Safari overview
This 17 Days Uganda Gorilla & Kenya wildlife safari with Mombasa beach experience will lead you to a memorable African safari adventure as you get to visit both Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of the elusive Mountain gorillas and several of Kenya’s safari parks such as Masai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park. If your timing is right, a possible encounter with the wildebeest migration that happens from June to September or October between Serengeti national Park and Masai Mara reserve during which close to 2 million animals like wildebeests, zebras and a few other mammals’ journey from southern Serengeti all the way into Masai Mara in search for park following fresh pastures.
Safari highlights
Day 1: You will arrive at Entebbe airport and our safari guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.
Day 2: Day 2 will have you transfer to Entebbe airport then fly to Kisoro where you will be transferred to your lodge
Day 3: This is the day you get to meet the elusive Mountain gorillas
Day 4: Fly back to Entebbe and fly to Jomo Kenyatta airport where you will be received by our guide and transfer to your Nairobi hotel.
Day 5: You will visit the Sheldrick Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center and Nairobi Np.
Day 6: Transfer to Masai Mara and engage in an afternoon game drive
Day 7: Full day of exploring Masai Mara
Day 8: Second day of exploring the Masai Mara Plains
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Nakuru N. P for an afternoon game drive.
Day 10: Transfer to Amboseli Np
Day 11: This day will be spent exploring Amboseli with 2 game drives
Day 12: Today you will transfer to Tsavo west national Park
Day 13: It will be a full day spent in Tsavo West park with 2 game drives
Day 14: Transfer to the coastal city of Mombasa for a beach experience
Day 15: This day is a free day for you to relax at the resort
Day 16: Second day to spend at leisure at the beach in Mombasa
Day 17: You will transfer to Mombasa airport for your flight back to Nairobi where you will catch your outbound flight.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Meet and greet at Entebbe airport and transfer to your hotel in Entebbe
The first day of this safari will have you land in Uganda at Entebbe International Airport. Upon your arrival here, you will be welcomed and picked up by one of highly experienced and friendly safari guides who will make you feel at home from the first glance. He or she will help you transfer to your already booked hotel in Entebbe where you will get to unwind from the jet lag of your flight into Uganda
Accommodation: Karibu Guest house
Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast.
Day 2: Fly to Bwindi
You will wake up early for breakfast, after you which you transfer to Entebbe airport and catch a domestic flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During this flight, you will have a bird’s eye view of the Uganda’s ever changing topography that starts with the lowlands or basins that are filled with lush green vegetation cover interjected with human settlement patterns and Lake Victoria, you will see the rising hills both as your get further away from Entebbe and when you’re about land, you will be welcomed by a thick forest blanket that engulfs the ranges of Bwindi as this park sits at the edges of the Western arm of the great East African rift valley.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Trek Gorillas
Today is the day you will get to meet the incredible gorillas while on this Uganda safari tour! You will have a satisfying breakfast very early in the morning at 6:30 am then you will be transferred to the park offices where you will receive a short briefing about the dos and don’ts that should be observed during this gorilla trekking adventure. After this briefing, you will set off into the jungle on your search for the gorillas in the lead of a very skilled armed ranger guide who will also help you make sense of the numerous attractions that you will find along the search for the gorillas and these include several of the 350 bird species that have made this park an incredible birding destination to many birders on their Uganda birding adventure. Several other primates such as Black and White colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys might also come your way and some of the 27 Lizard species like the three horned chameleons can be spotted. On seeing the gorillas, you have a full hour with these magical beings to watch them as they go about their daily lives and if you’re lucky you might get to see the young gorillas break the 7-meter rule as they get closure to you to have you incorporated in their games. After the full hour contact with these gorillas transfer back to the park center where you get awarded a Gorilla tracking certificate for your tracking efforts.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Fly from Kisoro to Entebbe and connect to with your flight to Nairobi Kenya
Today you will transfer to Kisoro and catch a flight to Entebbe for your onward flight to Nairobi. You will have lunch in Entebbe before you fly to Nairobi. You will be received at Jomo Kenyatta international airport Nairobi city upon your arrival by one of our expert safari guides who will usher into Magical Kenya. You will then be transferred to your Nairobi hotel.
Accommodation: House of Waine
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Visit Sheldrick orphanage, Giraffe center and Nairobi National Park
This day commences with a visit to Sheldrick elephant orphanage. This orphanage was created by Daphne Sheldrick in 1977 in the loving memory of her husband David Sheldrick who was a famous naturalist and served as the first park warden of Tsavo park area. The orphanage specializes in rehabilitating Elephants and Rhinos that have that have been hurt due to poaching incidents and rescuing orphaned Elephant calfs. You will get to see the tremendous efforts that are being put in by the staff and owners of this orphanage into caring for these lovely creatures giving them a second hope to a better life after the ordeals they’ve endured in their past. From the orphanage, you will proceed to visit the giraffe center. The Giraffe center looks after the Rothchild’s Giraffes that were almost going extinct in Kenya by the time of its foundation. Over the 40 years of its existence, the center has managed to breed and translocate over 300 giraffes into various conservation areas around Kenya. You will have a lunch break after which you will drive into Nairobi National Park, Nairobi city is the only major town in the world where you can have an encounter with wild animals due to the presence of this national park. A visit to this national park gives you a chance to see animals such as giraffes, leopards, lions, Zebras and many more. After this visit, you will return to your hotel and this ends the day.
Accommodation: House of Waine
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 6: Transfer to Masai Mara
This day kicks off with a transfer to Masai Mara. Masai Mara lies about 270km or 3-4 hours drive South West of Nairobi city. Upon your arrival to Masai Mara, you will undertake an afternoon game drive which is meant to reveal to you the hidden wonders of the Mara plains.
Accommodation: Entumoto Safari Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Full day of unlimited game drives in Mara
The day commences with a morning game drive. During this drive, you will follow some of the game tracks that will ensure to maximize your chances of having an encounter with some of the big five dwellers such as the largest land mammal the African Elephants, the king of the jungle lions which you might spot patrolling their territories, the cape buffaloes that roam the grasslands of these Masai plains, the African Leopards that are famous for their stealth abilities that enable them to catch their prey with surprise. Beyond the big five you still have a chance to see numerous wild dwellers such as Wildebeests, Plain Zebras, and Masai Giraffes and many more. If you are into birding, you’re in the right place because Masai Mara is home to over 500 bird species and this game drive will surely put in a prime position to see several of these birds which include the secretary birds, Sooty Chat, Usambiro barbets, Swahili Sparrow. After about 3-4 hours of endless exploration, you will return to your lodge to catch your breathe and also have lunch. After lunch you will go back out their and engage in a second game drive to further your chances of seeing more of your favourite wild game and birds. You will return to the lodge in the evening and settle in for dinner after which you can choose to enjoy watching the stars light up the skies if the skies are clear and also listen to the numerous calls made by the wild mammals that call this reserve home. After all this, you can retire to your bed and rest for the day.
Accommodation: Entumoto Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Another day in the Mara
You will get to wake up to the amazing wild melodies of Masai Mara as you get to hear various animals sound their alarms and birds twitter to welcome the new day. You will have breakfast then go for a morning game drive to perhaps a different sector of Mara then an afternoon game drive is also available should you need it. If your timing is in sync with the Wildebeest Migration, then you’re in for an exhilarating and quite frankly amusing sight as you get to watch thousands of wildebeests and Zebras trek these mara plains from Serengeti to look for fresh pastures. If you find them near the Mara river, then you will be bewildered by the rather peculiar behavior of these animals as you get to see them plunge themselves one after the other into the crocodile infested waters of the Mara river and the crocodiles will thank the heavens above as they get to feast on the weak, old and young herbivores that also don’t go down without putting up a fight of their lives in an attempt to ward off the crocs and make it to the other side of the river.
Accommodation: Entumoto Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive
Today, you will drive to L Nakuru National Park, this park is located 230km or 3-4 hours drive from Mara. Upon your arrival here, you will engage in an afternoon game drive, A visit to this park ensures that you are primed to encounter wild mammals such as the both the black and white Rhinos, Cape Buffaloes, Hippos and Giraffes. If you are into birding, Lake Nakuru is a birders heaven as its home over 400 bird species and its famous for its high concentration of both Greater and Leser Flamingos. Other bird species to look out for while in Nakuru include Greater white Pelicans, Abyssinian thrush and the Bateleur. After your game drive, you will retire to your lodge and relax on your porch as you take in the sights and sounds of Lake Nakuru.
Accommodation: The Cliff
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Drive to Amboseli national Park for an afternoon game drive
Today you will wake up in the morning for breakfast after which you will check out of your lodge and embark on a 410km or 7-8 hours journey to Amboseli. When you arrive in Amboseli, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive here which will lead to encounters with several of the wild mammals that call this park their home such as Cape Buffaloes, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Zebras and Wildebeests. You might chance sightings of Lions as well here. For a birder, a safari to Amboseli comes with epic sightings of several of the 420 bird species that are found within the boundaries of this park and these may include birds such as African Jackana, Rofous chatterer, Goliath herons, Hartlaub’s bustard, Common redshank and many others.
Accommodation: Elarai Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Full day in Amboseli
A morning in Amboseli is something to look forward to as you’re in for beautiful sightings of the Kilimanjaro snow capped top which forms a spectacular back drop to this park. Rising upt to 5895m above sea level, Mountain Kilimanjaro is the roof top of Africa hence the beautiful coat of white that is seen on its top which very visible from anywhere you stand in this park. Day 4 is all about Amboseli and you will spend it conversing different corners of this park to see what they have in store for you.
Accommodation: Elarai Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Cross into Tsavo West National Park for an afternoon game drive
Today you will cross to the neighboring Tsavo West National Park. Upon your arrival here, you will engage in a game drive to discover what this park has to offer in terms of wild game sightings.
Accommodation: Severin Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Unlimited game drives in Tsavo West
This day will be fully spent traversing the savanna grassland of Tsavo west. This park is famous for its sightings of maneless male lions as well as large herds of Cape Buffaloes and many Elephants that are usually seen covered in a red dust which gives them an eerie look. When it comes to birds, this park boosts to be home to over 400 bird species which include the Pied Kingfisher, Golden Palm weaver, Eastern black headed oriole and many others.
Accommodation: Severin Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Transfer to Mombasa beach
This is the last day of your wild adventures and it also marks the beginning of your beach holiday experience. You will depart from Tsavo West National park and embark on a 6-7 hours drive to Mombasa where you get to relax from what has been an exhilarating wildlife safari adventure.
Accommodation: Maji Beach Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 15: Mombasa beach experience for a full day
Today you can choose to explore the beautiful coastal town of Mombasa by engaging in a rather spectacular Mombasa city tour. This tour will reveal to you what this historical town as in store for you. You can visit historical monuments like Fort Jesus which was built by the Portuguese who ruled this place in the 16th century. Inside the fort you will be able to see numerous relics and artefacts that have been well preserved and still symbolize their rule today. You can also decide to visit the spice markets especially if you’re a foodie as this visit to this particular market will expose you to hundreds of spices that can bring color and flavor to your food hence a shopping spree might ensue. After the city tour, you can choose to also engage in a mesmerizing and experiential Tamarind dhow or ship. This cruise will lead you to embark on an authentic experience of how the earlier voyagers of the Indian ocean the Indians and Arabs used to sail these waters on ships similar to this particular one as they carried out trade between East Africa and the Arabia world between 1000-1800ad. Still on this very cruise, you will take your taste buds on a magical culinary journey as you get to savor any of an array of sea foods and several other coastal cuisines that are served in plenty. This cruise returns to the dock at around 3pm hence giving you enough time to return to you resort and relax from the what has been rather a full filling day.
Accommodation: Maji Beach Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 16: Another day on the beach
You can choose to spend this day on the beach soaking in the tropical sunshine that will do wonders for your skin tan as long as you have your favorite sunscreen lotion in hand to mitigate the extreme ramifications of the tropical sun on your skin. If you’re a rather reserved person, you may also need to have a good book to keep you company if you don’t want other people’s company as you busk in the sun on the white sands of Mombasa. You can also decide to venture out and see more of what the Indian ocean has to offer. If you choose the latter, then allow yourself be taken on a boat cruise to Wasini island where you will have a chance of encountering several marine creatures that call this ocean their home. At the island you pose a chance to swim with some creatures of the undersea such as Dolphins that can be clearly seen in the clear waters of this ocean.
Accommodation: Maji Beach Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 17: Transfer to Mombasa airport and fly to Nairobi’s JKIA
This is the last day of what has been a remarkable African experience, you will vacate your resort and go to Mombasa airport for your flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where your safari with us comes to an end.
