The 5 days Kenya safari and gorilla trekking Uganda from Kigali provides the best of gorilla trekking in the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and big five (5) game safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Bwindi is officially UNESCO Heritage Site, a tropical rainforest park situated in Southwestern Uganda.
Driving from Kigali to Bwindi National Park takes a shorter period of time about 4-5 hours. This means, you spend fewer hours than if you began your journey from Kampala. Gorilla trekking is the main experience and key area of interest awaiting you in Bwindi as per this trip plan.
Maasai Mara lies in the rift valley area, Southwestern Kenya and forms part of the Masai Mara –Serengeti Eco-system. This nature reserve spans up to 1510sq.km and holds a huge concentration of fauna, especially the big 5 game and myriad of antelope families. It is the best place to interact not only with the big five but also the Great Migration.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali city tour, road transfer to Bwindi
First before you leave Kigali capital, you will have a short city tour and this includes exploring sites like Kigali genocide memorial plus many other historical sites. 2 hours will be dedicated for your Kigali city excursion and after, you will head off to Katuna or Cyanika border to clear with authorities. Later, cross over to Uganda connecting to Bwindi National Park via Kabale/Kisoro town.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge/Silverback Lodge
- Budget: Bwindi View Bandas/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 2: Go trek with Bwindi mountain gorillas
Today, enjoy breakfast early morning and after, exit the lodge for briefing at Buhoma region (a gorilla trekking sector with 4 gorilla groups –Katwe, Rushegura, Mubare, and Habinyanja). After briefing and allocation of gorilla groups, start the normal trek through the rainforest, hills and valleys for you to search for these rare apes in the wild.
The long day trekking will go for 2-6 hours which includes an hour for up close and personal encounter with a family of mountain gorillas in the wild. After the trek with Bwindi gorillas, get back and set off to Kigali.
Accommodation
- The Retreat/Five to Five Hotel Kigali
Day 3: Fly to Maasai Mara
Leave Kigali using the morning flight to Kenya. You will connect to the reserve by flight and check in at the lodge within Maasai Mara Reserve.
Accommodation
- The Mara Serena Lodge/Mara River Lodge/Mara Intrepids Tented Camp
Day 4: Enjoy the Great Migration and Big 5 game experience (full day) Masai Mara
After breakfast, you will be picked up at the lodge and embark on a guided wildlife safari through Maasai Mara National Reserve. Today’s game viewing focuses on the big five game (elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards and rhinos), and the Great wildebeest migration. Other wildlife to see at Maasai Mara include cheetahs, zebras, hyenas, black-backed jackals, bat-eared fox, and many birds. The long-day wildlife excursion includes picnic lunch and you will only return in the evening to chill at the lodge, dine and retire for the night.
Accommodation
- The Mara Serena Lodge/Mara River Lodge/Mara Intrepids Tented Camp
Day 5: Game drive & departure
Enjoy a tasty cup of tea/coffee and after, exit Masai Mara for a guided game drive early morning. Navigate via the savanna plains of the reserve while catching up with early risers and proceed to Nairobi by road, 5-6 hours’ drive.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Gorilla permits
- Big five game drive
- Great Migration experience
- Park entrance fees
- Accommodation and all meals as per the itinerary
- Transportation in a 4WD vehicle across the destinations visited
- Service of professional driver or guide
Exclusions
- Laundry services
- Tipping of all kinds
- Additional cost on accommodation and extra activities
- Telephone bills
- Travel Insurance expenses
- Alcoholic drinks
- Shopping costs on the trip