The 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildebeest Migration safari combines East Africa region’s fascinating wildlife experiences within a fortnight. This safari opens with wildlife viewing and wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve of Kenya, then the second dose of game viewing and wildebeest viewing in Serengeti National Park and other protected areas in Tanzania before flying into the marvelous Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.
While gorilla trekking and wildebeest migration are the main highlights of this safari, also expect tours of other safari destinations such as Lake Nakuru, Lake Manyara and Queen Elizabeth National Parks in addition to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Nairobi City, Kenya to Masai Mara National Reserve.
Arise with the sun and wait for pick-up from your place of accommodation in Nairobi City, then embark on a scenic drive to Masai Mara National Reserve via the Great Rift Valley region.
Settle in at the booked Tented Camp for a hot meal before embarking on a fully-packed game drive with some of Africa’s sought-after game such as African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, cheetahs, lions, impalas, Masai giraffes, leopards, striped hyenas, wildebeests, zebras, warthogs, African wild dogs, gazelles and many others.
Day 2: Full day game drive with wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve
Your full-day game drive in Masai Mara starts early, with breakfast at the Lodge and with your lunch box board the waiting open roof safari vehicle. Start driving slowly because you wouldn’t want to miss out any animals and have occasional stops for photography. Continue spotting huge herds of African bush elephants, cheetahs, Cape buffaloes, wildebeests, Topis, impalas, warthogs, leopards and so much more.
The drive also leads to Mara River, the hot spot for wildebeest migration where huge numbers of wildebeests, Grant’s zebras and gazelles violently cross the River while trying to escape savaging crocodiles and lions at the banks of the River. Enjoy a Picnic lunch within the Park and continue with the game drive that ends in the evening as you retire back to your Tented Camp to dine and slumber.
Day 3: Scenic drive from Masai Mara National Reserve to Lake Nakuru National Park.
After a well-deserved breakfast, exit Masai Mara National Park for the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park, another fantastic safari destination in Kenya for another doze of game viewing and photography. Receive a warm welcome from the roaming animals such as Rhinos, zebras, Masai giraffes, elands, Cape buffaloes, Defassa waterbucks, lions and so much more.
Day 4: Leave Lake Nakuru National Park for Nairobi City, then fight to Tanzania.
Leaving your Lodge behind, embark on a guided half day game drive with more sights and sounds of the wilderness. Arrive Nairobi City by afternoon for a hot meal and proceed to Arusha Town via Namanga Border. Dine and rest at the booked place of lodging in Arusha Town.
Day 5: Depart Arusha Town for Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
After a hearty breakfast, your safari driver will meet and brief you from your Hotel in Arusha Town and pack your bags for Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in the northern circuit of Tanzania. Be at the Protected Area in the afternoon where you will settle in at the Tented Camp for a hot lunch.
Later undertake a guided game drive towards the Crater rim to relish breathtaking scenery, sights of rhinos, spotted hyenas, zebras, Hippos, common elands, jackals, gazelles, Kobs, wildebeests and many others. Retire to your Tented Camp for dinner and relaxation.
Day 6: Full day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Breakfast before anything else and get the necessary things needed to undertake a full-day game drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This game drive goes to the Crater rim where big five game-African bush elephants, Black rhinos, Cape buffaloes, leopards and lions as well as Hippos, wildebeests, zebras, spotted hyenas, warthogs, Kobs and others can be seen.
Large flocks of beautiful pink flamingos can also be spotted at the soda Lake Magadi. Your lunch will also be within the heart of this Protected Area to allow you properly browse through the Park for more animals.
Day 7: Depart for the spectacular Serengeti National Park.
Following a hefty breakfast, we leave for Serengeti National Park and the beauty of safaris in Tanzania is that even while transferring to other safari destinations, expect more and more views of animals and birds. Spot more animals of Ngorongoro, including the ones you missed the day before and enjoy lunch along the way. Arrive in the late afternoon for another game drive.
Day 8: Full day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park, with wildebeest migration
After a hearty breakfast, leave the Camp early in the morning for a chance to experience close wildlife encounters in the natural unfenced environment of Serengeti National Park with the big five game (Eastern black rhinoceros, African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, lions and leopards), common duikers, Topis, Masai giraffes, bat-eared foxes, Coke’s hartebeests, Hippos, Klipspringers, Cape elands, Oribis, Roan antelopes, Defassa waterbucks, Roan antelopes, striped hyenas, sable antelopes, Dik-dik, lesser and greater kudu.
The highlight of this epic game viewing experience is finally getting the chance to witness the wildebeest migration as millions of Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles accompanied by gazelles and zebras migrate between the unfenced boundaries of this Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Retire to the en-suite accommodation in the evening for dinner and slumber.
Day 9: From Serengeti National Park to Lake Manyara National Park
Embark on a game drive through Serengeti National Park while transferring to Lake Manyara National Park. Lunch will be enjoyed immediately on arrival at the home to tree climbing lions of Tanzania. Undertake a late afternoon game drive for the Hippos, yellow baboons, beautiful pink flamingos, Masai giraffes, Cape buffaloes and Rhinos among others.
Day 10: Full day Safari in Lake Manyara National Park.
Leave your Camp after a hefty breakfast for a full-day game drive and because of this, carry along a lunch box for uninterrupted game viewing and photography. The game drive will be marked by sights and sounds of spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, yellow baboons, African civets, Cape buffaloes, bat-eared foxes, Hippos, Dik-dik, Klipspringers, Grant’s gazelles, bushbucks, Masai giraffes, common warthogs, zebras, leopards, black-backed jackal and mongoose. Enjoying a picnic lunch in the middle of the wilderness will refuel your energy to allow you continue the game drive until sunset when you continue to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Depart for Kilimanjaro Airport, flight to Entebbe International Airport-Uganda.
On this day, enjoy breakfast and exit Lake Manyara National Park with a game drive carefully as you dot the I’s and cross the T’s. Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport to take a direct flight to Entebbe International Airport, Uganda.
Day 12: Transfer from Entebbe/Kampala to the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, transfer from the intimate Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which stretches for about 540 kilometers west of Kampala City. Detour the breathtaking Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale road en-route to the ultimate gorilla trekking destination, set in the south-west of the country. This Park is haven to almost half the World’s population of mountain gorillas in their natural environment, breathtaking waterfalls, over 360 bird species and many others. A quick stop for photography at Equator crossing and another in Igongo Cultural Center for lunch, then arrive the Park in the evening to enjoy dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Mountain Gorilla Trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a hefty breakfast, leave with a lunch box for an orientation at the Park Headquarters before embarking on the breathtaking gorilla trekking adventure. This is followed by allocation into the gorilla groups, with the help of experienced Park Rangers and afterwards start the search for these creatures.
Several bird species, trees and primates are encountered during the trek then one hour will be allocated for observation and photography after making contact with the mountain gorillas.
Spend your evening in the local community to learn about their riveting culture, traditional dances, art and craft making before heading back to the Lodge for refreshment and dinner.
Day 14: Bwindi-Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following breakfast, leave Bwindi and enjoy the last views of the jungle while continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The change in ecosystem will introduce you to the African wilderness where you will savour on views of tree climbing lions and other animals in Ishasha sector. Drive to the booked place of lodging for lunch and later the boat cruise along Kazinga Channel.
Day 15: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Entebbe International Airport A morning game drive summarizes our tour of Queen Elizabeth National Park before being transferred to Kampala/Entebbe International Airport for a flight back home.
