9 Days Kenya and Uganda Safari
This 9 Days Kenya and Uganda Safari is a journey of contrasts, combining Kenya’s iconic savanna landscapes from the Maasai Mara to the crucial rhino sanctuary of Ol Pejeta with the dense, misty rainforests of Uganda for the ultimate Mountain Gorilla encounter. The plan is perfectly designed to make the most of the different animal species that could be met and also uses an important cross-border flight for easy country changes.
Tour Highlights.
Day 1 and 2: Arrival and Maasai Mara.
Day 3: Mara to Lake Naivasha.
Day 4 and 5: Lake Naivasha to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Day 6: Ol Pejeta to Nairobi.
Day 7: Nairobi to Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Day.
Day 9: Departure.
Detailed itinerary.
Part 1: Kenya—Wildlife, Lakes, and Conservation (Days 1–6)
The safari’s first part focuses on Kenya’s various ecosystems and promises a plentitude of game viewing in the most natural habitats or in well-managed conservancies.
Day 1 and 2: Arrival and Maasai Mara Immersion:
Upon your arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) on the first day, you will be met and transferred to the scheduled flight to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. As you proceed to your camp, you will meet the Mara on a brief game drive from the lodge.
The second day is entirely committed to Mara exploration. Game drives are dedicated to following the Big Cats, lions, cheetahs, and leopards and, if it is the right season, also witnessing the amazing Great Wildebeest Migration. The main emphasis is to see as many animals as possible in the vast, predator-rich savanna.
Day 3: Mara to Lake Naivasha:
After an early morning game drive in the Mara, you will be taken to the airstrip for your return flight to Nairobi. From Nairobi, you will be road transferred to the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha in a very picturesque way.
This afternoon is all about relaxation at the lake or partaking in a boat trip as an option where hippos and birds will be seen, a quiet interlude between the hard game drives.
Day 4 and 5: Lake Naivasha to Ol Pejeta Conservancy:
The fourth day sees an early morning departure from Naivasha and the journey moves towards the northern Laikipia Plateau and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Ol Pejeta is a great attraction worldwide because of its outstanding conservation work, especially the endangered rhinos.
The fifth day is completely dedicated to this crucial sanctuary. You may engage in targeted program activities about the Black and White Rhinos. Such activities may also involve visits to a variety of places, such as a newly built sanctuary for chimps offering an emotional and eye-opening experience of in-situ conservation efforts. This part of the safari is both powerful and educational.
Day 6: Ol Pejeta to Nairobi:
After a last morning activity and breakfast in Ol Pejeta, you will head back to Nairobi by road. The rest of the day is spent close to the airport, getting ready for the international transition to Uganda.
Part 2: Uganda – Gorilla Trekking (Days 7 to 9)
The last part moves the focus of the trip completely to the equatorial rainforest and the search for Mountain Gorillas.
Day 7: Nairobi to Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
This is a very important travel day. You will wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast, after breakfast you will check out from your lodge and transfer to the park airstrip for your domestic flight to Nairobi.
Upon your arrival you will be transferred to catch the flight to Entebbe (Uganda). After that, you will be boarding a domestic flight (or a charter flight) from Entebbe directly to the airstrip nearest to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park upon arrival. This speedy air travel is what saves you from very long road transfers. At the same time, your Ugandan guide will be waiting for you to accompany you to the forest lodge where you will check in making plans and preparing for tomorrow’s trek.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Day:
The climax of the safari begins with an early start. A briefing at the park headquarters will prepare you for the amazing adventure you are about to start on. Accompanied by your guide and the trackers, you will set off to locate your assigned gorilla group. This forest trek can be quite tough, but the encounter is worth the effort: a maximum of one hour with the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
Observing their socializing, feeding, and grooming while they live in their natural habitat is very touching. Afterwards, you will be taken back to the lodge for some downtime and introspection.
Day 9: Departure:
After a leisurely final breakfast right in the middle of the Uganda forest, a transfer will take you to the local airstrip for a flight back to Entebbe. From there, you can catch your international flight back home. The trip has been unforgettable mainly because of the grasslands and the primates.
End of 9 Days Kenya and Uganda Safari
