8 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari – Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Game Viewing in Uganda and Kenya

This guided 8 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari visits two magnificent safari destinations within the East African region-the lush jungles of Bwindi National Park in the south-west of Uganda for mountain gorilla trekking tours and the premier African wilderness of Masai Mara National Reserve within the south-east of Kenya for the Great annual migration and a chance to see the big five game. The start location of this 8-day safari is Entebbe (Uganda) and end location is Nairobi City (Kenya).

8 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara SafariPositioned in the south-west of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park came into existence in 1991 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Besides being the Sanctuary to almost half the World’s total population of mountain gorillas, the most unforgettable gorilla treks are achieved in this Park with 21 available habituated gorilla groups.

The 8 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari destination is also known for offering the Gorilla Habituation Experience, mountain biking, unrivalled forest birding opportunities, guided forest walks and many others.

Kenya is known for being one of the best destinations in Africa for phenomenal safari experiences. Extending for about 1510 square kilometers, Masai Mara National Reserve is found in south-west of Kenya within the River Valley Province.

Its beautiful landscapes has gently rolling savannah plains where the big five game (Eastern black Rhinoceros, African bush elephants, African lions, Cape buffaloes and African leopards), alongside Masai giraffes, wildebeests, duikers, common elands, Kobs, Impalas, gazelles, lesser kudu, Grant’s zebras, Defassa waterbucks, Klipspringers, cheetahs, Bushbucks, to mention but a few.

Top highlights of the 8 days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari

  • Meet face to face with the super cute Giant Apes in their natural habitat.
  • Relish an incredible “guest: experience at the Masai and Batwa villages/communities.
  • Endless game viewing opportunities.
  • Birding tours.
  • Transport by 4WD safari Vehicle.
  • 7 nights’ accommodation in some of the best places of lodging in the jungle and wilderness.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe.

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi National Park via Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale.

Day 3: Discover Bwindi National Park through guided gorilla trek.

Day 4: Bwindi National Park-Kampala via Lake Mburo National Park

Day 5: Scheduled flight from Entebbe-Masai Mara National Reserve, south-east Kenya.

Day 6&7:  Masai Mara National Reserve sightseeing and guided game drive.

Day 8: Nairobi-the 8-day Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari ends.


 

8 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe

Welcome to Entebbe! On jetting into the country, you will be driven to your reserved Hotel to rest from the jet lag. In the afternoon/evening join the private safari driver for a proper welcome reception as well as dinner at the Hotel or any other top restaurant in the City.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with everyone in an exceptional setting. The energetic visitors can add a City excursion to the top historical and cultural sites of Kampala City.

Overnight stay at:

  • Luxury: Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
  • Midrange: Protea Hotel Kampala.
  • Budget: Yellow Haven Lodge.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi National Park via Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale

After breakfast, join your private safari driver for a road trip to spectacularly iconic Bwindi National Park for an insight into the African jungle through beautiful en-route sceneries.

The journey is undeniably long (8-9 hours’ drive) although rewarding with jaw-dropping countryside views, incredible street art and craft, sights of Ankole long-horned cattle and traditional villages. Have several en-route stops for lunch in Mbarara City as well as photography, then arrive late afternoon to rest from the long journey.

Overnight stay:

  • Midrange: Bakiga Lodge.
  • Budget: Ruhija Community Rest Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3: Discover Bwindi National Park through guided gorilla trek

Be prepared for an experience of a lifetime. Today offers a great chance of encountering the mountain gorillas in the wild, Bwindi National Park and the day begins with a hearty breakfast at the Safari Lodge then converge at the Park Headquarters for briefing on the rules and protocols to be followed while trekking the endangered Giant Apes.

Visitors will be mesmerized while walking through this UNESCO World Heritage Site and this normally lasts 2-4 hours, sometimes being as long as 6 hours or as little as 30 minutes. One hour is later provided for observation and photography as mountain gorillas go about their daily routines. A mouth-watering meal awaits trekkers at the Lodge and this is followed by short afternoon siesta at the same place of lodging.

In the evening, enjoy a “guest” experience at Batwa Village/community where you listen to takes/legends of the past, witness the great impact of the traditional dance performance, survival skills and many others with your local host who are aboriginal occupants of the forest before it was gazetted in 1991.  Retire for a delicious dinner and slumber at the Safari Lodge with sweet melodies of the Jungle.

Overnight stay:

  • Midrange: Bakiga Lodge.
  • Budget: Ruhija Community Rest Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Bwindi National Park-Kampala via Lake Mburo National Park

This beautiful morning, you will leave Bwindi National Park to Kampala, via Lake Mburo National Park for a short game drive where Burchell’s zebras, Cape buffaloes, common warthogs, giant elands, Oribis, bushbucks, Olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, Topis and Rothschild giraffes among others. Enjoy mouth-watering dinner and slumber at the booked place of sleep in the Capital.

Overnight stay at:

  • Luxury: Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
  • Midrange: Protea Hotel Kampala.
  • Budget: Yellow Haven Lodge.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5: Scheduled flight from Entebbe-Masai Mara National Reserve, south-east Kenya

This morning embark on a chartered flight from Entebbe Airport to Masai Mara National Reserve. The two-hour direct flight to Kenya’s premier safari destination offers beautiful aerial views of the magnificent country and the different landscapes. A private driver will be waiting at one of the airstrips to connect you to the reserved place of lodging for lunch, relaxation and slumber.

Overnight stay at:

  • Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Sarova Mara Game Camp.
  • Midrange: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge or Mara Intrepids Camp.
  • Budget: Mara Duma Bush Camp or Semadep Mara Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6 & 7:  Masai Mara National Reserve sightseeing and guided game drive

Enjoy two full days exploring Masai Mara National Reserve’s top highlights including guided game drives, visit to Masai village/community, enjoy hot air balloon tours and walking safaris to experience the exceptional showcase of Kenya’s unique flora and fauna.

Masai MaraFor the activities chosen, enjoy views of Eastern black Rhinoceros, Masai giraffes, Klipspringers, African lions, bushbucks, common warthogs, lesser kudu, Cape elands, leopards, Oribis, yellow baboons, cheetahs, African hares, spotted hyenas, vervet monkeys, Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, wildebeests, Topis, impalas, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, giant forest hogs, Kirk’s Dik-dik, Mongoose, African wild dogs, to mention but a few.

There will be some time to visit the Grumeti and Mara Rivers to experience River crossing-highlight of the Great annual migration starting from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve.

Overnight stay at:

  • Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge or Sarova Mara Game Camp.
  • Midrange: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge or Mara Intrepids Camp.
  • Budget: Mara Duma Bush Camp or Semadep Mara Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 8: Nairobi – the 8 days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari ends

Our 8 days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari ends with a transfer to Nairobi City, 5-6 hours’ journey with jaw-dropping views of the Great Rift Valley and arrive in the afternoon for Lunch. Embark on an onward flight via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or be dropped off at the Hotel.


 

What’s included in the 8 days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari?

  • 7 nights’ of comfortable accommodation.
  • Gorilla trekking permit.
  • Travel by a comfortable 4WD Vehicle.
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
  • Park or Reserve entrance fees.
  • Bottled water.
  • Government taxes.
  • Wildlife viewing.
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary.

What’s excluded in the 8 days Bwindi Gorillas and Masai Mara Safari?

  • Entebbe to Masai Mara flight.
  • International airfares.
  • Meals that are not included on the itinerary.
  • Souvenir shopping.
  • Tips to tour managers/driver guides, Ranger guides, waiters/waitresses and many others.
  • Other attractions not listed on the itinerary.
  • Travel and medical insurance

Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Bwindi

  • Only 8 visitors are allowed per gorilla family per day.
  • Visitors should maintain a 7-meter safe distance from gorillas.
  • Flash photography is prohibited.
  • Avoid eating or drinking in presence of gorillas.
  • Do not trek if sick especially from communicable diseases like flue to protect gorillas from infections.
  • Keep voices low while in gorilla habitats.
  • Follow your park guide instructions.
  • Do not litter the park.
  • Minimum age for trekking is 15 years
  • Properly dispose off your waste.

Packing list to consider for this African Safari

  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing
  • Waterproof jacket or poncho
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Binoculars
  • Camera with extra batteries
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Backpack for essentials
  • Travel documents (permits, ID, tickets)
  • Warm layers for chilly mornings
  • First aid kit

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