Wonders of Kenya Uganda Safari

On arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our customer care representative who will give you a brief overview of your safari program before handing you over to your driver-guide with whom you will depart for the Masai Mara National Game Reserve with a brief stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint before proceeding with the drive to arrive in time for check-in and lunch at the Ashnil Mara Camp. You will then spend the afternoon at leisure before going for an evening game drive till dusk when you return to your camp.

The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savannah- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena, and vultures.

The next morning, after your breakfast, start your Kenya Uganda Safari by departing for the whole day game drive in the vast Masai Mara National Game Reserve with picnic lunch being served in the wild. You will also have the chance to take optional activities, at extra costs such as the hot air balloon safari and a visit to a local Masai village.

On the third day, you will also enjoy the Masai Mara National Game Reserve, the area is famous for rolling grassland and for the Mara River, which runs through the reserve from north to south. The reserve covers an area of 700 square miles and forms part of the Serengeti ecosystem, hosting the world-famous spectacle of the annual migration of up to two million wildebeest, thousands of zebra and an escort of carnivores from the Serengeti plains that follow the rains and succulent new grass. A costly trek as many of the lame, laggard and sick will fall prey to the ravening pack of predators and many more will die in the swirling floodwaters of the Mara River as they try to cross it. The Mara also has one of the highest concentrations of cheetahs on the continent, as well as many magnificent black-manned lions.

On the fourth day after breakfast and proceed with your Kenya Uganda Safari. You will be transferred with a brief morning game drive en-route to the Keekorok airstrip in time for your Air Kenya flight to Entebbe. This flight departs Masai Mara and arrive at Entebbe.

On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our tour guide will meet and greet you then transfer you to your hotel, overnight Lake Victoria Serena Hotel.

Day five brings you to the Bwindi Impenetrable National park, after breakfast, your driver-guide will pick you from the hotel and you will embark on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National park, with an en-route short stop at the Equator.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and one of the richest biological and botanical regions in the world. The forest covers an area of 331 km² at the south-western edge of the western Rift Valley. Bwindi’s most-revered species are the approximately 350 wild Mountain Gorillas that makeup just over half of the world population of these gentle apes. Bwindi bird watching is highly recommended by the African Bird Club. On arrival to Bwindi, check-in to your lodge and if time permits you can do some optional activities like (Batwa visit cultural) the Batwa “pygmy” tribe are the original inhabitants of the forest.

Enjoy the ‘Batwa Experience’ and learn how this unique culture lived and hunted in the forest. You may even have a chance to try their bow and arrow. Or you can visit the changing life women local community project, overnight at Bwindi Lodge.

The next day you will be up early on the morning of your Gorilla Tracking for a good breakfast in preparation for the day’s physical activity.

You will report for registration at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 8 AM. After a briefing by the rangers, your gorilla trek will start. The trek usually takes between three and six hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a strong pair of walking boots or shoes.
The rangers will guide you through the village gardens and into the jungle-like forest. They will escort you through the sometimes thick bush, occasionally hacking the dense undergrowth with a machete as you search to locate the gorillas. The mountain gorillas are under 24-hour monitoring for their safety, so you’re almost guaranteed to see them. The rangers monitor each gorilla family by keeping in close radio contact.
In part due to gorilla tourism, the population of gorillas is slowly increasing but the species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health must not be compromised by coming into contact with human diseases (via our food, for example). To reduce transmission of disease from humans to gorillas, you will also be advised to keep a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas.
Once you have located the gorilla family, you will be asked to leave all your belongings to one side, and approach the gentle giants, just with your camera. The guides will interpret the animals’ behavior and advise on what you are watching. Females and their young, young males and even a dominant Silverback may be seen: feeding, playing, interacting with each other, or just sleeping! You will never forget your encounter with the gorillas. They will be quite curious to see you! You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to base. After the tracking, if time permits, you will visit the Batwa. The Batwa “pygmy” tribe are the original inhabitants of the forest.

Overnight at Bwindi lodge.

After breakfast, in the early morning, your driver will drive you from Bwindi to Entebbe in due time for your outbound flight at the Airport.

Say goodbye to the wonderful country and promise to join us on another expedition.