Epic Kenya safari stay & Uganda tour with gorilla tracking

Experience a Big 5 safari stay in magical Kenya followed by a Uganda tour with gorilla tracking, including game drives, all travel, breakfast & more

Day 1: UK - Kenya (night on board)

Head to your chosen airport ready for your overnight flight. If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early morning, please arrive at the airport the night before.

Day 2: Nairobi, Kenya

Say Jambo to Kenya as you touch down in Nairobi, the country’s bustling capital. Nicknamed the ‘Green City in the Sun,’ Kenya’s largest city is a kaleidoscope of culture and cosmopolitanism, and the perfect place to sample the country’s diverse offerings. After transferring to your hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring your surroundings, sampling flavourful Kenyan cuisine, or soaking up the atmosphere at a local bar or café. Be sure to rest up - your first safari adventure awaits on the morrow.

Days 3-4: Amboseli National Park

Say goodbye to the metropolis this morning, as you head south of Nairobi into Kenya’s vast wilderness. Look out for Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the distance along the four-hour journey, where you’ll travel through typical African savannah past local homesteads and Maasai communities. Arrive at Amboseli National Park and refuel with lunch, and then the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Settle into the lodge or opt to embark on your first thrilling game-viewing drive, where you’ll head out in search of the park’s famous elephant herds amidst the golden afternoon light.

This morning, if the weather permits, you can opt to start your day with an early hot air balloon ride and view the park from a totally unique perspective, also taking in views of Mount Kilimanjaro. From the lodge you'll head out on a safari or game drive of your choice, spotting impressive wildlife and exploring the park before heading back to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 5: Lake Naivasha

Depart for the papyrus-fringed shores of Lake Naivasha today, admiring the dramatic landscapes that you pass through on the roughly seven-hour journey. Arrive at your new destination in time for a well-deserved lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing after your trip, or choose to head out on a leisurely boat safari to the sanctuary of Crescent Island, where hippos, zebras, giraffes and wildebeest roam untroubled by predators.

Days 6-7: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Listen to the sounds of nature as you rise and enjoy breakfast at the lodge, before hitting the road bound for the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. Soak up enchanting views of the surrounding savannah, and in the mid-afternoon, enjoy a bucket-list game drive through the world’s finest game-viewing area. Look out for the legendary Big Five - lions, rhinos, buffalos, elephants and leopards - as you venture through the reserve’s otherworldly landscapes, and watch in awe as the drama of everyday life in the animal kingdom unfolds before your eyes.

The following morning, enjoy more unforgettable wildlife-spotting as you grab a packed lunch and set off for a full-day game-viewing drive. Today you’ll get to explore the vast and diverse landscapes of the Maasai Mara in greater depth, and maybe even tick off all the Big Five! Be sure to bring that camera, and compare snaps with fellow travellers as you return to the lodge in the evening.

Day 8: Nairobi

Savour your final moments in the Kenyan wilderness at your leisure, or perhaps set off on an optional hot-air balloon safari, morning game drive or a visit to a local Maasai village. Come mid-morning, it’s time to head back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon with the evening to spend as you wish.

Day 9: Entebbe, Uganda

Check out of your Nairobi hotel by 10am, because it's time for a change of scenery! Today you’ll arrive in Entebbe, a charming Ugandan town on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Spend the day relaxing after your journey, or explore the town to get a taste of local living.

Days 10-11: Kibale Forest National Park

Venture into Uganda’s lush wilderness as you head for the Kibale Forest National Park, a huge protected rainforest known for its large primate population including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabey.

The next morning, you’ll embark on an exciting Chimpanzee Tracking excursion in the Kibale Forest National Park, starting with a trek through the rainforest in search of our closest genetic relative. Look on as the rowdy chimps feed, climb and care for their young, while your expert guide offers insights into these fascinating creatures. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy as you please; an optional swamp walk excursion allows you to explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary via its boardwalks, encountering even more of the vibrant local wildlife on a tour that also supports the local community.

Days 12-13: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today, you’ll drive on through the striking natural beauty of Uganda towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, allow your guide to point out the unique features of the landscape and admire the majestic peaks of the three Virunga mountains as you traverse the rolling hills. Head straight for your next hotel to check in and relax, or alternatively you can opt to take part in a coffee experience and learn all about coffee production at a local homestead before sampling a cup.

The following morning, a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla tracking excursion awaits, which will see you head into the magical rainforest to seek out a specific family of gorillas assigned to you. Take in the colourful birds, butterflies and exotic species all around you as you head deeper into the dense vegetation, before finally approaching your gorilla family. Watch in awe as they groom, feed and interact with each other. You’ll have an hour to observe them up close, after which you’ll trek back to base and return to your lodge to spend the rest of the day at leisure. If you’re in the mood for more excitement, you can opt to embark on a canoeing experience on Lake Mulehe, exploring small islands, spotting birdlife and interacting with local communities to learn about their way of life.

Day 14-15: Lake Mburo National Park

Say goodbye to Bwindi as you drive towards Lake Mburo National Park, which sits on the border of Tanzania and is home to savannah species such as lions, hyenas, zebras and giraffes, as well as water-loving animals like hippos and crocodiles. Enjoy fantastic game-viewing opportunities as you make your way towards the lodge, where you can rest up after your trip.

The next morning, enjoy an early game drive around Lake Mburo to spot morning wildlife such as leopards, giraffes, antelope and buffalo. After a few hours of relaxing at the lodge, you’ll be taken to the shores of Lake Mburo in the afternoon to board a boat for a leisurely cruise on the water. Keep an eye out for hippos lounging in the sun and any other lake species that might be out and about.

Day 16: Lake Mburo - Entebbe (night on board)

This morning, enjoy either a final game drive or an optional guided forest walk to get up close to local wildlife. After that, you’ll leave Lake Mburo and head to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator line for a unique experience of standing with one foot in either hemisphere. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you’ll transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home, with plenty of unforgettable memories to show for your travels.