12-Day Luxury Safari: Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya

Murakaza neza! Welcome to Kigali, the vibrant capital of Rwanda. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. For the next two nights, you'll stay at the iconic Hotel des Mille Collines, a place renowned for sheltering and saving over 1,000 people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. If you arrive early in Kigali, take the chance to explore on your own. Visit Nyamirambo, the lively Muslim quarter, to taste some mouthwatering grilled tilapia, or stop by a local café to discover why Rwandan coffee is considered one of the finest in the world. In the evening, join your guide for dinner at a popular East African restaurant loved by locals. Enjoy live music, refreshing cocktails, stunning views, and a delicious dinner filled with regional flavors.

 Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collines or similar (

 Meals: Dinner

This morning, you'll leave the city behind for a deeply moving visit to the Ntarama Church, where a local guide will share the tragic history of the 5,000 lives lost here during the genocide. You'll see poignant reminders of the lives taken, including clothing and even bones, preserved within the church. From there, continue to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre, a former church where an unimaginable 50,000 people were murdered. Your guide will explain how the Tutsi people sought refuge in churches, only for them to become deadly traps. Next, visit the Genocide Museum, a powerful and emotional experience that sheds light on the tragedy and the strength of the Rwandan people.

Afterward, enjoy a traditional lunch, sampling delicious dishes from both Rwanda and Uganda. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Kigali, including a stop at the bustling Kimironko market. The evening is free for you to explore the city at your leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collines or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll leave Kigali behind and cross the border into Uganda, heading for Bwindi National Park. Upon arrival, settle in at the stunning Gorilla Heights Lodge, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Perched high on the Nteko Ridge, the lodge offers breathtaking views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to half of the world’s 1,063 mountain gorillas.

From here, you can admire the jagged Virunga Volcanoes that straddle the borders of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Each cottage features a private balcony overlooking the lush forest canopy and is powered by solar energy. In the evening, you’ll have a special opportunity to meet a field veterinarian from the Gorilla Doctors, who will share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their vital work. This organization is committed to protecting mountain and eastern lowland gorillas through veterinary medicine and science, providing life-saving care to these incredible creatures. It’s an eye-opening and fascinating experience you won’t forget.

Accommodation: Gorilla Heights Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rise early for a short walk to the park headquarters, where the Uganda Wildlife Authorities will brief you on today’s gorilla trek. The journey can be challenging, muddy, and sometimes uncomfortable, but the rewards of exploring the biodiversity-rich Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and meeting the rare mountain gorillas make it all worthwhile.

To make your trek easier, it’s a good idea to hire local porters who will carry your pack and offer expert, personalized assistance. This not only enhances your experience but also provides valuable work to the local community. Gorilla trekking is carefully regulated, with only a limited number of permits issued each day. When you finally come face to face with a group of gorillas, you’ll be able to spend an unforgettable hour observing them—watching them groom each other, and play, all under the watchful eye of a majestic silverback. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the rainforest, surrounded by nature.

Accommodation: Gorilla Heights Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the terrace, with stunning views of the forest. This morning, you have the freedom to choose how to spend your time. If you're eager for another gorilla encounter, you can opt for a second trek. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the Buniga Batwa Cultural Trail. The Batwa people, once forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers, were displaced in 1991 when the forests were turned into protected national parks, leaving them without a home.

The trail offers a fascinating look into their traditional lifestyle. With a local guide and translator, you'll walk through the forest, learning how they foraged for food, trapped animals with branch snares, and created tools and medicines from nature. Watch as they demonstrate traditional hunting and fire-making techniques, and discover how they built their huts and tree 'nests' to protect children from wild animals. Afterward, enjoy dinner with your group at the terraced restaurant, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

Accommodation: Gorilla Heights Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll leave the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and start our journey back to Kigali, crossing the border once again (approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival in Kigali, you'll be transferred to the airport for your unescorted flight to Nairobi. Once in Nairobi, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Sarova Panafric Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today, we journey into the heart of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, with our first stop at Elsamere, the former home of renowned writer Joy Adamson. Her 1960 book Born Free played a key role in bringing wildlife conservation to the forefront. The house is now a fascinating museum, filled with photos and memorabilia of Joy and George Adamson, as well as Elsa, the lioness who made their story famous.

Next, enjoy a scenic boat trip on Lake Naivasha, the highest of the Great Rift Valley’s lakes, where you'll likely spot a few hippos.

Afterward, indulge in a delightful high tea lunch at the same peaceful lakeside setting that Joy loved so much. With the lake as a tranquil backdrop, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. In the afternoon, continue your journey to your lodge near Lake Nakuru, arriving in the early evening. From your lodge, take in spectacular views of Lake Nakuru and the surrounding national park, teeming with birdlife and wildlife. Relax and soak it all in, especially from the infinity pool, which offers a truly breathtaking view.

Accommodation: Sarova Panafric Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

This morning, you’ll set off for a thrilling 4x4 adventure through Lake Nakuru National Park, with the park’s beautiful lake at its heart. The mornings can be chilly, so make sure to dress warmly. The lake has earned its reputation as one of the world’s most spectacular birdwatching sites, with vast flocks of flamingos often transforming the landscape into a sweeping pink hue.

While recent flooding has impacted birdlife numbers, the park is still home to a rich variety of wildlife, including waterbuck, reedbuck, and gazelles. Leopards also call this park home, and the chances of spotting one are quite good. After your morning exploration, return to the lodge for a leisurely lunch, then head back out for another game drive in the afternoon. Keep your eyes open for the rare and endangered black rhinoceros—while sightings of the white rhino are more common, encountering a black rhino is a truly special experience.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Journey southwest towards the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s premier game reserves. As you cross the Great Rift Valley, you’ll pass through the remote Loita Hills, a region where the Maasai people continue to live traditionally, largely untouched by modern influences. Stop at Tepesua Village, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by Maasai Warriors performing traditional songs and dances. Meet your Maasai hosts and take a walk through the community village, where you’ll learn fascinating insights into their ancient way of life. Continue to Zebra River Camp, your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three nights. Here, you can enjoy stunning sunsets, share stories around the bonfire, or sip cocktails in the cozy lounge before retreating to your luxurious tented room. Each room boasts an ensuite bathroom, large, comfy beds, and a private veranda offering breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.

 Accommodation: Zebra River Campor similar

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, you’ll delve deeper into the park with a full day of 4x4 game drives, from early morning until the afternoon. We’ll head out for an early game drive, packed lunch in tow, as we venture to the farthest reaches of the park. As you explore, you’ll witness the incredible variety of wildlife that calls this place home. Wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles are abundant, and with a bit of luck, you might spot predators quietly observing their movements.

Elephants, giraffes, and elands are also commonly seen, alongside a rich diversity of birdlife. The park’s landscape features rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, providing a stunning backdrop to the action. Keep your eyes peeled for the chance to see a black-maned lion, leopard, or cheetah. As the sun begins to set, take a moment to enjoy the view with a drink in hand—it’s a perfect way to end a day of wildlife watching in one of the world’s most mesmerizing locations. As dusk settles, you might even spot more animals near your camp. We’ll return to camp in the late evening, with some time to freshen up before dinner.

 Accommodation: Zebra River Campor similar

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The morning is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You can relax with a cup of coffee on your private deck, keeping an eye out for wildlife in the reserve, or choose to skip the sleep-in for an early game drive or walking safari. If you're looking for a unique way to experience the Masai Mara, a sunrise hot air balloon ride offers an unforgettable adventure.

 Balloon rides can be booked in advance or on-site (subject to availability), and a portion of the profits supports conservation projects in the park. You’ll be picked up before dawn and float gently through the sunrise, sometimes just at treetop level, offering incredible photo opportunities. As you ascend, you'll get sweeping views of the vast Masai Mara plains and witness the early-morning movements of the herds. In the afternoon, reconvene for another thrilling 4x4 game drive through the park.

Accommodation: Zebra River Campor similar

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Bid farewell to the Masai Mara as you head back to Nairobi, with your arrival expected in the late afternoon. This marks the end of your unforgettable adventure. To allow for any unforeseen delays, please avoid booking international flights from Nairobi International Airport before 8pm. If you'd like to extend your time in Nairobi, additional accommodation can be arranged in advance.

Meals: Breakfast