14-Day Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda Safari

The ultimate East Africa safari: the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda.

14 days / 13 nightsKenya, Tanzania, UgandaFly-In · Mid-range · Private Guided

Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

Three countries, two great ecosystems and the full range of East Africa’s wildlife. Begin in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, fly to Tanzania’s Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, following the Great Migration across the border.

Then fly to Uganda for three nights at Bwindi with your gorilla trek, and two nights in Kibale Forest for chimpanzees, before finishing in Entebbe. It is the most complete safari we offer in the region.

Route

NairobiMaasai MaraSerengetiNgorongoroBwindiKibale ForestEntebbe

Highlights

  • Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
  • Great Migration in two countries
  • Mountain gorilla trek
  • Chimpanzee trek in Kibale
  • Three countries in two weeks

Activities

  • Morning, afternoon and full-day game drives
  • Hot-air balloon safari
  • Picnic lunch at the Mara River
  • Game drives
  • Walking safaris in concession areas
  • Crater floor game drive
  • Crater rim walk
  • Olduvai Gorge museum
  • Gorilla trekking

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1:

    Into the Maasai Mara

    Maasai Mara

    Your guide collects you from your hotel in Nairobi in the morning for the drive to Maasai Mara (5–6 hours via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint). Arrive in the Maasai Mara in time for lunch at camp. After a rest, set out on your first afternoon game drive across the open plains, looking for lion prides, grazing herds of topi and zebra, and elephant families moving towards the river as the light turns golden.

    Overnight: Permanent tented camp with en-suite tents near the Talek River Meals: L, D
  2. Day 2:

    Full Day in the Maasai Mara

    Maasai Mara

    Leave early, when the predators are most active, with a packed breakfast in the vehicle. Your guide will follow the latest news on the radio — perhaps a cheetah hunting on the short-grass plains or a leopard in the riverine forest. Return to camp for lunch and a rest before an afternoon drive into a different area of the reserve.

    Overnight: Permanent tented camp with en-suite tents near the Talek River Meals: B, L, D
  3. Day 3:

    Mara River Day

    Maasai Mara

    Spend a full day exploring towards the Mara River with a picnic lunch. In migration season you may wait near a crossing point as herds of wildebeest gather on the banks; at other times of year the river is a reliable place for hippos, huge Nile crocodiles and big herds of buffalo.

    Overnight: Permanent tented camp with en-suite tents near the Talek River Meals: B, L, D
  4. Day 4:

    Into the Serengeti

    Serengeti

    After breakfast, begin your journey from Maasai Mara to Serengeti — a cross-border day of scheduled flights connecting through Nairobi and Arusha, with our team meeting you at every stage. Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.

    Overnight: Permanent tented camp in the central Serengeti Meals: B, L, D
  5. Day 5:

    Serengeti Big Cat Country

    Serengeti

    Spend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.

    Overnight: Permanent tented camp in the central Serengeti Meals: B, L, D
  6. Day 6:

    Following the Migration

    Serengeti

    Head out with a picnic lunch to wherever the herds are grazing — on the southern plains during calving season, or towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the dry months. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the landscape is unforgettable.

    Overnight: Permanent tented camp in the central Serengeti Meals: B, L, D
  7. Day 7:

    Ngorongoro Crater Descent

    Ngorongoro Crater

    After breakfast, continue by road from Serengeti to Ngorongoro (3–4 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.

    Overnight: Farm lodge set among coffee gardens in Karatu Meals: B, L, D
  8. Day 8:

    Journey to Bwindi

    Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

    After breakfast, begin your journey from Ngorongoro to Bwindi — a cross-border day of scheduled flights connecting through Arusha and Entebbe, with our team meeting you at every stage. Arrive at your lodge on the forest edge in time to hear the evening chorus of birds and the rainforest settling for the night.

    Overnight: Forest lodge with gorilla-trek access Meals: B, L, D
  9. Day 9:

    Mountain Gorilla Trek

    Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

    After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing, then set off with rangers and trackers into the forest. The trek may take from one to several hours through steep, green terrain. When you find the gorillas, spend a magical hour watching the silverback, mothers and playful youngsters at close quarters — an experience few people ever forget.

    Overnight: Forest lodge with gorilla-trek access Meals: B, L, D
  10. Day 10:

    Batwa Experience & Forest Walk

    Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

    Spend the morning with the Batwa people, the forest's original inhabitants, learning about hunting, medicinal plants and traditional music. In the afternoon, walk to a waterfall on the forest edge, looking for monkeys and colourful birds.

    Overnight: Forest lodge with gorilla-trek access Meals: B, L, D
  11. Day 11:

    Kibale & the Crater Lakes

    Kibale Forest

    After breakfast, continue by road from Bwindi to Kibale Forest. Travel west to Fort Portal and the crater lakes near Kibale Forest. In the afternoon, walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with a community guide, looking for red colobus monkeys and the great blue turaco.

    Overnight: Forest lodge on the edge of Kibale Meals: B, L, D
  12. Day 12:

    Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale

    Kibale Forest

    Set off early into Kibale Forest with a ranger to find a habituated chimpanzee community. Listen for their pant-hoot calls echoing through the trees, then spend an hour watching them feed, groom and swing through the canopy. Return to the lodge for an afternoon crater lake walk.

    Overnight: Forest lodge on the edge of Kibale Meals: B, L, D
  13. Day 13:

    Return to Entebbe

    Entebbe

    After breakfast, continue by road from Kibale Forest to Entebbe (5–6 hours). Return to Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria for a final evening, with dinner overlooking the lake.

    Overnight: Lakeside hotel in Entebbe Meals: B, D
  14. Day 14:

    Departure

    Entebbe

    Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and, depending on your flight time, a last stroll or some souvenir shopping. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels — kwaheri until next time!

    Overnight: End of services Meals: B

Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.

Accommodation

This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.

  • Maasai MaraPermanent tented camp with en-suite tents near the Talek River3 nights
  • SerengetiPermanent tented camp in the central Serengeti3 nights
  • Ngorongoro CraterFarm lodge set among coffee gardens in Karatu1 night
  • Bwindi Impenetrable ForestForest lodge with gorilla-trek access3 nights
  • Kibale ForestForest lodge on the edge of Kibale2 nights
  • EntebbeLakeside hotel in Entebbe1 night

Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach

What's included

Included

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
  • Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
  • All national park, reserve and conservation fees
  • Arrival and departure airport transfers
  • Bottled drinking water during the safari
  • All government taxes and levies
  • 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
  • Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
  • One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person (currently USD 800)
  • One chimpanzee trekking permit per person in Kibale (currently USD 250)

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
  • Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
  • Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
  • Optional porters on gorilla and chimpanzee treks (around USD 20 per trek)

Travel information

Best time to travel

July to October for the Great Migration and river crossings; January to March for dry, quieter game viewing with good predator action. April and May are wetter but green, peaceful and good value. Kenya: Kenya is a year-round destination. Tanzania: June to October is the classic dry season, with excellent game viewing across all parks and migration river crossings in the northern Serengeti from July. Uganda: June to August and December to February are the driest months and the most comfortable for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.

What to pack

  • Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
  • A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
  • Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
  • Insect repellent and personal medication
  • Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
  • Waterproof hiking boots and gaiters for forest treks
  • Lightweight rain jacket
  • Gardening gloves for gripping vegetation
  • Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers

Experiences on this safari

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private safari?

Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.

What does the price include?

The guide price from USD 9,400 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.

Is there a luggage limit on the flights?

Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.

When should I book my gorilla permit?

As early as possible — ideally three to six months ahead for June to September and December to February. We purchase permits as soon as you confirm your booking.

When can I see a river crossing?

Crossings most often happen between late July and early October, but the herds move with the rain, so no date can be guaranteed. Spending at least three nights in the Mara gives you the best chance.

Enquire about this safari

Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.

Countries of interest
Interests

We reply within one working day. Prefer to chat? WhatsApp us or call +254 724 241 818.

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