch at camp are always possible. Your guide will cater to your every need. The Mara is considered one of the most fascinating national parks on Earth and is home to the highest concentration of large animals on Earth– from graceful antelopes and towering giraffes to a remarkable density of big cats. An absolute highlight, depending on the season, is the Great Migration. When vast herds of wildebeest and zebras follow the fresh green grass, bravely crossing crocodile-guarded rivers and raising their young, the result is a display of raw, untamed dynamism. After eventful days filled with fantastic sightings, you’ll enjoy dinner under a clear, starry sky, gently accompanied by the sounds of the African savanna.
Accommodation: Soroi Mara Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Masai Mara – Nairobi – Return flight home
In the soft light of early morning, you will set off into the wilderness one last time. These cool hours are not only magical but often offer the best chances to witness dramatic hunting scenes or intimate moments with wildlife. After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye. You’ll leave the Masai Mara and begin your journey back to Nairobi, as the savannah gradually gives way to green hills and rural settlements. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. You will arrive in the Kenyan capital in the early evening. Depending on your flight time, your driver will be happy to take you to a restaurant of your choice (dinner not included) before bringing you to the international airport in time for your return flight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Inclusions
- All park entrance fees
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Unlimited game drives in the Masai Mara
- 2 night room with breakfast at The Boma Hotel
- 2 nights full board at the Engagi Lodge
- 1 night room with breakfast at the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
- 4 nights full board at Mara Bush Camp - Main Camp
- 1x gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park (Uganda)
- All airport and runway transfers in Entebbe & Bwindi (Kihihi)
- Domestic flight Entebbe - Bwindi (Kihihi) - Entebbe (incl. 15kg baggage in soft bags)
- 2x airport transfer in Nairobi
- Drinking water during game drives
- Extra lunch on the last day of the safari
- Tea and coffee during morning game drives
exclusions
- International flights to Uganda & Kenya
- Kenya ETA entry fee
- Uganda visa (approx. USD 50)
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Excursions not mentioned in the program
- Travel and cancellation insurance
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We are a fully licensed tour company accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board. We design and operate safaris in Uganda and East Africa. Our operations are based in Kampala, Uganda, the heart of our safari planning and coordination. Though our company was officially established in 2025, our team brings deep, hands-on knowledge of East Africa.
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