Begin an exciting 6-Day Uganda Gorilla Trek & Masai Mara Wildebeest Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda and later view the wildlife of Masai Mara National Reserve in southern Kenya.
This 6-Day Uganda Gorilla Trek & Masai Mara Wildebeest Safari is a fantastic blend ideal for visitors seeking to mix up their experiences and enjoy an unforgettable cross-border African safari.
6-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Masai Mara Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Kigali City – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Gorilla Trekking Experience
- Day 3: Morning Boat Ride at Lake Bunyonyi & Transfer to Kigali for Your Flight to Nairobi
- Day 4: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve & Evening Game Drive
- Day 5: Whole Day Game Drive in Masai Mara National Park
- Day 6: Mara to Nairobi & Departure
Detailed 6-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Masai Mara Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali City – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Arrive at Kigali International Airport for your 6-Day Uganda Gorilla Trek & Masai Mara Wildebeest Safari, then continue to your preferred hotel for breakfast and relaxation. If time permits, you’ll go for a city tour and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum to learn about the 1994 Rwanda genocide, which left almost 950,000 people, mostly Tutsis, dead and millions displaced.
Visit the local Kigali craft market, monuments, towering modern buildings, Kigali Convention Center, and other sites of interest.
After this excursion, begin the transfer to Rwanda’s beautiful northwestern region, on the foothills of Virunga, through Musanze district. The trip is marked with scenic views of the Virunga chain of mountains, Rwanda’s rolling hills, expansive tea and banana plantations, bustling local towns, etc.
Arrive in Bwindi National Park and spend the rest of the evening resting or take a short evening community walk to visit the Batwa pygmies, attend their performances, listen to their stories, and retreat to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Gorilla Trekking Experience
This is the long-awaited day! Prepare yourself for this once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the world’s most sought-after apes. Mountain gorillas are the rarest and most endangered of all gorilla subspecies.
Bwindi boasts a large population of these amazing species. This trek allows you to visit a habituated family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, and you are given up to one hour to be in their midst as you watch them play, feed, breastfeed, and the mighty silverback guard the group against any possible threat.
This UNESCO World Heritage site hosts up to 120 mammal species, five other primate species, 220 butterflies, and over 360 bird species. Gorilla trekking duration can be as short as one hour or as long as 8 hours, depending on the location of the group, the speed of trekkers, the nature of the jungle, etc.
A close encounter with a playful family of mountain gorillas is truly remarkable and sensational! A gorilla trek is undoubtedly a highlight of any safari in Uganda and Africa.
After spending an hour with a family of gorillas, retreat to the starting point, meet your driver, and head to the lodge where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure.
Day 3: Morning Boat Ride at Lake Bunyonyi & Transfer to Kigali for Your Flight to Nairobi
Have an early breakfast in Bwindi, and leave the lodge. Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale where you will have a cruise on the lake with a dugout canoe.
This takes you to Lake Bunyonyi’s historical and hidden islands, unique bird species, and communities of fishermen, and a local guide will narrate the entire history and details of numerous islands and the lake at large.
After the experience, rest at one of the resorts on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, refresh, and in the afternoon drive through Kabale town, and cross into Rwanda via Katuna border.
Admire the beautiful scenery en route, characterized by the Virunga volcanoes, plantations, local homesteads, etc. Arrive in Kigali city, and immediately head to the airport to catch your outbound flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
Day 4: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve & Evening Game Drive
Have breakfast in bustling Nairobi city at 8:00 am and immediately head to one of Africa’s most renowned national parks. A journey to Masai Mara National Reserve goes past the splendid scenery of the Great Rift Valley and Narok, where you have opportunities to take memorable pictures.
Arrive at your pre-booked accommodation in Masai Mara, check in, and have lunch as you prepare for the afternoon game drive. Masai Mara is home to some of the most famous mammals in the world, including large herds of buffaloes, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and several antelope species.
During the great migration season, you will be lucky to spot the gazelles and wildebeests on their journey from Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania.
Day 5: Whole Day Game Drive in Masai Mara National Park
After an early breakfast, embark on a full day of game drives to explore Masai Mara’s permanent residents. Start the drive before sunrise to spot the rare cats, early risers, and nocturnals.
Alternatively, take a hot air balloon ride to admire Mara’s sprawling landscape and all other mammals at 360 degrees.
Return to the lodge for refreshments and relaxation. Or continue with a game drive and have a packed lunch in the midst of the park.
After this full day game drive, return to the lodge to refresh with a drink or snacks, right on the balcony of your room as you continue to admire splendid views and the soothing sounds of the Mara River.
Alternatively, embark on a walking tour to explore the wilderness of Masai Mara Reserve. Many tourists to Masai Mara National Reserve prefer to rediscover the Great Rift Valley on foot.
Walkers follow the southern route via the Oloololo Escarpment, and Maasai local guides offer complete guided walks through the scattered forests and sprawling open grasslands.
Day 6: Mara to Nairobi & Departure
Go for the last game drive in this magical reserve after breakfast. This drive exposes you to numerous animals that you might have missed during other game drives.
Return to the lodge, check out, and depart Masai Mara heading to Nairobi city. Proceed to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight.
End of 6-Day Uganda Gorilla Trek & Masai Mara Wildebeest Safari.
