10-Day Uganda Rwanda Gorillas, Maasai Mara & Serengeti Safari – Explore East Africa’s premier destinations on this 10-day safari, each guaranteeing you experiences of a lifetime. Enjoy mountain gorilla trekking in two protected areas: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda). Then, cross into Magical Kenya and Tanzania for the best of big game viewing and the wildebeest migration in Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala – Bwindi Impenetrable N/P (Uganda)
Start with breakfast at a hotel in Kampala, then embark on a long day’s drive (about 8-9 hours) to Bwindi National Park in Southwestern Uganda. Along the way, stop at the Equator crossing for photos or a water experiment to discern the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Continue to Igongo cultural centre for lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Park, where gorilla trekking awaits the next day.
Day 2: Bwindi Gorillas – Uganda
Depart your lodge for a briefing at Buhoma offices of Bwindi National Park. This sector is home to 4 habituated gorilla families (Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe, and Rushegura), with one family visited each day. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes 2-6 hours, depending on fitness levels, gorilla location, and other factors. An armed park ranger guide will lead your trek, allowing a maximum of one hour for a close encounter with the gorillas. After the trek, return to the lodge or continue with an afternoon cultural visit to the Batwa community.
Day 3: Bwindi – Katuna/Chanika – Volcanoes Park (Rwanda)
Drive from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda, crossing via Katuna or Chanika border posts. Spend the day relaxing at the lodge or visit Iby’Iwacu village for a cultural tour, entertainment, and insights into Rwandan cultures, traditions, and practices.
Day 4: Trek Rwanda Gorillas (Volcanoes N/Park)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before visiting Kinigi to be assigned to one of the 12 gorilla families available for tourism in Volcanoes National Park. Briefing on gorilla trekking safety measures will precede the 8:00am trek with an experienced guide.
Day 5: Transfer to Nairobi
Early breakfast followed by check-out. Meet your driver guide for a transfer to Kigali, where a brief city tour includes visits to key areas such as Gisozi/Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets like Kirimonko market, and craft shops. Continue to the airport for your flight to Nairobi, where you’ll be transferred to a lodge or hotel for relaxation.
Day 6: Maasai Mara – Wildebeest & Big Game Safari
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing Nairobi for Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Southwestern Kenya. This renowned reserve, one of Kenya’s largest, promises authentic African wilderness experiences. The journey from Nairobi takes 6-7 hours.
Day 7: Full-Day Game Safari – Maasai Mara
Explore the rich ecosystem of Maasai Mara Reserve all day. Spot large and small mammals, including the Big Five (buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants), as well as giraffes, cheetahs, wildebeests, hyenas, and up to 500 bird species.
Day 8: Game Safari to Serengeti NP (Tanzania)
Enjoy an early breakfast before leaving Maasai Mara Game Reserve for Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Serengeti, part of Tanzania’s Northern circuit, is accessed via Isebania border post after clearing with authorities. The journey takes 7-8 hours, arriving at the lodge for overnight stay.
Day 9: Full-Day Game Viewing – Serengeti NP
Spend the entire day exploring the vast savannas of Serengeti National Park amidst its abundant wildlife. Enjoy sightings of leopards, cheetahs, lions, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, waterbucks, elands, impalas, giraffes, buffaloes, and more. Stop for lunch and drive to the Kopjes for more lion sightings as they watch their prey.
Day 10: Serengeti – Arusha (Tanzania)
After an early breakfast, depart the lodge for Arusha with a guided game drive en route in Serengeti. Catch glimpses of wildlife including warthogs, wildebeests, giraffes, dik-diks, buffaloes, lions, hartebeests, elands, hyenas, and various bird species. Your driver guide will accompany you to your hotel or the airport in Tanzania for your departure back home.
